Visiting Punta Cana: What are the best things to do and see in the Dominican Republic’s most beautiful city?
Located on the right-hand side of the Dominican Republic, between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, Punta Cana is world-famous for its 32 kilometers of beach and transparent turquoise waters. Lined with luxury hotels and palaces where stars and millionaires rub shoulders, this destination is prized not only for its exceptional seaside resort, but also for its two national parks, Punta Cana and Isla Saona. For those who don’t know what to do in Punta Cana, tourist attractions are legion in this little corner of paradise, where the authorities are doing their best to protect the exceptional flora and fauna from the rampant industrialization and pollution, unfortunately but inevitably, induced by mass tourism…
Whether you’ve chosen a splendid all-inclusive beachfront hotel, a weekly rental or are just passing through on one of the many tourist boats that cruise the island’s paradisiacal coastline, we’ve decided to present some of the best things to do in Punta Cana.
Wondering what to do in Punta Cana during your stay? Here’s the answer with our 6 must-do’s to visit Punta Cana and take home a little piece of this paradise, between sand and sea!
1. Manati Park
Photo credit: Flickr – Konstantin Papushin
This splendid zoo is one of the island’s star attractions: Manati Park offers a host of interactive shows featuring animals typical of this superb tropical region, such as macaw parrots and other multicolored parakeets, and even allows you to swim in the company of dolphins!
It’s an activity that’s sure to please young and old alike, and we particularly recommend the iguana breeding center – the largest in the Dominican Republic – as well as a gastronomic stop-off at the various delicious restaurants nestled in the park. Ideal when visiting Punta Cana!
Book your ticket for Manati Park
2. Bavaro
Photo credit: Flickr – Joe deSousa
Let’s face it: Bavaro isn’t exactly the charming, picturesque village you’d expect to find on a small Caribbean island.
But Bavaro, located just above Punta Cana – for those looking for something to do in Punta Cana – is home to a host of luxury hotels offering top-class facilities, with bars and nightclubs ideal for hardened party-goers, as well as immense beaches on which to bask: Playa Arena Gorda, Playa Cortecito or Playa Arena Blanca with its immaculate white sand! If you’re looking for a moment of relaxation in the shade of coconut palms, Bavaro is the place for you! As for activities other than lounging, the resort is popular for its snorkeling sessions, safaris, adventure parks and bike rides, all of which promise to keep you entertained at Bavaro.
Discover all the things to do in Bavaro
3. Cocotal Golf and Country Club
Photo credit: Facebook – Golf Punta Cana
What can you do in Punta Cana if you’re a golf enthusiast? The Cocotal Golf and Country Club is a splendid 27-hole golf course set in tropical vegetation and featuring a particularly rich and diverse local flora. In addition, the zoo is renowned for taking particular care to respect the ecology.
It’s sure to be a hit with all golf enthusiasts! It was designed and developed by Jose Gancedo, a famous Spanish golfer.
4. Agua Games
Photo credit: Facebook – Sirenis Aquagames Punta Cana
Agua Games is an enormous amusement park featuring restaurants and vertiginous waterslides for thrills and spills! For a reasonable price, young and old alike can come and enjoy a day out at this unique seaside resort, which offers not only the traditional slides and artificial lagoons, but also numerous shows and concerts throughout the year.
5. Indigenous Eyes
Photo credit: Facebook – Punta Cana Adventures
Covering almost 600 hectares, this extraordinary ecological reserve is home to hundreds of species of indigenous animals – found only in Punta Cana and nowhere else. Take a horseback ride through the 12 freshwater lagoons or coconut plantations, or simply ride along the sandy beaches! You can even visit the park in a buggy, an unusual mode of transport for a fun tour of this magical place.
Book your buggy tour at Indigenous Eyes
6. Catalina Island
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – lazyweaver
If you’re looking for something to do in Punta Cana and want to make the most of nature, this island in the south of the Dominican Republic is unique in that it remains relatively unspoilt by the mass urbanization of the Caribbean’s busiest islands – the island of Hispaniola, shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti, being no exception. As a national park, you can explore these magnificent landscapes in the company of a guide, enjoy a day’s diving in the most beautiful waters, opt for a VIP cruise or simply enjoy a romantic stroll along the water’s edge in the company of your soulmate!
Book your diving trip on Catalina Island
How to get to Punta Cana
Punta Cana is home to the Punta Cana International Airport, which provides the island with regular connections to the rest of the Americas. Air travel is still the best way to get to the island, and our partner Ulysse will help you find a flight at the best price.
On the east coast, ferries also operate between Punta Cana and the various surrounding islands (notably the splendid Saona), and using this means of transport is ideal for those looking to visit Punta Cana while enjoying a beautiful boat ride.
And because wandering around the different parts of the island is definitely one of the best things to do in Punta Cana, many car and scooter rental agencies (we particularly recommend it) allow you to use a vehicle to wander around freely.
Where to stay in Punta Cana?
In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, you’ll find several types of accommodation/neighborhoods to choose from, according to your desires and your budget. As the island is home to several hundred rather luxurious hotels, this is obviously the simplest and most flexible solution for the occasional traveler looking to visit Punta Cana; you’ll find your ideal establishment by consulting the offers on this hotel comparator.
Although they are not the main target of local tourism, young backpackers will appreciate the city’s particularly well-supplied range of guest-houses, enabling them to indulge in the joys of bodyboarding without necessarily blowing their budget! Finally, for the more adventurous, it’s possible to camp in Punta Cana, provided you check with a local guide to avoid potentially dangerous areas.
Now you know how to make the most of your visit to Punta Cana, and the charms of this very special region during your stay. But will you be able to decide what to do in Punta Cana and… would you prefer to visit in winter or summer?
Map of hotels and accommodations – Punta cana