An insider’s guide to Dominican Republic – a choice of the best natural attractions you must visit in Punta Cana, the 3 best beaches, 3 paradise islands and 3 amazing nature parks with picture perfect scenery.
The Best Beaches, Islands & Nature Attractions In Punta Cana
Authored by Chris Jannasch
Are you dreaming of a holiday in Punta Cana? Luxury, all-inclusive resorts are appealing but there’s much more to enjoy, just step outside to discover the infinite beaches, stunning natural attractions and other hidden gems. There are lots of places you can visit, different excursions which can be booked, and it’s good to know which ones are best. Here are some insights into what to do and what to see around Punta Cana, for a memorable vacation in the Dominican Republic.
Table of Content
- The 3 Best Beaches In Punta Cana
- Playa Bavaro – Punta Cana’s Main Beach
- Playa Juanillo – The Picturesque Beach
- Playa Esmeralda – The Pristine Beach
- The 3 Most Popular Islands Around Punta Cana
- Isla Saona – Most Popular Island In Dominican Republic
- Isla Catalina – The Little Sister Island Of Isla Saona
- Cayo Levantado – The Whale Watching Island
- The 3 Best Natural Attractions Around Punta Cana
- Los Haitises National Park – Nature From Deep Inside
- Montaña Redonda – Nature From Above
- Salto de la Jalda – Nature As Remote As It Can Be
The 3 Best Beaches In Punta Cana
Playa Bavaro – Punta Cana’s Main Beach
When it comes to Punta Cana, there’s no way to miss Playa Bavaro, the main beach which stretches for an impressive 16 miles from Macao right down south to Cabeza de Toro. This means you can walk the whole day without your feet leaving the sand, except for a small river you have to cross.
This everlasting stretch of paradise consists of various sections, among them Playa Cabeza de Toro, Playa Los Corales, Playa El Cortecito and Playa Arena Gorda. It doesn’t matter where you go you will always find exceptional beaches fringed with hundreds of palm trees, an idyllic setting exactly how you imagine the Caribbean to be. If you are looking for gorgeously white sand, the stretches towards the northwest are even finer.
Exploring Playa Bavaro beach you’ll find different vibes along the vast stretch of sands. While some parts are lined by luxurious all-inclusive resorts, others are fashionable with elegant beach clubs, ocean view apartments and chill-out bars. Towards the southeastern and the northwestern limits you’ll find the most pristine coastline at Playa Cabeza de Toro and Playa Arena Gorda.
How to get to Playa Bavaro: If you are on holiday in Punta Cana, chances are high that your hotel will lead directly onto Playa Bavaro. If not, there are public areas of beach which you can access at Los Corales, El Cortecito, Bibijagua and Cabeza de Toro.
Playa Juanillo – The Picturesque Beach
Are you looking for the best photogenic beach in Punta Cana? Then visit Playa Juanillo in the south. This area is called Cap Cana, a secluded community of luxury villas, resorts and golf courses. If you are staying nearby, going out for a meal at one of the restaurants or on an organised trip to Cap Cana, you must visit Playa Juanillo too. This beach has some of the whitest sands in the entire region, and a jetty juts out over the turquoise water making the picture perfect scene. Of course, it’s not only about cool photos but a fabulous beach where you can enjoy the Caribbean sun and swim in the ocean. And there are a couple of beach clubs too!
How to get to Playa Juanillo: You can easily walk to Playa Juanillo if your hotel is in the Cap Cana area, alternatively take a taxi or hire a rental car. While you’re there enjoy a meal or drinks at one of the beach clubs.
Playa Esmeralda – The Pristine Beach
Can you imagine a deserted pristine beach only 40 miles away from lively Punta Cana? A beach where you can walk for miles without meeting a soul? Although developments are planned for the future, Playa Esmeralda is still virgin, a secret paradise along the east coast of Dominican Republic. If you have ever dreamt of having a beach all for yourself, consider making the trip up to Playa Esmeralda. And should meet anyone there, just walk on to the next bay – there are dozens of untouched beaches to the east, all connected with each other.
How to get to Playa Esmeralda: An hour to 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Punta Cana, you can either rent a car or take a taxi to get there.
The 3 Most Popular Islands Around Punta Cana
Isla Saona – The Most Popular Island In The Dominican Republic
In contrast to Playa Esmeralda, where you’ll hardly meet any other holidaymakers, Isla Saona is the most popular excursion in the entire Dominican Republic! Visited by thousands of people every day, this may sound like a touristy experience but it is still an amazing tour that shouldn’t be missed while on vacation in Punta Cana. The scenery with its aquamarine waters, swaying palm trees and the picture-perfect beaches are just mind-blowing, and the feeling of being on a catamaran listening to Dominican music while sipping a rum and coke is exactly what you expect from a holiday in the Caribbean. If you don’t like boats full of people, choose a premium tour with a smaller group for a more sophisticated experience.
