Punta Cana & the East

Punta Cana is not actually a city — it is a 50-kilometer-long coastal strip in the far east of the Dominican Republic, lined with over 40 all-inclusive resorts. The name comes from the "Puntas" (headlands) and the ubiquitous "Cana" palms (a type of palm cane).

For most German Caribbean vacationers, the Dominican Republic begins and ends here: direct flight from Frankfurt, transfer to the resort, a week of beach, pool, and buffet, return flight. That's perfectly fine — the beaches are objectively stunning. But those who look beyond the resort wall find another world:

• The authentic fishing village El Cortecito with its beach restaurants
• The Caribbean island Isla Saona in the National Park del Este
• The spectacular artist village Altos de Chavón
• Scape Park and Hoyo Azul — a natural blue pool in a limestone cave
• The sugarcane city La Romana with real Dominican life

The region is year-round travelable, with December to April being the high season. In the rainy season (May–October), there are afternoon showers, but also 30–50% cheaper prices.

★★★ Bavaro Beach

The main beach of Punta Cana and one of the most famous beaches in the Caribbean: fine white coral sand, turquoise blue water, coconut palms to the horizon. The offshore coral reef breaks the waves and makes the water calm enough for children. Public access is possible via El Cortecito — here beach restaurants and bars line up.

The resorts occupy sections with loungers and umbrellas, but all beaches in the Dominican Republic are legally publicly accessible.

★★★ The Postcard Island

Isla Saona is the most popular day trip in the entire Dominican Republic — and despite mass tourism, still a dream. The island is located in the Parque Nacional del Este and offers everything one imagines about the Caribbean: powdery white sand, turquoise water so shallow that you can wade 200 meters in, and dozens of starfish in knee-deep water.

Most tours start from Bayahíbe (30 minutes by speedboat or 1.5 hours by catamaran). The standard tour includes:

• Speedboat or catamaran to Saona (with rum punch on board)
• Stop at the Piscina Natural — a shallow sandbank in the middle of the sea with starfish
• 3–4 hours on the beach of Isla Saona (Playa Palmilla or Playa Catuano)
• Lunch (BBQ buffet on the beach)
• Return by catamaran with music and dance

Price: 60–90 USD from Punta Cana (including transport, boat, lunch). Booking through resort desk or local providers (cheaper). Tip: The tour directly from Bayahíbe is 20–30 USD cheaper than from Punta Cana.

★★★ The Renaissance Village Above the River

One of the most unusual sights in the Caribbean: Altos de Chavón is a faithful replica of a 16th-century Italian village, built from 1976–1982 on a cliff 100 meters above the Río Chavón. The industrialist Charles Bluhdorn (Gulf+Western) had the village designed by the Italian film architect Roberto Copa — carved stone by stone from coral limestone.

Highlights:

• Amphitheater (5,000 seats) — Frank Sinatra gave the opening concert in 1982. Today, Sting, Andrea Bocelli, and Juan Luis Guerra perform here. The acoustics in the river gorge are perfect.
• Church of St. Stanislaus — The pretty church is a popular wedding venue. Inside is a reproduction of the Black Madonna of Częstochowa.
• Archaeological Museum — Surprisingly good collection of Taíno artifacts: ceramics, stone axes, Zemí figures (god figures).
• Viewpoint — The view from the cliff over the meandering Río Chavón is spectacular, especially at sunset.
• Handicrafts — Galleries, pottery workshops, and the School of Design (Parsons School of Design branch).

Entrance: 25 USD (adults), children under 4 free. Daily 9 am–9 pm. Transfer from Punta Cana approx. 45 min. Located on the grounds of the Casa de Campo Resort in La Romana.

