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Punta Cana Travel

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Punta Cana Vacations

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic is a Caribbean paradise revered for it's crisp white sandy beaches and rolling waves cascaded by the sway of palm trees. The exclusively resort town is composed of areas with names representative of the Dominican island's rich Spanish history- Cap Cana (Juanillo), Punta Cana, Cabeza de Toro, Bavaro, El Cortecito, Arena Gorda, Macao and Uvero Alto. Punta Cana is filled with resorts and the rolling countryside, vacationers spend hours taking remnants of the island's up and coming construction boom-much of which sports classic Spanish architecture. Boat taxis transport Punta Cana guests between the accommodations dotting the bustling beaches. European travelers have been flocking to Punta Canta's more than thirty-five resorts for decades, but in recent years Punta Cana has become a hot tourist hunt for American and Canadian coed Spring Breakers who hightail it down to this corner of the Dominican Republic for the area's desirable tropical climate. Latino celebrities, like legendary singer Julio Iglesias and celebrity fashionisto Oscar de la Renta, have also joined the exodus to DR's own "Beach City." Punta Cana explorers scope out the resort town's crazy mazes of caves, mangroves, and private beaches in the nearby provinces Hato Mayor and El Seibo. Catamaran boat rides, double-decker party boats, restaurant dining at sunset on the sea, parasailing, glass bottom boats for marine life observation, sports fishing, diving, snorkeling, flying boats, speed boats, and boat taxis serve as popular Punta Cana attractions. The masses also flock to the community for a rich slice of banana boating, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, and volleyball along the beach.

Popular Punta Cana Hotels

Melia Tropical - All Inclusive
Playas De Bavaro

Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Playas Uvero Alto

Excellence Punta Cana Luxury Adults Only All Inclusive
Playas Uvero Alto 22

Sivory Punta Cana Boutique Hotel
Sivory Beach

Punta Cana Princess All Inclusive
Playas De Bavaro

Catalonia Punta Cana - All Inclusive
Playa Bavaro

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Top rated attractions in Punta Cana

