Francisco’s guidebook
Places to visit in Punta Cana
This is a selection of places we like to visit in Punta Cana and neighboring places.
IMPORTANT: The pictures are automatically selected by AirBnB, not by us.
Esta es una selección de los lugares que nos gusta visitar en Punta Cana y áreas cercanas
An area just across the Punta Cana International with a variety of restaurantes (Mexican, Italian, Dominican), as well a well-stocked supermarket, a pharmacy, other stores, and even art galleries.
12 locals recommend
Galerias Puntacana
An area just across the Punta Cana International with a variety of restaurantes (Mexican, Italian, Dominican), as well a well-stocked supermarket, a pharmacy, other stores, and even art galleries.
Nice place to relax and enjoy Bavaro Beach. Clean and comfortable. You need to buy food or drink to use the chairs or tables, but it is a good investment (and not that expensive.)
131 locals recommend
Jellyfish Restaurant
Calle ChicagoNice place to relax and enjoy Bavaro Beach. Clean and comfortable. You need to buy food or drink to use the chairs or tables, but it is a good investment (and not that expensive.)
An min-zoo, cultural recreation experience for the whole family, but please (please!) keep in mind that you can't take pictures inside the park and you can't bring your own food or water. Please, plan accordingly.
121 locals recommend
Manati Park
An min-zoo, cultural recreation experience for the whole family, but please (please!) keep in mind that you can't take pictures inside the park and you can't bring your own food or water. Please, plan accordingly.
Shopping center, movie theater, food court, banks, many other stores, many souvenir places.
307 locals recommend
Plaza San Juan Shopping Center
Km. 9 Av. BarcelóShopping center, movie theater, food court, banks, many other stores, many souvenir places.
Cruce de Veron (where Carretera 106 intersects with Avenida Barcelo) is a place with many stories, restaurants, and business serving the local population. It is within walking distance from Serena Village and you will find everything you need there .
Empanadas Cruce de Veron
106Cruce de Veron (where Carretera 106 intersects with Avenida Barcelo) is a place with many stories, restaurants, and business serving the local population. It is within walking distance from Serena Village and you will find everything you need there .
Local hardware store, in case you need something. Well organized. Friendly, professional staff.
Ferreteria Americana
Avenida La MarinaLocal hardware store, in case you need something. Well organized. Friendly, professional staff.
Nice supermarket, with underground parking. You will find here anything you may need.
161 locals recommend
Jumbo Punta Cana
Avenida BarcelóNice supermarket, with underground parking. You will find here anything you may need.
Yes, this is just a gas station and convenience store. But it has a very nice coffee shop for quick, delicious pastries and snacks.
Petromovil Bavaro
Yes, this is just a gas station and convenience store. But it has a very nice coffee shop for quick, delicious pastries and snacks.
Public beach with restaurants, stores, and other services. It is next to Bibijagua Beach.
Playa Bavaro
Playa BavaroPublic beach with restaurants, stores, and other services. It is next to Bibijagua Beach.
Public beach 30 minutes north of Serena Village. Small restaurants offering delicious, fresh sea food. Please, keep in mind this is a cash only place. (And the restrooms may not be what you expect.) But it is a very nice place to enjoy the ocean.
348 locals recommend
Macao Beach
Public beach 30 minutes north of Serena Village. Small restaurants offering delicious, fresh sea food. Please, keep in mind this is a cash only place. (And the restrooms may not be what you expect.) But it is a very nice place to enjoy the ocean.
This is the most northern beach in Punta Cana. it is an adventure to get there, but you will find a mostly empty beach and, in the small town, several restaurants, stores, and art and crafts places.
Uvero Alto
This is the most northern beach in Punta Cana. it is an adventure to get there, but you will find a mostly empty beach and, in the small town, several restaurants, stores, and art and crafts places.
A supermarket with international goods (and local goods, of course). Please, keep in mind the persons carrying your groceries to the car expect a tip from you.
142 locals recommend
Supermercado Nacional
1 Calle HelechosA supermarket with international goods (and local goods, of course). Please, keep in mind the persons carrying your groceries to the car expect a tip from you.
A local neighborhood with small, inexpensive restaurants frequented by locals because of the abundant and delicious food.
6 locals recommend
Pueblo Bavaro
A local neighborhood with small, inexpensive restaurants frequented by locals because of the abundant and delicious food.
Everybody knows Coco Bongo is THE place for a nightlife experience in Punta Cana. (That's what they say. I never been there.)
594 locals recommend
Coco Bongo Punta Cana
Everybody knows Coco Bongo is THE place for a nightlife experience in Punta Cana. (That's what they say. I never been there.)
A typical shopping center, very close to the International Airport.
261 locals recommend
BlueMall Puntacana
Carretera de JuanilloA typical shopping center, very close to the International Airport.
A shopping area, restaurant, and gardens, in the intersection of Avenida Barcelo and Carretera 105. The local Catholic Church (recently opened) is also there.
145 locals recommend
Downtown Punta Cana
A shopping area, restaurant, and gardens, in the intersection of Avenida Barcelo and Carretera 105. The local Catholic Church (recently opened) is also there.
A shopping center, movie theater, and supermarket in one place.
272 locals recommend
Palma Real Shopping Village
57 Avenida BarcelóA shopping center, movie theater, and supermarket in one place.
Nice place to swim with dolphins. Please, keep in mind that there are many restrictions inside the park: you can't take picture or bring food. Also, book online, but, before you do it, call or chat and ask for a discount. You will usually get it.
56 locals recommend
Dolphin Discovery
Nice place to swim with dolphins. Please, keep in mind that there are many restrictions inside the park: you can't take picture or bring food. Also, book online, but, before you do it, call or chat and ask for a discount. You will usually get it.
