7 Tips for Punta Cana Vacationers
Punta Cana is located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic in the heart of the Caribbean. It is known for luxury accommodations tastefully blended into its beautiful natural surroundings. It has become quite popular for a quick, warm winter getaway for people in Canada, Europe, and the United States. They come by the thousands to sunbathe in Punta Cana when it is winter cold in their own countries.
If you are thinking of a vacation in Punta Cana, I want to share with you 7 travel tips that will make your stay more pleasant:
Avoid taking a taxi if you can
There’s nothing particularly wrong with taxis in the Punta Cana area, but fares can be exorbitant. For comparison, a fair that will only cost $4-$5 in Santo Domingo (the capital city of the Dominican Republic) can set you back $20-$40 in Punta Cana.
To avoid taxis, try to negotiate with your travel agent for an airport transfer, both to and from, to be included in the package; many are and if you buy it you should be able to find it. If you’re taking a tour to one of the parks or islands, be sure to ask the tour operator if the cost of the tour includes pick-up from your resort or hotel and drop-off. to find this. You can also rent a car for a reasonable fee instead of a taxi. Many of the big name car rental places are there: Avis, Budget, Eurocar, National and Prestige. If you’re really budget-conscious, you can also take the bus called the guagua, which covers the entire coast of Punta Cana and beyond. The nozzles work every 15 to 30 minutes. If you need to travel to Santo Domingo, be sure to look for the Bávaro Express.
How to find the whitest beach
The most coveted beaches in the Dominican Republic seem to be the white sand beaches, the whiter the better in my folks book. Tourists love the beauty of these beaches and also how the silky fine sand feels between their toes. However, not all the beaches of “Punta Cana” are white.
What tourists often don’t realize is that what is now known as the “Punta Cana” coastline of the Dominican Republic stretches for some 38-39 miles. This is the entire east coast of the Dominican Republic. The color of the sand varies significantly along this stretch. In general, the further south you go, the whiter the sand. Punta Cana’s coastline is shaped like an arrowhead pointing east. Where the arrow reaches a point is called El Macau. North of this point, the white sands begin to turn more golden. This can also be very pretty, but if you’re a true fan of pure white sand, you’ll probably want to look for a resort south of El Macao or find a resort on the southeast coast.
How to get through customs more easily
First, let me tell you some good news. Going through customs at the Punta Cana Airport is much easier than at the Santo Domingo Airport or other Caribbean Airports such as Cancun. However, with that said, there are a few simple things you can do to lessen the chance that you will run into any kind of problem going through customs.
As soon as you arrive in Punta Cana, you will need to get a “tourist card” which costs only $10 and you can get it at the airport before you go through customs. There may be a line for these though, so if you want to speed things up, try including this in your package so you’ll be handed a tourist card before you get off the plane. Customs agents can be a bit picky about anything that could be construed as a “sharp object.” Items like knitting needles and umbrellas can be considered “sharp objects” and can be held and even confiscated. Be sure to pack these types of items in your checked baggage to avoid problems. Also, make sure all your prescription medications are CLEARLY labeled. There is a strict zero tolerance for drugs in the Dominican Republic, so you don’t want to give customs agents any cause for concern. Another big “no-no”: both in and out is ANYTHING derived from plant material or animal parts. This can include hats made from coconut fibers, shells, fruit, wood carvings, etc. These items will be confiscated and can make going through customs longer than necessary.There are exceptions, such as amber jewelry that contains insect parts.The real concern is the spread of insects and microorganisms across the border.
Defend yourself on public beaches
Officially, all beaches in the Dominican Republic are public. However, many of the resorts like to post signs and patrol the beaches in front of their resorts as if they have a private beach.
When you are walking on the beach, just know that you can walk on any of the beaches and you should politely stand your ground if someone approaches you and tells you otherwise. Just let them know that you only intend to drop by.
Inclining expectations and giving gifts to the locals
You are expected to tip waiters and waitresses. 5-10% is considered the norm. Bartenders are often tipped $1 per round, sometimes more if the drinks are more complicated to make. Hotel maids are typically tipped $2 to $5 per day and airport bellhops $1 per bag. You are also expected to tip tour guides. Guides generally receive $5 for half day tours and $5 – $10 for full day tours.
It is also becoming more and more popular to leave gifts for the locals. Children’s candy, toys and school supplies are very popular. Normally books, makeup and jewelry are left. It’s best to check with the tour guides you’re dating and hotel staff to determine what might be the most appropriate and most necessary items to bring as a gift. Remember that this is a country that is a “third world” country with an emerging economy and there are many needs.
Find a resort that suits your needs
Different resorts cater to different needs. Some resorts cater to families with children. Others are “adults only” and cater to those couples looking for a romantic getaway with no kids underfoot. Many resorts in the Punta Cana area follow European customs. Some Americans like this, but some don’t. If you don’t, be sure to find a resort that’s more compliant with American customs.
You may want to get a comprehensive list of all the activities on offer at the resorts you are considering, as this will often help make your decision on which one to choose much easier. Some resorts offer better activities for children, some are supervised and some are not. Some offer sailing, surfing, windsurfing, dancing, diving, and other highly desirable classes. Some have activities like horseback riding and buggies that others don’t. Some resorts are better designed for the disabled and others with special needs.
How to take excursions in Punta Cana
Most resort vacation packages include some opportunities for off-resort excursions. Most are very simple, like a boat ride to a reef for snorkeling or taking a catamaran cruise to an island. However, hotel tours are almost never the way to have the best adventure outside of your resort. Local fishermen and other locals often offer to take tourists out on their boats as well. These can really be hit or miss, more often than not they fail unfortunately. You should also keep in mind that these venues are almost never licensed or linked, so if anything were to happen, you’d be stuck.
You will have a much richer and more memorable experience if you take excursions in Punta Cana with a tour operator specialized in offering excursions. Your excursion will also be much safer. The tours that get the most recognition are those that offer eco-adventures where you can really explore nature and culture in depth with people who truly care and have a deep understanding and appreciation for the wildlife and people of the area. Take at least one of these types of excursions and compare them to what the resorts have to offer and the difference will be apparent to you.