Punta Cana 3-day itinerary

Start at Playa Bávaro — white sand, turquoise water, and coconut palms stretching as far as you can see. The water is calm, warm, and shallow for 50+ metres from shore — perfect for swimming. Rent a lounger (DOP 500–1,000 at public sections) or bring a towel. Breakfast from a beach vendor — empanadas (DOP 100–150) and fresh fruit juice (DOP 100–200). This is Caribbean paradise in its purest form.

Book a snorkelling boat trip to the offshore reef (DOP 2,000–3,500 for 2–3 hours) — tropical fish, coral formations, and sometimes rays. Alternatively, try paddleboarding (DOP 1,500/hour), kayaking (DOP 800–1,200/hour), or a catamaran cruise (DOP 3,000–5,000 with drinks). Lunch at Captain Cook's on the beach for grilled seafood (DOP 600–1,200) with your feet literally in the sand.

Walk to El Cortecito — the local strip between resorts. Dinner at La Palapa by Eden Roc for beachfront dining (DOP 800–1,500) or eat Dominican at a back-street comedor for la bandera (rice, beans, meat, DOP 200–400). Rum is the drink here — Brugal or Barceló with Coke at a beach bar for DOP 150–300. Oro Nightclub and Coco Bongo are the big club options (DOP 2,500–5,000 with open bar).

Head to Scape Park at Cap Cana for the Hoyo Azul — a stunning natural swimming hole at the base of a 75m limestone cliff. The water is turquoise, cool, and incredibly clear. The short walk through tropical forest to reach it builds anticipation. Scape Park also offers ziplines over the jungle (DOP 4,000–6,000) and cave exploration if you want more adventure.

Stay in Cap Cana or drive to the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park (DOP 1,500) — 12 freshwater lagoons connected by forest trails in a 1,500-acre reserve. Three lagoons are open for swimming — the water is crystal clear and surrounded by jungle. Howler monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds are common. It is a peaceful contrast to the beach scene. Pack a lunch or eat at the park cafe.

Return for sunset at the beach — Playa Bávaro faces east so sunsets are behind you, but the sky still turns spectacular colours. For a west-facing sunset, head to Playa Juanillo in Cap Cana — a postcard-perfect beach with beach clubs. Dinner at Jellyfish for seafood on the sand (DOP 800–1,500) or Pearl Beach Club for a more upscale experience. Dominicana rum cocktails to end the night.

Book a full-day trip to Isla Saona (DOP 3,000–5,500 including transport, boat, lunch, and drinks). The catamaran ride through the turquoise shallows with a natural pool stop is the highlight — knee-deep water with starfish, rum punch in hand. Saona's beaches are pristine — white sand, clear water, and coconut palms. Lunch is typically fresh fish, rice, and beans on the beach.

Spend the afternoon on Saona's main beach — swimming, snorkelling, and hammock lounging. The island is part of Parque Nacional del Este and feels genuinely remote despite the day-trippers. The catamaran return trip usually includes music, dancing, and unlimited rum punch. You will arrive back in Punta Cana sunburnt, happy, and probably slightly drunk.

Last evening in Punta Cana. For a final local experience, find a colmado (Dominican corner store) where locals gather to drink Presidente beer (DOP 100–150) and play dominoes — this is the real Dominican Republic. Or splurge on dinner at La Yola in Puntacana Resort (DOP 2,000–3,500 for seafood on a deck over the marina). One last walk on Bávaro beach under the stars.