What to see and do in Punta Cana

Punta Cana is one of the most recommended destinations for a dream honeymoon, with more than 30 kilometers of endless beaches and its wide selection of all inclusive high-end hotels.

But beyond the comfort of these magnificent tourism complexes, the eastern part of the Dominican Republic offers endless cultural and nature activities to get out of the hotel and enjoy as a couple, with friends or with the whole family, such as visiting Los Haitises National Park, with its impressive karst formations; cruising along the spectacular coast of the islandSaona, with its mangroves and coral reefs; swimming with dolphins in a water park or diving into the natural beauty that is the Hoyo Azul cenote.

Excursion to Isla Saona

From Punta Cana you can take a boat or catamaran trip to Isla Saona, a protected nature reserve 110 km2 in area and part of the Cotubanamá National Park. After a wonderful journey lasting around an hour, with stops in Palmilla, a stretch of white sand with a large natural pool, and Mano Juan, the only populated area on the island, you can enjoy the show of starfish and sea turtles in its shallow waters. Its coasts are so beautiful that large productions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Blue Lagoon were filmed there. In the west, close to the town of Catuano, you can visit the caves of Cotubanamá, famous for their stalactites, stalagmites and Taino pictographs.

Bathing in the Hoyo Azul cenote

One of the most popular trips from Punta Cana is the excursion to the Hoyo Azul cenote in the Scape Park theme park. Cenotes are spectacular natural freshwater pools that are formed in the chalky, porous soils by precipitation. The main feature of Hoyo Azul is that it is located at the foot of a 75 meter cliff, surrounded by a dense tropical forest with a wide variety of local flora and fauna, as well as the carefully looked after orchid garden. The park also offers numerous family-friendly activities: ziplining over the treetops, horse riding, buggy rides or expeditions to the Cueva Iguabonita.

Swimming with dolphins

Playful, natural acrobats and incredibly intelligent among their underwater peers, dolphins are fascinating animals you can visit at Dolphin Island Park. Located between the beach and the Bávaro barrier reef, this park, along with studying the mammals, has also trained them to spin around in the air, slide along the surface of the water balancing on their tail and wave to tourists with their flippers. It also offers the opportunity to swim next to these kind sea animals and immortalize the experience in a photograph.

Party on a boat

There is no better way to get to known the coastline of Punta Cana in pure Caribbean style than renting a boat or catamaran and having an authentic Dominican party. There are companies that organize unforgettable experiences with DJs, jacuzzis on the deck, piano bars and spa rooms. Some excursions organize stops so you can take walks in nature, go snorkeling or simply enjoy a day of sun and sand in an idyllic place. You can also arrange catering with authentic creole food, Dominican beer, rum and mamajuana.

Scuba diving and snorkeling

The Dominican coast has everything you need to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. No matter if you are a beginner, are traveling with children or have years of experience, in Punta Cana you have endless opportunities to choose your adventure: a coral reef 30 kilometers long with an astonishing underwater ecosystem, the remains of galleons and other shipwrecks, impressive cenotes and underwater caves. Inside the hotel or the areas surrounding the tourism centers you will find businesses specialized in offering specific outings to complete courses in snorkeling.

Visit Santo Domingo

Santo Domingo gives you the opportunity to explore the history and culture of the Dominican Republic. Discover the Colonial Area, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The capital and first city of the New World also offers excellent cuisine and nightlife.

Excursion to Los Haitises National Park

Los Haitises National Park is one of the treasures you must visit in the Dominican Republic. As you approach on a boat, the magnificent karst pinnacles are already impressive, immense rock formations arising from the water. The park also has a group of dense mangroves that extend along the bay. The best option is a kayak trip to quietly observe the bird colonies, the local plant species and the caves holding Taino petroglyphs and pictographs.

Isla Catalina

At the southeast of Hispaniola and south of the province of La Romana is a paradise of white sand beaches and crystal clear water, Isla Catalina. Known for its populated coral reefs and for having an immense nature park dedicated to the preservation of wildlife, its calm waters make it perfect for scuba diving or snorkeling. It waters are home to a living sea museum and the remains of the shipwreck of the Capitan Kidd, 21 meters deep, right next to the island. Its virgin beaches are perfect for lying down and taking a relaxing swim in an environment of unmatched natural beauty.