Things to do · Punta Cana · Dominican Republic
12 best things to do in Punta Cana
12 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The essential sights in Punta Cana are Bávaro Beach, Macao Beach and Juanillo Beach. Of the 12 picks below, 7 are free, 1 work on a rainy day and 5 suit children. Allow about 7 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Bávaro Beach
- Free sights
- 7
- Good on a rainy day
- Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
- Time to see the highlights
- 7 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bávaro Beach | Bávaro | Half a day or more | Free |
| Macao Beach | Macao | Half a day | Free |
| Juanillo Beach | Cap Cana | Half a day | Free |
| Hoyo Azul at Scape Park | Cap Cana | 2–4 hours | Expensive |
| Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve | Punta Cana Resort area | 2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Catamaran and snorkelling trip | Bávaro | 3–4 hours | Expensive |
| Cabeza de Toro beach | Cabeza de Toro | Half a day | Free |
| Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia | Higüey | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Uvero Alto beach | Uvero Alto | Half a day | Free |
| Coco Bongo Punta Cana | Bávaro | 4–5 hours | Expensive |
| Playa Blanca | Punta Cana Resort area | Half a day | Free |
| Los Corales and El Cortecito | Los Corales and El Cortecito | 2–3 hours | Low cost |
The 12 best things to do
Beach · Bávaro
1.Bávaro Beach
The coast's signature beach runs for kilometres in front of the main resort strip, with soft white sand, coconut palms and mostly calm, turquoise water protected by an offshore reef. By law Dominican beaches are public, so you can walk the whole length past resort after resort.
Walk north to El Cortecito in the morning to see the fishing boats and find beach bars outside the resorts.
- Time needed
- Half a day or more
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Kids
- Couples
- Outdoors
Beach · Macao
2.Macao Beach
A wide, golden beach backed by low cliffs and palms with no high-rise development, about 30 minutes north of Bávaro. Waves make it popular with surf schools, and simple shacks fry whole fish with tostones for lunch.
Swim only where locals are swimming and the waves are gentle; currents can be strong.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Food
- Active
- Photo spot
Beach · Cap Cana
3.Juanillo Beach
A gently curving beach of fine white sand and leaning palms in Cap Cana, with calm water and far fewer people than Bávaro. It is inside the gated development, so non-residents usually arrive by taxi, tour or from a Cap Cana hotel.
Ask your taxi to drop you at the public beach access and arrange your return pick-up in advance.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Cap Cana
4.Hoyo Azul at Scape Park
A natural sinkhole pool of clear turquoise freshwater at the foot of a limestone cliff, reached by a forest path in Scape Park. The park also offers zip lines, caves and a Dominican village experience.
Go in the morning before tour groups arrive; the pool is small and gets crowded.
- Time needed
- 2–4 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Nature
- Kids
- Active
- Photo spot
Nature · Punta Cana Resort area
5.Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve
A protected patch of tropical forest near the Punta Cana resort area with a trail past a dozen freshwater lagoons fed by underground springs, some of which you can swim in. It is run by a local ecological foundation.
Bring insect repellent and swimwear; the lagoons are cool and clear.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Bávaro
6.Catamaran and snorkelling trip
Half-day catamaran trips leave from Bávaro and Cabeza de Toro beaches to snorkel the reef offshore and stop at shallow sandbanks, usually with music and an open bar on board.
Choose a smaller boat for more snorkelling time and less of a party atmosphere.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Couples
- Active
- Outdoors
Beach · Cabeza de Toro
7.Cabeza de Toro beach
A sheltered beach where the reef comes close to shore, leaving shallow, calm water ideal for young swimmers and snorkelling at the reef edge.
Bring water shoes; the sea floor near the reef has patches of rock and coral.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
Religious site · Higüey
8.Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia
The modernist concrete basilica in Higüey, about 45 km inland, was completed in the 1970s with a soaring parabolic arch and houses a revered painting of the Virgin of Altagracia, the country's patron. It draws large pilgrimages every 21 January.
Combine it with a look at Higüey's street markets for a glimpse of everyday Dominican life away from the resorts.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- History
Beach · Uvero Alto
1.Uvero Alto beach
A long, wild Atlantic beach north of Macao, backed by large resorts but rarely crowded. The water is often rougher than in Bávaro, with fine views along an uninterrupted shoreline.
Check flags before swimming and walk early in the morning for an empty beach.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Experience · Bávaro
2.Coco Bongo Punta Cana
The Punta Cana branch of the Cancún-born show club combines a nightclub with acrobatic stage shows, live music and tribute acts. It is one of the main nights out off the resort.
Front-row and VIP tickets cost much more; general entry still gives a good view of the stage.
- Time needed
- 4–5 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- After dark
- Couples
Beach · Punta Cana Resort area
3.Playa Blanca
A sheltered beach near the Punta Cana resort area with a beach restaurant and water sports, including kitesurfing when the wind is up. It has calm water close to shore and views along the reef.
Kitesurf schools operate here; afternoons are usually windiest.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Active
- Outdoors
Neighbourhood · Los Corales and El Cortecito
4.Los Corales and El Cortecito
The most walkable part of the coast, with beach bars, seafood restaurants, souvenir shops and fishing boats pulled up on the sand at El Cortecito. It is the easiest place for visitors to eat a non-resort meal.
Come for a sunset drink and seafood dinner, then walk back along the beach.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Shopping
- After dark
- Couples
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| History | Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia |
| Outdoors and nature | Bávaro Beach, Macao Beach, Juanillo Beach and Hoyo Azul at Scape Park |
| Food and markets | Macao Beach and Los Corales and El Cortecito |
| After dark | Coco Bongo Punta Cana and Los Corales and El Cortecito |
| With children | Bávaro Beach, Hoyo Azul at Scape Park, Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve and Catamaran and snorkelling trip |
| On a rainy day | Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Punta Cana?
Bávaro Beach. The coast's signature beach runs for kilometres in front of the main resort strip, with soft white sand, coconut palms and mostly calm, turquoise water protected by an offshore reef.
+What can you do for free in Punta Cana?
Bávaro Beach, Macao Beach, Juanillo Beach, Cabeza de Toro beach and Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Punta Cana when it rains?
Head indoors to Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia.
+What is there to do in Punta Cana at night?
Coco Bongo Punta Cana and Los Corales and El Cortecito are best after dark.