Things to Do in Punta Cana: Plan the Ultimate Getaway

Looking for a relaxing holiday filled with white sand beaches, blue turquoise waters, delicious food, and adventure? Say no more—Punta Cana is the perfect destination for you! Here at Civitatis, we’ll help you plan your trip by offering advice, showing you must-see places, and recommending the best activities. Get ready to enjoy your trip to Punta Cana to the fullest with our step-by-step guide!

1. Punta Cana: Areas to Visit

As the second-most popular tourist destination in Latin America, with more visitors than any other city in the Caribbean, Punta Cana is a resort town in the Dominican Republic whose name refers to both the town and the surrounding region. It has a 62-mile (100-kilometer) coastline with many stunning beaches waiting to be explored. You can choose where to stay depending on the activity you’re looking for on your trip.

• Bavaro, once a town for the workers of the Punta Cana tourist complex, is now the tourist center of the region, with tons of restaurants, malls, supermarkets, resorts, and water activities.
• Uvero Alto is a popular spot for water sports and is ideal for those looking for a getaway from the more tourist beaches of Punta Cana.
• Cap Cana is a luxurious area where you’ll find beach clubs, golf courses, marinas, and beautiful beaches.
• Cabeza de Toro, known for its luxury beachside resorts, has calming waters that are great for snorkeling and fishing.
• Macao is ideal for adventure seekers, as it’s a popular destination for surfers and buggy and offboarding vehicles.
• As for Punta Cana, it serves as a gateway to the smaller Caribbean islands of Saona and Catalina, which you can visit on a day trip, as well as Higüey and Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic.

2. What to Do in Punta Cana: Must-Sees

Embark to Saona Island

With crystal-clear waters and pristine white sand beaches, Saona Island is a must-see if you’re vacationing in Punta Cana. Designated as a nature reserve, this island boasts natural beauty with exceptional marine flora and fauna. At just a 1.5-hour boat ride away, it’s best to book one of the many day trips to Saona Island to make the most of your day.

Interested in discovering the island’s animals? We recommend checking out this Saona Island and Chavon River day trip to immerse yourself in the beauty of the local wildlife, such as the endangered rhinoceros iguana.

Check Out Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic and is worth visiting if you’re interested in history. Many of Santo Domingo’s most important landmarks are located within the Ciudad Colonial neighborhood, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dive into this historic city and see the first cathedral and castle of the Americas and many more renowned monasteries, museums, and fortresses with a day trip to Santo Domingo!

Visit Monkeyland

Located in Higuëy, the nearest city to Punta Cana, Monkeyland is a must-do for any nature or animal lover! With this ticket to Monkeyland, you’ll learn about squirrel monkeys and interact up close with these friendly animals. Plus, you’ll get to see how traditional Dominican products are cultivated and even enjoy tasting some authentic local flavors.

Explore the Local Cuisine

The Dominican Republic is known for its savory cuisine that includes meat stews, white rice, tostones, and beans–a staple ingredient featured in many traditional dishes. If you’re a foodie looking to learn some new delicious recipes, try a fun cooking class.

If you’re not much of a chef and prefer to stay out of the kitchen, you can always learn about two of the country’s star products: coffee and cacao. Discover the techniques used in the production of these products and enjoy different tastings on this coffee and cacao tour. Don’t forget to try mamajuana, one of the country’s most typical drinks!

Cruise Along Bavaro Beach

Famous for its paradise-like scenery of soft, powdery white sand and crystalline waters, Bavaro Beach is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. This beach is ideal for relaxing under the sun, swimming in its warm waters, and enjoying water sports, such as snorkeling or parasailing. It’s also home to many animals, including sea turtles, stingrays, and colorful tropical fish. If you’re traveling with children on your holiday, you can’t miss booking a glass-bottom boat ride to admire the marine life!

Enjoy Scape Park & Bavaro Adventure Park

Scape Park and Bavaro Adventure Park are two must-visit adventure parks in Punta Cana, offering adrenaline-fueled activities for everyone. If you book a day trip to Scape Park, you’ll discover the history of the Taíno indigenous people of the Caribbean, swim in the stunning Hoyo Azul cenote, go zip-lining, and see iguanas.

If you choose to get tickets for Bavaro Adventure Park, you’ll enjoy a variety of activities, such as zip-lining, horseback riding, swimming in a pool with a waterfall, and a buggy tour. Guaranteed fun for the whole family!

