Punta Cana is one of the Dominican Republic’s hidden gems. There is enough to do both within and outside of the resorts. It can be a relaxing beach getaway with plenty of activities including excursions and nightlife.
This post aims to be a guide to help you plan your trip to Punta Cana.
Language:
This article is intended to serve as a guide to assist you in planning your trip to Punta Cana.
Official Currency:
The Dominican Peso.
Use this calculator to get the latest exchange rates:
Can I use my credit or debit card?
Restaurants and hotels will take Visa and Mastercard and major credit cards, but we recommend that you carry cash.
Is Punta Cana Safe?
Punta Cana is extremely safe, but like any destination, don’t leave your belongings unattended. You are fine to walk around at night, just use your street smarts and be aware of your surroundings.
When is it best to visit Punta Cana?
Thebest time to visit Punta Canais from March through May.Luckily, the weather is warm year-round, with average highs around 85° Fahrenheit (30°c).
January to March is the peak season for the island, with prices spiking all over the place. Avoid popular breaks like Christmas, Easter, and Spring Break if you don’t want to be overwhelmed with tourist crowds.
How is the weather?
The average high temperature in Punta Cana is about 85 °F (30°C) The rainiest time of the year is between July and December.
| Month | High / Low (°F) | High / Low (°C) | Rain |
| January | 84° / 70° | 29° / 21° | 15 days |
| February | 84° / 71° | 29° / 21° | 12 days |
| March | 85° / 70° | 30° / 21° | 13 days |
| April | 86° / 72° | 30° / 22° | 12 days |
| May | 87° / 74° | 31° / 23° | 14 days |
| June | 89° / 75° | 32° / 24° | 14 days |
| July | 89° / 76° | 32° / 24° | 15 days |
| August | 90° / 76° | 32° / 24° | 15 days |
| September | 90° / 75° | 32° / 24° | 16 days |
| October | 89° / 74° | 32° / 23° | 15 days |
| November | 87° / 73° | 30° / 23° | 16 days |
| December | 85° / 71° | 29° / 22° | 15 days |
Coming to Punta Cana?
Book your Excursions & Tours in advance. We provide roundtrip transportation from all hotels in Punta Cana.
No Payment Required - Schedule your activities today using our pay later option!
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E-TICKET
All foreign and Dominican passengers entering or leaving the Dominican Republic on commercial flights must complete the free electronic entry and exit form, which combines the Traveler’s Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration and International Embarkation/Disembarkation forms.The formis available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Russian andcan be accessed through the following link.
We wrote an extensive guide on completing it: E-Ticket Dominican Republic: A Required Form for Vacationing in Punta Cana
Where to stay in Punta Cana?
According to Google, these are some of the top 5-star hotels in Punta Cana. (These were all rated 4.5 stars+)
Barceló Bávaro Palace
All-inclusive beach resort with 4 pools, a water park and a casino, plus 8 bars & 11 restaurants.
Barceló Bávaro Beach – Adults
All-inclusive, beachfront resort with 3 eateries & 2 bars, plus an outdoor pool, a spa & a casino.
Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa
A complete, beachfront hotel situated on the exclusive Bávaro Beach.
Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa
Airy quarters in an elegant all-inclusive resort offering a private beach area, a casino & dining.
Bahia Principe Grand Turquesa
Casual, all-inclusive resort with 3 restaurants, 14 bars & an outdoor pool with a water park.
Iberostar Selection Bavaro
Refined suites with balconies in a chic, beachfront resort offering 4 restaurants, a spa & a casino.
Excellence Punta Cana
Posh suites in an adults-only oceanfront retreat with pools, a spa & scuba diving, plus 9 eateries.
Majestic Mirage Punta Cana
Airy all-suite property with beachfront dining, outdoor pools & swim-up bars, plus a casino.
Sanctuary Cap Cana
Refined all-inclusive resort offering 5 restaurants & a spa, plus outdoor pools & a private beach.
See the rest here
Must visit restaurants in Punta Cana
Playa Blanca Restaurant – Playa Blanca is a beachfront restaurant & bar that serves fresh local seafood, authentic Dominican dishes, grilled meats, and co*cktails for lunch and dinner daily.
Bachata Rosa – SBG Punta Cana – Caribbean, Latin & International dishes.
Pearl Beach Club – The restaurant, overlooking the beach, specializes in serving Mediterranean, Tropical, and Asian flavors.
Noah Restaurant – Asian Fusion: A mix of flavors and gastronomic options that are true works of art of the kitchen!
Pastrata Mexican Restaurant – Mexican cuisine in the Caribbean!
NAKAMURA Cap Cana – Located on the Fishing Lodge of Cap Cana, Nakamura Restaurant offers world-class Nikkei cuisine. Chef awarded by the International Association of Gastronomy Chaine des Rotisseurs.
Mamma Luisa – a special place that arises from the passion for service and cooking of Mrs. Luisa Patrovita… a pure-bred Italian who, since the 1960s, by fate, has been related to this land.
Api Beach – Beachfront, Seafood, International and Vegetarian Friendly
Jellyfish Restaurant – Jellyfish serves delicious fresh fish and shellfish dishes. Our international menu includes a choice of meat and pasta to satisfy all palates.
