Punta Cana is still synonymous with white-sand beaches and all-inclusive resorts, but the range of experiences keeps growing — from day trips to nearby islands to a recent shift toward wellness and eco-friendly activities.
What's making news this week
One of the strongest trends this year is wellness programming that combines yoga, meditation and healthy cuisine inside resorts, along with more eco-friendly excursions and accessibility upgrades across several properties in the area.
Must-do activities
- Isla Saona — Punta Cana's most popular day trip, with pristine beaches and turquoise water.
- Samaná — another highly requested excursion, great for combining nature with quieter beaches.
- Playa Macao — a public beach with stronger waves, perfect for learning to surf, with an authentic local vibe and photogenic cliffs.
- Hoyo Azul — a deep, intensely turquoise cenote, one of the most photographed spots in the region.
- Cultural walks — cobblestone streets, a Greek-style amphitheater and artisan workshops for anyone looking for a break from the all-inclusive.
Best spots to visit
Isla Saona is still the essential day trip for first-time visitors to Punta Cana. For something different, the Hoyo Azul combines adventure and scenery in a single stop, and Playa Macao is your best bet if you want to surf or simply see something beyond your resort's beach.
Where to stay: the top-rated resorts
- Tortuga Bay Puntacana Resort & Club and Eden Roc Cap Cana — tied at the top on Tripadvisor with a 4.8 rating.
- Zel Punta Cana — developed by Meliá in collaboration with Rafael Nadal, blending wellness, sport and Mediterranean cuisine.
- AC Hotel Punta Cana — a Marriott property with a more urban concept and contemporary design.
- The Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana — Marriott's Autograph Collection, adults-only and designed for couples.
- Live Aqua — a sensory concept built around scent, lighting and music for an immersive stay.
Where to eat and go out
Most of Punta Cana's best dining lives inside fine-dining resorts — a good reason to pick one with several restaurants if you like to switch things up each night. For nightlife, Coco Bongo remains the must-see show, Vegas-style with Caribbean flair; Imagine, set inside a natural cave, is the alternative for something different.