Punta Cana tourist information and things to do (2023)

FAQs

Punta Cana tourist information and things to do? ›

Famed for its wonderful white sandy beaches and twinkling turquoise waters, Punta Cana occupies the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. The second-most popular tourist destination in all of Latin America, its luxurious resorts are visited by thousands of happy holidaymakers each year.

Famed for its wonderful white sandy beaches and twinkling turquoise waters, Punta Cana occupies the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. The second-most popular tourist destination in all of Latin America, its luxurious resorts are visited by thousands of happy holidaymakers each year.

Is it safe to visit Punta Cana now? Yes, it is safe to enjoy the sunny, tropical ambiance of Punta Cana, as long as you follow these basic rules for traveling to any foreign country: Avoid traveling alone whenever possible. Always take note of extreme weather advisories when planning your trip.

The best way to get around Punta Cana is by foot if you're staying at an all-inclusive resort and by car if you plan to explore. Buses run along the main strip of hotels, but their irregular schedules make them a poor choice for getting around.

How much is customary? In the Dominican Republic, it is customary to leave a 10% if you enjoyed your services. Some restaurants will add 10% gratuity to your bill, so make sure you look at your check before leaving extra.

The FBI has released toxicology test results related to the deaths of three U.S. tourists in the Dominican Republic, according to the U.S. Department of State.

The best way to get around Punta Cana is by foot if you're staying at an all-inclusive resort and by car if you plan to explore. Buses run along the main strip of hotels, but their irregular schedules make them a poor choice for getting around.

Mamajuana. The well-known Mamajuana can be tried alone or in cocktails. It is very attractive among tourists and is considered one of the main national drinks.

There are also plenty of shopping options and some historic attractions as well as a bustling nightlife. The best area to stay in Punta Cana is the Bavaro area as this is where the main tourist hub is located.

Is there a mask mandate in Punta Cana? ›

On Wednesday 16 February 2022, Dominican authorities announced that with immediate effect all COVID-19 measures are suspended, including mandatory mask wearing, social distancing and proof of vaccination for public spaces and private spaces for public use.

Courses or boosters usually advised: Hepatitis A; Tetanus. Other vaccines to consider: Diphtheria; Hepatitis B; Rabies; Typhoid. Selectively advised vaccines - only for those individuals at highest risk: Cholera.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that water should only be consumed in the Dominican Republic if it is purified or from a bottle that is sealed.

While it is a very safe location, as it is in other countries and cities, there are places where you shouldn't go by yourself. It is generally safe to leave the resort in Punta Cana, it is recommended that you don't do so by yourself and instead book safe Punta Cana Transportation.

By Dominican law, there's also a US$20 departure tax, the cost of which is usually included in your airfare (verify with your carrier).

All tourists entering the Dominican Republic are required to pay a US $10 entry fee in cash. If you're arriving by air, you don't need to worry about this - the fee is now included in the airfare. If you're entering via Haiti, Cuba or another Caribbean location, though, be prepared to pay the fee.

We usually find $500 for the week for us is right. This covers 1 excusion, some shopping, tipping from start to finish and a meal at the airport when we leave. We usually take 500-600US and usually come home with money. Make sure to break up the denominations from 1's to 50's.

As with restaurants back home, a gratuity is expected at bars in Punta Cana. A 10% tip is customary for standard service at a bar; tipping 15% or more shows extra appreciation.

Is there a taboo in Punta Cana? ›

When day transitions to night, Finest Punta Cana opens the doors to Taboo Lounge, a luxurious nightclub located inside our resort.

Camouflage is considered to be strictly for military or law enforcement uniform, so the print cannot be worn in public by anyone who is not in “active” military or law enforcement status. Yes, the rule applies to you too, Mr. and Mrs. Tourists.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor's prescription. Check with the Ministry for Public Health to ensure the medication is legal in the Dominican Republic.

Whether you want to dance all night or chill with cocktails on the beach, Punta Cana has a setting for everyone. While the Dominican resort town is among the Caribbean's most desirable destinations for its pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters, its nightlife is pretty spectacular, too.

Papaya. In Punta Cana, we call it Lechosa. It is a very large fruit that has a shell and a core of seeds that are not eaten, and a very fleshy pulp. It has a very mild flavour, as well as a soft texture in the mouth.

Mamajuana (or "mama juana") is the native spiced rum of the Dominican Republic. The legendary drink dates back hundreds of years with rich history, and has become a token of Dominican pride and culture.

Legal drinking age in Dominican Republic is 18. We might ask for an I.D. at any time. Under-age drinking and providing alcohol to minors is punished by law. Introducing alcohol to the premises or taking it out of the premises is not allowed.

