Things to Do in Punta Cana: My Top Picks
People arrive in Punta Cana, check into an all inclusive resort, and never leave the property. I understand the appeal, those beaches are real. But the east coast of the Dominican Republic has more to offer if you step past the pool. I have gone back several times, and this is what I do when I want the trip to be about more than the swim up bar.
Settle In on Bavaro and Punta Cana Beach
The coastline runs for miles, and the resort beaches are genuinely beautiful, with soft white sand and water the colour of a drink nobody should trust. I pick the stretch in front of my hotel, rent a lounger, and spend a day doing nothing in the sun. It sets the baseline for the trip. The surf is gentle, the water is warm, and there is a reason people fly across the world for it.
Sail Out to Isla Saona on a Catamaran
The boat trip to Isla Saona is the classic Punta Cana excursion, and it earns its hype. I board a catamaran, sail across the turquoise water, and stop at a sandbar where the ocean is shallow enough to stand forever. On the island itself, coconut palm rows line the beach, and the crew serves lunch by the water. It is a full day, but it is the most memorable one you will have.
Take the Dune Buggy Tour Inland
For the opposite of the beach, I rent a dune buggy and head inland through the countryside. The tour stops at a natural swimming hole and a small family farm where we taste local coffee, cacao, and fresh fruit. Riding the dusty tracks is messy and loud and completely freeing. I wear clothes I do not care about and bring a bandana, because the dust gets everywhere.
Snorkel the Mangroves and Coral Gardens
Punta Cana is not the Caribbean’s best snorkeling, but it is worth doing for the life around the reefs close to shore. I take a half day trip that stops over the coral gardens near the coast, where colourful fish dart around the rocks. Some boats include a stop in the mangrove channels where you look down at starfish in the clear, calm water. It is easy and unhurried.
Swim in the Hoyo Azul Cenote
Just outside the main resort area, hidden at the base of a limestone cliff, sits Hoyo Azul, a natural cenote with water so vivid blue it looks photoshopped. I walk down the wooden boardwalk on the Scape Park grounds, past monkeys and butterflies, and reach the water. A swim here in the cool, clear pool is a completely different experience from the ocean, and I always spend the afternoon here.
Try Mofongo and the Local Seafood
Eat at least one meal outside the resort. I order mofongo, a mashed plantain dish often served with garlic shrimp, and I have yet to find a version I did not like. The small restaurants that line the beaches and main avenues serve fresh fish caught that morning. Even a simple roadside ceviche beats the buffet, and the people watching is better too.
Watch the Sunset Horseback Ride
The sunset rides along the beach are a fixture on the local tours, and I finally understood why. I rode a gentle horse along the water as the sky turned gold and pink, with the waves slapping the hooves. Even if you are not an experienced rider, the guides keep it slow and safe. It is romantic if you are travelling as a couple, and just quiet and lovely if you are not.
Explore the Saona Lagoon and a Little Local Life
When I want to step away from the tourist strips, I drive the short way to the small communities around the coast and to the peaceful lagoon areas east of Bavaro. There are quieter beaches where locals swim and fish, and small markets where I buy fresh passion fruit. It is not a polished excursion, and that is exactly why I like it. You meet people, not just staff.
Ride the Extreme Buggy Into the Sugarcane Fields
If the first buggy tour was not enough, the longer extreme version heads deeper into the sugarcane plantations and along the river. I found these routes more exciting than the standard track, with more mud, more speed, and bigger pools to cross. Again, I dressed for the mess and loved every minute. It is the best pure adrenaline on the whole coast.
Know When to Come and How to Save
My final tip is timing. December to April gives you the driest, most pleasant weather, but it is also the busiest and priciest. I have visited in the shoulder months and found the beaches just as warm with far fewer crowds. However you come, build in at least one day with no plan at all. Punta Cana rewards the people who stop rushing and just sit with that water for a while.
