If at least once in your life you dreamed of getting to a bounty-style beach that was not painted on with colors in Photoshop, then Punta Cana is exactly what you need !! Slender beauties in revealing bathing suits, alas, do not indulge in cooling cocktails on every hammock, but the rest of the landscape is no different from bright advertising brochures. And it is not surprising that the Punta Cana resort was chosen by tourists: a 60-kilometer coastline, 5-star hotels, tropical birds, mangroves, vibrant underwater life. And what fish restaurants! The main audience is lovers of measured rest and couples.
The small town of Punta Cana will not really surprise tourists. The air and transport “gates” of the city are concentrated here - a private airport (PUJ) and bus stations. What is convenient, it is at this airport that planes from Russia land. There are no direct regular flights from the Russian Federation to the Dominican Republic, the only way to get there without transfers is charters, but they are available only when buying a tour. When traveling “outside of a package tour”, you will have to travel with a transfer - you can connect in London, Dusseldorf, Berlin or Munich, as well as in Miami with an American visa. Air Berlin, Air France, Aeroflot, British Airways, American Airlines fly from Moscow. The price range is rather big - for tickets you need to pay from 700 to 1500 dollars.
Russian tourists will have to pay quite a decent amount for roaming, so the best option is to buy a prepaid package from a local operator, Viva, Orange or Claro, immediately upon arrival at the airport. Orange has more coverage, but Claro has more attractive prices.
Hotels most often have free Wi-Fi in the lobby bar, and you will be charged an additional fee for connecting to the Web in the room. Free Wi-Fi is available in almost every cafe and shopping center, so even on the beach you can easily connect. Don't worry about it.
The beaches and areas of Punta Cana are worth mentioning separately.
The beaches are undoubtedly the pride and main attraction of the resort. Almost all of them are municipally owned, the entrance to them is free. Therefore, alas, they cannot boast of a developed infrastructure: there are private water attractions, rental of sun loungers and umbrellas, but it is difficult to find a toilet and a changing room.
Many Punta Cana are designed for a relaxing family holiday. Ideal for children - clean white sand, gentle slope, safe swimming area (coral reefs separate the lagoon from the open sea).
Near the city is the elite district of Cap Cana. Prices for a room in a luxury hotel hurt the eye, but the level of service is appropriate. White sand, sun loungers, palm trees, the cleanest sea and yachts (+ nice spa treatments) - everything you need for an upscale vacation.
Municipal institutions (hospitals, banks, pharmacies) await guests in Bavaro. Most malls and entertainment centers are also located here, including the most famous Palma Real Shopping Village. By the way, the beach in Bavaro is considered one of the best in the country. He is the most lively; there are a lot of bars, discos, almost all Canadian and American students flock here for the holidays.
For those who like a more relaxing holiday and do not crave dizzying night adventures, we recommend choosing the beaches of Cabeza de Toro (has a Blue Flag environmental certificate and is famous for its fish restaurants) and El Cortecito (there are many shops and outlets) ). By the way, it is in El Cortecito that you can buy the best Dominican souvenirs. With them, tourists bring products made of amber and larimar, the symbol of the Dominican Republic - a doll "lime", coffee and local tincture "mamajuana".
In the Macau area, there is a gorgeous sea and coastline, but there is practically no beach infrastructure. Fans of secluded relaxation go here. Here you will not find umbrellas, deck chairs and other delights of a civilized holiday, but it is not crowded either. It is here that you can find a deserted beach and feel like a real Robinson Crusoe. Unless during the waves this place attracts surfers.
Food in Punta Cana
Because Since most hotels offer all-inclusive meals to their guests, it is not necessary to go out into the city to eat. However, we recommend that you get acquainted with local culinary traditions and visit cozy family restaurants on the seashore a couple of times.
Dominican cuisine is "nurtured" on American and European, with an admixture of oriental notes. Its characteristic feature is a non-standard combination of familiar products. Look for "taino" (fritters stuffed with meat) and "san gochon" (broth made from several types of meat and vegetables) on the menu.
Treat yourself to a variety of tropical fruits - coconut, pineapple, mango, avocado, papaya, passion fruit, pitahaya (and other ya-i 🙂) can be obtained for very ridiculous money. There are also rare fruits - guanabana, mammon, granadilla, medlar. If you find it on the market, you should definitely try it.
Important! Buying food on the beaches is dangerous!
Entertainment and attractions
Diving enthusiasts will appreciate the warm Caribbean Sea with colorful corals, colorful tropical animals, underwater grottoes and caves and sunken ships. In the waters of the Atlantic, by the way, there is not much to see. Most dive sites are along the coast. Beginners will get their share of impressions in shallow water, for experienced ones there are zones up to 30 m deep with visibility within 15-25 m. For diving, snorkeling and “water safari”, you can go to the nearby island of Catalinita.
Those who wish to dilute a measured beach holiday with an excursion program are offered trips around Punta Cana. Of the attractions, parks, lagoons, islands, waterfalls and coral reefs can be of interest.
Nature lovers should visit the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve. Here, the virgin rainforest (and with it 500 species of endangered plants and about 100 species of birds) is preserved in its original form. Bring your bathing suits - clear water lagoons hide in the shade of the forest.
The neighboring town of Salvaleón de Higüey will gladly welcome fans of historical and religious sites and architectural monuments. Basically, all the buildings belong to the colonial era. Church of the Holy Virgin of La Altagracia, the well of the Holy Virgin and the Cross of Forgiveness, in addition to idle tourists, also attract crowds of Catholic pilgrims.
Punta Cana for kids
Punta Cana is a great place to visit with kids. Game rooms, playgrounds, animators and children's water attractions - everything, as in the best traditions of 5 * hotels. A good option for families with children who want to relax in a paradise, we recommend the Club Med Punta Cana resort complex - the resort has many sports programs for adults and children included in the accommodation: circus trapeze, golf, tennis, archery and many others.
Children will also be interested in the natural park "Manati" and the marine "Marinarium".
On the territory of Manati there is a botanical garden with orchids and other tropical plants, a zoo inhabited by exotic reptiles and birds, and a dolphinarium.
"Marinarium" is an unusual park in the open sea. Entrance is allowed for children from 13 years of age. Their leisure time will brighten up snorkelling, diving, a trip on a boat with a transparent bottom, as well as the opportunity to stroke a real stingray.
The article was prepared specifically for shop-ultra.ru
