Dominican Republic: 8 Highlights for Punta Cana

White sandy beaches, crystal-clear sea, and palm trees as far as the eye can see: That’s the Dominican Republic.
But the country, and especially the area around Punta Cana, has so much more to offer!
Here, we’ll share 8 highlights in Punta Cana and surroundings that showcase how diverse this travel destination truly is and what you shouldn’t miss when traveling to the Caribbean.

1. SANTO DOMINGO - THE CAPITAL OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The Dominican Republic offers more than just beach, palms, and sea.
In Santo Domingo, the country’s capital, you can stroll through the beautiful colonial-style city center or explore the Caribbean's largest botanical garden, the National Botanical Garden.

Other numerous highlights, such as America’s first cathedral, Alcázar De Colón Palace, Fortaleza Ozama, or the Los Tres Ojos caves ensure that you’ll have an exciting day.

2. RELAX ON ISLA SAONA

Remember that island from the Bacardi ad? That could very well be Isla Saona. You’ll find those dreamy beaches with turquoise sea there.
The palm forests directly on the beach offer a shady spot, inviting you to rest and relax. Take a dive with your snorkel from the beach into the underwater world of corals and fish.
‍Caribbean vibes at their finest!

Saona is the most popular excursion destination for tourists, so expect to share the island with other day-trippers. Here’s the link to our tour: Isla Saona with Lunch.

The island, covering around 110 km², is located in the La Altagracia province in eastern Dominican Republic.
Protected as a nature reserve, Isla Saona has two settlements: the fishing village Mano Juan in the south and the marine base Catuano at its western tip.
You can visit the island independently or on a guided tour, usually as a day trip.

Access is only possible with a National Park admission wristband. Guided tours typically provide this for you, but if you go on your own, you’ll need to buy the wristband in advance at the National Park Ticket Office, located in Parque Nacional del Este Administrative Office.
The small wooden house, painted green and white, is located in the large bus parking lot in Bayahibe.
The only way to reach the island is by speedboat or catamaran, with the ride from the mainland in Bayahibe taking about 1.5 to 2 hours.

The journey itself is quite an experience, with most guided tours making their first stop at the world’s largest natural swimming pool – the Piscina Natural, a large sandbank in the open sea.
Here, you can stand in waist-deep, warm water and observe various fish. There are also starfish in this area, as they enjoy the shallow sandbanks.
However, due to the constant influx of tourists, the starfish population has significantly decreased.
‍Do not lift the living starfish out of the water, as even a few minutes above water could mean their death.

Continuing along the coast, you’ll pass mangroves until you arrive at one of Saona’s beaches. We were even lucky enough to spot dolphins swimming by on the way.
Due to Saona’s size, each tour or operator stops at different beaches, such as Tao Beach or Canto de la Playa.

Most visitors who booked a guided tour arrive in Saona around midday, where a beach buffet awaits with fresh fish, chicken, rice, pasta, salad, and fruits.
At the beach bar, there’s rum, beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite, water, and coffee. Food and drinks are included in the price, depending on the tour. Sun loungers and toilets are also available.
After an extensive siesta—relaxing, swimming, and snorkeling—you leave Saona by catamaran back toward the hotel.

Don't forget the following essentials for this tour: sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, towels, diving mask with snorkel, camera, and some cash for tips.

3. ISLA CATALINA – ENJOY THE RELAXED ATMOSPHERE

Can't get enough of paradise-like islands with snow-white beaches and crystal-clear water? Then take a trip to Isla Catalina.

Catalina is 9 km² large, uninhabited, and its beaches are only accessible to tourist boats. Compared to Saona, there are significantly fewer tourists on this island.
Isla Catalina is privately owned, so there is an entrance fee.

Getting to the island is the same as Isla Saona—either you plan the tour on your own or book it through a tour operator.
The boat ride from the mainland in La Romana to the island takes about 40 minutes.

We booked the tour through a tour operator and departed from La Romana, specifically from the Casa de Campo Marina, on a paddle steamer along the Río Chavón.
We marveled at the vegetation along the riverbank and enjoyed a small snack on board during the approximately one-hour journey.

Returning to Casa de Campo Marina, we switched to a catamaran that took us out to the open sea, where we stopped for about an hour to snorkel at the La Pared reef.

Then we continued to the west coast of Isla Catalina. Just in time for lunch, we were welcomed with a BBQ featuring fresh fish, grilled chicken, rice, pasta, salad, and fresh fruit.
At the beach bar, you could enjoy rum, beer, Coca-Cola, Sprite, water, and coffee. Both food and drinks were included in the price. Sun loungers and toilets were also available.

After lunch, there was still plenty of time to explore the island a bit, go for a swim, or simply relax on the beach.
In the afternoon, we returned to the harbor on the catamaran, from where a small van took us back to the hotel.

