Punta Cana is a point on the Playa de Coco, or Coconut Coast. With resorts and hotels scattered along the point, this is one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular tourist destinations.
Punta Cana is a
point on the Playa de Coco, or Coconut Coast. With resorts and hotels scattered
along the point, this is one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular tourist
destinations.
There have been
settlements on this eastern tip of the Dominican Republic since Spanish
colonial times, mainly little fishing villages where people lived off the
bounty of the sea. It was only about 30 years ago that the area began to be
developed for tourism.
Today, this is one
of the Caribbean’s fastest-growing resort areas. The hotels and resorts are
concentrated in a few towns along the coast, such as Bávaro, with its shopping
complexes, restaurants and nightclubs; El Cotecito, a small fishing village
with numerous private hotels and apartments; Cabeza de Toro, with a number of
top-quality hotels; and Cap Cana, a complex stretching 4 kilometres along the
coast.
Punta Cana has a tropical climate so
you can generally expect pleasant weather with temperatures overall averaging
around 26°C.
·
May to mid July – ‘calm dry season’,
weather is relatively dry.
·
Mid July to mid September – hot season
with high humidity
·
October to January – cooler day time
temperatures averaging between 21-26°C
·
September to October – hurricane
season, but area is well protected receiving only minor hits
The
average monthly temperatures are:
|
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
Day |
28 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
31 |
32 |
32 |
32 |
31 |
30 |
29 |
|
Night |
21 |
21 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
23 |
24 |
24 |
24 |
23 |
23 |
22 |
The tiny beach village of El Cortecito,
located in the middle of the strip of beachside resorts, is set up for
tourists, with shops and strolling vendors selling locally-produced rum, cigars,
batik sarongs and amber jewellery, plus T-shirts, hats and other tourist souvenirs.
Haggling is expected. The hotel gift shops and shopping arcades sell much the
same wares, plus resort wear at slightly higher prices.
Nightlife
in Punta Cana centres on the resorts;
most have a nightly show featuring costumed dancers performing
to native merengue and bachata music, and almost all have a disco where guests can dance into the
early hours. Several casinos offer
slots, blackjack and craps tables.
For something a bit
different, try one of the big shows in town is Tropicalissimo, staged at the Barceló
Bávaro Casino in the style of the old Tropicana
of Cuba. Punta Cana's shopping centre, opposite the airport, features the
country's newest world class bowling alley
Major beach party live entertainment is provided on full moon nights at the
Jelly Fish Restaurant or Hurricane Cafe on Bavaro Beach.
You will never be stuck for ideas at Punta Cana. Here are
just a few of the activities that are available:
Alternatively if you want to venture further, why not explore
a neighbouring town such as the small city of Higuey,
about 45 minutes inland by car. It is dominated by its starkly modern cathedral, the
Basilica, but it's a great place to sample
real Dominican
life.
