{"id":44137,"date":"2022-11-22T09:35:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-22T08:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/?p=44137"},"modified":"2022-11-03T14:00:45","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T13:00:45","slug":"best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/","title":{"rendered":"Best things to do in Punta Cana and around"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Punta Cana in the far east of the Dominican Republic is one of the most popular holiday resorts on the beautiful Caribbean island thanks to its dream beaches and its own international airport. Most holidaymakers are drawn either to the long, lively <strong>B\u00e1varo Beach<\/strong> north of the airport or to the quieter <strong>Cap Cana<\/strong> in the south, which is characterised by luxurious resorts. The beautiful beaches like Macao beach could easily tempt you to spend your entire holiday in a deckchair, but that would be a shame. After all, there are sights and natural attractions around Punta Cana that you should not miss. Take a rental car for a few days or join organised excursions and really get to know the Dominican Republic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f38f7bb0a52\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f38f7bb0a52\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#What_to_do_in_Punta_Cana\" >What to do in Punta Cana<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#Scape_Park_and_Hoyo_Azul\" >Scape Park and Hoyo Azul<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#Bavaro_Adventure_Park\" >B\u00e1varo Adventure Park<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#ScubaDoo_Underwater_Experience\" >ScubaDoo Underwater Experience<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#Saona_Island\" >Saona Island<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#Higuey\" >Hig\u00fcey<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#Other_things_to_do_around_Punta_Cana\" >Other things to do around Punta Cana<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#What_you_should_bear_in_mind_when_visiting_Punta_Canas_attractions\" >What you should bear in mind when visiting Punta Cana&#8217;s attractions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-punta-cana\/#Out_and_about_in_Punta_Cana_Things_to_do_for_every_taste\" >Out and about in Punta Cana: Things to do for every taste<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_do_in_Punta_Cana\"><\/span>What to do in Punta Cana<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One thing first: Punta Cana is not a place name. The term encompasses several beachfront holiday resorts that have grown up around the two towns of <strong>Ver\u00f3n <\/strong>and <strong>B\u00e1varo <\/strong>on the eastern tip (Punta in Spanish) of the Dominican Republic. Both offer visitors rather few attractions. If you are looking for sights in Punta Cana, you will have to travel a little further by car or on organised tours. Here is our top five: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scape_Park_and_Hoyo_Azul\"><\/span>Scape Park and Hoyo Azul<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The number one attraction and thing to do in Punta Cana is Scape Park, an extensive park area with the Hoyo Azul (&#8220;blue hole&#8221;) as the star attraction: a beautiful blue lagoon in the heart of a walk-in cave system where you can jump in to cool off in the natural pool. Another cave hides another swimming opportunity in an underground lake reminiscent of Mexican cenotes. Around these natural attractions, other entertainment options for tourists have sprung up, including an animal park and a great <strong>zipline<\/strong>. You can&#8217;t miss this one, because at the top end you have a beautiful view over the region and at the bottom end you go swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hoyo_Azul_Punta_Cana.jpg\" alt=\"A view of the blue lagoon of Hoyo Azul, at the edge of which there is a boardwalk with railings.\" class=\"wp-image-43021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hoyo_Azul_Punta_Cana.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hoyo_Azul_Punta_Cana-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hoyo_Azul_Punta_Cana-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hoyo_Azul_Punta_Cana-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hoyo_Azul_Punta_Cana-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hoyo_Azul_Punta_Cana-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>The blue lagoon of Hoyo Azul<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bavaro_Adventure_Park\"><\/span>B\u00e1varo Adventure Park<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Adventure activities for the whole family is offered by the B\u00e1varo Adventure Park with a wealth of different activities such as ziplining, buggy tours and horseback rides, as well as a climbing park and a large swimming pool to cool off in. A tip: you can save money with combined tickets!\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ScubaDoo_Underwater_Experience\"><\/span>ScubaDoo Underwater Experience<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes you&#8217;re a little annoyed that you don&#8217;t have a diving licence to explore the magnificent underwater world of the tropics? Then ScubaDoo might be the right thing for you: You get a kind of helmet with a diving mask and a hose that supplies you with air, almost like scuba diving. Then you go down to a depth of five metres into the sea, where you move around on an underwater scooter and are soon surrounded by colourful fish. Afterwards, you can take a ride on a glass-bottom boat, where you can watch the colourful hustle and bustle underwater again at your leisure.\r\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Saona_Island\"><\/span>Saona Island<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want to see sights that nature has created in Punta Cana, you can book a boat trip to Saona Island in <strong>Cotubanam\u00e1 National Park.<\/strong> This beautiful island has only one permanent settlement, the fishing village of Mano Juan, and is otherwise completely covered by jungle. However, the idyllic palm beaches will hardly give you that Robinson Crusoe feeling, as numerous motorboats and catamarans swarm out daily to bring tourists from Punta Cana or the cruise port in La Romana to the island. Tip: Take fins and a snorkel with you and dive down before the hustle and bustle to quietly observe the colourful sea creatures off the coast in turquoise waters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/domrep-saona-beach.