My husband and I traveled to Punta Cana for 4 glorious days to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. We had a blast! We ate our weight in seafood, drank enough mocktails and cocktails to float away, and enjoyed some fun island activities. Here is the official SMS travel guide to help you get the most out of your future getaway to Punta Cana.
Know before you go:
You’ve worked hard for those coins, so help them go far! According to Skyscanner, January is the cheapest month to fly to Punta Cana from Dallas-Fort Worth. I actually found a flight as cheap as $375 on Spirit (which we all know would equate to about $475 after taxes and fees) or $478 on Delta. We traveled during the month of November on the weekend after Thanksgiving. We ended up paying nearly 2x that price. Learn from my mistake guys!
Many travelers like staying in all-inclusive resorts when traveling overseas. However, I have found that you can get a much better deal on resort accommodations when you choose a property that has an optional all-inclusive package. I prefer the pay as you go plan because I don’t have a huge appetite and I don’t drink. AKA *I am a budget savvy control freak who likes being in charge of how much we spend for food and drinks*
Lastly, read my lips. Okay okay just imagine my lips moving in slow motion- EXCHANGE your money in the US before departure!! Do not wait until you arrive on the island. They will charge you significantly more to exchange your US dollar to Dominican pesos. Again, you worked really hard for your money. Don’t let them get you for your paper. Notify your credit card company in advance that you will be out of the country if you plan to use the card during your trip. Don’t be stranded on a beautiful island without access to your funds. That also goes for your cell phone provider. I usually just turn my cellular data off and use the wifi in the area.
Arriving in Punta Cana.
Yay! You booked the flight and now you’re off to the DR. Here’s what you can expect upon your arrival. The airport in Punta Cana is very easy to navigate and the people are super friendly. There was a live steel drum band playing island style music in the baggage claim area. That immediately put us into vacation mode.
Traveler beware. There are some people at the airport who are looking for ways to make a quick buck! The super friendly local who wants to help carry your bags expects some coins in return. I watched a couple of women get into an argument with a local man who volunteered to help them carry their bags. They thanked him but didn’t have cash to tip and he was super upset. Fortunately, the hubs and I always pack light so we didn’t need any assistance.
Going through Customs was also a breeze so we were on our way to the hotel within an hour of landing. Getting to the hotel was also easy. Once you go through customs, there are people waiting beyond the security checkpoint that ask you where you are staying and let you know the cost to shuttle there. I believe it was less than $20 to get from the airport to our hotel.
Where to stay in PC.
We stayed at The Westin PuntaCana Resort & Club. I found an amazing deal on Groupon for this resort that seemed almost too good to be true. I was super nervous about it but the reviews on TripAdvisor were super positive so I decided to pull the trigger. The room was less than $100 a night! This included the room and access to all amenities like gym, spa, and access to amenities at sister property next door. Food and drink were not included in the cost. Fortunately, it lived up to the hype. I was sold as soon as I walked up to the desk to check in. Just look at this view!
The staff was friendly, the hotel was very clean, and most of the food we ate at restaurants on the resort was delicious! We never ventured off the property for meals. Next time I would definitely try some local cuisine in the town.
Fun things to do while visiting Punta Cana
- Be a beach bum! For the 1st 2 days, the hubs and I spent our time relaxing in hammocks on the beach and by the pool just outside our hotel. It was glorious. The cares of the world seemed to disappear as we listened to waves crash against the shore. There are numerous beaches in Punta Cana. I loved the Macao Beach. This is where the locals hang and vendors will try to sell you everything under the sun. It is also highly rated for surfing! Bavaro Beach is also a nice option.
- Go on an excursion! Although I like to relax sometimes, I am an explorer at heart. I just couldn’t let our vacation pass without venturing off the property to do something fun so we signed up with Best Day tours to go ATV riding and exploring the countryside of Bavaro. I highly recommend this activity to anyone trying to decide what to do while in Punta Cana. The excursion was hosted by a company called Adventure Boogies. The excursion includes a mini photo shoot and a visit to a cacao farm. Don’t skip the hot chocolate! It was some of the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had! You could also go swimming in a cenote for a bit. Fun fact: your girl cannot swim so it was a no for me dawg.
Tip: Be sure to bring sunscreen, bug spray, a bandana and sunglasses. Also, don’t wear your new vacay gear here. You’re going to get extremely dirty and the red clay is difficult to get out of your clothes!
- Go kayaking, canoeing, or sailing on a catamaran. We wanted to go sailing so badly. Unfortunately, we did not get to go because all the tours were sold out. Water sports are extremely popular in Punta Cana. The local staff stated that we should have booked the tour weeks before our arrival so I thought I’d forward that juicy tidbit onto you.
- Go horseback riding on the beach with Gabi’s Ranch. I’ve always wanted to try this activity especially during sunset. It would be perfect for a romantic date night while in PC. Again, I highly recommend booking the tour prior to your arrival as popular activities tend to sell out quickly.
- Day Trip to Santo Domingo. If you are staying for an extended time, the locals highly recommend taking a day to travel down to the capital city. It is a 2 hr drive from Punta Cana. They stated that it is a beautiful city, rich in history and gorgeous architecture.
There is a lot more to see and do in this beautiful island city. My husband and I have made a pact to go back soon. Stay tuned for part two.
Have you ever been to Punta Cana?
Yes? What would you include in the travel guide?
No? Is it on your bucket list?
Let me know in the comments below.
