Punta Cana City Guide   About Punta Cana   Take an excursion to the tropical island of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and explore the many things to do there. Punta Cana is a major tourist spot, and it would be good to know a l...

Punta Cana City Guide

About Punta Cana

Take an excursion to the tropical island of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and explore the many things to do there. Punta Cana is a major tourist spot, and it would be good to know a little Spanish as it is the primary language on this island. With tropical trees and white sandy beaches, this destination is one to remember. Punta Cana is particularly known for its cocoa and tobacco industry.

The Dominican Republic is one of the least expensive of the Caribbean islands, and many people from the islands look forward to seeing travelers vacation at Punta Cana. The city is located on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic and is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. With the Dominican Republic being adjacent to Haiti, there can be tension amongst some residents because of the turbulent history. People of the Dominican Republic have ancestors who have settled from Africa, Spain, and Europe, and this multicultural city has strong roots dating far back in history. Visitors can find interesting stories and facts at the museum.

White sandy beaches

Relax on a Caribbean island with its white sandy beaches and watch the calm sea. There are several beaches in Punta Cana with Bavaro Beach being one of the more popular ones among tourists. The relaxing atmosphere with the swaying cocoa palms make this beach a great place for unwinding and enjoying the moment. 

About 25-minutes north of Bavaro is Macao Beach, a beach that local Dominicans use. Macao Beach is a great place for surfers and lessons are available. 

Arena Gordo is another beautiful beach with glistening blue water and picture-perfect views. It is mainly for the people staying at the resorts in the area, however public access is allowed. 

Things to do

Tourists can take part in many activities and the shopping on the island is good. The beach seafood restaurants are excellent, or you can find some great local Caribbean food. There is an excursion to see some of the local wildlife and hiking is possible at the Ecological Park. For the more adventurist tourists, there is an excursion to Hoyo Azul, a majestic destination of clear water, hiking trails, and beautiful scenery. It is recommended to try zip lining at least once, but hang tight on the rope because looking down can be scary. 

Because of the many beaches and the easy access to water, it is no surprise that many of the area’s activities include water sports. You can go snorkeling, surfing, on speedboat trips, scuba diving, and parasailing.

What to eat

Punta Cana has a love for bananas. Many of the dishes will have fried bananas in them mixed with an abundance of other ingredients. Bandera is a popular dish with rice, beans, salad, and fried bananas. Guineos is another popular dish among Dominicans, which also consists of bananas. If you like chicken, try the icapollo cuisine, which is fried chicken with fried bananas or potato slices. 

Explore the history

Punta Cana was once called Punta Borrachon until a few American investors purchased 30 square miles of land and renamed it. Punta Cana has both French and Spanish roots. The French seized the western part of the island and the eastern part of the land was returned back to the Spanish. The museum in Punta Cana has details of a rich history filled with culture, architecture, and other interesting information about this beautiful place.

Getting around

To get around from place to place, we recommend traveling by taxi. Getting to and from the Punta Cana airport is usually easy, as the hotel concierge can call a taxi for you. To see the island in detail, there are jeep tours where you’ll have a guide to show you around. Traveling by foot is recommended when your destination is close to your hotel or resort. Another way of getting around is by motoconchos, a motorcycle taxi with cheap fares. Be aware if you’re taking a motoconcho that it can be dangerous maneuvering in and out of the rush hour traffic. 

Where to stay

With so many places to stay, it could take time trying to find the perfect place. Punta Cana has luxury resorts and spas, romantic resorts, and luxury rentals. Not looking for luxury? Punta Cana has cheap sleeps and affordable hotels. Whether staying for a week or several months, let World Escape help you find the perfect place.