Places / North & Central America / Dominican Republic
Punta Cana
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At a glance
- Country
- Dominican Republic
- Region
- La Altagracia Province
- Population
- 100,000
- Best time to go
- December to April
- Main airport
- Punta Cana International (PUJ)
- Coordinates
- 18.56°N, 68.37°W
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Overview
Punta Cana is less a town than a long coast of palm-lined white beaches and resorts on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic. The sea is calm and clear behind the reef, and the sun shines most of the year.
It's easy to never leave your hotel, but it's worth getting out: to the islands, freshwater lagoons and blue sinkholes, or west to the old towns of Higüey and La Romana.
Things to see
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Photo: Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bávaro Beach
A long, gently curving beach of fine sand, the heart of the resort strip.
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Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve
A nature reserve of freshwater lagoons for swimming, reached by forest trails.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Original uploader was Niedźwiadek78 (Michał Sulczyński) at p, CC BY-SA 3.0 Altos de Chavón
A replica Mediterranean village on a cliff above the Chavón River, near La Romana.
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Photo: BasilicadelaAltagracia, CC BY-SA 4.0 Basilica of Higüey
A striking modernist basilica, the country's most important pilgrimage site.
Things to do
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Photo: Danu Widjajanto, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Saona Island
Catamarans and speedboats run to the beaches and natural pools of this island off the south coast.
Find tours -
Photo: Camera Eye Photography, CC BY 2.0 Snorkel the reef
Join a boat trip to the coral reef just offshore.
Find tours -
Photo: Danu Widjajanto, CC BY-SA 4.0 Whale watching in Samaná
Humpback whales gather in Samaná Bay in winter; it's a long day trip but unforgettable.
Find tours
Where to stay
Bávaro
The main resort area, with the most hotels, beaches and restaurants.
Hotels in BávaroCap Cana
Upmarket gated resorts, golf courses and a marina south of the airport.
Hotels in Cap CanaUvero Alto
Quieter all-inclusive resorts further north, more remote.
Hotels in Uvero Alto
Getting around
Taxis and resort shuttles are the usual way around; car hire gives more freedom for day trips.
The airport is close to the resorts, around 15 to 30 minutes by taxi or transfer.
When to go
December to April is dry and sunny. Summer is hotter and seaweed can wash up on some beaches, while the hurricane season runs from June to November.
Plan your trip to Punta Cana
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.