The Best Areas to Stay in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
The Best Areas to Stay in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Best Areas to Stay in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Where to Stay in Punta Cana – A Guide to the “Heart of the Caribbean”

Punta Cana is a resort area in the Dominican Republic. Located on the Caribbean coast, in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is renowned as one of the world’s premier holiday spots thanks to its 32 km of white sand beaches and outstanding hotel developments. In this post, we will discover the best areas to stay in Punta Cana, DR.

As one of the Dominican Republic’s top destinations, tourism plays a vital role in the local economy. From a tourist standpoint, Punta Cana and the nearby Bávaro area form what’s known as Costa del Coco, or Coconut Coast, a well-developed tourist region famous for its all-inclusive resorts. See accommodation in Punta Cana | See accommodation in Bávaro Beach.

The main attractions in the Costa del Coco are hands down its paradisiac beaches which include Arena Gorda, Bávaro, Macao, Juanillo, and Cortecito. Most of these beaches are surrounded by the most stylish hotels and resorts in the Caribbean, some of which have private beaches available to their guests. See all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.

The Punta Cana region is also famous for being home to impressive natural attractions like the Hoyo Azul, a clear, safe for swimming sinkhole, as well as the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve, Isla Catalina, and Laguna Bavaro.

If you’re traveling to Punta Cana with kids, this area is also home to several family-friendly attractions like Scape Park, Dolphin Explorer, Dolphin Island Park, Manati Park, or Bavaro Adventure Park.

Due to its coastal location, Punta Cana has a tropical wet and dry climate. This means that the city’s temperature presents very little variation throughout the year (20 – 31 ºC). Likewise, although the wet season officially takes place from May through November, rains can happen anytime. Thanks to its constantly warm temperature, Punta Cana is an ideal tourist destination year-round. However, the best time to visit Punta Cana is during the dry(er) season (December through April), when you can enjoy the beaches and outdoor activities without having to worry about the rains.

To get to Punta Cana by air, the city is served by Punta Cana International Airport. This important airport offers a wide range of regional connections to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States, as well as frequent mid and long-haul flights to destinations in Canada, South America, and Europe.

Punta Cana is also very well-connected by a network of inter-city buses to Santo Domingo and the rest of the Dominican Republic.

Local public transportation in Punta Cana is limited and, in order to get around, your best bet is renting a car during your stay. Most hotels arrange tours and excursions with transportation included and, if you’re planning to stay in an all-inclusive resort, you can just walk around and hire a taxi for the outlying attractions.

The best area to stay in Punta Cana is Playa Bávaro (Bávaro Beach). This upscale seaside resort area is home to Punta Cana’s most luxurious hotels and resorts, the hottest nightlife, and the best restaurants. See accommodation in Bávaro Beach.

Other great options to consider when choosing the best location in Punta Cana include El Cortecito, Cap Cana, and Uvero Alto.

Keep reading to find out more about the best location in Punta Cana for tourists.

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Best Location in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: A Quick Guide

Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Punta Cana depending on your travel style and what you may be planning to do during your trip. Keep reading below to find all the specific information you need about each particular area mentioned here.

Best Hotels in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic by Theme

Something more specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the best hotels in Punta Cana. No matter your reason for visiting the city or style, you’ll find it here!

Best Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic by Theme

If you’re traveling to Punta Cana, chances are you want to enjoy the paradisiac Caribbean beaches by the pool and with a relaxing cocktail in your hand. With that in mind, we have gathered a list of the best all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.

The Best Areas to Stay in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Playa Bávaro is a world-famous beach area located on the Costa del Coco.

Bathed by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and sporting fine white sand, Playa Bávaro is one of the most important tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic.

Bávaro is home to different hotels and resorts of large international chains.

Most of the resorts in this area have their own restaurants, spas, fitness centers, bars, and nightclubs.

Several shopping centers such as Punta Blanca Mall, Plaza San Juan, or Palma Real make this area an excellent shopping destination.

Bávaro is also recognized as a nightlife area; in addition to the nightclubs located on the resorts, the area hosts several nightlife venues, particularly on the centrally-located Avenida España and the areas near the beach.

As we discussed earlier, public transportation in Punta Cana is scarce, but Bavaro has a large number of taxis available during the day and at night.

Where to stay in Punta Cana - Bávaro Beach
Where to stay in Punta Cana – Bávaro Beach
Mejores zonas donde alojarse en Punta Cana, República Dominicana - Playa Bávaro
Best areas to stay in Punta Cana, DR – Playa Bávaro
Accommodation in Playa Bávaro - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Playa Bávaro – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Punta Cana:

  • World-famous beach
  • Crystal clear and calm waters
  • All-inclusive resorts
  • Variety of stores
  • Great for watersports

2. El Cortecito

El Cortecito, officially Punta El Cortecito, is another Costa del Coco beach located south of Playa Bávaro.

This modern and well-developed area is great for practising all kinds of watersports such as snorkelling, diving, parasailing, surfing, and even skydiving.

Although this popular area is also home to some expensive all-inclusive resorts, the atmosphere here is more laid-back and local.

El Cortecito Beach is one of the most popular public beaches in Costa del Coco and the beach itself has several seafood restaurants, nightlife venues and cafés.

Because this area is slightly less upscale than neighboring Playa Bávaro, hotels are also notably cheaper here.

In Cortecito, you can find everything from small inns to boutique hotels and all-inclusive resorts.

Best location in Punta Cana - Playa El Cortecito
Best location in Punta Cana – Playa El Cortecito
Accommodation in Cortecito - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Cortecito – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Punta Cana:

  • Access to the beach
  • All types of hotels
  • Restaurants and bars

3. Cap Cana

Cap Cana is a still expanding tourist complex located on the Costa del Coco.

Considered one of the most exclusive tourist developments in the Caribbean, Cap Cana is located south of the Punta Cana International Airport.

This modern area has first-class spas, five-star hotels, gourmet restaurants, gyms, convention centers and other services that make it one of the best areas to stay in Punta Cana.

Among the most interesting places in Cap Cana is Hoyo Azul. This natural cenote is located within the Scape Park and is ideal for tourists who are not satisfied with the confinement of their resorts.

The coastal area of Cap Cana and its Marina offer different leisure options and luxury restaurants.

As is common in the Costa del Coco area, the hotel offer in Cap Cana consists mainly of all-inclusive luxury resorts.

Where to stay in Punta Cana - Cap Cana
Where to stay in Punta Cana – Cap Cana
Accommodation in Cap Cana - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Cap Cana – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Punta Cana:

  • Hoyo Azul
  • Upscale hotels & resorts

4. Uvero Alto

Unlike Bávaro, Uvero Alto is characterized by its long, wide beaches with wild waves.

This area is located at the northern end of Punta Cana, about 30 minutes from the airport.

Being a somewhat remote beach, it is the best area for couples looking for total disconnection from the hustle and bustle.

Thanks to its high waves, this area is also ideal for bodyboarding and surfing.

Uvero Alto has few resorts. Its accommodation is more locally-owned and its atmosphere is way more relaxed than that of the intensive tourism areas further south.

Uvero Alto beach has a reef near the coast where you can snorkel and dive.

Best beaches to stay in Punta Cana - Uvero Alto
Best beaches to stay in Punta Cana – Uvero Alto
Accommodation in Uvero Alto - Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Uvero Alto – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Punta Cana:

  • Quiet secluded beach
  • Suitable for watersports
  • Coral reefs

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|ES| Las mejores zonas donde alojarse en Punta Cana, RD.

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