Best Things to Do in Punta Cana
Dominican Republic – 2023 Guide

Go on a Fun Catamaran Ride

Catamaran cruises on the turquoise waters of the coconut coastline are among the most popular things to do in Punta Cana.  Relax, take in the beauty of the coastline, swim in clear waters, and dance to the rhythms of merengue and bachata.  Some of the best catamarans include a stop at a snorkeling spot.  Depending on your preferred style, you can book a party-style catamaran with an open bar and music, or you may want to pay a little extra for a more intimate and personalized experience just for your group.   

Take a Day Trip to the Beautiful Saona Island

Punta Cana has amazing beaches, but the beaches and water of Saona Island are on another level, the island is an unspoiled nature reserve with the most beautiful crystal clear turquoise seductive water you’ll see during your vacation in Punta Cana.  Saona Island has a charming small fishing village and magazine-worthy scenery.  Spend the day swimming in shallow water, lounging on magazine-worthy spots, or snorkeling for hours on water that feels like a giant aquarium.  The way there is part of the fun, most tours make a stop at the Natural Pool, tours typically include food, drinks, and lively music to keep up with the all-inclusive theme of Punta Cana.  Choose from catamaran party boats to more intimate charters perfect for small groups or couples desiring a more exclusive experience.

+ Saona Island Guide - Dominican Republic

Go Snorkeling in Punta Cana

Snorkeling excursions are among the top experiences for adults and children.  Hop on a lively catamaran cruise across the coastline to Cabeza del Toro Nature Reserve, a natural pool with a natural aquarium underneath the clear waters.  Go on a day trip snorkeling to Saona Island where starfish abound.  Beginners and families with small children may wish to snorkel at Marinarium, an enclosed pool where you can swim and have encounters with friendly sea creatures.

+ Snorkeling in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Swim on the Mesmerizing Cenotes of Punta Cana

Cenotes in Punta Cana are among the best places to visit, just the mere sight will take your breath away.  On a hot summer day, the cenotes and lagoons offer the most refreshing cool water in the region.   The most popular cenotes are at Scape Park and Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park, but there are more cenotes often included in ATV / Buggy Adventures.

+ Cenotes & Lagoons in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Go on an Off-Road Adventure in the Countryside 

Off-roading is so much fun in Punta Cana, one of the top experiences you should not miss.  Depending on the tour you choose, you may visit cocoa and coffee plantations, ride across colorful country homes, swim in mesmerizing cenotes, and end up at secluded beaches to swim and clean up the mud.  ATV Tours also include a cultural experience so visitors can get to know more about life and culture in the Dominican Republic.  There are various options to meet your travel party’s needs and preferences, from ATVs, Polaris, Buggies, and Jeep Tours, there’s something for everyone. 

Go Shopping at a Beachside Shop Shack

Shoes and shirts are not required when shopping along the coconut coastline of Punta Cana.  Bring a little cash for your beach walk and stop by beach shacks selling a variety of must-have items.  Shopping at these colorful wooden shacks is a unique cultural experience while making a positive impact on local small businesses.  Popular traditional items: jewelry pieces with Larimar or Amber, art pieces such as hand wood carvings and paintings, local rum bottles, and colorful sarong wrap among others.

Play a Game of Golf on World Renowned Courses

Punta Cana and other tourist regions in the Dominican Republic constantly rank among the best golf destinations in the Caribbean.  The beautiful coastline is not only for beachgoers, golfers can play on stunning oceanfront courses and regular venues for Championship Tours.  Four golf courses in the Dominican Republic out of seven made it to the list of Golf Digest’s “2020 & 2021’s Top Golf Resorts in the Caribbean and Bermuda”, two of them are in Punta Cana.  Courses in Punta Cana have been designed by acclaimed architects such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Greg Norman, among others.

+  Golf Courses in Punta Cana ⎮​ Best Golf Resorts in Punta Cana 

Surprise your Loved One with a Romantic Horseback Ride on the Beach

Punta Cana is known for its beachfront resort communities and fun activities on the water, but if you head to the northeast side you’ll get to experience the more natural quiet side.  One of the best, most romantic, and most relaxing ways to enjoy Punta Cana’s rugged undeveloped beaches is by taking a horseback ride, for an extra special touch, book a tour at sunset.  Whether you’re on a romantic honeymoon, a family vacation with kids, or traveling with a group of friends, this may be a wonderful experience to remember.  Most horseback riding tours take place on the palm-lined Uvero Alto Beach.