See the rest here
Coming to Punta Cana?
Book your Excursions & Tours in advance. We provide roundtrip transportation from all hotels in Punta Cana.
No Payment Required - Schedule your activities today using our pay later option!
Get Started
Some of the top Punta Cana Excursions
Hoyo Azul and Scape Park full admission in Punta Cana
Incredible adventures such as zip-lining, cave diving, Cenotes, crystal-clear beaches, breathtaking waterfalls, and much more await you at this sprawling park that’s bound to please every member of the family.
Dune Buggy ATV Tour from Punta Cana (shared)
Escape into the lush tropical trails near the Oriental Mountain System and Macao Beach, where you will witness the native way of life; explore banana, coffee, tobacco, and cacao (chocolate) plantations while diving head-on into the rich Dominican culture.
Parasailing Tour in Punta Cana
Feel the thrill of flying as you enjoy an incredible view of Punta Cana and its white-sand beaches from the sky. A boat will propel you to new heights with a spectacular experience you can enjoy by yourself or with a companion.
Beach Horseback Riding tour from Punta Cana
Imagine horseback-riding through the white sandy beaches of Punta Cana along with your significant other, or even better, the entire family. You’ll be able to do just that in this one-hour-plus excursion.
Outback Safari Experience
Submerge yourself in the Punta Cana way of life aboard an open-air Safari bus that visits a typical Dominican home, a rural school, and even allows you to interact with the adults and kids that inhabit them every day.
Zip Lines Adventure in Punta Cana
The tour consists of 8 lines with a double steel cable ranging from 295 feet in length to 4265 feet for a total of 9,842 feet of zip lines. Enjoy this incredible Punta Cana Zip Line adventure with the best tropical forest view full of life and colors. Have the best time ever and bring home an unforgettable memory.
Santo Domingo City, Historical Tour
Experience the history, natural beauty, colonial architecture, and rich traditions of Santo Domingo on this full-day sightseeing tour from Punta Cana. Travel by comfortable coach with your professional local guide to some of the city’s most magnificent sites.
Monkeyland tour from Punta Cana
A guided tour that allows you to interact in close proximity to our beautiful and friendly squirrel monkeys at Monkeyland and visit a typical Dominican house where you will learn more about our culture and way of living.
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Packing tips
Medical Kit (a must!)
- Antibacterial cream
- Pepto Bismol
- Hand sanitizer
- Earplugs
- Band-Aids
- Tylenol
- Alka-Seltzer
Miscellaneous
- Zip-lock bags
- A water bottle with a purifier
- Plastic bags
- A key or combination lock
- Universal charger/adaptor
- Tote bag, lightweight backpack, or travel purse
Excursions attire
- Day Bag
- Comfortable Outfit
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Snacks
- Bottled Water
- Dry Clothes
Immunizations and Vaccinations for Punta Cana
Most travelers won’t need any special vaccinations or immunizations aside from what they’ve already had.
Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include:
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Flu (influenza)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Polio
We recommend that you to check the CDC’s website for additional details.
Coming to Punta Cana?
Book your Excursions & Tours in advance. We provide roundtrip transportation from all hotels in Punta Cana.
No Payment Required - Schedule your activities today using our pay later option!
Get Started
Getting around
Punta Cana is a pedestrian-friendly area where the best way to get around is on foot as long as you’re staying close to the hotel area. All-inclusive resorts offer shuttles to and from local restaurants.
Outside of the resort area, driving is recommended, but there are also many taxi and bus services to get you to your destination quickly and safely.
Motoconchos – These are Moto Taxis are a cheap way to get around Punta Cana. Local motorcycle drivers work together to form taxi lines at busy intersections, which then drive you to your specified destination at very cheap rates (starting at $3 USD). They have a reputation for being less than safe, though, because passengers do not wear helmets so we don’t recommend them. However, they are an excellent and inexpensive way to get around town.
Buses – If you want to get around on a budget, ride the bus. Taking public transit means that you are giving up your car for the duration of your trip, and avoiding the hassles of parking. Be aware that the schedules are irregular, and buses have been known to be more than an hour late. Also, stops aren’t clearly marked, and buses are usually packed. Because of this, we recommend that you consider
Taxis – Conveniently located in all tourist zone, and usually stationed outside major bus stations, or hotel and tourist zones. If you’re looking for a private and quick medium of transportation taxis are perfect. You can request one by calling the lobby or asking the bell boys. Be aware, taxis can be pretty expensive, sometimes costing $40+ USD.
Information on COVID-19:
We have a dedicated information page on COVID-19. Since we update this page constantly, we will link it below:
- INFORMATION ON CORONAVIRUS IN PUNTA CANA (COVID-19)
About us
We are a group of passionate locals dedicated to providing the best things to do in Punta Cana. Unlike big travel companies, we are locals. We know all the ins and outs of Punta Cana.
We specialize in organizing your excursion itinerary before you arrive so that you don’t have to do it last minute. If you’re considering coming to Punta Cana and are thinking about doing excursions, feel free to check out our excursions here.
We can be contacted directly here or via Whatsapp.
