Punta Cana
Punta Cana Travel Guide
As the sun rises on Hispaniola, Punta Cana awakens to the lapping ocean, its clear, unspoiled blue brushing up against the pristine stretches of sugar-white sand, and swaying coco palms in the backdrop.
The region commonly referred to as Punta Cana actually encompasses the beaches and villages of Juanillo, Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cabeza de Toro, El Cortecito, Arena Gorda, Macao, and Uvero Alto, which hug an unbroken stretch of the eastern coastline.
A thriving tourism industry fuels the region, and—with such ripe ingredients as sun (the average daily temperature is 82°F; any downpours tend to be short bursts that give way to more sunshine), sand (35 mi of uninterrupted powder) and sea (opportunities for water sports abound)—it’s no wonder. For Punta Cana, it was only a matter of time.
In 1969, when the terrain was covered in jungle, a group of North American investors purchased some land along the eastern coast. They put up a small hotel and an air strip (which spawned an international airport) and—voila!—tourism in Punta Cana was born. Their visionary project, now the PuntaCana Resort & Club, spreads out lavishly across 15,000 verdant acres. Club Med opened its doors as the first all-inclusive in the area, and following its lead dozens of others popped up within their own spacious enclaves along the coast. More recently, a fresh crop of boutique hotels has sprung up. Many resorts, including those on beaches as far north as Uvero Alto and as far south as Juanillo (Cap Cana), tag on the moniker “Punta Cana” although they’re in their own distinct geographical areas. But the name “Punta Cana” is now a recognized draw for the swarms of visitors who arrive through Punta Cana International Airport. Indeed, the privately owned and operated airport is the second most heavily trafficked in the Caribbean, behind only Cancun, and 51% of all visitors to the D.R. now pass through its gates.
A hot destination for golf, Punta Cana lures players with its abundance of spectacular courses—crafted by renowned designers—and posh clubhouses. The area’s growth shows no signs of slowing. Major new development projects include Cap Cana and Roco Ki, and a handful of other megaresorts peppering the coastline. More than 5,000 new rooms are planned for the area by 2010.
Higüey, capital of the Altagracia Province (which includes Punta Cana) sits 21 mi (34 km) to the west. The site of three visits by Pope John Paul II, Higüey is notable for its towering, arched concrete cathedral. Its open-air market bustles in the morning when local shoppers flock in to buy produce and meat. Though poverty is visible here, Higüey is home to a large segment of the support staff at the resorts, about an hour’s commute. It’s also the site of the only post office that services Punta Cana, and a transit hub for buses bound for Santo Domingo and elsewhere.
Everywhere you turn, you can encounter friendly, smiling people. English is widely spoken by guest relations staff in the hotels. Though not necessary, knowing a few phrases of Spanish to communicate with support staffers—for example, housekeeping and maintenance—goes a long way.
Punta Cana Sights
Nestled along a 35-mi contiguous stretch of sand along the east coast, Punta Cana and its tentacles extend from the south at Juanillo (Cap Cana) to the north at Uvero Alto. Within the alluvial plains that stretch inland toward Santo Domingo, the terrain is characterized by lush, green countryside, mostly flatlands with mangroves and some swampy areas. Pastures and ranches dot the landscape, and it’s common to see horses and cattle grazing in the fields—and dogs along the roads, especially farther north in Macao and Uvero Alto. School kids amble along the shoulder—there are no sidewalks and barely any traffic lights in the region. Motoconchos, motorcycle taxis with one (legal) or more (illegal) passengers, are common and pose a driving nuisance.
A new highway—the so-called “Tourist Boulevard”—is being constructed from the airport to Uvero Alto and should significantly reduce the traveling time along that stretch, from about one hour to 25 minutes, as well as improve driving safety conditions.
Throughout the region, main roads (carreteras) are mostly paved country roads with two-way traffic but no dividing lines. There are many potholes, which are particularly hazardous after heavy rains, when the larger ones fill up with water and drivers have to avoid—or slog through—the big puddles. It’s extra tough around the bends, but drivers adhere to a set of commonsense unwritten rules of the road—basically, choose the path of least obstacles, dodge potholes, and get out of the way when facing an oncoming vehicle.
As of this writing, there were scarce traffic signs or road-name labels on the roads throughout the region; resort billboards at junctions and landmarks give clues to point you in the right direction, but driving can be confusing. However, it seems better driving conditions in some areas aren’t too far down the road. New pavement was being laid down in some spots, and a new signage deal was in the works—look for street labels, lane markings, traffic lights, and road maps to follow in the next year or two.
