PUNTA CANA, Sept. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Named in the 1970s by one of the Dominican Republic’s most important real estate developers, Frank Rainieri, Punta Cana is a coastal paradise located in the northeastern tip of the country. Its white sandy beaches, stretching for about 90 kilometers on the Atlantic Ocean, attracted millions of dollars of investment in “all-inclusive” hotels, mainly from Spain and North America, at the end of the last century. This led to the development of tourism, perfect for families and groups of friends who prefer to do everything in a planned manner, but that compromised the possibilities to explore the region in depth and immerse yourself in the culture and the rich nature of Dominica. Fortunately, Punta Cana is not just about impact tourism. On the contrary, it offers a wide range of special experiences that allow you to connect with the local culture.
directions
Avianca and Wingo offer daily direct flights from Medellin and Bogota. Once you’ve reached your destination, Punta Cana airport is just 15 minutes from the area’s major hotels. Another option is to travel with Copa Airlines and connect in Panama.
Where to stay
Tortuga Bay – A luxury boutique hotel designed by Oscar de la Renta. Located directly in front of the Punta Cana Resort’s restricted access beach, it is the most exclusive gated condominium in Punta Cana. It consists of 13 villas (single, double and triple) of various sizes and 30 suites, all with ocean views. The hotel is known as a haven of absolute privacy, one of the most important standards of modern luxury. Tortuga Bay provides each family with a golf cart to get around the resort, enjoy activities such as golf, tennis and horseback riding, go for walks and enjoy the other amenities in the condominium.
Westin – While not a super luxury hotel like the aforementioned hotels, the Westin is also located within the Punta Cana resort. This detail makes all the difference, giving you access to all the same amenities and activities as Tortuga Bay, but at a more affordable price. The hotel has two fine restaurants, a huge pool surrounded by private “cabanas” for lounging all day, and a beach with comfortable furniture and a private dock – it’s just amazing. It’s a great option for those who don’t want to spend too much.
Eden Roc – the only Relais & Châteaux in the country and perhaps one of the most unique locations in Punta Cana. Surrounded by majestic cliffs, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Punta Espada Golf Course owned by Jack Nicklaus (the all-time golfer by tournament wins), Eden Roc is a premier destination. In addition to 34 luxury villas with private pools and golf carts, Eden Roc delights with beautiful beaches and a remarkable level of fine dining by Executive Chef Adriano Venturini, who worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK and Italy before joining the Eden Roc team.
Where to eat
While the restaurant scene is still centered around the in-hotel offerings, Punta Cana has some very good gastronomic options, mostly focusing on international cuisine, in the area known as Punta Cana Village. But to experience Dominican cuisine at its best, it’s worth a visit to Morisognando. This is the restaurant of Chef Inés Paez (known as Chef Tita), a Dominican woman committed to giving all the attention and excellence to the traditional cuisine of her country in a fine dining setting that meets all the standards of other big name chefs in Latin America. Morisognando is an hour and a half drive from Punta Cana (transport to and from is very easy) and is the perfect way to get in touch with Dominican culinary traditions.
Explore Nature
Ojos Indigenous – a 600-hectare ecological reserve with a diverse range of flora and fauna, including nearly 200 species of plants endemic to the Dominican Republic. The most amazing features are the 12 lagoons created by the blooming of the underground Yauya River, which runs through the reserve. Day trips to the reserve, known as “cenotes,” include hiking and swimming in these incredible bodies of water.
Saona Island – This Dominican flora and fauna reserve is located in the southeasternmost part of the country and is part of Cotubanama National Park. Home to over 539 species to date and gorgeous beaches, most of which are natural pools, Saona Island is the place to experience the region and local culture. To get there, take a boat from Bayahibe, a picturesque fishing village just an hour’s drive from Punta Cana.
Los Haitises National Park – Located in the north of the island, on Samaná Bay, this national park is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. Everything about Haitises is magical and sacred, from the pods of humpback whales that migrate along the coast each year to the rock formations that jut out from the mountains and into the water like the slender fingers of a giant hand. Plan to dedicate at least two days to this visit.