1.	The Sandy Surf On Samana Bay Samana Bay serves as a watery nesting ground for massive families of humpback whales from January to March. It's the mating season, and Punta Cana travelers relish in the opportunity to witness a slice of "Free Willy" in live-action. The male whales sprint out of the water and approximately forty feet into the air. If no female whale appears interested, said male then tries to attract a mate by long monotonous songs that whales can hear up to thirty kilometers away. The whales return to Iceland, Greenland, Canada, and North America at the end of their mating period. « hide
2.	Explore the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park The Punta Cana Ecological Foundation cites the protection and restoration of Punta Cana's natural resources. The limestone rich Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is one of the eco-centered excursions sponsored by The Foundation. Indigenous Eyes is one of the only private forest reserves in Punta Cana. Fossilized seashells, sponges, and other remnants of the area's rich marine life splattered throughout the reserve. The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is characterized as a “Transition Zone Sub-Tropical Forest,” due to the dual presence of both flora and fauna characteristic. There are over one hundred various species of birds that migrate to Indigenous Eyes during the Winter Migration. Wasps, butterflies, ants and termites are other regular residents at this Dominican reserve. Visitors to the environmentally friendly metropolis are invited to go for a "healing swim" in one of the compound's twelve on-site lagoons. Dominican legend claims that the lagoon boast medicinal properties. The freshwater river of Yauya feeds the lagoons as the ocean aqua eventually empties into the far-reaching ocean. The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is guided by a Leave No Trace policy, visitors are asked to disposed of waste in the facilities designated containers. « hide
3.	National Park Los Haitises The National Park Los Haitises is tucked away on the western end of the popular Samana Bay. The Dominican jewel showcases a treasure chest of mangrove swamps, marshy canopies, and watery walkways. The humid 1,200 acre tropical park hosts many tiny islands and enclosed caves. Whale watching is a popular past-time. The National Park Los Haitises provides guided tours of some of the compounds most coveted commodities. Tours leave from Samana, Sanchez and Sabana de la Mar at the eastern edge of the park. « hide
4.	Cayo Levantado at Samanà Bay Cayo Levantado is a small island in the middle of the Samana Bay that takes just fifteen minutes to tour on foot. The island paradise operating in conjunction with rapid turquoise waters, and powdery white sand attracts several hundred Punta Cana explorers daily. Swimming and snorkeling are popular here, and so is flying wildlife. Popular birds at Cayo Levantado including parrots, owls, the ìjutíaî, the solenodonte, Hispaniolan parrots, and owls. « hide
5.	Visit Christopher Columbus' Remains At The Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, Santo Domingo The Dominican Republic's first cathedral sits in the middle of the island's capital as a limestone Gothic badge of honor. Construction on the Cathedral originally began in 1514 and was completed in 1540 after the Spanish workmen who originally went to work on the site returned from a Mexican excursion for gold. The high altar of the Cathedral is composed of hammered silver. According to urban legend, The Cathedral of Santa Maria is the resting place of explorer Christopher Columbus' remains. « hide
6.	Bargain Hunting In Mercado Modelo Punta Cana lovers in search of hot deals flock to the Dominican capital of Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo is the most ethnically diverse city in the Caribbean-and that diversity transplants itself onto the island's fashion scene. Mercado Modelo is a covered shopping market just off Calle Mella in Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone. Mercado Modelo discount stores market that designer brand names with bargain-basement pricetags are wedged between vendors who sell authentic Dominican arts and crafts. « hide
7.	A Roaring Good Time At Manati Park Bavaro Manati Park Bavaro is the Dominican Republic's exclusive amusement park catering to the island's love of wildlife with a series of daily parrot, dolphin, horse, and sea lion exhibition shows. But it is the staff supervised on-site "Swim Alongside the Dolphins" attraction that is the crystal-watered theme park's most popular. Manati Park is located in the Bavaro Beach section of Punta Cana and sports the area's lush landscape of winding orchids, gardens, and tropical plant life Manati Park visitors also check out the amusement parks' restaurants and local crafts and souvenir shops. « hide
8.	Melia Vacation Club The Melia Vacation Club, hidden away under the sunny tropics of the Melia Tropical Resort on Bavaro Beach, features eleven restaurants catering to American fare and food of the sea. The resort's environmentally protected shoreline also includes fare from Spain, Mexico, China, and Italy. « hide
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Top rated restaurants in Punta Cana

1.	Capitan Cook Capitan Cook's is a casual dining establishment where every catch of bass is fried superbly to order. The dining area is situated under palm-enclosed gazebos. Fresh platters of grilled fish and shellfish, slabs of pork chops, chicken, steaks, leafy salads, baked potatoes, and French fries are crowd favorites. « hide	6.	Melia Caribe Tropical Resort The Melia Caribe Tropical Resort has a hometown reputation for it's trademark innovative design. A series of eye-catching bungalows are dotted throughout the facilities visually impressive garden of fountains, palm trees, and live-sized pink flamingos. The Melia Caribe also features an attractive buffet of resort restaurants-eleven to be exact. Some of the eleven on-site eateries at the Melia Caribe Tropical Resort include the Los Atabales, El Turey, and La Alambra. All are large volume serving dining rooms. There are two restaurants serving an a la carte menu featuring French food, there are Le Gourmet and Ma Maison. Los Panchos is the local Mexican restaurant, specializing in serving an a la carte menu and a buffet service. Gondolo serves pizza and pasta. Other restaurants include Pagodo, a Pan-Asian restaurant, the Japanese sushi bar Hokkaido, and seafood specialty center, Capri, which is open only for dinner. « hide
2.	The Jellyfish Restaurant Perched right on the banks of the beach, between Melia Caribe & Barcelo Bavaro, the Jellyfish Restaurant is a two-storied dining hall with an expansive attached deck. A bustling romantic hideaway, the lighting inside the restaurant was designed create a jellyfish effect under the night glow of the stars. House specials include Two-Tailed Lobster, Spicy Lobster Bisque, Mahi-Mahi, and Cajun Shrimp Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce « hide	7.	Jet Set Jet Set has earned a reputation as one of Santo Domingo's most upscale lounges. Toting a formal dress code and a "couple only" policy, Jet Set houses an amphitheater style dance floor surrounded by a dinner theater southern slope of tableclothed tables and matching chairs. The swank lounge caters to a mature crowd with an live orchestra that performs nightly. « hide
3.	Chez Palace Located in the Bávaro Palace Hotel, within the Barcelo Bávaro Beach, Golf & Casino Resort, the Chez Palace is the flagship restaurant of what is one of the largest resort facilities in the Dominican Republic. Diners not staying at the resort will have to make reservations before being invited the stylish decor inspired by the cafes of South Spain. The formally dressed staff serve up breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes that include Salmon Mousse in a Prawn Sauce, Tartar of Tenderloin, Grilled Red Snapper, Grouper with Mustard Sauce, and Filet Mignon with Truffles and Foie Gras. « hide
4.	Barcelo Bavaro Beach, Golf & Casino Resort The Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort is a luxury complex of some of the island's swankiest low-rise hotels. The compound houses fifteen restaurants interconnected by minivan service. The Chez Palace, serving French cuisine, takes the title of most upscale. Smaller on-site eateries include Bohio and La Piña, specializing in Caribbean cuisine; Italian eatery Los Piños ; and the Coral Steakhouse, a popular site for grabbing grilled beef, and chicken. « hide
5.	Bavaro Princess Resort Spanning over two kilometers, the Bavaro Princess Resort features seven restaurants between eighty-six luxurious low-slung bungalows. « hide

