Where to Stay in Punta Cana (A Guide to the Best Places & Areas)

👉 Jump to: Best Places to Stay in Punta Cana | Best Areas | Tips | FAQ

Punta Cana is globally recognized as the prime Caribbean getaway. It is the land of relaxation and the best place to stay for lavish all-inclusive resorts.

While I lived in the Dominican Republic, I discovered that Punta Cana isn’t the entire coastline of the eastern point of the country. It is, however, a small village in the area of La Altagracia. The coastline of La Altagracia is home to pristine beaches, natural beauty, and fun activities for the entire family. 

I did my fair share of beach hopping while in La Altagracia. My favorite area to stay in is Bavaro. This is a popular area due to its location and easy access to attractions. I recommend staying at Barcelo Bavaro Palace. This all-inclusive resort has its own private beach and a coral reef to explore. 

However, if it is your first time visiting, I highly recommend you stay in Punta Cana. This small village is a tourist favorite known for its stunning beaches. Stay at the famous Tortuga Bay Hotel at Punta Cana Resort. This luxury resort is only half a mile from Playa Blanca, the best beach in Punta Cana.  

No matter where you lay your beach towel along the coastline of La Altagracia, you are bound to find natural beauty and adventure. Read on to discover my favorite areas to stay as a single mother in Punta Cana and beyond. Before diving deeper, scroll over my top suggestions for hotel resorts. 

Best Places to Stay in Punta Cana

Take a quick look! Here are my top suggestions on where to stay in Punta Cana: 

• 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Tortuga Bay Hotel at Punta Cana Resort
• 📍 Best Location – Barcelo Bavaro Palace
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Best for Families – Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana
• 💻 Best for Business and Events – Casa de Campo Resort & Villas
• 🔔 Best Beach Boutique – Eden Roc Cap Cana
• 🏖️ Best Near Beach – Sanctuary Cap Cana
• 😎 Best All-Inclusive Resort – Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa
• 🛍️ Best for Shopping – The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club
• 🛏️ Best Budget – AC Hotel by Marriott Punta Cana

Now that you’ve checked out my top picks, let’s get to know some of my favorite areas to stay in Punta Cana: 

6 Best Areas to Stay in Punta Cana

Punta Cana is recognized as the top vacation destination for tourists in the Dominican Republic. The coastline of La Altagracia is divided into eight sections, each offering the best in resort life. They include Punta Cana, Bavaro, Cap Cana, Cabeza de Toro, Uvero Alto, Macao, Arena Gorda, and el Cortecito. Here are my favorite places to stay!

Punta Cana

👉 Best Area For First-Time Visitors | ✨ Best Punta Cana Resorts & Hotels: Tortuga Bay Hotel at Punta Cana Resort • The Westin Puntacana Resort & Club • Club Med Punta Cana

Even though most of the Dominican Republic’s eastern coastline is known as Punta Cana, it is actually just a small village in the region. It is a tourist favorite destination, especially for first-time visitors.

Tourists and locals flock to Punta Cana for its stunning beaches and turquoise waters. The best beach in Punta Cana is Playa Blanca, known for its white sands. 

Tortuga Bay Hotel at Punta Cana Resort is only half a mile from Playa Blanca. This famous and exclusive luxury resort is known for its outstanding service and excellent location.   

Punta Cana Village was one of my favorite hangout spots. This small residential and commercial community has so much to offer. You’ll find fun neighborhood events, shops, cafes, and restaurants. 

Pros of Staying in Punta Cana:

• Safe area
• Beautiful beaches
• Resort life
• Water activities

Cons of Staying in Punta Cana:

• Tourist heavy
• Can get crowded

Bavaro

👉 Best Area For Location | ✨ Best Bavaro Resorts & Hotels: Barcelo Bavaro Palace • Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana •  AC Hotel by Marriott Punta Cana 

Bavaro is my favorite place to stay when I am in the La Altagracia zone. It is one of the most popular areas due to its location and easy access to top attractions. Bavaro is known for its luxury resorts, villas, beaches, excursions, restaurants, and bars.

Playa Bibijagua is my favorite beach. It is a dreamy oasis covered in white sands where everything is within reach. I enjoyed its tiny shopping stalls, restaurants, cafes, bars, and water excursions.

There are plenty of options for accommodations in Bavaro as many of the resort workers live in this town. However, I recommend staying at Barcelo Bavaro Palace. It is an all-inclusive resort that has its own private beach and coral reef. 

Pros of Staying in Bavaro:

• Great location
• Lots of options for accommodation
• Beautiful beaches
• Relatively safe

Cons of Staying in Bavaro:

• Can get crowded

Cap Cana

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Cap Cana Resorts & Hotels: Sanctuary Cap Cana • Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa • Eden Roc Cap Cana • Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa

Cap Cana is one of the newest areas in the Dominican Republic favored by families. It is known for its modern properties, equipped beaches, natural beauty, and world-class resorts.

Although many resorts in this gated community are adult-only, you can still find family-friendly accommodations. Dreams Cap Cana Resort & Spa is a family-friendly resort with a kids club, a swimming pool, and much more!

Sanctuary Cap Cana is a relaxing all-inclusive resort for adults looking to spend time as a couple or with friends. From the resort, you can take a 6-minute walk to Playa Juanillo, the area’s most popular beach. This beach has calm waters which was great for swimming and playing with my daughter.

This exclusive area is recognized for its award-winning golf courses and natural wonderlands. Scape Park is an ecological adventure park. Here you can hop on thrilling zip lines, swim in caves, and much more. 

