10 Nights Punta Cana - 5* Melia Caribe Beach Resort

Punta Cana Holidays

olonial towns, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and sandy beaches make up the Punta Cana region of the Dominican Republic. Holidays to Punta Cana take you to Caribbean shores lined with white sands and green palms.

La Costa del Coco

Punta Cana is part of La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast. This area of the Dominican Republic was given its name for the huge number of coconut palms that line the shores. You can see Palms almost all the way along the 50-kilometre coast between Uvero in the north and Juanillo in the south. The stretches of sand near Bavaro are some of the most popular. The beaches here have loungers, activities like parasailing and banana boat trips, and nearby markets selling beachwear and handmade jewellery. Just so you know, the beaches on this stretch of coastline sometimes experience increased levels of seaweed – called sargassum. It’s influenced by the weather and ocean currents. If your hotel’s affected, the staff will do everything they can to clear it.

Activities on land and sea

Many of the biggest attractions in Punta Cana make the most of the warm Caribbean waters. Scuba diving and surfing are popular choices, along with boat trips to Isla Saona. This mangrove-covered island is a nature reserve off the Dominican Republic’s south coast. Its coral reef is home to starfish and the beaches have been used by movie directors to create the classic ‘desert island’ setting. However, those who prefer to stay inland will also have plenty of choices. Rainforest buggy tours and tree-top zip lines are great for thrill-seekers.

Colonial Caribbean

Around a 40-minute drive from Punta Cana lies the city of Higuey. Higuey was developed by European settlers, and the city retains much of its British and Spanish colonial charm to this day. The Basilica de La Altagracia here is one of the region’s most visited sites, known for its unusual arch design. Many of the shops in Higuey sell the ‘faceless doll’, which is a famous Dominican Republic souvenir made from clay.