Punta Cana > Attractions

Attractions

Most of the Punta Cana nightly entertainment, like casinos and discos, is provided by the large hotels. During the day you can choose between many water-related activities, beaches, shopping areas, and national parks.

Punta Cana may seem little on a map, but it's big on water sports options offered right on the beach: catamaran boat rides, double-decker party boats, parasailing, glass bottom boats for marine life observation, sports fishing, diving, snorkeling, flying boats, and speed boating, to name a few.

Other options you may consider in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic include safari-type excursions on four-wheel bikes, buggy rides, jeep safaris, monster trucks, and helicopter rides. Horseback riding is also popular in Punta Cana. You can even go riding on deserted white-sand beaches, making for great photo opportunities.

Punta Cana Fishing

The best Punta Cana fishing opportunities are during the summer. You can look forward to catching blue marlin, barracuda, and dorado, among others. Arrangements can be made at hotel front desks.

Punta Cana features the longest coral reef in the Dominican Republic - about 30 kilometers long. Snorkeling is better close to the select areas near the reef. Punta Cana snorkeling excursions take groups out to the aquarium and towards the reef off of El Cortecito beach.

Punta Cana's shore offers appropriate conditions for beginning divers. This Dominican Republic resort city is a great place to learn.

There are 16 national parks in the Dominican Republic. These parks often provide tourist facilities, and there are usually guided tours available.

Established in 1997, Cabaret Bay is considered one of the top ten windsurfing sites in the world. It has attracted top names in the sport and has developed a variety of international restaurants and nightlife. Cabaret is the place for a great windsurfing vacation or for finding some of the best kite surfing of your life!

Punta Cana's shopping mall, opposite the airport, features the country's newest world-class bowling alley. Bavaro Plaza is the largest shopping complex in this area of the Dominican Republic. Each hotel features stores where arts and crafts can be purchased. Handicraft vendors rotate at the Punta Cana hotels bringing their wares from the creator right to the tourist.

A short boat ride will take you to this artificial island where tourists can swim with trained dolphins in the water.

Located in San Rafael de Yuma, a detour south of the road that leads from Higuey to La Romana, the Ponce de Leon House was where the famous explorer of Florida lived with his wife and three daughters when he commanded the east of the country for the Spanish conquistadors back in 1505.

If you're not a water sports enthusiast, you can visit Manati Park Bávaro, with exhibitions of animals, birds, fish, dolphins, sea lions, and parrots. You'll also find Taino village, an exhibition of Dominican cultures and traditions. Swimming with the dolphins is available as well in Manati Park.

The Basilica is the main attraction of this city, a large modern cathedral that honors the Virgen de la Altagracia, patron saint of the Dominican Republic. If you wind up in Higüey with time to spare, take a walk down the small streets, peruse the local businesses, and enjoy the local cheese and the Presidente beer.

Punta Cana's golf courses are one of the main attractions that helps bring in tourists every year. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic boasts six golf courses to help you practice your game, and you can play golf here any time of year. Golf tournaments are also offered by the courses and resorts.

El Golf de Bavaro: This very scenic, flat course has 18 holes, a par of 72, and is open from 7 am to 6:30 pm. Designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo, Golf de Bavaro is 6,376 yards long and has a slope rating of 145-73.5 (blue), 138-72.1 (white), 137-74 (red).

Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club: This challenging course has 18 holes, where 9 holes are each par 3, and the other 9 have a par of 35. Designed by Alberto Solá, Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club is 2,600 meters long and is open from 7 am to 6:30 pm.

Cocotal Golf and Country Club: With lakes and coconut trees as scenery, this 27-hole course has a par of 72 and is open from 8am to 4pm (open till 2:30pm for 18-hole players). Designed by Pepe Gancedo, Cocotal Golf and Country Club has 3 courses that are 7,183, 6,766, and 6,342 yards each and has a slope rating of 70.2.

Punta Cana Golf Club: Located right on the Caribbean Sea, this 18-hole course has a par of 72 and is open from 7 am to 7 pm. Designed by P.B.Dye, Punta Cana Golf Club is 7,150 yards in length.

Other local golf courses include the White Sands Golf Course and the newly opened Punta Espada Golf Course.

Your Punta Cana vacation would not be complete without a visit to their exotic beaches. Located on the East Coast of the Dominican Republic, the East Coast strip consists of 40 miles of fine white sand for you to relax and get a tan, the largest stretch of white sand in the Caribbean. Most of the Punta Cana beaches are deserted and undeveloped, and are a perfect place to get away from your busy life. Many hotels and developments only limit land access and otherwise honor Dominican law whereby beaches are public.

You'll find five casinos when traveling to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The newest and largest Punta Cana casino is the Bavaro Princess casino. You can also place your bets at the Riu Palace, Barcelo Bavaro Casino, Paradisus Casino, and Catalonia Casino; all located within local Punta Cana resorts.