Photo credit: Frank Elias Rainieri
For many, the town of Punta Cana is the perfect destination any time of the year, but February is when the region becomes truly special. This year, thousands of local and international visitors descend on the city to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Punta Cana Carnival, an event that showcases the region’s artistic and cultural attractions on a global scale.
The 2024 Carnival, held on Saturday, February 3rd at November 1st Boulevard, kicked off with the coronation of King Momo, named after former baseball star George Bell, the first Dominican-born player to win the American League MVP award. Festivities continued with a parade that included 37 of the best parade troupes and more than 1,500 Carnival members representing the entire Caribbean and beyond.
In a vibrant atmosphere of live music, food trucks and entertainment, attendees could also admire the colorful masks and costumes of the parade performers and listen to the horns and percussion played by Dominican youth bands. Carnival was not only fun and exciting, it was also a testament to the beauty of the city and an ode to the traditions and folklore of the country itself.
If you’re traveling to Punta Cana for next year’s Carnival, or to the Dominican Republic as a whole, you’ll probably need a place to stay. While the area is full of tourist-oriented resorts, The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club is a beautiful seaside paradise that everyone can experience. This newly renovated resort offers guests a rejuvenating stay with energizing wellness amenities and thoughtful hotel rooms and suites.
The dining options at The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club are also excellent, especially for those who value both ambiance and flavor. For breakfast, Anani serves up excellent Dominican cuisine in a colorful, refreshing space. Located right in front of the turquoise waters and coral reef, Arena Beach Club offers excellent service, handcrafted cocktails, music, outdoor seating and a friendly atmosphere perfect for lunch. For a quick drink, the ever-popular Lobby Bar is the perfect place to meet great people while enjoying a selection of drinks from our fantastic bartenders.
Putting an exclamation point on the evening is the choice of the resort’s numerous restaurants, especially two of its attractions: Brassa Grill & Bar and Bao. Brassa is a contemporary steakhouse serving the highest quality meats and fresh seafood from around the world, while the latter is an Asian restaurant offering a unique dining experience. The menu is packed with fun, delicious and innovative shareable dishes made with the freshest ingredients the Dominican Republic has to offer.
Perhaps the most enjoyable part of my experience at The Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club was the Six Senses Spa, surrounded by miles of blue water and white sand. The spa features Asian-inspired décor and offers innovative, all-inclusive couples’ and golf packages, as well as signature treatments and therapies. A team of world-renowned masseuses will rejuvenate your mind and body using patented holistic techniques and the unique Six Sphere philosophy. Whether it’s a relaxing local signature massage or a refreshing body scrub for healthy-looking skin, the spa aims to provide a life-changing experience for all who visit.
During my trip to Punta Cana, I had the opportunity to enjoy the Eco Journey experience, a two-hour tour of the Sustainability Center’s various stations. This fun and educational tour included lessons on iguanas, honeybees, and Hispaniola buzzards. After these events, I had the chance to swim in the mystical lagoons of the Ojos Indigenous Ecological Reserve. The reserve is a collection of 12 freshwater lagoons formed by the underground river Yauya, which emerged to the surface due to the geological features of the area.
Resorts, Carnival 2024 and the Ojos Indigenous Ecological Reserve mean the Dominican Republic will continue to be one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations.
For more information about The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club, visit puntacana.com
