Punta Cana sits on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean and palm trees lean toward sugar-white sand. Once a sleepy coconut plantation, it blossomed in the 1970s into a resort area famed for Bavaro Beach and Cap Cana’s turquoise coves. Today, it blends luxury resorts, protected nature reserves, and a lively local scene.

Beyond the beaches, the region is dotted with adventure: cenote-style swimming holes, ziplines skimming over limestone cliffs, and offshore reefs teeming with parrotfish. Day trips to Saona Island recall the DR’s first colonial chapters—Christopher Columbus landed on nearby Hispaniola in 1492—while music from bachata to dembow fills the night.

Practical notes: The local currency is the Dominican peso (USD is widely accepted), Spanish is the official language, and power outlets use North American standards. Sargassum seaweed can affect beaches seasonally (roughly spring to early fall), so consider sheltered coves like Juanillo Beach. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, bring small cash for tips, and drink bottled water.

Punta Cana

Think of Punta Cana as a string of beach neighborhoods: Bavaro for people-watching and watersports, Cap Cana for upscale marinas and hidden coves, and Uvero Alto for mellow sands. Wherever you base yourself, you’re within easy reach of fresh-caught seafood, merengue rhythms, and unforgettable blue horizons.

• Top sights: Bavaro Beach boardwalk, Juanillo Beach (Cap Cana), Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve (Ojos Indígenas), Marina Cap Cana, Macao Beach surf.
• Best for adventure: ATV/buggy rides to Macao, Scape Park’s Hoyo Azul (Blue Hole), ziplining, reef snorkeling, and sailing catamarans.
• Dining highlights: Beachfront spots like Jellyfish and Playa Blanca; refined seafood at La Yola; Dominican home cooking at La Casita de Yeya; stylish evenings at SBG Cap Cana; casual favorites Citrus and Wacamole.
• Nightlife: Coco Bongo’s splashy shows and Imagine’s cave-club experience lead the pack; cigar lounges and marina bars offer lower-key nights.

Where to stay

• Search stays: Browse beach condos and villas on VRBO Punta Cana or compare resorts on Hotels.com Punta Cana.
• Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort & Club: Designer suites by Oscar de la Renta, access to Ojos Indígenas, golf, and a serene private beach club.
• The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real: Family-friendly with impressive pools, kids’ zones, and Bavaro Beach access—great value for multi-gen trips.
• Karibo Punta Cana: Condo-style comfort near Cocotal Golf and Bavaro’s eateries; good for travelers who want kitchen space.

Getting there

• Flights: Fly into PUJ (Punta Cana International). From Miami ~2h15m; New York ~3h45m–4h; Toronto ~4h30m; many nonstop options in peak season. Search fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. If you’re flying to/from Europe, compare on Omio flights. Typical roundtrips range $250–$800 depending on season.
• Airport transfers: PUJ to Bavaro is ~20–30 minutes; Cap Cana ~15–25 minutes. Expect taxis/private transfers ~$25–$60 per car each way, with hotel shuttles available at many resorts.

Day 1: Arrival, Feet-in-the-Sand Sunset, and a Taste of Dominican Flavors

Afternoon: Land at PUJ and check in. If you’re staying near Punta Cana Resort, take a gentle leg-stretch along Playa Blanca; Bavaro-based travelers can stroll the palm-fringed sand between Los Corales and Corales Beach for postcard views. Hydrate, unpack, and switch to island time.

Evening: Dine over the water at La Yola (marina views, grilled lobster, Caribbean-citrus ceviche) or try breezy Playa Blanca (whole fried snapper, tostones, passionfruit mojitos). For a casual first night, Noah Restaurant & Lounge in Punta Cana Village does excellent Dominican–international plates (go for the churrasco or goat risotto). Nightcap with a neat sip of mamajuana or a passionfruit rum sour.

Late night (optional): If energy allows, check out the acrobatic spectacle at Coco Bongo Punta Cana or grab a seat at a marina bar in Cap Cana for smooth jazz and sea breezes.

Day 2: Macao Beach by ATV, Bavaro Beach Time, and Live Music

Morning: Kick off with coffee and a guava-cheese pastry at Dalia’s Café & Bakery in Punta Cana Village or pancakes at Kat’s Corner in Los Corales. Then rev up for an off-road ride to the countryside and the surfy sands of Macao.