Don’t forget to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, swimwear, towels, a snorkel mask, a camera, and some cash for tips.

4. SAIL THROUGH THE CARIBBEAN SEA ON A CATAMARAN

For us, a catamaran belongs to the Caribbean just as much as the turquoise sea. Book a catamaran tour at one of the island’s harbors, with your hotel’s tour operator, or online.

This is where you’ll experience the true Caribbean feeling! As soon as the captain starts the engine and raises the sails, Latin American music plays from the speakers, and the crew begins serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, trying to encourage those not sunbathing on the netted hammock to dance.

After a few rounds of rum, the catamaran eventually stops in the open sea. It’s now time to jump into the Caribbean Sea for a refreshing swim, a snorkel, or just to cool off.
Then it’s back on board as the catamaran sails back to the harbor, bringing the same vibes. These tours typically last between three to four hours.
For us, it was an unforgettable experience, and one we believe you shouldn’t miss.

Bring along: Swimwear, towels, sunscreen, sunglasses, and tips for the crew.

5. DISCOVER THE CARIBBEAN’S UNDERWATER WORLD

One thing we’ll tell you upfront: If you’re looking for the same color and biodiversity as in the Red Sea or the Coral Triangle, you’ll be disappointed in the Caribbean.
That’s not to say that the Caribbean doesn’t have its own unique underwater world.

Diving in the Dominican Republic is easy and straightforward. Many dive sites are suitable for beginners.
Almost all larger resorts on the island offer introductory dives and the chance to get a diving certificate.
Beginner dive tours mostly take place on the south coast, where the currents are gentler. Experienced divers can explore both the coastal sites and deep wrecks and walls.

Dive Site La Caleta: This spot offers divers insight into the biodiversity of the protected area. Highlights include four wrecks and colorful coral reefs filled with fish of all shapes and colors.

Dive Site Isla Saona: At the outer reef of the southern coast, divers can spot sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles. Rarely seen manatees are also a special attraction here.
This dive spot is also ideal for snorkelers.

Dive Site Bayahibe: Here, you’ll find the wrecks “St. Georges” and “Atlantic Princess”, which can be explored in two consecutive dives.

Of course, the Dominican Republic has many other dive spots. Check with your local dive school for more options!

6. SAMPLE COCKTAILS, RUM & COCONUTS

In the Dominican Republic, rum is a staple—wherever you go, you’ll find rum! Locals often refer to it as their “vitamin boost”. Whether as a remedy or a quick pick-me-up, rum is the answer.

One particularly popular rum drink is Mamajuana. It’s a local alcoholic beverage made from brown rum, red wine, honey, and a mix of wood and herbs.
Other well-known Dominican cocktails with rum include Banana Mama, Coco Loco, Cuba Libre, Mojito, and Piña Colada.

If you prefer something non-alcoholic and healthy, we recommend sipping on water from a freshly opened coconut.
You’ll find coconuts at almost every street corner or from the gardeners in your hotel.
They’ll open the coconut with their machetes, which is something you wouldn’t manage on your own. They’ll appreciate a small tip afterward.

7. VISIT A CIGAR FACTORY

If you’re looking for a typical souvenir or if you enjoy a fine cigar yourself, a visit to a cigar factory is a must.
The strong smell of tobacco leaves no doubt about where you are from the moment you step in.
Up to 35,000 cigars are stored in drying rooms here. It’s almost unbelievable that they’re all handmade.
During an interesting tour of the factory and its production areas, the workers will share the secrets of traditional cigar-making.
You’ll also have the chance to try and buy cigars at affordable prices.

Before you go on a shopping spree, check with customs about the travel allowances for tobacco products in your country.

8. MOVE TO THE RHYTHM OF BACHATA

If you enjoy dancing and Latin American music, the Dominican Republic will feel like paradise.

Bachata is a music genre with roots in the Dominican Republic. The accompanying dance style, developed in the 1960s, combines African, European, and indigenous musical elements.
The basics are three steps with a hip movement, followed by a tap that also includes a hip movement and a slight leg lift on the fourth beat.

In the Dominican Republic, people dance just about everywhere if the opportunity arises.
At night, the streets of towns and cities turn into real dance floors, and it seems as if Dominicans are born dance masters. If you want to learn Bachata, this is the place to be!
Whether with locals in a quick lesson or in a full course at your hotel, you’ll have options here. And who knows, maybe you’ll return home as a Bachata master.

USEFUL LINKS & RECOMMENDED TRAVEL GUIDES FOR YOU

• Find affordable rental cars at rentalcars.com
• Discover the best accommodations
• Find affordable flights at skyscanner.com
• The Best Travel Guides for Dominican Republic
• Unique Excursions to Experience in Dominican Republic

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