7 Days in Punta Cana: Beaches, Culture, and Adventure in the Dominican Republic
Punta Cana sits on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet turquoise shallows and palm-lined sand. Once a sleepy coconut coast, it’s now the island’s resort capital—yet beyond the breezy beaches, you’ll find freshwater lagoons, coral gardens, and country life just inland.
Expect powdery strands like Bávaro and Macao Beach, calm water for snorkeling, and day trips to nature reserves and offshore islands. The Taíno, Spanish, African, and modern Dominican influences weave through the food—think fried fish at beach shacks, hearty sancocho, and crisp tostones—plus merengue and bachata after dark.
Practical notes: the local currency is the Dominican peso, though USD is widely accepted; bring small bills for tips. Hurricane season peaks Aug–Oct; seaweed (sargassum) can appear seasonally. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a light cover-up for churches like the Basílica de Higüey.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is a string of beach neighborhoods—Bávaro for lively sands and restaurants, Cap Cana for chic marinas and coves, and Macao for a wilder surf vibe. Mornings are for calm snorkeling and coffee, afternoons for excursions or spa time, and evenings for seaside grills and music.
- Top beaches: Bávaro (wide, swimmable), Juanillo (Cap Cana postcard cove), Macao (local favorite and great for photos), Playa Blanca (gentle and family-friendly).
- Don’t miss: Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve (12 freshwater lagoons), a small-boat day to Saona Island, and inland adventures—ATVs, ziplines, and visits to cacao/coffee farms.
- Food scene: beach shacks for fried red snapper; modern Dominican at Noah; seafood at Jellyfish; international variety from Indian to Italian in Los Corales and Downtown Punta Cana.
Where to stay (curated picks):
- Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort & Club (Oscar de la Renta–designed suites, quiet beach, great service): Check availability
- The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real (family-friendly, Bávaro location, big pool scene): See rooms and rates
- Karibo Punta Cana (good value near Los Corales/Bávaro dining): View deals
- Browse vacation rentals: VRBO — Punta Cana
- Compare more hotels: Hotels.com — Punta Cana
Getting there: Fly into Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). Find competitive fares and routes via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Nonstop flights from Miami are ~2h; NYC ~3.5–4h; many cities have seasonal directs. A taxi to Bávaro runs ~20–30 minutes.
Day 1: Arrival, First Dip, and Sunset Seafood
Afternoon: Arrive at PUJ and check in. Drop your bags and stroll Bávaro Beach—soft sand, gentle entry, and plenty of space to shake off travel stiffness. Grab a fresh coconut or chinola (passionfruit) juice from a beach vendor.
Evening: Dinner at Playa Blanca (Caribbean grilled fish, tostones, and plantain mofongo; relaxed on-the-sand vibe). Or choose Noah Restaurant & Lounge in Downtown Punta Cana for modern Dominican plates like shrimp mofongo or churrasco with chimichurri. Nightcap at Onno’s Bávaro (margaritas, music) or a quiet rum tasting at your resort bar.
Day 2: Snorkeling, Sandbars, and a Night Out
Morning: Coffee and light bites at Caffeina Coffee House in Punta Cana Village (great cold brew and ham-and-cheese croissants). Then head out on a small-group snorkel and sandbar cruise—low capacity means better reef time and calmer decks.
Featured tour: Punta Cana Adults-Only Snorkel tour with Premium Seafood Lunch — small-group catamaran, reef snorkeling, floating bar, and a quality onboard lunch.
Afternoon: Return to shore and relax by the pool. Snack idea: empanadas and batidas (fruit shakes) at local cafés along Los Corales.
Evening: Dinner at Jellyfish Restaurant (beachfront, grilled lobster, garlic shrimp, and a beachfront lounge). If you’re up for a show, consider Coco Bongo Punta Cana for high-energy acrobatics and music. Otherwise, take a moonlit beach walk and call it an early night.
Day 3: Higüey Culture and Freshwater Lagoons
Morning: Breakfast at Dalia’s Café & Bakery (omelets, pastries, fresh juices) in Punta Cana Village. Take a private driver or taxi ~45 minutes to Higüey to visit the Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia—an iconic modernist basilica and national pilgrimage site. Dress modestly (shoulders/shorts below knee preferred).