Pros of Staying in Cap Cana:

• Exclusive area
• Relaxing Resorts
• Very safe
• Family-friendly
• Great Beaches
• Natural beauty

Cons of Staying in Cap Cana:

• Full of tourists
• Little exposure to the local community

El Macao

👉 Best Area to Avoid Crowds | ✨ Best El Macao Resorts & Hotels: Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana

El Macao is a gem in the La Altagracia area that is not overflowing with luxury resorts and 5-star hotels. This little haven on the coastline is perfect for those who want to escape the crowds.

Playa Macao is a secluded beach that is open to the public. This beach offers the best conditions for water sports, such as surfing, since the waters aren’t as calm as those in Punta Cana. I, however, prefer to enjoy fresh fried fish at the beachside restaurants.  

I recommend you stay at Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana. This resort is a wonderful location for families and couples alike. It caters to both serenity and adventure as it offers a world-class spa and a waterpark on the property.

Pros of Staying in El Macao:

• Secluded beach
• Great for water sports

Cons of Staying in El Macao:

• Not many hotels and resorts

Uvero Alto

👉 Best Area for Untouched Beaches | ✨ Best Uvero Alto Resorts & Hotels: Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa • Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa • Secrets Tides Punta Cana 

Uvero Alto is located in the north end of Punta Cana in the area of La Altagracia. This is a fairly secluded area that doesn’t feel crowded. It’s perfect for those looking for luxury while avoiding the overflow of tourists.

Uvero Alto is an oasis to be explored, offering some untouched beaches. These stretches of sand are perfect for long walks along the coastline. However, some parts are not well-maintained. You should take caution in deserted stretches away from the resorts.

Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa is a fun vacation spot in Uvero Alto. It’s family-friendly and has raving reviews about the attentive staff. Guests also have access to a private beach. Take caution while swimming, though. The waves in Uvero Alto tend to be wilder, perfect conditions for surfing.

Pros of Staying in Uvero Alto:

• Secluded
• Untapped beaches

Cons of Staying in Uvero Alto:

• Water safety

La Romana

👉 Best Area For Business & Special Events | ✨ Best La Romana Resorts & Hotels: Casa de Campo Resort & Villas • Dreams La Romana All-Inclusive Resort • Bahia Principe Grand La Romana

La Romana isn’t necessarily a part of Punta Cana. I like to think of it as a gateway to the zone of La Altagracia, as it’s located between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. 

It is the country’s most coveted luxurious beach destination away from the everyday noise. It is an affluent secluded neighborhood that provides a private and safe environment.

La Romana is known for its upscale and complete golf resort, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas. This luxurious resort is ideal for conventions, events, and special occasions.

My favorite place to stop on my drive to La Altagracia is Altos de Chavon. This is a replica of a Mediterranean village overlooking the Chavon River. I love to wander around the shops, terraces, restaurants, and outdoor amphitheater. Fun Fact: This is a popular wedding venue!

Pros of Staying in La Romana:

• Luxury resorts
• Secluded neighborhood
• Great golf courses

Cons of Staying in La Romana:

• Long bus rides to get in and out of La Romana
• Lots of vendors on the beaches

Tips for Staying in Punta Cana

Practice Spanish

Punta Cana and its surrounding areas are a haven for resort life. The majority of the staff at the resorts know some English. You may run into other tourists who speak English as well! However, try to say “hola” and “gracias.” I’m sure it will bring a smile to someone’s face.

Drink plenty of water

The Dominican Republic is on a tropical island that has hot and humid weather year-round. It is important to stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. I do not advise you to drink the tap water in the DR, though, as it is not safe to drink. 

Most hotels and resorts provide a couple bottles of water in your room each day. Consume more water than usual if you plan to enjoy a few rounds of cocktails at your all-inclusive resort.

You can also get a special filtering water bottle as part of your packing list for the Dominican Republic.

A few days is enough time to enjoy Punta Cana

I don’t recommend you stay more than four days in Punta Cana. Four days is plenty of time to relax at the resort, enjoy the remarkable beaches, soak in the nightlife, and explore outside your resort. If you are traveling to the Dominican Republic for more than four days, leave Punta Cana as your final destination. 

Are you looking to spend more time in the Dominican Republic? Check out my article on where to go first before heading to Punta Cana. 

Plan out your transportation

La Altagracia has very limited public transportation. Uber has not yet entered this coastal zone and some areas don’t have public buses. I suggest you rent a car or bring your own car if you’re local. You can also arrange transportation from your hotel and resort. 

Stay safe

Punta Cana and its surrounding areas are very safe for tourists and other visitors. Police are stationed at the resort hotels and all along the beaches. You should still practice precaution, however, especially with your personal belongings. There have been a few cases of petty theft, such as cell phones. 

👉Read Next: Where to Stay in Santo Domingo

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in Punta Cana for first-timers?

Punta Cana and Bavaro are the most popular areas to stay, especially for first-time visitors. You’ll have a prime location with access to accommodation options and top attractions.

What is the best month to go to Punta Cana?

The best time to visit Punta Cana would be in May, June, November, and December (before the holidays). These months offer great weather conditions and relatively low prices. 

How many days is enough in Punta Cana? 

Four days is plenty of time for a trip to Punta Cana. In four days you can enjoy time on the sand, book excursions, and explore outside of your resort. 

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Punta Cana is known as the Dominican Republic’s paradise. It is recognized worldwide for its spectacular beaches and resort life. No matter which area of La Altagracia you choose to stay, you will get to experience warm sands and turquoise waters.  

Next up, read my complete guide on the best places to stay around the Dominican Republic.