Punta Cana is not a place I thought I’d ever visit. And not just because the Caribbean, broadly speaking, has never been high on my bucket list.
No, it’s the fact that Punta Cana (at least as far as I’ve always been able to tell) is less a city and more of a resort complex, like the Dominican Republic’s answer to Mexico’s Cancun or Varadero in Cuba. Travelers like me don’t go to places like that, or at least we shouldn’t.
But go I did, which is why I’m writing a post I wish I’d been able to read back then. The question it answers is one that’s both simple and complex: Is Punta Cana worth visiting?
Why I Visited Punta Cana
In the mid-2010s, this blog was riding high—much higher than it is now, if I’m honest. Google was a lot more generous with the traffic it sent to small publishers back then. While I can’t say that I had companies knocking down my door to collaborate, I did have many, many opportunities. One was with Mastercard, whose nascent #Priceless campaign was expanding to the Dominican Republic. They wanted me to come—they were willing to pay me to come—so I did.
Part of the deal, of course, was that I’d stay at an all-inclusive resort, where I of course felt like a fish out of water. One of the things I remember most about check-in, in fact, is how gorgeous the entire scene looked, like I could create (and sell!) custom photo gifts of any picture I might snap. This beauty is a part of why I didn’t end up hating my trip, however, which was just one of the many things about my time in the Dominican Republic that surprised me.
5 Things That Surprised Me About Punta Cana
Resorts can be a relief
I thought I would hate staying at an all-inclusive, never having done so on my own trips. However, I have to admit that from the swim-up bars to the delicious buffet breakfast, it was kind of nice not having to think about every individual aspect of my trip, at least for a few days.
(But so can day trips off them)
With that being said, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many a Punta Cana travel blog focuses on what to do off the resort. My excursions to go zip-lining and visit rescued monkeys, for example, made sure that I didn’t feel suffocated, let alone totally cut off from local nature and culture.
The pool of travelers was diverse
I legitimately expected that only package tourists and wedding guests would be present at my all-inclusive resort. While these travelers did indeed make up a majority of other people I saw, there were plenty of young and seemingly independent travelers who reminded me of myself.
(And so was the food)
Food was a big reason I questioned whether Punta Cana would be worth visiting. I assumed the hotel would serve buffets of mostly American-style cuisine, or sterilized versions of island fare. Instead, I was able to eat fresh seafood basically every day, which left me far more satisfied than I expected.
Punta Cana left me curious about the rest of the Dominican
On one hand, it’s been more than a decade since I visited Punta Cana. Had my trip really inspired me to explore the DR in-depth, I probably would’ve been back. On the other hand, I’m not even 40 yet; there’s still time. Who knows? Maybe at this time in a year or two I’ll be writing a city guide to Santo Domingo?
How Many Days is Enough in Punta Cana?
Punta Cana itself isn’t much of a city, so I can’t approach this question as I would for, say, Havana or San Juan. What I can tell you, however, is that the more you plan to do in the vicinity of Punta Cana, the longer you should stay there. I wouldn’t personally recommend staying 7-10 days simply to lie on a beach, though I can appreciate that for some travelers, this is exactly what the doctor ordered.
As a general rule of thumb, given that most activities are going to require a car ride away from your resort, I’d suggest adding a day to your Punta Cana itinerary for one every one you plan to partake in. You’ll also need a day on either end for departure and arrival, respectively. This means that for most travelers, a minimum of three days in Punta Cana is required.
Other FAQ About Your Punta Cana Trip
Is Punta Cana a good place to travel?
Punta Cana itself is forgettable, and is little more than a constellation of all-inclusive resorts. For adventurous travelers, however, it’s possible to use the resort less as a place for sun-tanning and swim-up bars, and more as a base for amazing adventures.
What is so special about Punta Cana?
Punta Cana has a few things going for it, first among them absolutely amazing beaches. Secondly, Punta Cana is relatively close to many adventure attractions in the Dominican Republic, whether you visit a monkey sanctuary or go zip-lining and become a sort of monkey yourself.
Is Punta Cana touristy?
Your all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana will be relatively touristy—this fact probably won’t surprise you. What might surprise you is that off the resort, the Dominican Republic can seem surprisingly rough-and-tumble, particularly if you happen to explore any local cities and towns, and now just attractions that are part of package tours.
The Bottom Line
Is Punta Cana worth visiting? It could be, depending upon the circumstances of your trip. It should go without saying that if an-inclusive convenience and beautiful beaches are high on your list, then Punta Cana probably will be too. But what if you’re an independent traveler like me? I can’t honestly say I would’ve ever gone to Punta Cana, had I not been invited to do so—somewhere like Mexico tends to be more my style. At the same time, it’s also untrue to claim that there’s nothing available there besides all-inclusive resorts, even if they do loom large over the landscape. Need personalized help putting together your next tropical trip? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