Discover Punta Cana’s Nightlife

The nightlife scene in Punta Cana is vibrant and diverse, offering options from laid-back beach clubs to energetic discos and fun bars with live music. If you’re into exploring different bars and dancing to bachata, merengue, and reggaeton, you can always join us on this pub crawl through the town.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable night at one of the hottest nightclubs in the country, you should definitely visit Coco Bongo in Punta Cana. Since it was opened, Coco Bongo has marked a new era in the town’s nightlife. Known for its spectacular Vegas-style shows, this nightclub combines music, dancing, and live performances. Get ready to dance the night away!

Dive Into the Marine Activities

As a beach destination, Punta Cana is the perfect place for marine and underwater sports. You can’t miss out on a boat ride, scuba diving, snorkeling, kitesurfing, or even an underwater scooter adventure. Check out these activities in Punta Cana:

• Punta Cana Kitesurfing Course
• Reef Explorer Tour
• Punta Cana Scuba Do
• Marinarium Snorkeling Cruise
• Snorkeling Hookah Diving Tour
• Punta Cana Parasailing

3. Best Beaches in Punta Cana

• Bavaro Beach: this iconic beach is famous for its turquoise waters and fine sand, also serving as a starting point for many trips to nearby islands. Besides soaking in the sun, you’ll find plenty of beach bars and activities to do here, such as a snorkeling adventure at the Marinarium or a glass-bottomed boat trip.
• Macao Beach: known for its perfect surfing waves, Macao Beach is great for surfers and those who seek adventure since it’s one of Punta Cana’s most popular destinations for buggy and offroading vehicles. If you book this buggy and boat tour in Punta Cana, after zooming through palm trees and coffee plantations, you’ll get to relax in this stunning location, enjoy a catamaran boat ride, swim in a natural pool, and even see dolphins.
• Juanillo Beach: located in Cap Cana, Juanillo Beach is a white sand beach with calm, clear waters, perfect for a family visit. This beach is ideal for those wanting to relax and escape the crowds found at busier beaches. Don’t forget to take a picture!
• Playa Blanca: this private beach, usually limited to guests of certain hotels and clubs, combines natural beauty with luxury. You’ll completely unwind at this lovely beach!

4. Information & Advice

When to Go

Punta Cana has a tropical climate, making it warm all year round! The dry season runs from December to April, while the rainy season lasts from May to November. The best time to visit the country is during the dry season, as the rainy season brings more frequent showers and higher humidity. However, hotel prices tend to be lower during the rainy months. While a week-long stay may be enough to see most of Punta Cana, we recommend staying for two to three weeks to truly unwind and explore the area.

Safety Tips

Punta Cana is generally considered a safe destination for tourists, with hotels and resorts implementing security measures. However, it’s recommended to take normal precautions, such as not displaying valuables and avoiding isolated areas at night.

Punta Cana’s Currency

The official currency is the Dominican peso (DOP), but the US dollar (USD) is widely accepted. The euro (EUR) is sometimes accepted as well. It’s advisable to have pesos for small purchases and tips, although credit cards are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it’s best to pay in pesos and use cash whenever possible.

Prices in Punta Cana

In Punta Cana, prices vary depending on the season and type of accommodation. All-inclusive resorts often offer the best value, including meals, drinks, and activities, but they can still be quite expensive. A cheaper alternative to all-inclusive resorts is Airbnb. Nevertheless, accommodation prices tend to rise during the dry season. Outside of vacation rentals, restaurant and taxi prices are often inflated for tourists.

Getting to Punta Cana

Punta Canta International Airport (PUJ) is the main entry point, with many direct flights arriving daily from major cities around the world. In the US, there are direct flights to Punta Cana from New York, Chicago, Washington, Houston, Los Angeles, and many more airports. Taxis and shuttle services are available to reach the hotel areas from the airport. Here at Civitatis, we suggest you book private or shared transfers to make your arrival easier and avoid scams.

Getting Around

Punta Cana has many different transport options, including taxis, buses, and even taxi motorcycles—known as motoconchos—for short distances. For travelers wanting to explore independently, renting a car or scooter is a great option to discover the area at their own pace. However, it’s important to know that driving conditions in the Dominican Republic can be chaotic and quite different from what you might be used to in the US in general. For added peace of mind, Civitatis offers travel insurance options.

Day Trips & Activities

If you choose to take organized day trips or activities, you often won’t need to pay extra to get to the starting point of your tours. If you book with Civitatis, pickup, transport, and an English-speaking guide are often included in the prices of the trips. Check out all our activities in English in Punta Cana!

A dream destination, Punta Cana is the perfect place to combine relaxation, adventure, delicious cuisine, and cultural discoveries—all under the sun! Whether you’re traveling solo, with family, or with friends, there’s surely something for everyone. Follow our tips and start planning your trip to Punta Cana by booking the best trips, activities, and guided tours with Civitatis!