Top places to visit in Punta Cana

• Scape Park at Cap Cana

  adventure park · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  An eco-adventure park bundling ziplines, cenote swims, caves, a Taino trail and buggy rides across the Cap Cana coastline.

• Bavaro Adventure Park

  adventure park · 4.5 rating · about 3.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Adrenaline park near Bavaro with ziplines, a giant swing, bungee bull and horseback and Segway trails set in tropical gardens.

• Playa Juanillo

  beach · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A crescent of fine sand in exclusive Cap Cana with a laid-back beach club, gentle water and views over the marina cliffs.

• Reserva Ecologica Ojos Indigenas

  reserve · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 1,500-acre private reserve inside Puntacana Resort with a dozen Taino freshwater lagoons and shaded nature trails for swimming and birdwatching.

• Playa El Cortecito

  beach · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The lively local heart of Bavaro beach, a fishing-village strip with boat vendors, souvenir stalls and casual seafood shacks.

• Hoyo Azul

  cenote · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry $45 (≈ ₹4,290)

  A jewel-blue freshwater cenote at the foot of a 75m cliff inside Scape Park, reached by a short jungle trail — swim in near-luminous turquoise water.

• Playa Macao

  beach · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A wilder, cliff-backed public beach famous for its surf breaks and beach-shack fried fish, a highlight of many buggy and ATV tours.

• Playa Cabeza de Toro

  beach · 3.9 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A quieter reef-protected beach between Bavaro and Punta Cana, popular for calm swimming and diving trips.

• Playa Uvero Alto

  beach · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  A long, less-developed stretch of golden sand north of Bavaro with a natural, uncrowded feel and bigger surf.

• Playa Bavaro

  beach · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  The postcard face of Punta Cana: a long ribbon of powder-white sand and calm turquoise water fringed by coconut palms and all-inclusive resorts.

Things to do

• Saona Island Catamaran & Speedboat Day Trip Boat · 8 h · from USD 95 per person
• Macao Buggy & Cenote Adventure Adventure · 4 h · from USD 55 per person
• Punta Cana Catamaran Party & Snorkel Cruise Water · 4 h · from USD 75 per person
• Scape Park Cap Cana Full Access Adventure · 5 h · from USD 120 per person
• Zipline & Horseback Combo at Bavaro Adventure Park Adventure · 5 h · from USD 89 per person
• Deep-Sea Fishing Charter Water · 4 h · from USD 130 per person

Day trips and tours

• Saona Island Full-Day Escape 9 h · from USD 95
• Buggy & Macao Beach Adventure 4 h · from USD 55

Where to stay in Punta Cana

• Bavaro about DOP 260 per night

  The heart of the resort strip with the biggest all-inclusives, beach clubs and the El Cortecito local scene.

• Cap Cana about DOP 450 per night

  An exclusive gated enclave of luxury resorts, a marina, golf and the Hoyo Azul cenote.

• Uvero Alto about DOP 230 per night

  A quieter, more natural stretch of newer resorts north of Bavaro, good for couples wanting calm.

Hotels

• Barcelo Bavaro Palace 5-star · USD 260 to USD 620 per night
• Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort 5-star · USD 240 to USD 560 per night
• Iberostar Selection Bavaro 5-star · USD 250 to USD 600 per night
• Eden Roc Cap Cana 5-star · USD 550 to USD 1,400 per night
• Whala!Bavaro 3-star · USD 75 to USD 160 per night
• Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana 5-star · USD 320 to USD 780 per night

Where to eat

• Jellyfish Restaurant Seafood, International, Caribbean · about USD 65 per person
• La Yola Seafood, Mediterranean · about USD 70 per person
• Balicana Asian, Thai, Sushi · about USD 35 per person
• Citrus Restaurant International, French, Caribbean · about USD 45 per person
• Kukua Beach Restaurant Mediterranean, Seafood, International · about USD 60 per person
• Soles Chill Out Bar International, Caribbean, Bar · about USD 30 per person

Getting to Punta Cana

Airport: Punta Cana (PUJ)

How visitors arrive in Punta Cana

• Fly into Punta Cana (PUJ) By air from Punta Cana International Airport · most visitors

  Punta Cana International Airport is the main entry point, served by North American and other carriers; resort guests typically take tour-operator transfers from arrivals. Source: inmobiliario.do

• Bus from Santo Domingo By road from Santo Domingo · possible

  Expreso Bavaro runs intercity buses between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Resort transfer bus from the airport unconfirmed

  Many resorts arrange airport shuttles in advance, so check with your hotel before you fly. Shared coaches to other parts of the island are also available. Source: worldtravelguide.net

• Airport taxi to resorts and town

  Taxis wait outside arrivals. Drivers know the large resorts but not always small guesthouses, so have your host arrange the ride. Agree the fare before getting in. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Check in at the transfer counters before looking for your bus; do not wander off on your own. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
• Buy the tourist card before immigration; some flights hand it out on board. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car Rental Self

  Car rental firms operate in the Punta Cana area, including Europcar, Budget and Avis, and many hotels have rental desks on site.

• Shuttle main way to get around

  Most resort guests are met at the airport and taken to their hotel on prearranged operator transfer buses, and hotels can also arrange pickups.

• Taxi

  Taxis wait outside the airport customs area and hotel staff can order one, with the destination and price confirmed before setting off.

• Walking

Paying

• Taxi drivers accept US dollars, Dominican pesos and euros; agree the fare first and pay on arrival. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Safety and scams to avoid

• Beach vendor and timeshare pressure

  Bavaro and El Cortecito beaches

  Vendors and "resort reps" offer free excursions, photos or gifts that turn into aggressive timeshare or overpriced-tour sales pitches.

  How to avoid it: Say no firmly and book excursions through reputable operators; never hand over your passport or resort wristband.

• Taxi overcharging without meters

  PUJ airport and resort strips

  Drivers quote inflated USD fares to arriving tourists, claiming fixed rates that are far above the norm.

  How to avoid it: Confirm the fare before getting in, use your resort's transfer desk, or pre-book a private transfer.

Best time to visit Punta Cana

• Jan 29°C
• Feb 29°C
• Mar 29°C
• Apr 30°C
• May 30°C
• Jun 31°C
• Jul 32°C
• Aug 32°C
• Sep 32°C
• Oct 32°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 29°C

More in Dominican Republic

• Santo Domingo
• Puerto Plata
• La Romana
• Las Terrenas

Frequently asked questions about Punta Cana

What are the top-rated places to visit in Punta Cana?

The highest-rated places in our Punta Cana guide are Hoyo Azul, Playa Macao, Playa Uvero Alto, Scape Park at Cap Cana, Bavaro Adventure Park.

Where should I stay in Punta Cana?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Punta Cana: Bavaro, Cap Cana, Uvero Alto.

How do I get around Punta Cana?

Ways to get around Punta Cana covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Shuttle, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Punta Cana?

Scams reported to us for Punta Cana include Beach vendor and timeshare pressure; Taxi overcharging without meters. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Punta Cana?

Average daytime highs in Punta Cana run from 29°C in Jan to 32°C in Aug.

Which airport is nearest to Punta Cana?

The nearest airport to Punta Cana has the code PUJ.