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41078\"\/><figcaption>The palm beach on Saona Island<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Higuey\"><\/span>Hig\u00fcey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The capital of La Altagracia province is the closest major city to Punta Cana and well worth a day trip. Here you can experience the Dominican Republic from its authentic side. Admire the extraordinary architecture of the <strong>Basilica de La Altagracia <\/strong>and the much older church of San Dionisio before learning about the history and culture of the region in the air-conditioned La Altagracia Museum. If you still have time and energy, continue to <strong>San Rafael de Yuma<\/strong>. Here you can visit the home of the Spanish navigator Juan Ponce de L\u00e9on, who set out from here to found the first European settlement in Puerto Rico, and get an idea of life on the island in the 16th century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Higueey_Basilica_Punta_Cana.jpg\" alt=\"The unusual construction of the Basilica of Hig\u00fcey with two oval arches. On the highest of them is a cross.\" class=\"wp-image-43025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Higueey_Basilica_Punta_Cana.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Higueey_Basilica_Punta_Cana-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Higueey_Basilica_Punta_Cana-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Higueey_Basilica_Punta_Cana-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Higueey_Basilica_Punta_Cana-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Higueey_Basilica_Punta_Cana-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption>The Basilica de La Altagracia in Hig\u00fcey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_things_to_do_around_Punta_Cana\"><\/span>Other things to do around Punta Cana<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don&#8217;t mind a longer journey, you can visit sights outside Punta Cana such as <strong>Los Haitises National Park<\/strong> south of the Samana Peninsula. This 1,600-square-kilometre region with extensive mangrove forests, caves and coral islands offers a faint glimpse of what the Caribbean islands looked like before Europeans arrived. No wonder filming for the blockbuster Jurassic Park took place here! You can take a motorboat through the national park or explore the blue waters yourself by kayak and on foot along hiking trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The drive to the Dominican capital <strong>Santo Domingo<\/strong> is comparably far. It boasts that it is the oldest city in the New World built by Europeans. In the historic old town with its charming alleys, the cathedral and the Alc\u00e1zar de Col\u00f3n, you will definitely feel transported back a few centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_you_should_bear_in_mind_when_visiting_Punta_Canas_attractions\"><\/span>What you should bear in mind when visiting Punta Cana&#8217;s attractions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A holiday in the Caribbean is best in the winter months: The perfect time to travel is December to March. Since the resorts are usually full, the sights in Punta Cana are correspondingly busy. Then it makes sense to book organised tours at the hotel: You won&#8217;t have to worry about parking and will often be able to pass others through the group entrance with the group tickets you already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/warm-destinations-in-december\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"37533\">Find out more about the best destinations in December. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But even in less busy months, a group tour can be the more comfortable and uncomplicated option, for example, when a large motorboat is waiting for your group on boat trips to Saona Island or through the mangroves of Los Haitises and you don&#8217;t have to take care of transport yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One last tip: A few words of <strong>Spanish <\/strong>will be enormously helpful! Make sure to learn some basic words when travelling to Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Out_and_about_in_Punta_Cana_Things_to_do_for_every_taste\"><\/span>Out and about in Punta Cana: Things to do for every taste<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Whether family-friendly facilities like the B\u00e1varo Adventure Park, the Juanillo beach, the quiet beauty of the national parks or culture and history in the cities: You&#8217;ll find things to do around Punta Cana that will enhance your holiday. So get out of your deck chair and experience the real life of the Dominican Republic!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out about the best things to do in and around Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":38427,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"loftocean_post_format_gallery":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_ids":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_urls":"","loftocean_post_format_video_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_video_url":"","loftocean_post_format_video_type":"","loftocean_post_format_video":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_type":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_url":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_id":0,"loftocean_post_format_audio":"","loftocean-featured-post":"","loftocean-like-count":0,"loftocean-view-count":9990,"loftocean-enable-content-navigation":"","loftocean-content-navigation-position":"","loftocean-content-navigation-heading":"","loftocean-content-navigation-label":"","loftocean-content-navigation-icon":"","loftocean-map-location":"","loftocean-map-latlng":"","loftocean-map-auto-latlng":"","eaven_single_post_hide_thumbnail":"","eaven_single_post_template":"","eaven_single_post_sidebar":"","eaven_hide_before_page_content_ad":"","eaven_hide_after_page_content_ad":"","eaven_advanced_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2542],"tags":[2619,2617],"class_list":{"0":"post-44137","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-destinations","8":"tag-dominican-republic","9":"tag-punta-cana-en"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44137","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=44137"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44137\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44147,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/44137\/revisions\/44147"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38427"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=44137"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=44137"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.tui-blue.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=44137"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}