When you think of enjoying an incredible vacation full of adventures in paradise, the first place that comes to your mind is the Caribbean, specifically Punta Cana.
Punta Cana has everything you need for the best vacation of your life! But before you book your next vacation with a travel agency or decide to come on your own, it is important to review every detail of your trip.
If you are wondering about what things you need to know before going to Punta Cana, do not miss the following tips and tricks.
Where to get an accommodation in Punta Cana
Choosing an appropriate accommodation is vital if you want to fully enjoy your vacations.
Although Punta Cana is a secure area, it is safer to stay in a hotel, such as an all-inclusive hotel, so that you can get around in safer conditions. If you can, try to carry your own car or rent one, since public transport do not cover Punta Cana area and there are districts that do not have buses.
Do you need a passport to go to Punta Cana?
Every tourist needs a valid passport to enter the Dominican Republic.
This passport must be valid for a period of six months, counting from the date of your entry. Also, you will need to have 2 blank sheets in your passport, since both are required to seal the entrance and the exit from the country.
Also, you will need one of this documentation, depending of the diplomatic relations of your country with Punta Cana:
- A tourist card: it is a tax charged by the local government and it is destined to people who do not need a visa. Tourist cards are for people that go to Punta Cana for pleasure.
- A tourist visa: although it is similar to the tourist cart, it only allows you to be in the Dominican Republic for just 60 days. Alike the tourist card, this permission is not destined for business purposes.
Vaccinations for Dominican Republic
Before traveling to Punta Cana, you need to have the proper vaccinations.
Even more, you have to review and update them if necessary. The most common are the following vaccines: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap); Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR); Polio.
Another vaccine, but only for those individuals who have at higher risks, is the vaccine against cholera.
Must Do’s in Punta Cana
Punta Cana offers endless activities for all tastes; from delicious cuisine to excursions to the most attractive destinations in the Dominican Republic. You can also enjoy the best beaches in Punta Cana and the activities that each of them brings.
We recommend you participate in the following excursions:
– Coffee and Cocoa plantation tours
– Chocolate Tour
– Scuba Diving Excursions
– Snorkeling Excursion + Party Boat
Apart from excursions, before getting to Punta Cana we recommend you to explore different options to sightseeing, for example, the Eagles Bay which is considered by a large number of Dominicans, one of the best beaches in the world.
Punta Cana Cuisine
Your vacation is an excellent opportunity to taste the Dominican gastronomy. The Dominican Cuisine is a fusion of flavor and cultures. Spain, Africa, Lebanon, France and China are some of the countries influencing the local gastronomy.
By the way, you should be aware of the fact that it is not always safe to eat local food in the Dominican Republic, since hygienic and sanitary rules are not always followed. For that reason, we recommend you to avoid junk food and street food.
Best time to visit Punta Cana
You could say that there are no seasons in Punta Cana, since the weather is warm and stable, sunny and pleasant all year round. Therefore, if you wonder when is it better to visit Punta Cana, the answer is that any date of the year is good to know this paradise.
The high season starts in January and finished in March. It is said to be the best time to visit Punta Cana, sub the temperature is between 29ªC and 19ªC.
Low season corresponds to the months from April to September. The climate becomes more humid and, in July, it is when it starts to rain.
Currency in Punta Cana: tips you should know
You may wonder if the currency used in Punta Cana are pesos or dollars. The Dominican Peso is the official currency in the Dominican Republic. It has the following denominations for banknotes: RD$50, RD$100, RD$200, RD$500, RD$1000 and RD$2000; and for coins: RD$1, RD$5, RD$10 and RD$25. In and around Punta Cana the U.S. Dollar is a currency widely accepted in stores, resorts, restaurants. Not only that: USD are preferred over the peso and the type of business mentioned have the same rate as a bank. Due to that, we recommend you travel to the Dominican Republic with U.S. Dollars.
If you want exchange your money from U.S. Dollars to Pesos the best rates are offered at Banks or Money Exchange Agency such as Western Union and Caribe Express.
As a general advice, try no to exchange your money in the airport, since their rates are quite lower than any other place in Punta Cana.
Cultural Activities in Punta Cana
Doing cultural activities is the best way for you to explore the city, town or country. If you travel with kids is an ideal option to organize educational activities with the family. Some Family friendly cultural excursions we suggest are:
- Colonial Zone’s churches.
Dominican Carnival.
Sugar and Larimar routes.
Caves of Wonders (Cueva de las Maravillas).
Chocolate and coffee plantations.
Transportation from Punta Cana airport
Before going to Punta Cana, you have to know the different options that exist to go to the airport.
There are typical options that are found throughout all destinations such as taxis and ubers. Also, you can pre-book your airport transfers or use private transfers from the airport to the hotel or resort you have booked.
In the airport you will also find the traditional options to rent a car and public transport.
For additional details, ask the travel agency of your hotel.
Transportation from Punta Cana Airport
When planning a vacation to Punta Cana, you’re probably considering how you arrive to the hotel from the airport. There are multiple options: taxis, public transportation or renting a car.
Where to stay in Punta Cana
Knowing where to stay and rest in Punta Cana is as important as the tips.
On this occasion, we would like to recommend the hotel in Punta Cana called Catalonia Bávaro.
This place is more than a hotel: it is a paradisiacal resort in Cabeza de Toro.
Its villas are surrounded by lakes and tropical gardens. What a dream.
Although the resort is like a city itself, you will have the opportunity to take excursions to places of the Dominican Republic, such as La Hacienda Park, la Basílica de la Altagracia and the Fortress of Ozama. Also, it is located in a safe area.
We hope that, after reading our tips to visit Punta Cana, you are more clear about what you have to carry with you and also what to take into account when visiting the Republican Dominic.
