The Beaches of Punta Cana.

Punta Cana & the East Coast

Punta Cana, on the sun-drenched eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, is the Caribbean beach holiday at its most effortless: some 30 miles of palm-fringed white sand lapped by warm turquoise water, lined with one of the world's great concentrations of all-inclusive resorts.

This is the place to do very little beautifully, lazing under a coconut palm, swimming in the calm shallows protected by an offshore reef, sipping a cocktail as the sun goes down, while the resort takes care of everything.

For the active there is golf on championship courses, catamaran cruises to natural pools, snorkeling, and a buzzing beach-bar scene; for families, calm water and endless activities. It is the easy, joyful heart of a Dominican escape.

Where: The eastern tip of the Dominican Republic
Best time: Dec–Apr (dry season); year-round
Good for: Beaches & all-inclusives
Pair it with: Santo Domingo or a catamaran cruise

Where it is

On the map.

Punta Cana lies on the eastern tip of the island; Bavaro Beach is its famous stretch, with the airport close by.

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What you'll see

On the route.

Stop 01

A palm-fringed white-sand beach

Mile after mile of soft white sand backed by leaning coconut palms, the classic Punta Cana shoreline at Bavaro and beyond.

Stop 02

Warm turquoise water

Calm, clear shallows protected by an offshore reef, glowing every shade of blue and warm enough to swim in all year.

Stop 03

A resort pool and beach lounger

Punta Cana is all-inclusive country, where a shaded lounger by the pool or the sand is never more than a few steps away.

Stop 04

A catamaran on the turquoise water

Sail out along the coast or to a natural pool in the shallows, a favorite day out from the Punta Cana beaches.

Know before you go

The practical details.

Good to know

The resorts

Punta Cana is all-inclusive country, with resorts for every style from family-friendly giants to adults-only and luxury hideaways; we match the resort to your group and pace, and beyond the gates you can find quieter local beaches and excursions.

Good to know

Things to do

Beyond the beach there is championship golf (Punta Espada and others), catamaran party cruises, snorkeling, the natural pool at Hoyo Azul, buggy and zip-line adventures, and day trips to Saona Island's idyllic sandbars.

Good to know

When to go

The dry season, December to April, is sunniest and most popular; summer and fall are warm and a bit wetter, with the small risk of a passing storm in the August to October hurricane window; the water stays warm and swimmable all year.

From the journal

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May 2024

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The Beaches of Punta Cana.

On the map.