Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Punta Cana travel guide
All-inclusive beaches on the Caribbean's east coast
- Airports
- PUJ Punta Cana International Airport
- Region
- Mexico & Caribbean
- Best time to visit
- December–April is dry season and peak pricing.
- Shortest flight
- 2h 15m from Miami
- Round trips from
- $145 (live)
- Time zone
- America/Santo Domingo
About Punta Cana
Punta Cana isn't a town so much as a coastline of resorts. Bávaro has the widest beaches and the biggest all-inclusives; Cap Cana to the south is the upscale, marina-and-golf enclave; Uvero Alto to the north is quieter with adults-only resorts. Excursions — Saona Island catamaran trips, Hoyo Azul cenote, zip lines — leave from the resorts.
Getting in: Punta Cana International is 15–30 minutes from most resorts. Prebooked transfers cost $30–$50 per vehicle, and most resorts sell them; official taxis charge $35–$60. There is no public transit worth using. The Dominican Republic charges no separate tourist card fee — it's included in airfare.
US citizens need a passport valid for the length of stay; complete the free e-ticket entry form online before arrival and departure. Dollars are accepted throughout the resort zone; pesos are useful for tips and local shops. Tip $2–$5 per day for housekeeping and bartenders even at all-inclusives. Bottled water only.
Best time to visit
December–April is dry season and peak pricing. May–June and November have good weather at lower rates; August–October is the wettest and cheapest stretch and hurricane season.
Where to stay
Neighborhoods our travelers like: Bávaro, Cap Cana, Uvero Alto, Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana Village.
Flights to Punta Cana: typical round-trip fares
What economy round trips to PUJ usually cost from major US cities, alongside the lowest live fare we can see in the next 90 days. Prices are per traveler and include taxes.
| From | Flight time | Typical fare | Lowest live fare | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | 4h | $318 | $209 · Tue, Dec 8 | Search dates → |
| Miami (MIA) | 2h 15m | $228 | $145 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Boston (BOS) | 4h 15m | $348 | $167 · Tue, Oct 13 | Search dates → |
| Atlanta (ATL) | 3h 30m | $338 | $148 · Wed, Oct 14 | Search dates → |
| Chicago (ORD) | 4h 30m | $378 | $230 · Wed, Oct 7 | Search dates → |
| Dallas (DFW) | 4h 25m | $418 | $208 · Tue, Oct 6 | Search dates → |
Typical fares are editorial estimates for economy round trips booked 3–8 weeks out. Live fares refresh several times a day and are shown for the cheapest departure date we found.
Airports in Punta Cana
What to do in Punta Cana
The places our editors send first-time visitors.
- 1
Bávaro Beach
The classic Punta Cana beach: powdery sand, coconut palms and calm, reef-protected water.
- 2
Saona Island
A full-day catamaran and speedboat trip to a protected island with starfish shallows and empty beaches.
- 3
Scape Park and Hoyo Azul
A cliff-top nature park in Cap Cana with a sapphire-blue cenote, zip lines and caves.
- 4
Macao Beach
A public beach with surf breaks and beachside seafood shacks; also the launch point for dune-buggy tours.
- 5
Altos de Chavón
A replica 16th-century Mediterranean village above the Chavón River near La Romana, with an amphitheater and museum.
Punta Cana weather by season
Average highs and lows in °F, with what each season means for fares and crowds.
Winter
83° / 70°
Dry and sunny — peak season.
Spring
85° / 72°
Warm; showers pick up in May.
Summer
88° / 75°
Hot and humid with brief downpours.
Fall
87° / 74°
Hurricane season peaks; cheapest rates.
Travel tips for Punta Cana
- Fill out the Dominican e-ticket form online before you fly (and again for departure) — it's free and required.
- All-inclusive rates vary hugely by week; a Tuesday–Tuesday stay in May can be half the January price.
- Sargassum seaweed affects some beaches from spring to fall; north-facing Uvero Alto is often clearer.
- Book excursions through the resort's tour desk or established operators; drivers offering deals at the gate are hit-and-miss.
- Resort transfers are worth prebooking — taxis at the airport are expensive and not metered.
Punta Cana flights: frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for the Dominican Republic?
No visa for US citizens on visits up to 30 days; you need a valid passport and the free online e-ticket form, completed before arrival and again before departure.
Which airport is closest to Punta Cana resorts?
Punta Cana International (PUJ) is 15–30 minutes from nearly all Bávaro, Cap Cana and Uvero Alto resorts. Santo Domingo (SDQ) is 2.5 hours away and only worth it for a much cheaper fare.
Is it safe to leave the resort?
Organized excursions and taxis to Bávaro's shops and restaurants are routine. Use registered taxis or tour operators rather than walking long distances at night.
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