Go Deep Sea Fishing in Punta Cana

Depending on the time of the year, you can catch Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Wahoo, Barracuda, Tuna, and the gorgeous Blue Marlin among others.  There are several fishing charters offering excursions from private charters or shared fishing tours.  

Swim, Play & Party at Bavaro Beach – A Caribbean Playground

Ranked Among the Best Beaches in the World

Punta Cana attracts travelers from all over the world seeking the perfect tropical getaway.  While there are a number of great beaches in Punta Cana, be sure not to miss Bavaro Beach, not only the best beach in Punta Cana but also ranked among the best beaches in the world and the Caribbean.

But don’t take our word for it… tens of thousands of travelers like you reviewed their experience placing Bavaro Beach…

• #7 – “Top 25 Beaches in the Caribbean” – TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best 2022
• #23 – “Top 25 Beaches in the World  – TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Best of the Best 2022

The shore is perfectly landscaped with coconut groves, lounge chairs inviting guests to relax, water sports to re-ignite the playful side, and plenty of fun tours all day long… under the year-long warmth of the Caribbean sun.

+ Bavaro Beach - Punta Cana

Go Kite Surfing on the Turquoise Waters of Punta Cana

Kitesurfing is an exhilarating experience, the added scenery, clear turquoise water, and steady winds make Punta Cana the perfect destination.  Punta Cana is the perfect place for individuals wishing to learn with professional and friendly instructors.

One of the most popular beaches for kitesurfing is Playa Blanca, a gorgeous beach with the best wind conditions, waves, and safe shallow waters.  Arena Gorda Beach is also a popular spot with two businesses offering kite surfing gear rentals and lessons.  The best time to kite surf in Punta Cana is from June through August.

Monkeyland Adventure / Eco Park – A Family Favorite 

Monkeyland is one of the most loved attractions for families, offering a number of ecotourism experiences and fun activities such as zip lining, safari tours, and buggy rides.  Get ready to fall in love with the cutest and friendliest squirrel monkeys, they welcome you to their countryside home located just outside of Punta Cana, trained to mingle and get close to humans.  Monkeyland also offers nice cultural experiences where you can see demonstrations of how Dominicans live in the countryside and grow food.  You’ll get to taste delicious fresh roasted coffee and cocoa.  The best tours bundle all the fun for an exciting day full of activities sure to bring smiles and make wonderful memories.

Go to The Top of Round Mountain… Swing, Dream & Admire the Emerald Coast

Head north to Miches to visit Montaña Redonda (Round Mountain), the most scenic overlook on the east coast of the Dominican Republic.  Let your inner child free, get on a swing, and let your cares fade away in the wind as you take in the beauty of the Emerald Coastline of Miches. This is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Dominican Republic.  You can book a tour that offers transportation from Punta Cana or go on your own if you wish to rent a car.  The ride up can be a bit scary, there’s a safari-style open-air truck that takes groups and there are some pick-up trucks that can take a small group of 4 which feels more steady and safe on the way up.  Be sure to stop by the beautiful Playa Esmeralda (Beach) and experience one of the last undeveloped beaches in the Caribbean.

Go Surfing / Learn to Surf at Macao Beach

Macao Beach often named one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean packs much more than beauty.  For those that love more action on the water, Macao Beach offers six surfing breaks.  If you always wanted to learn, you’ll find some of the friendliest and most passionate surfing instructors.  Learning to surf will certainly give you bragging rights and memories to share with loved ones and friends. See top-rated surfing lessons below. 

+ Macao Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Go on a Safari Tour 

Bring your entire family for a fun-filled day where you can get to see the vibrant countryside, and warm culture of Dominicans, taste delicious food, laugh, and mingle with happy travelers just like you.   Safari Tours in Punta Cana packs a lot of fun in a few hours, one of the best cultural experiences in Punta Cana.  Tours are offered in open-air trucks, some tour operators offer jeep safari tours.  Every tour is different and has its own itinerary, most include a ride through the countryside, coffee and cacao plantations, tours of traditional country homes, cooking lessons, food tasting or lunches, artisan shops, and gorgeous secluded beaches.  Some safari tours have special stops at animal farms great for families with small children.  

