Picturesque beaches, luxury resorts, and pristine natural environments. These are some of the holiday attractions in the Dominican Republic that make it a popular tourism spot. And one of their top vacation spots is the beach town of Punta Cana. Here are some of the best locations and top activities in Punta Cana:

Macao Beach

The unspoilt white beaches, clear blue water, lush vegetation and rocky cliffs make Playa Macao a photogenic spot along with being one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic. A horseback trip along the coast may help you better appreciate the scenery. For those looking for a laidback experience this is a place to sunbathe, and indulge in some seafood made with fresh catch, coupled with a chilled drink. If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, then surfing is a common local activity. Surfing lessons are also provided for those seeking to learn. The beach at its fullest, and liveliest at the weekends so if you want to have more of the beach for yourself, then you’ll need to go on the weekdays. Finally, with Punta Cana being a beach destination, you’ll want to visit when the weather is at it’s best. The Doiminican Republic’s weather is sunny and warm year round, except for the Atlantic hurricane season lasting from late summer to early winter.

Reserva Ecológica Ojos Indígenas (Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park)

If you fancy yourself a nature lover then you wouldn’t wanna miss out on this place. The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is a nature reserve spanning 1500 acres of private protected area belonging to the Grupo Puntacana foundation and is used for conservation, scientific research and leisure. Entry is $50, or free if you’re staying in one of the community hotels. In cases where you’re traveling with more than 10 people, reservations will need to be made in advance. There are five lagoons you are permitted to swim in. Their clear waters let you see the lagoon beds making it a lovely swimming spot and make for great pictures. The reserve’s lush and diverse natural environment with several species of birds, lizards and vegetations, provide excellent walking trails suitable for hikers of all physical builds, whether they be children or adept trekkers. Other nearby attractions include a petting zoo, and the nearby Puntacana Ecological Foundation to see natural projects such as beekeeping.

Scape Park

Scape Park at Cap Cana is a natural theme park hosting several thrills and attractions. The zip lines are the featured attractions of which there are two: the Saltos Azules and Zip Line Eco Adventure. The Saltos Azules is water themed where you zipline into water surrounded by caves and waterfalls. The Zip Line Eco adventure, as its name suggests, has a nature and forest theme. This 12-line zipline course has two of the longest ziplines in the Caribbean, so you get a great view of the forested canopies as you rush past them. The next attraction is the Hoyo Azul(Blue Hole), which is a beautiful blue hidden cenote(natural pool) located at the base of a 200 foot cliff. Finally, you can also book the Scape Park Sunshine Cruise which is a double package combining cruise and snorkel tours. Here you first board a cruise yacht and go sailing along the gorgeous coastline. Later in the cruise is the scuba dive. As you dock near the Bucaneros coral reef you then go for a 2.5 hour snorkeling session where you can feed and interact with the fish. Definitely one of the best ways to get an up close and personal experience with Punta Cana’s breathtaking underwater world! The Scape Park sunshine cruise also has amenities such as an open bar with lunch options and a hotel pick-up and drop-off.

Go on Buggy adventures

Punta Cana’s natural environment is perfect for a variety of outdoor activities and one that is accessible to most age groups is buggy driving. There is a small selection of driving tours where you can explore the wilderness and stop at a variety of places such as beaches, pools and the Monkeyland where you can interact with squirrel monkeys up close! This is a superb way to explore the many places that Punta Cana has for you. A particularly thrilling ride is the Punta Cana dune buggy which is an off-road adventure that lasts for half a day. Alongside the delights of off-road driving you get to visit organic farms growing coffee and chocolate, try out their products and get the help of a photographer for professional quality pics. Keep in mind that there are different packages for each tour, so you’ll have to choose accordingly.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still going on, you might find this travel advisory helpful in deciding when to plan your trip.