Honeymooners
The most popular resort area with beautiful beaches and clear waters.

Divers
Punta Cana boasts the island’s longest coral reef.

Families
The ultimate playground for watersports, fishing and playing games.

Beach Lovers
Explore 30 miles of pristine beaches with sapphire-blue waters.

Transfers
Transfers between the airport and hotel are included with your air and hotel vacation package. It takes 20 - 45 minutes to travel between the airport and hotels.

Taxi
The best mode of transport in the area is via taxi. They aren’t metered, however, so it is important to negotiate the fare before getting in. Your hotel can help you with knowing how much the taxi fare should cost and to help with giving the driver directions, if they do not speak English. Be sure to only take registered taxis.

Car
Rental cars are not recommended in Punta Cana, nor are they needed. Nearly all activities are at your hotel or a short walk down the beach.

To find out about “what’s new” around the Dominican Republic, visitors should read The Santo Domingo News. This is an English language newspaper featuring the most current news, special events and new island attractions. Special Dominican holidays are January 21, January 26, February 27, May 1, August 16, September 24, October 26 and December 5.

http://www.dominicantoday.com/

Altagracia Day.  
January 21. The country’s most important religious festival celebrating, “Lady Altagracia,” the Patron Saint of the Dominican Republic. 

Duarte Day.
January 26. A national holiday celebrating the birthday of Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic.

Carnaval.
February. The biggest, most colorful event in the Dominican Republic, celebrated every Sunday in February with festive parades and street dancing. Tourists are encouraged to join the fun with the locals.

Independence Restoration Day.
August 16. Commemorating the nation’s final independence from Spain in 1865, festivities include street parades and performances of the national anthem.

Entertainment
The Dominican Republic is very laid back, and the majority of nightlife will be centered around your hotel’s theater. The one exception to this is the amazing and spectacular show, Tropicalisimo, at the Barceló Bavaro Palace in Punta Cana. The show is included for guests of that hotel. But if you are staying elsewhere, you can get tickets to the show.

Jardin Botanico Nacional Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso
A delightfully tranquil, green oasis in Santo Domingo and one of the best botanical gardens in the Caribbean. Stroll through the forest reserve, Japanese gardens, orchid gardens and more or take a guided train ride. There are 29 native species of birds flying around the Dominican Republic. The gardens are one of the best places in Santo Domingo for rare bird sightings as well as a welcome escape from the busy city.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Punta Cana boasts the island’s longest coral reef, so snorkeling and scuba diving are favorite pastimes. It is also a great place for beginning divers, as the waters, even far out, are shallow. Diving excursions can take you out to discover shipwrecks and coral formations.

Zona Colonial
Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo is the 12-block area where Spanish civilization in the New World began. The cobblestone streets and ancient buildings echo the footsteps of explorers Columbus, Cortés, Ponce de León and swashbuckling pirates who used to call this area home. Many of the monuments in the Zone have been well preserved for the ages and mark the first European influence in the New World.

Arrival Information
Upon arrival in the Punta Cana airport, you will need to pay a Dominican Republic Visitor tax of $10 person. This rate is the same amount for adult or child and is subject to change. The tax must be paid with cash and U.S. dollars are accepted.