Featured activity: ATV Adventure to Water Cave and Macao Beach in Punta Cana

Ride through red-dirt trails to an organic farm for tastings (cacao, coffee), plunge into a freshwater cave, and end at Macao’s photogenic breakers. Plan ~3–4 hours door-to-door.

Afternoon: Refuel at Macao Beach’s simple seafood shacks (order pargo frito with lime and yuca fries). Head back to Bavaro for beach time—rent loungers, paddle a kayak, or browse the Los Corales handicraft stalls for amber and larimar.

Evening: Try Jellyfish Restaurant for a toes-in-the-sand dinner (garlic shrimp, grilled octopus, and a great wine list) or book a table at Citrus for tuna tartare, sushi, and fresh juices. For a fun, casual vibe, Wacamole does loaded tacos and mezcal cocktails with upbeat music.

Day 3: Saona Island—Sugar-Sand Shores and Caribbean Blues (Full-Day)

Today is for island-hopping. Early hotel pickup brings you to the southeast coast for a speedboat/catamaran combo to postcard-perfect Saona—powdery beaches, shallow natural pools, and shades of blue you’ll dream about later.

Featured activity: Saona Island Day Trip From Punta Cana with Lunch and Open Bar

Expect snorkeling stops, a floating “natural pool” with starfish (look, don’t touch), beach time under leaning palms, a buffet lunch, and open bar. It’s a full-day splash of the DR’s most famous island scenery.

After you return: Keep dinner simple—consider La Casita de Yeya for homestyle Dominican plates (sancocho stew, mofongo, braised goat) or Don Pio for Cuban classics and a solid mojito.

Day 4: Scape Park Cap Cana—Ziplines, Caves, and Hoyo Azul (Full-Day)

Pack water shoes and a drybag—today blends adrenaline and nature at Cap Cana’s limestone escarpments and jungle canyons.

Featured activity: Punta Cana Scape Park and Blue Hole Full Day Admission Ticket

Fly along cliffside ziplines, explore caves, and swim in the jewel-toned Hoyo Azul cenote. It’s equal parts thrill and cool-water serenity—family-friendly with plenty of shade breaks.

Evening: Dine harborside at SBG Cap Cana (Mediterranean-leaning menu, live DJs on weekends) or savor refined Caribbean seafood at La Palapa by Eden Roc—think lionfish tartare, lobster ravioli, and candlelit sea views. Finish with a Dominican cacao old fashioned at a marina lounge.

Day 5: Small-Group Snorkel and a Farewell Beach Brunch

Morning: Light breakfast at Breakers Café (smoothie bowls, espresso) or Balicana if you prefer an Asian-influenced brunch. Then head to the pier for a low-crowd reef cruise—great visibility and an easygoing vibe before travel.

Featured activity: Small Group Snorkeling Cruise with Open Bar and Light Snacks

Expect 3 hours of smooth sailing, reef snorkeling, and a quick stop at a waist-deep sandbar. It’s a polished send-off that still leaves time to pack.

Afternoon: Farewell lunch at Bamboo (inside Tortuga Bay—elegant Caribbean fare) or a last beachfront bite at Little John on Juanillo Beach. Transfer to the airport for your afternoon departure—PUJ check-in lines move quickly, but arrive early during peak season.

Optional swaps and add-ons

• Animal lovers: Monkey encounters and a countryside plantation visit on the “Monkeyland” combo (great for kids).
• Horseback riding: Trot along a quiet beach in the golden hour for cinematic photos.
• Cultural half-day: Spend a few hours at the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve (trails and freshwater lagoons) followed by coffee and pastries at Punta Cana Village.

Another high-energy alternative: If you want more thrills instead of snorkeling, swap Day 5 for a combo park day with ziplines, chairlift views, ATVs, and horseback riding:

7 Tours Punta Cana: Zipline, Chairlift, ATV, Ride Horses, & More!

Good to know

• Peak dry season is roughly December–April; summer and early fall can see afternoon showers and sargassum. Early-morning beach walks often have the clearest water.
• Carry small bills for tips (tour guides, drivers, bag handlers). Restaurant service charges may include a 10% tip; adding a bit extra for great service is appreciated.
• Reef-safe sunscreen and rash guards help protect fragile corals on snorkel days.

With island-hopping to Saona, a dip into Cap Cana’s Hoyo Azul, and ATV tracks leading to Macao’s surf, this 5-day Punta Cana itinerary balances adventure and beachside ease. You’ll leave with salt in your hair, the taste of lime and coconut on your palate, and a camera roll full of aquamarine.