Punta Cana ⎜ Things to Do in Punta Cana ⎜ Best Things to Do in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Top Rated Tour in Punta Cana
You’ve heard of Punta Cana’s mesmeric beaches, stunning golf courses, and world-class all-inclusive resorts, making it the most visited destination in the Caribbean… but this place offers so much more. When you take a look at Punta Cana’s natural attractions, adventure parks, cultural experiences, and a long list of fun things to do, there’s no denying it truly is… The Caribbean Wonderland. After a stressful and challenging 2020, the first thing on your mind may be relaxation, but you deserve to have some fun too, and there’s plenty of opportunities in Punta Cana.
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We encourage you to leave the resort property for a few hours or a day trip adventure. Visit one of the offshore islands, book a fun safari or buggy tour to the countryside, have a fun cultural experience, try an exhilarating experience on the water or a line across a green canopy, learn how to dance merengue…and much more.
Following we’ve come up with a list of the best attractions, and things to do in Punta Cana. How did we come up with the list? We know Punta Cana, so we’ll have our own recommendations but most importantly we have also listened to what people like you have said, so we’ve included the top-rated attractions and best things to do ranked by respected guides with real reviews.
Take a Day Trip to the Beautiful Saona Island
As if the amazing beaches of Punta Cana were not enough to fulfill Caribbean dreams… you can take a day trip to Saona Island, unspoiled by development, to swim and snorkel in the clearest and most seductive waters. The island of Saona is like a dream, where you can spend the day swimming in shallow water, lounging on magazine-worthy spots, or snorkeling for hours on water that feels like a giant aquarium. Tour companies offer day trips to Saona Island by catamaran party boats to more intimate charters perfect small groups or couples desiring a more exclusive experience.
Top Rated Saona Island 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’s 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…
– #19 two years in a row – “Top 25 Best Beaches in the World” – Best of the Best 2020 & 2021 Award – TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice.
– #8 two years in a row – “Best Beaches in the Caribbean” – Best of the Best 2020 & 2021 Award – TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice.
The shore is perfectly landscaped with coconut groves, lounge chairs inviting guests to relax, water sports to re-ignite the playful side, plenty of fun tours all day long… under the year-long warmth of the Caribbean sun.
Top Rated Tours - Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana
Go on a Fun Buggy / ATV Adventure
Off-roading is sooo 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 met your travel party’s needs and preferences, from ATVs, Polaris, Buggies, and Jeep Tours, so no one is left out.
Top Rated ATV / Buggy Tours in Punta Cana
Experience the Colorful Rhytmic Culture of Dominicans
As you read this guide, you’re tempted to come for the gorgeous coastline, amazing beachfront resort options, and fun activities… once you’re here, you’ll be enamored by the spirit and hospitality of the people. The sounds of merengue energize the ambiance with happy vibes and invite your hips to move, most resorts have free merengue and bachata dancing lessons. Visitors will have plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in the colorful and vibrant Dominican culture. Most of the tours incorporate a cultural experience. The contagious zest for life will uplift you while on vacation and perhaps inspire you to incorporate aspects of island culture into your life.
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, 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.
Go Shopping at a Beachside Shop Shack
Shoes and shirts 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 the local small businesses. Popular traditional items: jewelry pieces with Larimar or Amber, art pieces such as hand wood carvings and paintings, local rum bottles, colorful sarong wrap among others.
Swim on the Mesmerizing Cenotes of Punta Cana
We know you’ll need some convincing to get away from the beaches, but you simply can’t miss visiting at least one of the cenotes or lagoons in the Punta Cana region, 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.
Go Ziplining over Lush Green Canopies
We know you love the blue side of Punta Cana, if you head inland we think you may like the green side too… where you can zip across lush green canopies under blue skies. If ziplining is on your bucket list, Punta Cana is a great place to do it. After a hard 2020 where many of us were spending much of our time indoors, ziplining is a great way to feel freedom immersing our senses in the beauty of nature.
Go on a Fun & Cultural Safari Tour
Bring your entire family for a fun-filled day where you can get to see the vibrant countryside, warm culture of Dominicans, taste delicious food, laugh, and mingle with happy travelers just like you. One of our very own tour companies in Punta Cana, Outback Adventures proudly earned the #1 spot on “Top 10 Experiences in the Caribbean” in 2019 and continues to deliver happy times and memories. Other favorites are Monkeyland & Plantation Safari Tour, popular among families with kids.
Top Rated Safari Tours in Punta Cana
Monkeyland – A Family Favorite Nature Park
A short drive from Punta Cana, the entire family, and eco lovers will enjoy mingling with the favorite creatures in the park, the cute and friendly squirrel monkeys. The nature park also offers ziplining, safari tours, buggy rides as well as cultural experiences of the traditional country life of Dominicans. The best tours bundle all the fun for an exciting day full of activities sure to bring smiles and make wonderful memories.
Go Snorkeling in Punta Cana
Punta Cana has a way of placing the fun into just about every activity, snorkeling tours 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.
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.
Top Rated Surfing Lessons - Macao Beach
Go Horseback Riding 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, romantic, and 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.
Top Rated Horseback Riding Tours in Uvero Alto Beach
Go to the top of Round Mountain to Swing & 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.
