What Is Punta Cana? The Dominican Republic’s East Coast Explained
A region and a resort with the same name: how Puntacana Resort & Club, Cap Cana, Bávaro and the north coast fit together.
Punta Cana
The Dominican Republic’s easternmost coast: long beaches, gated communities such as Puntacana Resort & Club and Cap Cana, and some of the Caribbean’s best golf.
Punta Cana is the name for the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, about 100 kilometres of beaches, and for the gated resort that started it all. Villa stays centre on private communities such as Puntacana Resort & Club and Cap Cana, while Bávaro, to the north, is home to many of the region’s large resorts.
Its airport has one of the widest route networks in the Caribbean, and courses by Tom Fazio, P.B. Dye and Jack Nicklaus are a short drive away. Our guides help you choose an area, time your trip and plan golf.
Start here
The region and the resort explained, from Cap Cana to Uvero Alto.
Quick facts
- Country
- Dominican Republic
- Province
- La Altagracia
- Airport
- Punta Cana International (PUJ), privately owned
- Coastline
- About 100 km of beaches, from Cap Cana to Uvero Alto
- Golf
- Corales, La Cana and Punta Espada among others
- Driving
- On the right
- Entry
- Free e-ticket form required for commercial flights
Plan your trip
Where to Stay in Punta Cana: Comparing the Main Areas
The main areas compared for villa stays: golf, beaches, dining, transfer times and what to ask before booking.
Getting to Punta Cana: Flights, the E-Ticket and Transfers
Punta Cana International Airport, the Dominican entry form, transfer times and getting around once you land.
Golf in Punta Cana: Corales, La Cana and Punta Espada
Courses by Tom Fazio, P.B. Dye and Jack Nicklaus, who can play them, and how to plan a golf trip.
Best Time to Visit Punta Cana: Seasons, Storms and Sargassum
Dry season, heat, holidays, seaweed and storms: how to pick your dates.
Staying in a private villa
See Punta Cana villas with Republic Villa Rentals (opens in a new tab)
Staffed villas in Puntacana Resort & Club and nearby Cap Cana. Confirm services and inclusions for the specific home. The publisher has an ownership interest in this rental business.