Things to do in Punta Cana

Why go to Punta Cana

• Bávaro Beach

  Consistently ranked among the world's best beaches, with powdery white sand and turquoise water that looks photoshopped.

• Scape Park at Cap Cana

  A massive eco-adventure park combining cenote swimming, zip lines, and Hoyo Azul's impossibly blue lagoon.

• Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park

  A lush reserve hiding 12 freshwater lagoons sacred to the Taíno people, tucked inside a coconut plantation.

• Saona Island Day Trip

  A boat ride to a postcard-perfect island with sandbars, starfish, and an open rum bar that makes the journey half the fun.

• Marinarium Glass-Bottom Boat & Snorkel

  Swim alongside sharks and stingrays in open water, a bucket-list encounter at a fraction of what you'd pay elsewhere.

Good to know in Punta Cana

• Transit: Avoid hotel taxis, use público (shared minibuses) between Bávaro and Veron for under $1, or negotiate motoconcho (motorcycle taxi) rides for $2-4 around town.
• Tipping: A 10% service charge is often added automatically at restaurants; check your bill before adding more. Resort staff appreciate $1-2 per service.
• Tap water: Do NOT drink tap water anywhere in Punta Cana, buy large 5-gallon jugs at colmados for $1.50 rather than paying resort mini-bar prices.
• Free-entry days: Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park occasionally offers free community days; the beaches themselves are legally public in the DR, so no resort can charge you for shoreline access.

Trip essentials