Afternoon: Lunch at a local comedor near the main market—try sancocho (hearty stew) or pollo guisado with rice and beans. Return toward the coast and spend a couple of hours at the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve (Ojos Indígenas): shaded trails and emerald freshwater lagoons where you can swim.
Evening: Dinner at Citrus Restaurant in Los Corales (Dominican-leaning fusion: tuna tataki, passionfruit sauces, and solid vegan options). End with mamajuana (herbal rum-based digestif) at Wacamole (fun taco spot and casual bar) if you’d like a lively atmosphere.
Day 4: Saona Island — White Sand, Blue Water (Full Day)
Today is about postcard blues and a slower pulse. You’ll transfer to Bayahíbe, then ride a speedboat across a shining channel to mangroves and sandbars on the way to Saona Island—white sand, swaying palms, and an unhurried beach barbecue.
Featured tour: Small Group: Saona Island Full Day Tour — limited group size, Mano Juan village visit, and quieter beaches than the mass tours. Expect an early start and return at sundown.
What to bring: reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water shoes (for shell/rocky spots), and pesos/small USD for souvenirs in Mano Juan. Dinner back at your hotel or a late-night snack near Bávaro when you return.
Day 5: Macao Beach ATVs and a Laid-Back Night
Morning: Fuel up at Breakers Café (avocado toast, pancakes, good espresso) in Los Corales. Then head out for an ATV ride through the Dominican countryside—mud tracks, a stop at a water cave, and time on wild-and-beautiful Macao Beach.
Featured tour: ATV Adventure to Water Cave and Macao Beach in Punta Cana — classic adrenaline, suitable for beginners, with swim stops and local tastings.
Afternoon: Lunch at a Macao Beach shack—order the whole fried fish with lime and tostones, plus an ice-cold Presidente. Rinse off and unwind back at the pool.
Evening: Dinner at Pranama (excellent North Indian curries and tandoor—great if you’re craving spices). For a mellow night, try a cigar-and-rum pairing at a local lounge, or sunset drinks at a beachfront bar near Los Corales.
Day 6: Monkeys, Ziplines, and Mountain Views (Full Day)
Head inland for a combination day of close-up wildlife interactions and high-flying fun. You’ll learn about cacao and coffee cultivation, meet friendly squirrel monkeys, and then soar on a robust zipline circuit through forested hills.
Featured tour: Punta Cana Monkeyland and Zipline Two Adventures in One Day — smooth logistics, engaging guides, and a balanced mix of culture and adventure.
Back in Bávaro, celebrate with dinner at SBG Punta Cana (Cap Cana Marina; sushi rolls, steaks, and a stylish poolside scene). If you still have energy, a stroll along the marina boardwalk is a pleasant nightcap.
Day 7: Cap Cana Morning and Departure
Morning: Enjoy Juanillo Beach in Cap Cana—wide sands, shallow water, and postcard hues. Brunch at La Palapa by Eden Roc (Mediterranean-leaning seafood, ceviches, and a breezy terrace) or a quick bite at your hotel if time is tight.
Afternoon: Last-minute souvenir run in Punta Cana Village (local coffee, cacao, artisan crafts). Depart PUJ in the afternoon—aim to arrive 2–3 hours before your flight. Search or reconfirm flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
Optional Swap: One More All-In-One Adventure
If you’d prefer a theme-park-style sampler, swap Day 6 for a multi-activity mountain park day with ziplines, horses, buggies, and chairlift views.
Featured tour: 7 Tours Punta Cana: Zipline, Chairlift, ATV, Ride Horses, & More! — an energetic, everything-in-one ticket day.
Getting around and tips: Local taxis and prearranged shuttles are the norm; rideshare operates in some areas but pickups may be restricted inside certain resorts. Expect 10% service added to some restaurant bills; an extra 5–10% for good service is appreciated. Keep swimwear for the beach, not town or churches.
This 7-day Punta Cana itinerary balances beach serenity with jungle thrills and real-deal Dominican flavors. From Saona’s sugar-sand shores to Macao’s wave-splashed edge and the cool lagoons of Ojos Indígenas, you’ll leave with salt in your hair, bachata in your ears, and a firm plan to come back.