Punta Cana Restaurant Reviews
Punta Cana’s mushrooming growth in recent years has spawned a smattering of new restaurants that might entice you to venture off the grounds of your all-inclusive resort and eat at least some meals elsewhere. Although the options are still limited outside of the resorts, there’s a much broader array of eateries than ever before, ranging from oceanfront cafés to top-notch restaurants on the grounds of boutique hotels that are open to outside visitors. Familiar American chains like Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Roma’s Steakhouse are also among the choices.
Still, the majority of visitors to the region are guests at all-inclusives, and eat most—if not all—of their meals at the resort where they are staying, for reasons of convenience and/or budget. Generally, a variety of options are included in all price plans at any given resort, always including a main buffet open for all daily meals. In addition, many all-inclusive resorts offer at least one or two à la carte restaurants included with the standard package; the largest resorts may have five or more. In cases where a “VIP” package is offered, there’s usually at least one exclusive restaurant for guests on this plan. For any of the à la carte restaurants in the resorts, dinner reservations are usually necessary, especially in high season.
A dinner dress code barring shorts, tank-tops, and beachwear is fairly standard at the à la carte restaurants. Although jackets are not typically expected, some restaurants require long pants and collared shirts for men. Check ahead at your resort if you’re looking for more casual options.
Punta Cana Hotel Reviews
With its sweet trifecta of pearl-sand beaches, pleasant climate, and palm trees, Punta Cana has no trouble enticing visitors. It has become the so-called Cancun of the D.R., and despite having more than 25,000 hotel rooms, the region’s resorts are often filled to the brim. Even in the heart of hurricane season (late August through October), when you can usually get a room somewhere, booking far in advance is advisable for the best properties.
The initial burst of popularity for Punta Cana as a tourist destination spawned a plethora of all-inclusive resorts. And while these are still exceedingly popular, a trend toward ultraluxury accommodations has emerged, evident both in the increasing prevalence of boutique or premium hotels (definitely not all-inclusive) and in the spruced-up exclusive offerings within the existing all-inclusive resorts.
Playa Uvero Alto, the northernmost developed area of the region, has four resorts and three underway along its idyllic beach shaded by coconut groves. In its more remote setting, about 24 mi (39 km) from the airport, the area is less crowded than Punta/Cana Bávaro, but hotels still fill up quickly despite the longer trip to the airport. Traveling time to and from this area should improve markedly once the new “Tourist Boulevard” is completed.
Macao, which lies between Bávaro and Uvero Alto, is another charmed spot and is the site of phased luxury residential and resort development along the beachfront at Roco Ki. The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, the first of several hotels planned here, was slated to open in September 2008.
All the resorts listed in this chapter are along the beachfront; however, not all rooms are right on the beach (a feature factored into the price). In many resorts, you might face a several-minute walk or shuttle ride to the ocean, so choose your accommodations accordingly. Many resorts have spas offering an assortment of therapeutic and indulgent treatments.
Punta Cana Nightlife
With the predominance of all-inclusive hotels, nightlife in Punta Cana tends to center on whatever resort you are staying at. But there’s more out there than first meets the eye. Some clubs, casinos, and shows at other resorts have very good reputations and are open to outsiders. Cover charges at the discos vary, ranging from none when it’s early on an ordinary night to $10 or $20 during peak hours, especially when there’s live entertainment. Don’t forget your ID; when nonguests are allowed into the disco on a resort’s grounds, security keeps a close eye on who is coming and going. Some resorts even offer nighttime excursions to a local disco, where you can go with a group and return at a scheduled hour.
Punta Cana Shopping
Souvenirs and crafts are the focus of shopping in Punta Cana, and there are few outlets for high-end clothing or accessories. As in the whole country, the regional specialty products are cigars, coffee, larimar and amber jewelry, mamajuana (an herbal liqueur) and rum (especially the locally made premium Brugal).
Most resorts have a few retail shops, but prices tend to be higher than what you would pay for similar goods in the nearby shopping plazas or at kiosks on the beach. Many vendors sell crafts and goods from the neighboring Haiti, too, so if you’re looking for something specifically Dominican, make sure that’s what you’re getting.
Shopping in the plazas with outdoor kiosks is like an inverted game of musical chairs. The soundtrack is the constant hum of greeting, searching, and haggling. Shopkeepers hope that when a shopper hits pause, they’re standing in their store. Vendors thus tend to be persistent when trying to lure you in but are generally friendly. In regular stores, prices are not negotiable, but bargaining is expected at the kiosks.