Punta Cana Insider tips

Travel in and around Punta Cana

Punta Cana International Airport is the best airport for landing. PC International is a ten to forty minute drive from the beaches of Punta Cana. Rancho Jonathan offers caving excursions to Boca de Diablo, a large cave system south of Los Haitises. Commuter minibus proves the cheapest way to get to and from Santo Domingo. The fare is eight dollars, but the system requires frequent route changes and could take an entire day to travel from the beaches of Punta Cana to the Dominican capital city. « hide

Punta Cana nightlife

1.	Coral Hamaca Beach Hotel & Casino The Coral Hamaca Beach Hotel & Casino is located on the Southeast Coast of the Dominican Republic, just thirty minutes outside the vibrant capital of Santo Domingo. Diverse crowds flock to the beachfront resort for a dose of live nightly entertainment and socializing at one of the six on-site bars and restaurants. Coral Hamaca's resident bars include Rigoleto, The Caribbean Grill Restaurant, El Charro, El Pelícano, and La Cotica. « hide
2.	Bavaro Disco The Bavaro Disco has emerged from the grounds of the Barcelo Bavaro Beach, Golf & Casino Resort to become one of Punta Cana's most exclusive nightclubs. Sporting a superior sound system, the Bavaro Disco plays hosts to a large European clientele, with many patrons hailing from Italy, Holland, and Spain. This mega club features black walls and a highly charged sexual ambiance-the decor of multiple mirrors and cascading stars overheard help that image along as well. Skimpy attire is always in fashion. « hide
3.	La Guacara Taina La Guacara Taina has been dubbed "The Best Discoteca In The Dominican Republic." Set up in an underground cave in a city park, rocky-walled La Guacara Taina draws a dancing crowd comprised of both tourists and locals. Popular faucets of Latin sounds like Merengue, Bachata, and Salsa are La Guacara Taina's specialty La Guacara Taina offers three bars and two dancefloors. « hide

Cheap Punta Cana Flights

These are the cheapest* flights to Punta Cana found by KAYAK users in the past 48 hours. Use the links to see if you can get a better flight deal.

From £248 Flights New York (NYC) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £273 Flights New York (JFK) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £273 Flights Newark (EWR) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £265 Flights Atlanta (ATL) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £324 Flights Philadelphia (PHL) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £240 Flights Miami (MIA) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £275 Flights Boston (BOS) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £376 Flights Los Angeles (LAX) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £243 Flights Madrid (MAD) - Punta Cana (PUJ)
From £296 Flights Washington (WAS) - Punta Cana (PUJ)