Scape Park & Hoyo Azul

An adventure nature park in Cap Cana with several attractions:

• Hoyo Azul — A natural, radiant blue pool at the bottom of a 75-meter-deep limestone cenote. You descend via a staircase and swim in the crystal-clear, mineral-blue water. Absolute highlight!
• Zipline — 12 lines over jungle and cenotes, the longest over 150 meters
• Cenote Swimming — Several open freshwater cenotes in the jungle
• Cave Exploration — Through a stalactite cave with Taíno rock drawings

Combo packages from 99–159 USD. Individually: Hoyo Azul from 65 USD. Daily 8 am–5 pm.

Snorkeling & Diving

The offshore coral reef off Bavaro is a good snorkeling spot for beginners. For more experienced snorkelers and divers, trips to:

• Isla Catalina — "The Wall" is a steep wall dropping from 5 to 40 meters. Turtles, rays, colorful corals.
• Bayahíbe — Starting point for dives to the sunken shipwreck "St. George" (on the seabed at 40m depth).

Snorkeling tour from 45 USD, 2-tank dive from 90–120 USD. PADI-certified dive schools: Dressel Divers, ScubaFun.

Golf

Punta Cana is the golf mecca of the Caribbean with over 10 world-class courses:

• Punta Espada (Cap Cana) — Designed by Jack Nicklaus, 8 holes directly on the sea. Regularly among the top 50 in the world.
• Teeth of the Dog (Casa de Campo) — 7 holes on the coral cliffs. No. 1 in the Caribbean.
• La Cana (Puntacana Resort) — P.B. Dye design with ocean view.

Green fees: 150–350 USD (including cart). Discounts for resort guests.

Other Activities

• Parasailing: 15 minutes over Bavaro Beach (65–80 USD)
• Buggy Tour: Off-road through sugarcane fields and Dominican villages (75–100 USD, 3–4 hrs)
• Dolphin Explorer: Swimming with dolphins in a natural lagoon (from 120 USD) — ethically controversial but popular
• Nightlife: Coco Bongo (Las Vegas-style show + club), Imagine Disco (in a natural cave), Jellyfish Restaurant for live music on the beach

La Romana

The fourth largest city in the country (approx. 140,000 inhabitants) is the sugarcane center of the Dominican Republic and the location of the legendary Casa de Campo — one of the most luxurious resorts in the Caribbean (7,000 hectares, 3 golf courses, polo club, private airport). La Romana itself is an authentic Dominican working town without tourist glamour, but with real flair: colorful houses, loud colmados, merengue on the street.

In the city, a visit to the Mercado Municipal is worthwhile — a lively market with tropical fruits, spices, and fresh fish. The real Dominican Republic experience.

Bayahíbe

The former fishing village (30 km east of La Romana) has developed into the starting point for boat tours to Isla Saona and Isla Catalina. The village center is still charming: colorful fishing boats on the beach, small restaurants with fresh fish, a relaxed atmosphere. The Playa Dominicus next door is lined with resorts, but the public beach of Bayahíbe still belongs to the locals.

Bayahíbe is also the best starting point for diving — the underwater world in Parque Nacional del Este is among the best in the Caribbean.

Punta Cana is the all-inclusive capital of the world — nowhere else is there such a density of resorts. Here's an orientation:

Categories

Insider Tips for All-Inclusive

• À-la-carte vs. Buffet: Reserve the à-la-carte restaurants on the first day for the entire week — the spots are limited and coveted in the evenings
• Tipping: Although everything is "inclusive," waiters, housekeepers, and bartenders expect tips. 1–2 USD per service, 2–5 USD/day for housekeeping
• Premium Upgrades: Many resorts offer a "premium" level with better alcohol (not Brugal Extra Viejo, but Diplomatico). Worth it for rum connoisseurs
• Beach Location: Resorts on the Bavaro section (e.g., Barceló, Iberostar Selection) have the best sand. Cap Cana has the most exclusive beach
• Excursions: Resort desks are 20–40% more expensive than local providers. Negotiate with providers at the hotel entrance or book online in advance
• Dining Out: Many resorts allow "Dine-Out" — an evening in the restaurants of El Cortecito is a welcome change. Captain Cook's for seafood, Jellyfish for upscale beach dining