Comparison · Punta Cana vs Turks and Caicos · Dominican Republic / Turks and Caicos Islands
Punta Cana vs Turks and Caicos
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Ila Mae Thie, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Choose Punta Cana for All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife; choose Turks and Caicos for Grace Bay and Turquoise water. Punta Cana is generally less expensive, and the two are about 541 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 541 km
- Less expensive
- Punta Cana
- Best time for Punta Cana
- December–April
- Best time for Turks and Caicos
- April–June
Side by side
| Punta Cana | Turks and Caicos | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Dominican Republic | Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Known for | All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach and Saona Island | Grace Bay, Turquoise water and Barrier reef |
| Best time to visit | December–April | April–June |
| Ideal stay | 7 days | 7 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $180–$350 | $300–$550 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Very expensive |
| Warmest month | June, 31°C (88°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 28°C (82°F) | January, 27°C (81°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 7 | 7 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 3 |
| Beaches | Bávaro Beach | Grace Bay Beach |
| Airports | PUJ, LRM, SDQ | PLS, GDT |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Punta Cana for…
All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife. 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…
Choose Turks and Caicos for…
Grace Bay and Turquoise water. The Turks and Caicos Islands are a British Overseas Territory of low, limestone islands and cays southeast of the Bahamas, surrounded by one of the largest barrier reef systems in the region. Most visitors stay on Providenciales ('Provo'), where Grace Bay's…
Top sights compared
| # | Punta Cana | Turks and Caicos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bávaro Beach | Grace Bay Beach |
| 2 | Macao Beach | Bight Reef (Coral Gardens) |
| 3 | Juanillo Beach | Smith's Reef |
| 4 | Hoyo Azul at Scape Park | Chalk Sound National Park |
| 5 | Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve | Sapodilla Bay |
Food compared
| Punta Cana | Turks and Caicos |
|---|---|
| La bandera dominicana | Conch salad |
| Sancocho | Cracked conch |
| Mangú with los tres golpes | Conch fritters |
| Pescado frito | Spiny lobster |
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 $300–$550 in Turks and Caicos (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Punta Cana on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Punta Cana and Turks and Caicos are about 541 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 7 days in Punta Cana and 7 in Turks and Caicos.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Punta Cana or Turks and Caicos cheaper?
Punta Cana is usually less expensive: about $180–$350 a day mid-range against $300–$550 (estimates).
+Is Punta Cana or Turks and Caicos better for a first trip?
Pick Punta Cana for All-inclusive resorts, Bávaro Beach, lower day-to-day costs and nightlife, or Turks and Caicos for Grace Bay and Turquoise water.
+How far is Punta Cana from Turks and Caicos?
About 541 km in a straight line.