Dominican Republic
Punta Cana's resort coast is worth leaving for a day, whether that means a cenote at Scape Park, a boat out to Saona Island, or a jeep ride through the countryside.
Excursions
| Name | Info | Details |
|---|
| Hoyo Azul at Scape Park, Cap Cana | must-do · cenote, half day | A turquoise natural sinkhole pool reached by a short jungle walk, with time to swim and relax in the cenote itself. Most of the day is spent at the park rather than in transit, unlike the boat excursions. |
| Saona Island day trip | full day · catamaran, sandbar | A boat trip out to a palm-lined island with a stop at a shallow sandbar along the way. A classic full day excursion, though a good chunk of time goes to travel by bus and boat. |
| Countryside jeep safari | full day · local culture, cenotes, ziplining | A bumpy ride through rural areas outside the resorts with stops at a cenote and a cacao and coffee farm, sometimes with ziplining added in. A good way to see something other than the beach. |
| Macao Beach buggy tour | half day · buggy, undeveloped beach | Combines a dune buggy ride through backcountry trails with a stop at Macao Beach, one of the less developed and less crowded stretches of coast in the area. |
Restaurants & Beaches
| Name | Info | Details |
|---|
| Bavaro Beach | beach · calm water, wide sand | A long, gently sloping beach with calm surf and soft white sand, generally quieter than the beaches directly in front of the biggest resort clusters. |
| Jellyfish | $$$ · beachfront, Bavaro Beach | A thatched-roof restaurant right on Bavaro Beach with a boho-chic interior, popular for a nicer dinner with the ocean a few steps away. |
| Playa Blanca | $$ · Caribbean seafood, beachfront | Outdoor seating directly on the sand with a seafood-heavy Caribbean menu, a relaxed lunch stop between beach time. |
| La Yola, Cap Cana | $$$$ · Caribbean fusion, special occasion | An elevated Caribbean fusion menu in a scenic marina setting, worth booking for a splurge dinner. |