20 Things to Do in Punta Cana
Are you trying to figure out which things to do in Punta Cana are worth it? Let us tell you about all the best attractions and adventures to take in Punta Cana.
Did you know roughly 4.81 million people visit Punta Cana each year? It's a popular destination for travel because of all the fantastic activities the area has to offer.
With so much to do, knowing which things are worth spending your time on can be tricky.
You no doubt want to pack in as much as possible throughout your trip. Let us tell you the best things to do in Punta Cana so you don't waste even a minute of your time at this beautiful destination!
Visit the Seaquarium
After you take a taxi from the airport to your hotel, one of the first places you'll want to consider going to is the Seaquarium.
You'll get the adventure started by getting picked up from your hotel. From here, you'll hop on a catamaran and enjoy music, snacks, and drinks. Once you get to the quay, you can dive into the water and swim with the fish, manta rays, and even sharks!
You'll end the visit by going to a natural sea pool and enjoying the warm blue waters. This activity is a perfect introduction to Punta Cana!
The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve
This land is a 1,500-acre area owned by the Punta Cana Ecological Foundation. It's a tropical forest with 12 freshwater lakes you can explore.
There are several exhibits you can take a look at that discuss the history of the park. Even better, there's also an iguana habitat, a petting zoo with animals found in the Dominican Republic, and a sugarcane exhibit.
This area is a great place to learn some local history and take in gorgeous, untouched scenery.
Bavaro Adventure Park
This adventure park is a unique Punta Canta activity designed specifically for tourists to have something adventurous to do while they visit the area.
It's still eco-friendly, and the staff is all well-trained, so you and your family can enjoy the activities without worrying about safety. So what are a few of the things you can enjoy at this park?
Jungle River Ride
This ride involves hopping in a tube and letting the waters take you through cascading water, a spooky cavern, and beautiful natural landscapes. The current is gentle, making this activity safe for children and relaxing for adults.
It's like a lazy river ride at an amusement park, but better!
ATV Adventures
Take a ride on an off-road ATV and enjoy the beautiful shoreline. You're in complete control as you explore the area near the Atlantic Ocean, taking in the scenery and enjoying a high-adrenaline thrill ride.
Zipline
There's a zipline right in the park, so you can enjoy this along with several other activities all in one day!
There are six different lines to enjoy, all surrounded by gorgeous scenery, which makes for an amazing view on your ride down. You end the ride in a splash pool, perfect to cool you off on hot days!
Cana Bay Beach Club & Golf Resort
If you enjoy golfing, playing 18 holes is somehow even more enjoyable on vacation. However, this beautiful course has more to offer than just golfing.
There's also a beach bar and restaurant serving up yummy food and tasty specialty cocktails. Plus, you can enjoy a quick game of tennis on one of their courts while you're out and about.
Catamaran Tours
If you're wondering what to do in Punta Cana, taking a catamaran tour has to be at the top of your list! They're all a bit different in what they offer, but you'll always get to enjoy a nice ride with some stunning ocean views and snorkeling at an ideal location.
This is a great way to see the local sea life up close while spending time with friends and family.
Swim With Dolphins
Many people dream of swimming with dolphins, so this is one of the Punta Cana attractions to take advantage of! One particular location, Dolphin Explorer, lets you swim and interact with dolphins in the ocean instead of a pool.
Being with these creatures in their natural habitat is sure to create a memory you'll never forget. Be sure to take photos to remember this unique experience!
Tour With HorsePlay Punta Cana
If swimming with dolphins isn't your thing and you'd rather bond with some land animals, this is the option for you. This company offers eco-friendly tours.
One way you can take a tour is by riding a horse to learn more about the culture and visit some fun local sites. You'll try horseback riding, taste cocoa and coffee, and visit Rancho Real to try some of the finest tobacco in the world.
This tour has something for everyone!
Take a Jeep Safari
There are several different locations you can take Jeep safari tours. This activity is excellent for people looking to escape from the beach for a bit and get a more authentic Dominican lifestyle experience.
Along with the safari, you'll enjoy some local food and a visit to breathtaking Macao Beach, where you'll enjoy white sands and clear waters. This beach is a must-visit location in the area, and getting there by taking a Jeep tour makes it even more enjoyable.
Relax at the Beach
Speaking of beautiful beaches, you can't just admire the Punta Cana sights from afar. You need to enjoy them up close. That's why taking a day to simply relax at the beach is crucial.
You'll no doubt enjoy resting your feet, sipping a tasty drink, and listening to the waves roll in.
