Comparison · Aruba vs Punta Cana · Aruba / Dominican Republic
Aruba vs Punta Cana
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SIryn, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Aruba for Eagle Beach and Palm Beach; choose Punta Cana for All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach and lower day-to-day costs. Punta Cana is generally less expensive, and the two are about 693 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 693 km
- Less expensive
- Punta Cana
- Best time for Aruba
- January–May
- Best time for Punta Cana
- December–April
Side by side
| Aruba | Punta Cana | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Aruba | Dominican Republic |
| Known for | Eagle Beach, Palm Beach and Arikok National Park | All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach and Saona Island |
| Best time to visit | January–May | December–April |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $250–$400 | $180–$350 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | August, 33°C (91°F) | June, 31°C (88°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 30°C (86°F) | January, 28°C (82°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 9 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | Eagle Beach | Bávaro Beach |
| Airports | AUA | PUJ, LRM, SDQ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Aruba for…
Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. Aruba is a small, dry island about 30 km long, lying some 25 km off the coast of Venezuela. Almost all hotels line the calm west and southwest coast, from the low-rise resorts of Eagle Beach to the high-rise strip at Palm Beach, a short drive north of the…
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Choose Punta Cana for…
All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach and lower day-to-day costs. Punta Cana is the name used for the resort coast at the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, in La Altagracia province, where about 50 km of white-sand beaches face the Atlantic and Caribbean. Most visitors stay in all-inclusive resorts strung along…
Top sights compared
| # | Aruba | Punta Cana |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eagle Beach | Bávaro Beach |
| 2 | Palm Beach | Macao Beach |
| 3 | Arikok National Park | Juanillo Beach |
| 4 | Conchi natural pool | Hoyo Azul at Scape Park |
| 5 | Fontein and Quadirikiri caves | Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve |
Food compared
| Aruba | Punta Cana |
|---|---|
| Keshi yena | La bandera dominicana |
| Pastechi | Sancocho |
| Pan bati | Mangú with los tres golpes |
| Fried fish and funchi | Pescado frito |
Which is cheaper?
Punta Cana is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$350 per person there, against $250–$400 in Aruba (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Punta Cana on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Aruba and Punta Cana are about 693 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Aruba and 7 in Punta Cana.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Aruba or Punta Cana cheaper?
Punta Cana is usually less expensive: about $180–$350 a day mid-range against $250–$400 (estimates).
+Is Aruba or Punta Cana better for a first trip?
Pick Aruba for Eagle Beach and Palm Beach, or Punta Cana for All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Aruba from Punta Cana?
About 693 km in a straight line.