Route in Dominican Republic: 1 week in Punta Cana and its surroundings

Are you leaving for a week in the Dominican Republic? Where to go in so little time? Here is our route proposal around Punta Cana!

The main seaside resort of the Dominican Republic located at the eastern end of the country, Punta Cana is a town of just over 50,000 inhabitants. A flower of mass tourism in the Caribbean – here ecology passes after kerosene – the Dominican Republic welcomed 5,35 million foreign tourists in 2017 on its soil, of which 213 247 French. Tropical paradise – the annual temperature, here, oscillates between 25°C and 35°C all year round – in the middle of the jungle, between sublime coastal beaches wet by the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Punta Cana developed at the moon of the 1970s.

You are developing a travel itinerary for a week but you are afraid to spend too much time on the same beach, among the same tourists? We understand you. Know that in Punta Cana and around, public transport is almost punctual and cheap. Between the beaches, the lush nature or the farniente on the terrace, here is our idea of itinerary to visit Punta Cana and its surroundings.

Day 1: Punta Cana and North Coast

If you haven’t already done it since France before departure, you’ll have to rent a hotel in Punta Cana Coming. It is not difficult, there is a plethoric quantity along the coast.

Start by throwing yourself in the water to see your first beach: Playa de Arena Gorda, Playa Bavaro , Playa de El Cortecito or Cabeza de Toro Cabo Engaño, Juanito. The water of the sea is about 28°C all year round: as much as we can easily enter it.

Visit the Don Lucas Cigars factory , the Dolphin Explorer, the Seaquarium of Punta Cana – where you can walk under the water with the head in a scaphandle to see dolphins, mantas rays and even sharks! Children will enjoy going to Manati Park to see the shows of sea lions, dolphins, horses and parrots.

After this busy – and ambitious – program of these beaches and tours, enjoy the beach again: at night, the night atmosphere is very festive, dynamic, paved. If you like to party, it’s “The Place to Be”!

Day 2: Punta Cana South

Second day in the Dominican Republic: So what does it make to wake up in paradise? Go south to explore the ecological park " Indigenous Eyes ". This is a must-see excursion: you will see, after a walk through the jungle, a beautiful lagoon where you can swim in the midst of torture and colorful fish. The World of Nemo in nature! It is a native reserve, with a zoo, 12 lagoons and especially a place to discover the history and culture of the country. Several almost deserted beaches are on the coast around, don’t hesitate to get there!

Continue on Hoyo Azul , one of the most impressive places in Punta Cana. It is a natural swell filled with crystalline blue water. Dive when the sun points to its reflections in the lagoon, but the water is rather fresh. Leave for the beach Juanito or the Cap Cana Marina . If you choose this itinerant mode, you will need to rent accommodation in Punta Cana and around.

Day 3: Cotubanamá National Park and Saona Island

On the third day, go down to National Park of Cotubanamá (also known as Parque Nacional Del Este, called until 2014) and Isla Saona. It is another jewel of the Dominican Republic off Punta Cana, famous for its stretches of deserted beaches. This is where you have to go if the beaches of northern Punta Cana are too crowded and too crowded for you. The National Park is a reserve of fauna and flora, home to more than 300 species of birds and 500 species of flowers and plants, enjoying tropical light all year round. So is the park a unique ecosystem, which must be absolutely preserved: this is the question of how to link mass tourism and ecosystem protection?

L’ island of Saona is nicknamed the "pearle of the Caribbean Coast". It is at the heart of a protected nature reserve, with many birds: a pure delight! To devote a day to these two exceptional sites is ambitious, you may have to leave early in the morning and book a room to sleep in Boca de Yuma or Dominiscus.

Day 4: Catalina Island and La Romana

How to continue its route around Punta Cana? Isla Catalina and La Romana must not be missed. Located 2.4 kilometers from the coast, island Catalina is surrounded by a coral barrier, which makes it a dream spot of snorkeling. In the past, the island was a haven of corsaries. Whipping the beach – the beach playa de la Isla Catalina – which surrounded the island, you can imagine yourself as a pirate of the 18th century, waiting to attack and loot other ships.

After you are pre-washed in the turquoise waters of the Catalina Islands and Saona, the city of La Romana reveals all its splendour: the golf complex Casa De Campo, the marina, the medieval village of Alto de Chavon, the beaches – Minitas Beach, Playa El Caleton.

Day 5: Inland

You're tired of beaches, even if they're heavenly? No, you are not snobs. But it’s time to explore the Dominican countryside while starting to return to Punta Cana to close the loop of your travel itinerary. Riding on horseback, crossing the jungle on a zipline, tasting local productions (cao, coffee, cigars). If you are not afraid of tourist attractions, go through a travel agency to discover all this in a day!

The city of Higüey , agglomeration of more than 170,000 inhabitants, is the city of residence of the workers of Punta Cana. It is a bit the backstage of the seaside city, to be seen because two monuments are essential: the Basilica Notre-Dame d’Altagracia – ranked national monument since 1970 – and the church of San Dionisio, dating from the 16th century. Nearby is the La Altagracia Museum , countless bars and restaurants where to stroll to the local population.

Day 6: towards the north coast

Here is a rather ambitious suggestion of itinerary: it may be a little the race but sometimes you are tempted to see everything to have a good view of the island. Saint-Domingue is too far, but leaving for the north coast can be a good idea of course for the last two days of the trip.

On the road you can devote half a day to safari to Monkeyland . Ideal also if you have chosen to zapper our itinerary steps and rent a hotel in Punta Cana to Bavaro or Playa Macau. You will see saimiris, squirrel monkeys described as the most greedy monkeys of the "New World". In addition, you will also enjoy a panoramic view of the mountains of the east and the local villages, can enjoy fresh organic fruits and coffee, visit a typical house of the island, visit the Casa del Coco (where to learn the manufacture of coconut oil). If you haven’t done it yet, go relax and relax Playa Macao , it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. It is now necessary to rent a hotel in Punta Cana to begin the return...

Day 7: a few beaches to finish

Is your flight back at the end of the day? The north-east of Punta Cana offers, as in the first day, an interminable cord of paradise beaches where you can simply do nothing: Playa de Arena Gorda, Playa de Arena Blanca , Playa del Cortecito, Playa Bavaro. Do not hang out too much because it takes time to make your vehicle – for those who have rented it – take the bus and return to the airport.