Don’t be fooled, Punta Cana is way more than ‘fun in the sun’

November 2, 2018 3:08 pm



Nestled in the southeast of Dominican Republic, in the easternmost tip of the island, is Punta Cana, a place known for its 48 km stretch of beaches with clear waters and white sand.

Punta Cana is part of the La Altagracia province, and along with Uvero Alto and Bávaro, combine to form what’s known as La Costa del Coco or the Coconut Coast, name given after their sky-reaching coconut palms.

La Costa del Coco is a well located and easy to access, no wonder why it’s the most visit destiny in DR, with million of tourists from all corners of the world.

Almost 70% of approximately 6.1 tourists that travel to DR, arrive at the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), the most-connected airport in the Caribbean and Central America. Thanks to Marina Cap Cana, the area is also a cruise ship destination, and  due to the Oscar de la Renta highway, also known as Autopista del Coral, the visitors are close to La Romana and Santo Domingo, where the oldest permanent European settlement of the Americas is located, the Colonial City.

But don’t be fooled, Punta Cana is so much more than just “fun in the sun” or “rest and relaxation”, it’s a multi-faceted destination that offers from all-inclusive resorts, water park for children and secluded beachside lodging for couples, to zip-lining and windsurfing for the most adventurers ones, fine dining, luxurious marinas and the top spas in the whole country, including the only Six Senses in the Caribbean.

The destination is also recognized worldwide as a golfer’s destination with 10 award-winning golf courses that have nothing to envy to golf courses in other countries.

If you’re the dancing type, then you’re in luck. Punta Cana nights are vibrant and young, where visitors can choose between classy and local, from evenings under the stars to live music and nightclubs.

Do not get overwhelmed! The Cana Blue team narrowed and curated the best beaches, top places to go, eat and explore, activities and adventures for all our visitors and customers.

Ready? Here we go!

  • Punta Cana eats!

Renowned restaurants and a diverse gastronomy for all kind of tastes is waiting for you in Punta Cana. Vegetarian, mediterranean, asian and even authentic Dominican cuisine is available, so we narrowed our top go-to places for every taste:

  • Bachata RosaHip and new place in town!

On the top of our list is Juan Luis Guerra and SBG’s group new place: Bachata Rosa, named after the multi-awarded album by Guerra, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Tropical Albums in 1990.

Located 15 minutes from Cap Cana and 20 minutes from Bávaro, Bachata Rosa has become one of the most visited and must go places to eat in the area for its colorful vibe, amazing ambiance and rich gastronomy.

More on Bachata Rosa: Bachata Rosa by SBG Group

  • La YolaFine dining with great views

La Yola is a AAA Three Diamond Award-winning restaurant in Punta Cana. This restaurant is part of the Punta Cana Group and its located in a marina, right on the water, which makes it perfect for a night out with your s.o or for taking your business partners out.

Make your reservation or know more about the place at: Tortuga Bay dining

  • La Posada de GladysAmazing local food and budget friendly!

Yes! You heard us right! Authentic Dominican food all the way to Bávaro town. La Posada de Gladys, a family owned, open air spot, where you can enjoy typical dominican eats such as arroz con habichuelas (rice and beans) with pe’cao’ frito (fried fish), as locals call it, or ‘mangú’ (mashed plantains) for breakfast. You can also have a ‘chinola’ juice (passion fruit) or maybe a cold Presidente beer, since they’re open until 11 pm.

See the reviews for La Posada de Gladys got on TripAdvisor: La Posada de Gladys

Other places like Lorenzillos, Passion by the basque michelin star winner, Martin Berastegui; mexican-fusioned Wacamole; asian place Balicana, Kat’s Corner or even Solo Pollo, are some of the best and most recommended places in the area.

Let us know If you ever try any one of them!

  • Who said dancing?: Nightlife at Punta Cana

Dominicans are well known for being awesome dancers and the life of every party! Punta Cana is no exception to this rule.