Go Ziplining over Lush Green Canopies

Experience the lush green side of the Dominican Republic in an exhilarating way.  Yes, the adrenaline is pumping as you take off, but as you fly across the line, you’ll go from yelling to wowing from the feelings of wonder as you fly like a bird over green canopies.  By the time your zipline adventure is complete, you’ll feel light and free, with memories you’ll want to share with family and friends back home when you return.

Go Parasailing over the Turquoise Water of Punta Cana 

You’ve fallen in love with Punta Cana, if you want to be passionately in love… go parasailing and see it from above.  Once you’re up 200 feet in the air, you will begin to feel more relaxed… you’ll be mesmerized by breathtaking views of the coconut coastline.  From above you can appreciate the colors of the water contrasting with the coral reefs, the sparking sand, and the lush coconut groves that run along the shores of this magical Caribbean Wonderland.  Parasailing can be a romantic experience and a fun family adventure to share with the kids.  We recommended that you book ahead of time in order to secure your parasailing experience.

Go Whale Watching in Samana

Did you know that the Dominican Republic is one of the top 10 places in the world?  Every year not hundreds, but thousands of  Humpback Whales come home to the warm waters of the Dominican Republic to give birth, breed, and play at Silver Bank and Samana Bay.  Humpback Whales migrate to the Dominican Republic from January through April.  You’ve seen these gorgeous creatures in pictures and films, but seeing them in person, swimming freely, jumping out of the water and listening to the sound of their symphony… it takes your breath away, it is one of those moments when you realize just how magical our planet really is.  During a tour, you may see hundreds of humpback whales within a few miles, including bay calves.

If you’re lucky to swim along with these majestic creatures you will come away feeling really small, but with greater sensitivity for the protection of our natural treasures.  After this experience, you’ll want to come back year after year to the Dominican Republic just like the whales do.

A day trip from Punta Cana to Samana will take most of the day.  Tour companies from Punta Cana will provide transportation by bus or small plane.

Santo Domingo Historical District

The best way to connect with the history and culture of the Dominican Republic is by taking a day trip to Santo Domingo, the capital city.  Santo Domingo, the first city established in the New World was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.  The colonial historic district (Zona Colonial) houses a number of 16th-century business turned into museums, forts, castles, churches, and elegant squares.  Today, Santo Domingo is a mix of old-world, modern and traditional colorful touches of Dominican culture.

A number of tour operators offer well planned day trips to Santo Domingo from Punta Cana,  offering tours of the most significant sights of the city and cultural experiences.

Higuey, Dominican Republic

Higuey is the city of Altagracia Province, just 45 minutes from Punta Cana, you can visit one of the most recognized and visited cathedrals in the Caribbean, a religious museum, an artisan market, and a farmer’s market.  As you tour around Higuey, you’ll be driving through the communities where most employees of resorts in the Punta Cana Tourist Region reside.

+ Higuey Cultural Atractions - La Altagracia, Dominican Republic

Altos de Chavón – La Romana, Dominican Republic

Los Altos de Chavon is a Mediterranean village set on a hill with sweeping views of the Chavon River and the famous golf course in Casa de Campo.  Los Altos de Chavon was designed to capture the romance and elegance of the Old World with the vibe of the vibrant and colorful culture of Dominicans.

+ Altos de Chavon - La Romana, Dominican Republic

Go Kayaking in Punta Cana

Kayaking is a wonderful way to see the coastline of Punta Cana from a different perspective.  Kayaking is enjoyed best on the Caribbean side of Punta Cana where the water is calm, clear, and shallow.  You’ll glide over turquoise water with coral reefs underneath, where you can make stops to snorkel.  Be sure to only snorkel in areas without heavy boat traffic and wear safety gear so boaters can spot you.  Many of the beachfront resorts offer free use of kayaks to guests or for a modest fee.  For those visiting Bavaro Beach for the day, you can easily find vendors that offer kayak rentals.

Take a Hobie Cat Ride in Punta Cana

Various resorts offer Hobie Cats for the use of their guests, most at no cost.  If you need lessons, they are offered at a fee.  There are a limited number of Hobie Cats at each resort, we advise you to book it as soon as you arrive at the resort to secure a day and time.

If your resort doesn’t offer it, there are rentals at various spots along Bavaro Beach for rent.