This is also a perfect time to build a sandcastle with the kids, read a book, or try your hand at surfing!
Learn to Surf
Unless you live by the water, it's likely you've never tried surfing before. Punta Cana is the perfect place to try! There are instructors who can teach you the basics, so you don't have to head out into the water on your own.
There's no feeling that can compare to gliding along with a wave while you're surrounded by nothing but beautiful ocean water.
There are plenty of other water activities to try out in the area if surfing isn't something you want to try. You can find some ideas here.
Visit Scape Park
If you take the time to visit this park, you'll get to tour unique caves with hidden pools of water inside. You'll also have yet another opportunity to try zip lining if you don't get anywhere else, and there's an exclusive beach club you can enjoy.
Overall, taking a swim inside a cave makes for an incredible photo opportunity, so visiting this park for that attraction alone is worth it.
This park is 247 acres of pure fun!
Enjoy the Local Eats
Like anywhere else, Punta Cana has some amazing places to eat delicious food you'll remember forever.
There is a diverse range of restaurants, some even offering Asian, French, or Mexican food to satisfy your palate. All the restaurants focus on using fresh, local ingredients. As a result, you'll probably taste some flavors you've never experienced before.
Be sure to try some seafood since it's guaranteed to be fresh! You can check out 30 highly recommended local restaurants by clicking here.
Take a Helicopter Tour
Several companies offer private helicopter tours of the area.
What better way to take in the scenery than from above? You'll get a sprawling view of all the area has to offer, all while enjoying some champagne.
This activity provides a wonderful opportunity to pop the question if you plan on proposing in Punta Cana!
Go Whale Watching
Throughout January, February, and March of each year, humpback whales are in the area so they can complete their annual mating ritual.
The whale sanctuary in Samana provides you with a wonderful opportunity to see the whales, and the best part is it's free. So if you're in Punta Cana during these months, taking advantage of this activity and seeing whales, perhaps for the first time, is a must!
Head to the Chocolate Museum
Who doesn't love chocolate? But, even more so, who doesn't love really good chocolate?
The Dominican Republic is known for its chocolate. Because of this, they have a whole museum dedicated to it! You'll be able to learn how chocolate is made and try making some yourself right from the bean.
You'll never have more fresh chocolate in your life!
See a Show at CoCo Bongo
CoCo Bongo is a world-famous venue, so chances are you've heard of it before. People travel from all over the world to spend a night here. It's not your typical nightclub where you can expect to dance to music from a sub-par DJ.
Instead, you'll have the chance to take in nonstop performances from talented bands, acrobats, impersonators, and more. It's one of the best spots to get a fun nightlife experience while you visit the area.
Be sure to take a look at the schedule ahead of time so you know what shows are available throughout your visit!
Shopping
Is any vacation complete without some shopping? You'll definitely want to grab some souvenirs to remember the trip by. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to get some clothing and accessories you won't find anywhere else.
You'll also want to take home some coffee and chocolate to savor long after your trip has ended. You can find some of the best shopping spots in the area here.
Visit Pearl Beach Club
Pearl Beach Club is a nice place to visit if you enjoy trying unique drinks. An expert mixologist crafts delicious cocktails that you can enjoy with your toes in the sand.
Chances are you'll try a drink here that you can't have anywhere else in the world.
Plus, they also double as a wedding venue. So if you're opting for a destination wedding and vacation rolled into one, this is a great place to check out.
Try Parasailing
Have you ever wanted to soar through the air and feel like you're flying? Then, parasailing is the activity for you!
There are several different ways you can try this activity. For example, you could parasail off a catamaran or party boat or rent your own speed boat to have two activities in one.
No matter how you take part in this activity, you're sure to have a blast!
Relax at a Spa
Taking a vacation can be tiring, especially if you're packing in as many activities as you can. Because of that, spending a few hours at the spa is a great way to relax and rejuvenate yourself.
This way, you'll look forward to your next activity instead of feeling tired and worn out. Whether you want a classic massage, a specialty facial to soothe your skin from being out in the sun, or you'd like to get your nails done to show off in your sandals, there's a spa for you.
Some of the spas might be a little drive out from where you're staying, so knowing the best Punta Cana transportation is helpful.
Endless Things to Do in Punta Cana
Punta Cana offers countless activities. No matter what you like to do, this destination has something to offer for you!
This article highlighted 20 things to do in Punta Cana, from water activities to exploring caves to ziplining to shopping. Try to take part in as many of these things as possible to give yourself the best Punta Cana experience possible!