Palm lined beaches and all inclusive ease
Punta Cana is a resort coast on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, known for long white beaches and large all inclusive hotels. Most visitors relax at their resort and add boat trips to nearby islands. The guide covers the wider Bavaro and Punta Cana coast, with trips beyond marked as day trips.
Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.
Bavaro Beach is a long stretch of white sand on the east coast lined with resorts and palms. Calm water inside the reef makes it good for swimming.
Free.
Saona Island is part of the East National Park, known for its white beaches and natural pool with starfish. Most visits are day tours by catamaran or speedboat.
2026 day tours from Bavaro run about 70 to 130 USD with pickup, boat and lunch; cheaper from Bayahibe.
The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is a reserve with freshwater lagoons fed by springs. Trails lead through forest.
Entry fee.
Hoyo Azul is a turquoise cenote at the foot of a cliff in Scape Park, Cap Cana. It is reached by a short forest trail.
Park entry.
Macao Beach is a wild stretch of golden sand north of Bavaro with bigger waves and fewer resorts. It is popular with surfers and local families.
Free.
Catalina is a small protected island off La Romana with a coral wall that drops steeply just offshore. It is one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in the east of the country.
Tour price.
Altos de Chavon is a replica 16th century Mediterranean village built in the 1970s on a cliff above the Chavon River. It has stone lanes, a church, an art school and a large open air amphitheater.
Entry fee.
Catamaran trips sail along the coast from Bavaro with snorkeling stops on the reef and a party atmosphere on board. Many end at a natural pool in shallow water.
Tour price.
Dolphin Island Park is a marine enclosure offshore where visitors swim with dolphins and sea lions. Animal welfare groups criticize captive dolphin programs.
Varies.
Cap Cana Marina is a large yacht harbor in a gated resort area south of Punta Cana, with restaurants and sportfishing boats. It is a calm alternative to busy Bavaro.
Free.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it.
Choose how many days you have.
Day two for Saona Island, day three for adventure parks.
The colonial zone, oldest in the Americas.
118 mi · Car about 2.5 hours
Mangroves and karst islands.
93 mi · Tour by road and boat
A fishing village and gateway to boat trips.
62 mi · Drive about 1h30 each way
A quiet coastal village with local seafood.
56 mi · Drive about 1h30 each way
A cave with ancient rock art.
75 mi · Drive about 2 hours each way
Best: December to April. Dry, sunny and breezy.
Daily high and average, by month
Typical inches per month
Busy season. Higher prices, bigger crowds.
Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.
Sundays in February
Parades with devil masks across the country.
February 27
A national holiday.
January to March
Humpbacks gather in Samana Bay, a long trip from Punta Cana.
March or April
Busy beaches and family holidays.
The US State Department rates the Dominican Republic at Level 2 (increased caution) for crime; resort areas are generally safe, but use licensed taxis and guard drinks.
You can walk along the beach, but the resort zone is spread out.
Public transport is basic; visitors rely on taxis, resort shuttles and tours.
The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.
Best for: first-timers, families
Main beach strip with most resorts.
Best for: luxury
Gated zone with marina and golf.
Best for: couples
Quieter, wilder beaches.
Best for: budget
Small hotels and restaurants.
Best for: budget travelers, families
Resorts near the airport with calm beaches.
| Main airport | Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), 12 mi from the center |
| To the center | A taxi or pre booked transfer takes 20 to 40 minutes to Bavaro; official taxi fares were about 30 to 55 USD per car in 2026. |
| Around town | Use licensed taxis, Uber where it works, or tours. Agree taxi fares before you ride. |
| Ride apps | Uber |
Rice, beans and meat, the national lunch.
Mashed plantains for breakfast.
A hearty meat stew.
Mashed plantain with garlic and pork.
Grilled lobster and fish at beach shacks.
Twice fried plantain slices.
| Plugs | Type A and B, 120 V |
| Tap water | Use bottled water |
| Tipping | A 10 percent service charge is added; extra tips for staff are welcome. |
| Payments | Cards work at resorts; carry cash in pesos or USD for vendors. |
| Etiquette | Dominicans are friendly and outgoing; greet with buenos dias or buenas. Tip resort staff, and cover up when leaving the beach for towns or restaurants. |
The area was mostly coconut plantations and fishing villages until the 1970s. Developers built the first resorts and a private airport in the 1980s. Rapid growth followed, and it is now the busiest tourism zone in the country. Hispaniola itself was Spain's first colony in the Americas.
Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.