How to get to Isla Saona: It’s best is to book a round trip from Punta Cana. You will be picked up by bus and taken to Bayahibe, which is about an hour away, where you board the boat and start the tour.
Isla Catalina – The Little Sister Island Of Isla Saona
If you think that Isla Saona is not worth adding to your Punta Cana itinerary, because you prefer less-crowded attractions, then check out Isla Catalina instead. It’s around 20 miles northwest of Isla Saona and can be visited by catamaran as well. The whole scenery and island setting might not be as 100% as picturesque as Isla Saona but it’s still super gorgeous – the big plus is that the focus is more on the boat tour, so if you are looking for an extended day cruise with music, drinks and dancing as well as visiting an uninhabited island, Isla Catalina is the perfect choice for you. What’s more, it is quieter and has better snorkeling than Isla Saona.
How to get to Isla Catalina: It’s a good idea to book a round trip from Punta Cana. You will be picked up by bus and taken to La Romana (approx. 1h 15 minute drive), where you board the boat and start your tour.
Cayo Levantado – The Whale-Watching Island
Cayo Levantado is an island in the bay of Samaná roughly 70 miles northwest of Punta Cana. While very few excursions come solely to this island, you can get here easily on a variety of tours. Cayo Levantado, which is also known as Bacardi Island, is usually visited in combination with either a trip to the Samaná Peninsula, to the Salto El Limón waterfall or on a whale-watching excursion. These all include a boat ride across the bay of Samaná to Cayo Levantado.
The excursions to Samaná and Salto El Limón are sometimes quite long, so the best way to visit Cayo Levantado is together with a whale-watching trip – the area is a breeding ground for the large humpbacks which come every year to the Bay of Samaná between January and March. Whale-watching is one of the most exciting experiences you can book from Punta Cana and visiting Cayo Levantado afterwards is a nice way to unwind and relax. The island has a public beach and amazingly turquoise waters, and there are several restaurants or beach bars where you can order the signature drink: an authentic Coco Loco made with fresh coconut water, Dominican rum, coconut cream and ice, all served in the original coconut shell. However, it’s best to avoid Cayo Levantado when there is a cruise ship in Samaná port because it does gets crowded then.
How to get to Cayo Levantado: the island can either be visited on a guided excursion or you can do a road trip from Punta Cana to Samaná and take a 15-minute boat ride to hop over to Bacardi Island.
The 3 Most Beautiful Natural Attractions Around Punta Cana
Los Haitises National Park – Nature From Deep Inside
If you want to see the Samaná Bay from a different angle, head over to Los Haitises National Park, one of the most diverse eco-systems in the Dominican Republic. An exuberant flora, abundant fauna with various endemic species, and unspoiled natural beauty makes it worth exploring. It’s best to go either on a boat tour or take a multi-day trip with an overnight stay at the eco-lodge within the park. You’ll see endless mangroves, secluded islands, various caves and historic paintings from the Taino natives. The nature reserve does receive a fair share of visitors but is so large you can still feel the peace and tranquility of this lovely conservation area.
How to get to Los Haitises: Book a tour, take a taxi, or hire a car to head out northwest, it’s approximately a 2-and-a-half-hour drive from Punta Cana.
Montaña Redonda – Nature From Above
On the way to Los Haitises you can stop off at Montaña Redonda, a distinctive hill on Miches coast. There are spectacular views for miles around, over Laguna Redonda, Playa Esmeralda and Playa Limón, and a 360-degree panorama of the lush surrounding mountainsides. However, it’s the giant swings and hammocks right on the edge of the mountain which attract most attention – a unique chance to shoot photos and enjoy the incredible feeling as you fly through the air. Unbelievably, Montaña Redonda is still a hidden gem and rarely visited by tourists from Punta Cana.
How to get to Montaña Redonda: You can either book a tour or take a car/taxi to head northwest. It’s approximately a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Punta Cana.
Salto de la Jalda – Nature As Remote As It Can Be
Salto de la Jalda is the highest waterfall in the Caribbean – and you can visit it right from Punta Cana. It’s most likely that you will have it all to yourself as hardly anyone visits this stunning attraction. The reason for such an iconic place being totally unspoiled is the long hike you have to tackle to get here. Depending on the vehicle you are arriving in, there is at least a 10-mile return hike to reach Salto de la Jalda and back. There are no infrastructures at all along the way but once you are there it’s absolutely worth the effort… yes, the highest waterfall in the Caribbean all for yourself! The trek is mostly on flat terrain so if you don’t mind walking, come along for the challenge and enjoy one of the best adventures in the whole Dominican Republic.
How to get there: The trailhead is in Magua, between Miches and Sabana de la Mar, roughly a 2-hour drive from Punta Cana. Once on the trail, it’s at least a 5-mile trek to reach Salto de la Jalda waterfall. A guide is highly recommended.
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