looking for travel tips.
2006-11-22 02:46:19 · 7 answers · asked by sunshine 2 in Travel ➔ Caribbean ➔ Dominican Republic
I've been to several hotels in Punt Cana and have visited others. The Iberostar Bavaro Beach is a great resort - lots to do all day and night, plus the rooms are ALL Jr. suites and the food is great.
Was at the new RIU Punta Cana Palace in May - WOW. Drop dead gorgeous and what a beach! Actually, all the RIU resorts in Punta Cana line-up one right after the other on this beautiful stretch of beach, covered with palm trees. The RIU right next to us was the RIU Palace Macau, also a beautiful resort. Next to the Macau was the RIU Bambu, then the RIU Tiano, both a little down-scale from the "RIU Palace" resorts, but really nice places. I found the staff to be great at all of them, as I walked down the beach and sampled the food and beverages at them all.
Punta Cana does not have many off-resort activities or places of interest - its kind of a laid-back, chill-out and enjoy your resort vacation. All hotels have tour desks for the two-dozen or so tours that are available.
Punta Cana has year round beach weather - with the high season from mid December to mid April. The rainy/hurricane season is mid August to mid October, so take that into account when planning your vacation.
Go on line to www.applevacations.com and check-out everything. They have full details and pictures of all the hotels, and you can design your own package and switch the hotels in and out until you have exactly what you're looking for. Then it allows you to send what you've created over to a local travel agent to take care of everything for you at no additional cost!
Most of the tours from the beach hotel locations happen in or on the water; the array of water sports options offered right on the beach is amazing: catamaran boat rides, double-decker party boats, restaurant dining at sunset on the sea, parasailing, glass bottom boats for marine life observation, sports fishing, diving, snorkeling, flying boats, speed boats. The boat taxis can take you from one hotel to another via the beach. There is also banana boating, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and beach volleyball.
But here are other activities to consider:
Safari-type excursions on four-wheel bikes, buggy rides, jeep safaris, monster trucks or helicopter rides for a privileged view. A dozen of companies offer these adventure tours that take the tourists to observe tropical wilderness, visit a countryside home where typical Dominican food lunch will be served, examine tropical crops, take a dip at a deserted beach or for a swim in a cool river.
Horseback riding is also popular in Punta Cana with the option of riding on deserted white-sand beaches, making for great photography.
Marinarium. This marine park on the sea offers snorkeling with sharks and rays.
Dolphin Island. Short boat ride takes you to the artificial island created where tourists can have a swim with trained dolphins right in the sea. The package includes a 15-minute free time with the dolphins, where these will choose their new friends.
Manati Park Bavaro. 130,000 square meter preserve with permanent exhibits of birds, reptiles, and fish. A show with parrots, dolphins and dancing horses is included in the admission fee. Free shuttle bus to and from principal hotels in the area.
Punta Cana Ecological Reserve. Short guided tour through tropical flora with an optional refreshing bath in a cool spring at the end. You will be walking through a real jungle. Located 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport.
Rancho Jonathan has caving excursions to Boca de Diablo, a large cave system south of Los Haitises.
Half an hour to 45 minutes away:
La Otra Banda
If you take the Saona, Catalina, Altos de Chavón, Higuey or Santo Domingo excursions, on your way west ask your guide to point out the small town of La Otra Banda, with its pretty little houses, right out of a Caribbean architecture book and perfect for picture-taking.
Most hotels have local "booking agents" right in the lobby to enable guests to sign-up for their favorate tours.
I hope this info is helpful. Have fun in Punta Cana!
2006-11-23 04:40:42 · answer #1 · answered by travel guy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes we stayed at the brand new Riu Palace Punta Cana the week of May 20th of this year. It was one of the best vacations I have ever experienced. The people we so friendly and the Riu Palace was first rate. Brush up on you Spanish as it will help. I am sure there are other great resorts there but The Riu was great. Also it will be hard to find beaches that rival Punta Cana is sheer beauty. Hope this helps a little.
2016-03-29 05:32:03 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am from Dominican Republic. I love to go to resorts in DR as much as i can. Best Hotels there: Secrets Excellence, Paradisus and Punta Cana Beach Resort. Travel light (few swimsuits, sun tan lotion, and resort cloth) and if you are travelling in December depending where you are staying bring something informal for new years eve (remember this is the tropic). Don't miss the opportunity to know about Cap Cana (www.capcana.com) , if you need help just let me know i can fix you a nice tour for Cap Cana (yes even dough im not in Punta Cana). Good luck.
2006-11-22 08:07:11 · answer #3 · answered by plastiquita1 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love Punta Cana I have been there 5 times and I have my 6th already booked. The Riu complex is dynamite, Do not be afraid of Booking the riu Naiboa because its a 4star its better then some of the "better" ones But all of Punta Cana is beautiful, You can go on a tour where you swim with sharks and sting rays - it was great
2006-11-24 03:32:09 · answer #4 · answered by ice_princess 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Punta Cana is a region of the Dominican Republic, it has beautiful beaches, and it has quite a few all-inclusives. I visited there for about 5 years around May.
I highly recommend it.
2006-11-22 06:46:21 · answer #5 · answered by jmbsdq 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't been there but I have a friend who has. I hear that its very beautiful though.
2006-11-22 03:36:49 · answer #6 · answered by RACQUEL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no and dont want to
2006-11-25 13:08:32 · answer #7 · answered by nancy o 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