Punta Cana holidays

Deals from £835 per person

Punta Cana is one of the most glamorous resorts on the Dominican Republic’s Coconut Coast, if not the whole of the Caribbean. That's because the giddy mix of hot days on the beach and VIP nightlife makes the resort feel a little like paradise, with its bright green scenery set against the gold of the coast. The jungle is ideal for would-be explorers, while the rather more leisurely golf courses complete a very pretty picture. During your Punta Cana holidays, you may even rub shoulders with some of the world's most famous celebrities, too, as many of Hollywood’s A-listers are big fans of this part of the island.

Things to do

Go shopping at the Palma Real Shopping Village in the Bávaro area on your holidays to Punta Cana, where you can see some beautiful arts and crafts items. Visit the Marinarium and learn all about sharks and stingrays, or head to the Aromas Museum if you're interested in finding out about the Dominican Republic's history and culture. In La Romana, just under an hour's drive from Punta Cana, you can explore the Altos de Chavón, a replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, featuring an amphitheatre and archaeological museum.

Excellent beaches

The inviting resort has some of the best beaches in the whole of the Dominican Republic. Enjoy the pristine shores of Punta Cana’s 35 kilometre stretch of continuous white sand lined with palm trees. The tropical setting is the ideal location for a long day in the warm sunshine. Relax on the powdery white sand of the resort’s main beach, Playa Bavaro. Take a dip in the warm, crystal clear waters and snorkel in the shallow coral reefs. For something a little quieter, take a trip to Macao Beach where the shores are virtually untouched. Lounge along the sand and take in the spectacular views of the impeccable coast and shimmering waters. This is a popular surfing spot where you can take surfing lessons or rent a board if you are more experienced.

History and culture

It was the famous explorer, Christopher Columbus, who discovered the area on his first voyage in 1492. The popular holiday resort can be found along the exquisite shores of the Dominican Republic. It shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with neighbouring Haiti. Before the Spanish inhabited the island, it was populated by the Taino Indians for hundreds of years but won its independence from Spain in the early 19th century by Haiti. The growth in tourism into Punta Cana was due to the area’s first airport opening in 1984. The Dominican Republic is now well known not only as a hugely popular holiday paradise, but also for their major league baseball players.

Vibrant nightlife

Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the laid back island life throughout the day and in the evening. Punta Cana is the best place in the Dominican Republic for nightlife. It comes alive at night with an array of bars and huge dance clubs open until the early hours and regular beach parties on the sandy shores. Dance the night away to a mix of Caribbean beats and the latest summer hits and sip on fruity cocktails. If you want a more peaceful evening, enjoy a cold drink in one of the coastal bars and watch as the sun sets on the glistening horizon.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations, including: Bavaro

Map of Punta Cana

25 - 28 ℃

Punta Cana has an average temperature of 28°C in June, and temperatures dip only slightly in the winter to a wonderfully warm 25°C. It's dry and sunny most of the time in this region, although rain can occur at any time of the year but is usually showery in nature.

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About 9 hours from the UK

Punta Cana is best for...

Golfers: You can find over a dozen 18-hole golf courses in the region’s incredible gold and green scenery.

Celebrity spotters: Punta Cana fans include Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie, so keep your eyes peeled.

Clubbers: Parties on the beach, on boats, in clubs or on rooftops; it’s one of the coolest party destinations in the Caribbean.

Fast facts for Punta Cana

Language: The language spoken is Spanish. However, because of its popularity with international tourists, English is widely spoken here, especially in hotels and restaurants. Still, if you're interested in impressing the locals with a bit of Spanish, buy a phrasebook or download our language app for your holiday.

Currency: The currency used in Punta Cana is the Dominican Peso.

Local time: Punta Cana is 5 hours behind GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Punta Cana International Airport. Transfers to the resort of Punta Cana take 30–40 minutes.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Punta Cana is 9 hours.

Tourist information: You can find further tourist information by clicking here.

Visa and health: Before you travel, click here for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holidays.

Holiday destinations related to Punta Cana:

Bavaro

Getting around Punta Cana

By bus: If you’re planning to visit local resorts during your holiday to Punta Cana, the Bavaro Express bus is a handy way of getting between them at an affordable price. The service runs regularly between neighbouring resorts and provides a shuttle to the beach.

By hire car: The best way to get around on your own terms is hiring a car. The Dominican Republic’s international airports all have numerous car hire companies where you can arrange a rental.

On foot: The beaches and hotels should be a comfortable walking distance, so if you don’t have to go far make the most of the weather and take a stroll.

By taxi: Taxis can be useful for one-off trips on your holiday, especially when you're travelling with heavy luggage to or from the airport. Just remember to always check the fare before you get in.

Events in Punta Cana

For foodies: Late June sees the Food and Wine Festival come to town, when foodies can enjoy two full days of tasting samples and watch cooking demos from the pros.

Beach party: One of the highlights of the annual calendar is the Punta Cana Tango Festival in January, where you'll enjoy four fun-packed days of live music, dancing, and amazing food on the beach.

Carnival: Punta Cana is one of the best places around to experience this world-class event. Carnival comes to town in February and stays for a week of parades, performances and wild costumes.

Punta Cana weather

Temperature: Temperatures peak around 30°C from about May to November, cooling off slightly to about 28°C by January and February, which means there's very little difference throughout the year. At night, it doesn't normally fall below the mid-20s (°C) in summer, and even in January it's unlikely to go below 20°C.

Best time to visit: Spring and autumn for more comfortable beach weather.

Punta Cana's climate is typically tropical and just what you'd expect for a Caribbean resort. The area enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year and is consistently very warm or hot, with no cold spells. The period from December to March is a little more comfortable for sightseeing, while October and November are wetter and more humid.

Weather in Punta Cana for