Punta Cana beaches Travel Guide

About Punta Cana beaches

Boasting a series of wide white beaches that stretch for 32km (20 miles), Punta Cana has a well-deserved reputation as one of the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean, as well as one of its friendliest, thanks to the Dominican Republic. For a relaxed and an unbeatable beach experience check out Bavaro Beach, also there are lots of activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling and sailing. Other good choices are Playa Blanca, Macao Beach and Playa Juanilo.

Beach:

All of Punta Cana's sugar white sand beaches are accented with coco palms and turquoise waves. They are perhaps the prettiest in the Dominican Republic. Most are attached to the affordable all inclusive hotels, who enjoy stretching on a sun lounger or taking part in water sports such as parasailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing or deep-sea fishing. Farther afield are more isolated stretches, where you may be one of only a few holidaymakers.

Beyond the beach:

Golfers can choose from eight challenging courses, with green fees surprisingly low. Or experience the famous Dominican hospitality with a 4-wheel drive tour of the countryside, with day-long excursions usually driving through the jungle, a break for swimming at a deserted stretch of beach and visits to caves and sugar-cane fields.

Family fun:

Most stretches of beach around Punta Cana are perfect for kids, with mild surf for splashing. Children will especially enjoy the interactive dolphin performances and animal shows at Manati Park Bavaro (www.manatipark.com), a theme park (La Hacienda) that also includes a replica of a native Taino village.

Exploring further:

The small city of Higuey, about 45 minutes inland by car, is a great place to sample real Dominican life, you can view the offerings at a colmado (a small grocery) or swig an icy Presidente beer. On the way there, look for La Otra Banda, a tiny village of traditional clapboard houses, painted in vivid tropical colours. It is also worth the lengthy bus ride to Santa Domingo just to stroll the streets of the Zona Colonial where such notables as Ponce de León, Cortés and Columbus once walked.