Cocotal Golf and Country Club
A golf club
Another local beach. Be aware that you may need to pay to access the beach.
78 locals recommend
Los Corales beach Bavaro
Another local beach. Be aware that you may need to pay to access the beach.
Capital city of La Altagracia Province. It has several historic places. Prices are usually significantly lower than in Punta Cana.
22 locals recommend
Higuey
Capital city of La Altagracia Province. It has several historic places. Prices are usually significantly lower than in Punta Cana.
A local restaurante, next to the beach, that people recommend again and again.
95 locals recommend
Restaurante capitán Cook
Calle Pedro MirA local restaurante, next to the beach, that people recommend again and again.
A local restaurante next to the beach. We highly recommend it: nice food, quiet place, excellent service, and competitive prices.
Restaurante Veni Vidi Vici
A local restaurante next to the beach. We highly recommend it: nice food, quiet place, excellent service, and competitive prices.
Drive 45 minutes or so and enjoy a recreation of a medieval village in the Dominican Republic. Go early to avoid the tourists. IMPORTANT: Altos de Chavon is inside Casa de Campo. You need to pay to enter and you need to show your ID. Please, do your research online before you go regarding costs and requirements to visit this unforgettable place.
85 locals recommend
Altos de Chavon of Casa de Campo
Drive 45 minutes or so and enjoy a recreation of a medieval village in the Dominican Republic. Go early to avoid the tourists. IMPORTANT: Altos de Chavon is inside Casa de Campo. You need to pay to enter and you need to show your ID. Please, do your research online before you go regarding costs and requirements to visit this unforgettable place.
Plaza San Juan Shopping Center
Km. 9 Av. BarcelóAnother shopping center in Punta Cana.
Hospiten Bávaro
Local hospital, next to Serena Village.
Delicious Dominican and Colombian dishes. Very reasonable prices and very good service. Just minutes away from Serena Village.
Las Delicias Paisas
Delicious Dominican and Colombian dishes. Very reasonable prices and very good service. Just minutes away from Serena Village.
This used to be until just a few years ago a quiet fishermen village. Now it is another tourist place. Stay for the sunset, please.
122 locals recommend
Bayahibe
This used to be until just a few years ago a quiet fishermen village. Now it is another tourist place. Stay for the sunset, please.
BAM Market
Avenida AlemaniaLooking for South American food in Punta Cana? BAM Market has it.
This "mountain" is only 1800-foot (600 m) tall. But it offers an impressive view of the ocean. There is a small amusement park on top. You will need to pay the local driver to take you to the top. CASH ONLY. Plan accordingly.
This place is an hour north of Punta Cana, on Carretera 104, after Las Lisas and before Miches.
67 locals recommend
Montaña Redonda
This "mountain" is only 1800-foot (600 m) tall. But it offers an impressive view of the ocean. There is a small amusement park on top. You will need to pay the local driver to take you to the top. CASH ONLY. Plan accordingly.
This place is an hour north of Punta Cana, on Carretera 104, after Las Lisas and before Miches.
The international area of Punta Cana, offering all kinds of restaurants and businesses from almost any country you can think.
IMPORTANT: The automatic pictures selected by AirBnB are NOT of El Cortecito.
37 locals recommend
El Cortecito
The international area of Punta Cana, offering all kinds of restaurants and businesses from almost any country you can think.
IMPORTANT: The automatic pictures selected by AirBnB are NOT of El Cortecito.
Punto IKEA Bávaro
km. 9 Av. BarcelóYou already know IKEA. Just in case you need something.
Caribbean Cinemas
Avenida BarcelóMovie theaters.
It is presented as an "underwater experience", but it include a full excursion in the ocean. Call or visit the site for details and plan accordingly.
7 locals recommend
Seaquarium Punta Cana
Avenida BarcelóIt is presented as an "underwater experience", but it include a full excursion in the ocean. Call or visit the site for details and plan accordingly.
This is an area owned and operated by Punta Cana Ecological Foundation. It is a subtropical forest with a number of freshwater lakes.
145 locals recommend
Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve
This is an area owned and operated by Punta Cana Ecological Foundation. It is a subtropical forest with a number of freshwater lakes.
There are many nice places in Punta Cana. In our opinion, this is one of the best.
7 locals recommend
Playa Doña Matilde , Bavaro
Calle Doña MatildeThere are many nice places in Punta Cana. In our opinion, this is one of the best.
Cana Bay Beach Club
Resort and golf club.
All-inclusive resort and casino, with nine different specialty restaurants.
57 locals recommend
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 8A
Boulevard Turístico del EsteAll-inclusive resort and casino, with nine different specialty restaurants.
HorsePlay Punta Cana
Carretera Higüey - MichesThis is a company offering eco-friendly tours.
Hoyo Azul (Blue Hole) is a lagoon with clear waters and a 75 m (215-foot) cliff. You can also visit a natural cave there. Find a tour to get there.
89 locals recommend
Hoyo Azul
Hoyo Azul (Blue Hole) is a lagoon with clear waters and a 75 m (215-foot) cliff. You can also visit a natural cave there. Find a tour to get there.
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort
Water park with adventures for the whole family.
This is a day trip from Punta Cana. Find a tourist company and make reservations in advance. It may not be suitable to everybody because you need to change boats in the middle of the ocean. However, it is a highly recommended excursion.
463 locals recommend
Saona Island
This is a day trip from Punta Cana. Find a tourist company and make reservations in advance. It may not be suitable to everybody because you need to change boats in the middle of the ocean. However, it is a highly recommended excursion.