The Dominican Republic, and in particular Punta Cana, is one of several Caribbean islands Ashlee and I have visited. The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Thomas, and St Croix are the other islands we’ve spent time on.
One of the many things Punta Cana is known for its beaches and clear water. We found no shortage of both. It’s a perfect, quiet retreat from the US that’s easy to access for travelers in the southeast and East Coast.
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Best Credit Cards to Use in Punta Cana
Some of my favorite cards to bring on international trips are the Amex Green Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and Citi Premier. These cards each help me to earn points that I use to book award flights and hotel stays.
You earn 3x points on dining and travel with both the Amex Green Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve. The Citi Premier Card earns 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airfare, and hotels.
When to Visit
Punta Cana weather resembles what you’ll find on other Caribbean islands. Summers are hot and humid with winters behind cooler and lower humidity.
We visited in October and were told by the Westin Puntacana that it’s the low season between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. Another ideal time to visit is winter to early Spring. This time of year generally avoids the rain and heat.
How to Fly to Punta Cana
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) is the primary airport receiving Punta Cana flights. This airport offers nonstop flights to North America, South America, and Europe.
American Airlines flies nonstop from Miami (MIA). Delta Air Lines flies nonstop from Atlanta (ATL) and New York (JFK). Frontier Airlines flies nonstop from Chicago (ORD), Cleveland (CLE), Orlando (MCO), and Philadelphia (PHL). JetBlue flies nonstop from New York (JFK). Southwest Airlines flies nonstop from Baltimore (BWI). Spirit Airlines flies nonstop from Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando (MCO). United Airlines flies nonstop from Newark (EWR).
Once your flights are booked, Ashlee has some important tips in her post. Notably, each person must pay $10 in cash to enter the country! After you get through customs, the $20 ride arranged through our hotel took about 10 mins from the airport to the resort.
Where to Stay When Visiting Punta Cana
There’s an abundance of Punta Cana resorts. The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club is the lone points hotel on the beach. Marriott also has the Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village. However, this property is inland close to the airport.
The Punta Cana hotel we stayed at was the Westin Puntacana. The resort is quiet, the rooms were nice, the staff was friendly, and its location wasn’t far from the airport. Here’s my vlog showing the resort and everything we did during our stay.
Places to Visit in Punta Cana
Admittedly, we didn’t venture out much during our stay at the Westin Puntacana. It was a low key stay with the majority of our time spent at the resort. When we did cruise off property, Mamma Luisa, Taqueria el burrito, and Brot Bagel Shop were the Punta Cana restaurants we visited. Each of these is located in the Punta Cana Village.
Scape Park, La Cana Golf Club, Corales Golf Course, and Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve are places to visit during our next trip. All in all, the island is a quiet spot that’s great for relaxing.
Common Travel Questions
Is it safe to go to Punta Cana right now?
The state department currently lists the Dominican Republic as Level 3: Reconsider Travel. This is one of the best resources to determine if it’s safe to visit the island.
Why is Punta Cana so cheap?
The current exchange rate is 1 USD to ~58 Dominican Pesos. So, the amount you spend is driven by the activities you undertake during your visit.
Is Punta Cana expensive?
Most of our time was spent at the Westin Puntacana. We did feel like the resort was fairly expensive in terms of what you get. However, you’re beholden to resort prices which is understandable if you’ve ever stayed at a resort. Off property, we did not feel that the food was expensive.
What is Punta Cana?
Punta Cana is the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. The island sits between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s known for its beaches and clear waters, all-inclusive resorts, zip-lining, windsurfing, kayaking, and sailing.
Conclusion on Punta Cana Travel
Amex, Chase, and Citi offer solid credit cards to bring with you to Punta Cana. The island is easy to access from the US with nonstop flights from a number of airports. Points hotel options are limited, however, Marriott offers a beachfront property to consider booking. Once you’re on the island, there are interesting golf courses, beaches, and outdoor activities to keep you occupied during your stay.
What do you think of this travel guide? What other Caribbean islands do you recommend? Please let me know in the comments below or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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