PUNTA CANA

With 32 km of beaches with white sands, a backdrop of swaying palm trees, and warm waters, Punta Cana has become one of the most popular destinations of the Caribbean. It is mostly frequented by Europeans who flock here to enjoy the wonderful climate since it rarely rains during the day. The ambience and standards are more European than American. A more formal dress code will be preferred for dinner, greater interest in soccer matches.

Besides rest and relaxation, this destination calls out to honeymooners, families, active travelers, snorkel enthusiast and golfers. Also many ecotourism is gaining popularity with many national reserves and the coral reef. Gamblers will rejoice with the many casinos

Beaches Few other spots boast a 35 kilometre stretch of pristine white sand, palm trees caressed by the breeze and limpid waters where you can literally walk for kilometres along the beach without seeing anything. You can visit a different beach every day: Cap Cana, Punta Cana, Cabeza de Toro, Bavaro, Arena Gorda, Macao and Uvero Alto. El Cortecito is the smallest in the area. Climate Punta Cana has a warm semi-tropical climate but is tempered by eastern winds. It rarely rains during daylight hours. Temperature in Celcius J F M A M J J A S O N D Maximum 26 28 27 28 28 29 29 29 29 28 28 26 Minimum 18 18 19 19 20 22 22 23 22 22 20 18 Rainfall (mm) 80 20 90 110 190 180 170 170 200 170 120 70 Flora & Fauna The Manatee Park Bavaro is a wildlife ecological/adventure site displaying bird, reptile and fish exhibits, and presents shows with parrots, dolphins and dancing horses. Punta Cana Ecological Reserve rests on 420,000 m2 of tropical gardens and exhuberante vegetation. Take the path and walk throught a real jungle that leads at the end to a refreshing cool spring. A day excursion to Los Haitises National Park is a must. Please see the Specialties & Characteristics section below for details. Geography On the easternmost tip of the island is Punta Cana and is best know for its unobstructed, thick palm fringed beaches and clear waters. This point separates the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean by the Mona Passage. The land is relatively flat and used for agriculture. History This area was first inhabited by the Tainos natives who left their mark on cave walls that can be visited today. Columbus first sighted this Caribbean coastline on his maiden voyage to Las Americas, and the landscape has remained in a natural, unspoiled condition ever since. The established towns lived, and still do in some cases, on farming, sugar plantations and fishing. Punta Cana only got into the tourism business in the 1970s but has continued to grow steadfastly with several attractions. Specialties & Characteristics A day excursion to Los Haitises National Park is a must. This vine-strewn limestone plain has underground rivers flowing through caves with pre-Columbian drawings and petroglyphs. Visit the Cueva de la Linea and the Cueva de las Arenas, reachable by boat that will take you through the largest system of mangroves in the Caribbean. Do go explore as well the Boca de Diablo Cuevas, a large cave system south of Los Haitises.

Introduction

Discovering...

Practical Info

Visits & Activities

Budgeting

Airport : Punta Cana International Airport Airport Tax : The departure tax of around US $20 per person is payable at the airport should it not already be included on your plane ticket, please verify. Distance from Airport : 25 minutes Tourist Office : Av. Mexico, corner of Av. 30 de Marzo, Santo Domingo. Telephone (809) 221-4660 Tourist Season : November through April Local Festivities February 27 - Carnival Transportation Although taxis are available 24 hours a day you can also travel in carros publicos (public taxis), buses, and moto conchos which are inexpensive. Major car and jeep rental companies have airport and city locations. The country has an excellent bus system and Air Santo Domingo operates flights between Santo Domingo and the principal touristic regions.

Introduction

Discovering...

Practical Info

Visits & Activities

Budgeting

Activities & Sports This destination has everything sports lovers might need: tennis, horse rides and all the water sports like catamaran, power boats, surfing and parasailing along the beach. Punta Cana counts three 18-hole golf courses and one 9-hole course: El Golf de Bavaro, Cocotal, Punta Cana Golf and Catalonia Golf course. In this part of the country you will find a coral reef measuring 30 km, the longest in the whole island. Snorkeling is best 200 m from the coast where the floor of the ocean is 1 to 2 m in depth. Book an excursion or hire the locals on the beach with their own boat. Scuba diving is practised but is more ideal for new divers since the waters are shallow. Shipwreck, coral formations, channels and tunnels can be admired. Fishing tournaments draw international participants. Blue marlin, barracuda, and dorado are the main catches and is best during the summer months. Many excursions are available. Archaeology Los Haitises National Park has underground rivers flowing through caves with pre-Columbian drawings and petroglyphs. Attractions & Museums Located in San Rafael de Yuma, the Ponce de Leon House was where the famous explorer lived with his family when he was the eastern commander of the country back in 1505. Near the Ponce de Leon house is the fisherman's town of Boca de Yuma, a great place to enjoy a meal of fresh fish or to dance a bachata and salsa. Ponce de Leon would set sail from Boca Chica, a picturesque town, with its tiny buildings. This town now has a prestigious sailing club that hosts many international fishing competitions. Sunbathe on fine white sands and swim in the transparent shallow waters. Hot-water pools are created by the great coral reef acting as a breakwater, thus given the bay the fame of being the biggest natural bath in the world. The near town of Higuey welcomes every year pilgrims who make their way in procession to the shrine of Santuario de Nuestra Seņora de la Altagracia, which is devoted to the island's patron saint. The eccentric building has a bell tower that was replaced by a high concrete arch. Also to see is one of the countries most important churches: the ancient Santuario de la Virgen de la Altagracia, which dates back to the end of 1500. The Marinarium Park on the sea offers snorkelling with sharks and rays. Jeep safari excursions offer adventure tours where you can observe the tropical wilderness, the countryside with its crops and take a dip at a deserted beach. Dolphin Island is a short boat ride away to the artificial island where you can have a swim with trained dolphins. Day-tripper Altos de Chavon, is a Mediterranean village with cobblestone paths, coral stone fountains and terra cotta buildings. It is right on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Chavon River. Reconstructed in the seventies, the town is home to artists of all types; other features of interest are a charming amphitheatre in Greek style, an archaeological museum dedicated to the island's aboriginal population. Take an excursion to the deep gorges interwoven with palm groves and a virgin, unspoiled atmosphere. Take a holiday from your holiday by visiting the gorgeous Island of Saona. Tour companies will take you there by catamaran in a couple of hours. Spend the day on its beautiful white-sand beaches or go snorkelling. On the Samana Peninsula, as one tiny beach after another spring up before your eyes, your ears are charmed by the sweet beguiling sounds of unspoiled nature. This peninsula is rich in spotlessly white beaches, lakes, marble caves, vast palm groves and small islets studding the turquoise bay. Enjoy the fried fish and the specialties of the local cuisine made with coconut sauce. Entertainment Most hotels feature evening shows. The Tropicalissimo offers a cabaret style show. A new modern bowling alley can be found in the Puta Cana Plaza. Nightlife in Punta Cana is relaxed and quiet, even in the clubs. The Bavaro Disco is the hottest place right now. The Areito and the Mangu Discotheque cater to ocean resorts and are open to the public.The Jelly Fish Restaurant on Bavaro beach organizes beach parties on full moon nights. Five casinos are located in the area: the Riu Palace, the Barcelo Bavaro Casino, the Paradisus Casino, the Catalonia Casino and the Bavaro Princess casino.