Punta Cana travel guide 2024
Punta Cana is a resort town, located in La Altagracia Province of Dominican Republic. This place faces both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Different areas of Punta Cana are ready to offer you various experience. Read our travel guide and plan your holiday to Punta Cana.
1. Bavaro
If you like to walk around on your own without taking a taxi or renting a car, it is best to plan your holiday to Punta Cana staying in Bavaro area, the Los Corales or El Cortecito. Everything you may need: restaurants, bars, food stands, supermarkets are within walking distance.
Bavaro is a rather secure area, but we recommend exercise increased caution. However, apart of local police a special unit Politur (tourist police) has been monitoring those places since 2000. The need of such a unit grew with increase of tourists number arriving to Dominican Republic. The main purpose is to provide peace because of the crime rate that arose as a result.
Cabeza de Toro
Cabeza de Toro beach is open for non-hotel guests. In addition to the usual activities, which are available for all visitors, there are two parks that the visitors like. These parks are Animal Adventure Park and Marinarium. Especially in this area you will find Kviar Show Disco & Casino Punta Cana, Blue Beach Punta Cana Luxury Resort, Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana, Natural Park Beach Eco Resort & SPA.
King Lobster Restaurant and Bar right on the beach is offering fresh seafood and cold drinks. Not far from the beach there is Scuba Doo Diving. This is a unique experience to dive with underwater scooter with a panoramic view of 180 degrees. But do not worry! You will be accompanied by professional divers.
Shopping malls
Can not imagine your holiday to Punta Cana without shopping? In Bavaro you will find shopping malls – Palma Real Shopping Village, Plaza Bavaro, San Juan Plaza Shopping Centre and town plazas with various shops, restaurants, beach sport activities, bars.
Golf Courses
Cana Bay Golf Course, Iberostar Golf Course, White Sands Golf Course, Cocotal Golf and Country Club are offering great experience for Pro and Amateur golfers and providing the best playing surface with the highest industry standards. Golf courts you will find also in Catalonia Bavaro Beach, Golf and Casino Resort. The hotel provides all services and material you might need to enjoy this fun sport.
Casino & Gambling
If you are into gambling – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Avalon Casino, Diamante Casino, Iberostar Casino, Vista Sol Casino, Casino Palma Real are here for you to try your luck.
Hotels and resorts
Ocean Blue & Sands Paradisus Punta Cana, Bavaro Princess All Suites Resort, Hotel Riu Palace, Grand Bahia Principle Punta Cana, Barcelo Bavaro Palace Deluxe are luxury 5 star hotels and resorts with stunning beaches, food options variety, water sports, casinos, clubs, evening shows.
Scuba diving
One of the place loved by scuba divers in Bavaro is Astron shipwreck, ship previously named as Esmeralda and Bonnie was built in France in 1957 and was Russian-owned cargo ship. It was delivering corn to Cuba in 1978 when run aground during the storm. It is becoming more and more a part of ocean landscape but as it lays 16 meters deep in the water can be easily accessed by scuba divers. Dolphin Island Park, Aquapark, Seaquarium Punta Cana are places to visit and have fun with a family.
2. Macao
Macao is a small village with magnificent beach declared by UNESCO as one of the best in Caribbean and only 20 minutes away from Bavaro. There are no accommodation in Macao. However, it is close to all-inclusive resorts in Uvero Alto and Arena Gorda. You might see local people selling their handmade products for tourists at the beach.
There you can see fishermen coming on small boats loaded with fresh lobsters and fish. Just ask to cook and serve it with ice-cold beer. Most of the time el Macao beach is never crowded because of its big size. However, it is one of favorite destinations of Dominicans and best place for surfing.
3. Cap Cana
Cap Cana is an exclusive estate and hotel tourist destination with All inclusive Resorts, villas and Condos and with limited access through the main gates. Juanillo Beach or Playa Juanillo is accessible to the public via Juanillo Beach Food Drink restaurant and bar. Shopping is available in resorts and Marina area.
As you can guess, this area is full of fine dining restaurants, casual bars and lounges. Bavaro Kiteboarding school (located at Juanillo Beach Cap Cana) has programs designed for beginners and guests with advanced skills.
4. Uvero Alto
Uvero Alto is a beach and resort area in the north end of Punta Cana. If you like horseback riding – go to Rancho Caribeno located in a vast areas of the Uvero Alto beach. One can gallop for miles there. It is a great idea for your holiday, isn’t it? A variety of guided horse tours are available to nearby villages as well as other possible equestrian excursions.
Surf School is for admirers of ocean waves, ideal for all experience levels, led by a professional instructor. Hotels around are Chic by Royalton All Inclusive Resort, Nickelodeon Hotel and Resort, Now Onyx Punta Cana Resort & Spa and many others. Shopping Mall Uvero Alto Plaza is near by and open from 8am-6pm.
There is also a souvenir shop Gundulas Tropical Treasure located by the beach. Furthermore, here you can have a massage, relax by the bar, buy jewelry with amber or famous local stone Larimar. Are you are thinking about what to bring from Punta Cana ? Hence, do not forget about Dominican rum, coffee, cigars, Mamajuana elixir and local art.
Plan your holiday to Punta Cana with us
So, are you planning your holiday to Punta Cana? Then more information about Punta Cana restaurants, food and Punta Cana nightlife you can find on our website. Moreover, you can also find available accommodations, weather report and things to do in Punta Cana.
Book your apartments in Punta Cana with us. Step out onto the breeze-filled terrace for evening cocktails. Enjoy an idyllic retreat where palm trees, white sand, and aquamarine waters fill your every moment. Welcome to Punta Cana!