Seaside lounges, pubs, ‘’terrazas’’ and clubs, where you can enjoy live music, a quiet drink or dance your worries off, there is something always going on here.

The Cana Blue team has come with a small list of favorite places to go and enjoy the night, from having a nice drink with a date to a wild night with friends.

  • Coco Bongo – It’s really a once in a lifetime experience! Even for visitors who are not into really big crowds, Cogo Bongo’s show will make your stay an unforgettable one.
  • Imagine – party inside a cave with music from all over the world.
  • Jellyfish– seaside, one of the oldest bars in Bávaro. Local and international music in a relaxed environment.
  • Drink Point local and authentic Dominican spot! Drink Point is a liquor store meets bar meets club, where you can get drinks and dance with friends.
  • Pearl Beach Club – also a sea-side lounge, with great drinks and ambiance, perfect for electronic music lovers.

Also worth mentioning, Hard Rock Live, at the Hard Rock Hotel, where artists like Andrea Bocelli and recently, Shakira, have performed. Next December 1st Juan Luis Guerra and Vicente García are taking over the stage of HRC Live.

Other spots such as Onnos, Huracán Café, El Pub, are also popular in the area.

  • Outdoor and extreme!

At Cana Blue we encourage our customers to go out and enjoy some outdoor action, outside their villas.

Luckily, in Punta Cana we have safe top-rated excursions that will show visitors another side of vacationing or living in the southeast of DR.  

Our top recommendation it’s of course Isla Saona (Saona Island), the most popular excursion in all Dominican Republic. Saona is a protected nature reserve and is part of Parque Nacional Cotubanamá, in La Altagracia province, known for being home of starfish, a turtle sanctuary and colorful houses. You can get there by motorboats or catamarans from Bayahíbe.

Hoyo Azul (Blue Hole), another spot we love, a cenote with a natural pool, approximately 14 meters deep, inside Scape Park, in the Cap Cana area. To enjoy its cool spring waters, visitors must cross a suspension bridge, hike past an orchid garden.

Ojos Indígenas is a great option as well. Located inside Puntacana Resort & Club, this ecological park has 12 freshwater lagoons, and in addition to the abundance of flora, the reserve is home to hundreds of bird species and iguanas; imagine hiking inside this park! You can enter the park paying a small fee.

Other excursions and trips  we recommend are the Seaquarium Punta cana, where you can enjoy marine life with snuba gear, ATV buggies adventures, Monkey Land, where you can play with actual monkeys, or the Chocomuseo – yes, a museum for chocolate!- which provides a guided tour on the history of Dominican cacao.

  • Shopping in Punta Cana

From gift shops and small plazas to beachfront stores and large shopping malls, where you can find renowned brands, Punta Cana is full of options for anyone who’d like to enjoy a shopping spree while they’re here.

In Bávaro:

San Juan Shopping Center

Plaza Turquesa

Palma Real Shopping Village

In Punta Cana:

Blue Mall Shopping Mall

Punta Cana Village

No, I’m just here for the beaches!

If you’re looking for beaches, you’re in the right place. From Bávaro to Cap Cana, the area has some of the most beautiful beaches in Dominican Republic. Their clear turquoise waters, white sand and tall palm trees, make Punta Cana a top beach destination worldwide.

At Cana Blue we love going to the beach for winding down after work. Here are some of our favorites:

Gastronomy, music, dancing, the beach…there are a lot of ways to experience Punta Cana. Any one who visits or decides to move to the area has come to the same realization: this place truly has it all!

Cana Blue is a real estate investment firm targeted to foreign and local investors who are looking to find the perfect real estate in Punta Cana. We take pride in being one of the few real estate companies in the area that can assists their customers with legal affairs, working closely with foreign investors. If you’re looking for a property, to rent or buy, contact us and we would gladly accompany you in the whole process of investing in this beautiful destination.