The most appropriate thing is to travel to the Dominican Republic with American dollars for the subject of the quote. Also, it will be easier for you to go to an exchange place and get the Punta Cana currency, which is the Dominican peso, to make your purchases or access services more easily.

From October to December – midseason

For those who want to enjoy a pleasant climate during the end of the rainy season in Punta Cana, we recommend visiting the region between the months of October to December. Many visitors consider that the best time to travel to Punta Cana is when the rainy season ends.

What is the prettiest beach in Punta Cana? ›

Bavaro Beach is generally considered to be the best beach in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic overall. Lined with tall coco palms, its soft, white sand stretches for 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), with a flat slope to the water edge, which makes it perfect for long beach walks.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Passengers who present their Vaccination Card will be exempted from random testing. Passports: All foreign citizens who enter the Dominican Republic, exclusively for tourism purposes, must have a valid passport during their stay and departure from the country.

All travellers will need to fill in the online entry form before travel to the Dominican Republic, which includes the COVID Traveller's Health Affidavit, the Customs Declaration and the International Boarding / Disembarking forms and can be completed via the Dominican Republic's Electronic Ticket Portal, before your ...

Mangú Tres Golpes is the traditional breakfast of the Dominican Republic. It consists of mangú, or mashed plantains, with GOYA® Queso de Freir, fried salami and eggs, finally topped off with tangy pickled red onions to balance the richness.

La Bandera is considered the national dish of the Dominican people. It consists of white rice, chicken or beef, and red beans, accompanied by tostones, green salad or even avocado.

Travelers to Dominican Republic are reminded to take malaria prevention measures. CDC recommends antimalarial medication for travelers going to the Dominican Republic, outside of Santiago and Santo Domingo cities.

Tap water is treated in the Dominican Republic, so feel safe to shower any time.

In resort areas of the Dominican Republic, mosquitoes are less common than in forests and do not disturb tourists persistently with their annoying behavior. However, far from populated areas, not equipped with the benefits of civilization, there are crowds of mosquitoes, and they are very bloodthirsty.

Beaches in Punta Cana offer true tropical paradises with sand and surf that extends forever, tropical environs, clean seashores, palm trees, and all the relaxation you need. Here, you can relax on powder-soft white sands, swim and surf in crystal clear turquoise water, and escape from the stress of your daily life.

What is the cheapest month to stay in Punta Cana? ›

The cheapest time to visit Punta Cana is generally considered to be during the off-season months of April through November. During these months, hotel prices dropped significantly due to decreased demand from travelers.

The best arrival day of the week is either Tuesday or Wednesday (BobH); Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday (wessiewoo's Travel Agent); Saturday looks good for OttawaTom; and NewfieOWL trumps them all by declaring that everyday is a good day to arrive in PC.

Note: Upon departure from Dominican Republic, passengers are also required to pay a departure tax of $20 USD in cash at the counters prior to check-in.

Most of the larger restaurants, bars, and grocery stores will accept credit cards. Some smaller convenience stores are starting to accept cards as well, but it can be hit or miss. There are still many services that do not accept credit cards so it's best to bring some cash on your trip.

One of the most common questions we get from travelers visiting Punta Cana is how long lines at Punta Cana airport during the high season are. The truth is lines can be 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on season and day of the week.

For most of the trips to Punta Cana, you're fine with US-Dollars. Especially when staying in all-inclusive resorts and heading on organized excursions in Punta Cana, you won't need any of the local currency of the Dominican Republic. Tipping in US-Dollar is fine as well.

1$ may seem like a lot relative to their salaries but it is not much in terms of the cost of living. 1$ is comparable to a bus ticket or 1/2 a beer.

The most relevant documentation to travel to Punta Cana is the passport, which must be valid, at least for a period of six months from the date of your entry. Also, two blank sheets are required to seal both the entrance and the exit.

When should I fill out my e ticket for Dominican Republic? ›

How many days in advance should I fill out the form? The form can be filled out since 72 hours before arrival to Dominican Republic, until right before going through immigration.

There are still many services that do not accept credit cards so it's best to bring some cash on your trip. For example: Taxis, fruit stands, souvenir shops, and vendors on the beach do not usually accept credit cards. Neither do some of the smaller restaurants and food trucks.

The Dominican Republic eTicket is the digital form required by multiple institutions to enter or leave the Dominican Republic. It combines the Traveler's Health Affidavit, Customs Declaration, and International Embarkations in just one single document.

Once you have claimed your luggage, proceed to Customs. Until very recently, all visitors had to buy a tourist card before arriving in the country or directly at the Customs booth. The cost of the Tourist Cards is $10,00 dollars.