Punta Cana, DR, is one of the Dominican Republic’s hidden gems, offering the perfect Caribbean vacation experience. There is enough to do both within and outside of the all-inclusive resorts. Moreover, it can be a relaxing beach getaway with plenty of activities, including excursions, nightlife, and opportunities to explore the rich Dominican culture. This post aims to be a comprehensive Punta Cana Travel guide to help you plan your Punta Cana trip.
What Every Visitor Should Know
Language
This article is intended to serve as a guide to assist you in planning your trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Official Currency
The Dominican Peso. Use this calculator to get the latest exchange rates:
Can I use my credit or debit card?
As part of this Punta Cana Travel Guide, we recommend carrying both cash and cards. Restaurants and hotels in the Punta Cana area will take Visa and Mastercard. However, we recommend carrying cash, especially when venturing outside the resort areas.
Is Punta Cana Safe?
Our Punta Cana Travel Guide highlights that Punta Cana, DR, is extremely safe. Nevertheless, 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, particularly if you’re exploring the Punta Cana nightlife.
When is it best to visit Punta Cana?
The best time to visit Punta Cana is from March through May. Luckily, the weather is warm year-round, with average highs around 85° Fahrenheit (30°C), perfect for enjoying the beautiful Punta Cana beaches. 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, Dominican Republic, 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 |
Source: NOAA
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 form is available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese, and Russian, and can 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 Punta Cana hotels and all-inclusive resorts. (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 Punta Cana restaurants
Playa Blanca Restaurant – Playa Blanca is a beachfront restaurant & bar that serves fresh local seafood, authentic Dominican dishes, grilled meats, and cocktails for lunch and dinner daily.
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!
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
Some of the top Punta Cana Excursions
One of the best ways to get the most out of your Punta Cana trip is to book some excursions. Here’s a complete Travel Guide on the best excursions Punta Cana has to offer:
Blue Hole 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
Escape into Punta Cana’s lush countryside in a 3‑hour buggy ride through forests and rocky terrain. Taste local coffee, cacao, and cigars, then cool off with a swim in a scenic cenote cave.
Chocolate Masterclass in Punta Cana
Learn from expert chocolatiers, work with premium cocoa, and craft chocolate from bean to bar in this immersive, hands-on experience.
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.
Safari Cultural in Punta Cana
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.
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 check the CDC’s website for additional details.
Getting Around
Punta Cana is a pedestrian-friendly area. The best way to get around is often on foot, as long as you’re staying close to the hotel area. In addition, all-inclusive resorts offer shuttles to and from local restaurants. Outside of the resort area, driving is recommended. However, there are also many taxi and bus services to get you to your destination quickly and safely.
Motoconchos: These motorcycle taxis are a cheap way to get around Punta Cana. Local drivers work together to form taxi lines at busy intersections, and then take you to your destination at very low rates (starting at $3 USD). However, they have a reputation for being unsafe because passengers rarely wear helmets, so we don’t recommend them. Nevertheless, they remain an inexpensive way to move around town.
Buses: If you want to get around on a budget, you can ride the bus. Taking public transit means that you avoid the hassles of parking and car rentals. On the other hand, be aware that the schedules are irregular, and buses can be more than an hour late. In addition, stops aren’t clearly marked, and buses are often packed. Because of this, we recommend that you consider other options.
Taxis: Taxis are conveniently located in all tourist zones, often stationed outside major bus stops, hotels, and attractions. If you’re looking for a private and quick means of transportation, taxis are perfect. You can request one by calling the lobby or asking the bellboys. However, taxis can be expensive, sometimes costing $40+ USD for short trips.
Punta Cana Airport: Most visitors arrive at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). Fortunately, the airport is well-connected to the resort areas, and many hotels offer shuttle services. In addition, taxis are readily available for those who prefer direct, door-to-door service.
Information on COVID-19
We have a dedicated information page on COVID-19. Since we update this page constantly, we will link it below:
About us
We are a group of passionate locals dedicated to providing the best things to do in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Unlike big travel companies, we are locals. We know all the ins and outs of Punta Cana, from the best Punta Cana beaches to the most exciting nightlife spots.
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.
Whether you’re seeking beaches, excursions, or nightlife, this Punta Cana Travel Guide is designed to make your vacation unforgettable.
