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Things to Do in Punta Cana in 1-Week: From Beaches to Mountains
Over 6 million people visit Punta Cana Dominican Republic each year for its 20 miles of white sand beaches, crystal clear water, blue lagoons, coconut-filled palm trees, coral reefs, iguanas, huge starfish, turtles, dolphins, humpback whales, windsurfing, waterfalls, Latin music, rum, cigars and chocolate. There are many amazing things to do in Punta Cana Dominican Republic!
One of Punta Cana’s must-see attractions is the beautiful Saona Island. If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, be sure to visit Los Haitises National Park & Montaña Redonda. If you love spending time outdoors and adventure sports you will not want to miss Scape Park Cap Cana. As you can see, you will have no problem filling your week in Punta Cana Dominican Republic with amazing experiences. Enjoy your time out of the office!
READ Complete Dominican Republic Travel Guide, What You Need to Know
How to Spend a Week in Punta Cana Dominican Republic
Day One: Arrival and Resort Check-in
Arrive at Punta Cana International Airport and transfer to your resort. Grab a co*cktail at the swim-up bar, go for a walk on the beach, and enjoy the resort’s evening entertainment. I stayed at Riu Bambu. It was inexpensive and I had a great time. check it out below.
Day Two: Visit Saona Island
Book an excursion to Saona Island. Have lunch and explore the village of Mano Juan, visit a sea turtle nursery, take a swim in a natural pool, snap selfies with starfish, and walk on the white sand beach of Canto Beach.
Day Three: Downtown Punta Cana
Spend the morning enjoying the resort. In the afternoon, grab a taxi to Taino Gourmet for rum tasting, take a Caribbean cooking class, or spend the night in town at the famous Coco Bongo or Imagine Night Club (Bat Cave Bar).
Day Four: Scape Park Cap Cana
Get your adrenaline fix with a day trip to Scape Park Cap Cana. Zipline through the jungle, explore underground tunnels and caves, swim in a cenote, take a selfie with a rhinoceros iguanas, and play in the water park.
Day Five: Santo Domingo Day Trip
Book a day trip to Santo Domingo. Visit the Three Eyes National Park cenotes before spending the day exploring the historical capital. Take a guided tour through the Colonial Zone and visit the 1st Cathedral of America, the Alcázar de Colón, the National Pantheon, El Faro a Colón.
Day Six: Los Haitises National Park & Montaña Redonda
Visit Los Haitises National Park & Montaña Redonda. Drive through the Oriental Mountain Range and enjoy the panoramic mountain views while swinging on the edge of Redonda Mountain. Jump on a catamaran through mangroves and waterfront caverns to a secluded beach followed by lunch at a waterfall.
Looking for more options? Continue on for additional things to do in Punta Cana Dominican Republic to supplement this 7 day itinerary.
Things to do in Punta Cana Dominican Republic
- Spend the day on Isla Saona and visit the sea turtle sanctuary
- Go snorkeling on the Isla Catalina
- Visit the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo
- Swim in Hoyo Azul (the Blue Lagoon) and try the splash zipline at Scrape Park
- Visit the famous Higuey cathedral and do some souvenir shopping in the municipal market
- Take a booze cruise on a catamaran
- Take a selfie with a starfish
- Get your adrenaline fix on a dune buggy excursion
- Meet locals and learn about their life on a cultural tour
- Visit ChocoMuseo for chocolate-tasting
- Tour the VegaFina Cigar Factory
- Search for humpback whales (January – March)
- Rappel 60 feet into a cave at Fun Fun Cave
- Take a helicopter ride over the jungle, reef and
- Hike to the El Limon waterfalls
- Head downtown for rum tasting and shop for souvenirs
- Hand-feed squirrel monkeys at Monkeyland
- Go for a swim with a dolphin
- Try windsurfing at Cabarete or Macao Beach
- Go for a hike on Anamuya Mountain
- Visit the blue lagoons at 3 Eyes National Park or Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve
- Take the Reef Explorer excursion and swim with sharks and stingrays
- Scuba dive at the underwater museum or a shipwreck
- Go deep sea fishing for blue marlin, mahi mahi, barracuda, and more
- Take a jungle safari and pass sugarcane, cocoa and coffee plantations
- Watch a performance of Merengue dancing
- Spend a night out at Coco Bongo, tickets sell out!
- Attend a cave party at Imagine Night Club, and watch out for bats
- Enjoy a romantic dinner in a cave at El Meson de la Cava restaurant
- Swing on the edge of a Montaña Redonda
- Drink Mamajuana (dark rum, red wine, and honey)
- Eat Mangú (mashed plantains topped with sautéed red onions, cheese, salami, and an egg)
- Purchase Dominican cigars and Larimar jewelry as souvenirs (the stone is only found in the Dominican Republic)
Be sure to check the Dominican Republic Office of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events, and what’s happening during your stay.
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