Punta Cana is located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic in the heart of the Caribbean. It is known for its luxurious rooms, which blend in with taste with its beautiful nature. It has become quite popular for a fast warm winter getaway for people in Canada, Europe, and the United States. They come in the thousands to bask in Punta Cana when it’s cold in their own countries in the winter.
If you are planning a vacation in Punta Cana, I want to go through 7 travel tips that will make your stay more enjoyable:
Avoid taking a taxi if you can
There is nothing particularly wrong with taxis in the Punta Cana area, but prices can be exorbitant. For comparison, the price of only $ 4 - $ 5 in Santo Domingo (the capital of the Dominican Republic) can cost you $ 20 - $ 40 in Punta Cana!
To avoid taxis, try negotiating with your travel agent about transferring to the airport, both arriving and on the way, to be included in a package deal - many of them, and if you buy it, you should be able to find it. If you take a trip to one of the parks or islands, be sure to ask the tour operator if the cost of the trip includes picking you up at your resort or hotel and returning back - again, many do so that you can find it. You can also rent a car for a reasonable fee, not for a taxi. Many of the famous car rental locations are Avis, Budget, Eurocar, National and Prestige. If you are serious about your budget, you can also use a bus called guagua, which covers the entire coast of Punta Cana and beyond. Buses run every 15 - 30 minutes. If you need to go to Santo Domingo, be sure to find the Bavaro Express.
How to find the whitest beach
The most desirable beaches in the Dominican Republic seem to be empty white beaches - the whiter, the better in the book of my people. Tourists love the beauty of these beaches, as well as silky fine grains of sand between their legs. However, not all the beaches of "Punta Cana" are white.
What tourists often do not understand, this is what has now become known as the “Punta Cana” coast of the Dominican Republic, is about 38-39 miles. This is the entire eastern shore of the Dominican Republic. The color of the sand varies considerably along this stretch. In general, further south you go, whiter than the sand. The coast of Punta Cana is shaped like an arrow pointing east. Where the arrow comes to a point is called El Macau. To the north of this point, the white sands begin to become more golden in color. It can be very beautiful, but if you are a real fan of pure white sand, you probably want to look for a resort south of El Macau or find a resort on the southeast coast.
How to easily get customs duty
First, let me tell you the good news. Passing through customs at Punta Cana Airport is much easier than Santo Domingo Airport or other Caribbean airports, such as Cancun. However, with that said, there are some simple things you can do to prevent you from having any trouble going through customs.
Once you arrive in Punta Cana, you will need to get a "tourist card", which costs only $ 10, and you can get them at the airport before you go through customs. However, there may be a line for them, so if you want to speed up the process, try to include it in the package deal so that you have a travel card you handed over before you leave the plane. Customs agents may be a bit picky about anything that can be interpreted as a “sharp object.” Objects such as knitting needles and umbrellas can be considered "sharp objects" and can hold you and even confiscate you. Be sure to put these items in your checked baggage to avoid problems. Also, make sure all your prescription drugs are VERY labeled. There is a strong distrust of drugs in the Dominican Republic, so you do not want to give customs agents any reason for concern. Another big “no-no”: both incoming and outgoing - is NOTHING derived from plant material or animal parts. These can be hats made from coconut fibers, shells, fruits, wood carvings, etc. These items will be confiscated and can make customs longer than necessary. There are exceptions, such as amber jewelery containing insect parts.
Stand your land in public places
Officially, all the beaches in the Dominican Republic are public. However, many of the resorts love to put signs on and patrol the beaches in front of their resorts, as if they had a private beach.
When you walk along the beach, just know that you are allowed to walk on any of the beaches, and you must politely hold your land if someone approaches you and indicates the opposite. Just tell them that you are only going to pass.
Relaxing expectations and gifts for locals
It is expected that you will interview the waiters and waitresses. 5-10% is considered normal. Bartenders often get $ 1 per round, sometimes more if drinks are harder to make. Hotel maids often get from 2 to 5 dollars a day, and the ports at the airport - 1 dollar per bag. It is also expected that you will also advise guides. Usually guides receive $ 5 for half-day excursions and $ 5 - $ 10 for full-day excursions.
It is also becoming increasingly popular to give gifts to locals. Candy, toys and school supplies for children are very popular. Books, makeup and jewelry are usually left. It is best to check with the guides with whom you go out and with the hotel staff to determine which of them may be the most suitable and most necessary for the delivery of gifts. Remember that this is a country that is a third world country with a developing economy, and there are many needs.
Find a resort that meets your needs.
Different resorts meet different needs. Some resorts cater for families with children. Other "adults only" and serve those couples who are looking for a romantic getaway without children under their feet. Many resorts in the Punta Cana area follow European customs. Some Americans like it, and some don't. If you do not do this, be sure to find a resort that is more suited to American customs.
You can get a complete list of all the activities offered at the resorts you are considering, as this will often help you make your decision about which one to choose. Some resorts offer better activities for children - some are monitored and some are not. Some offer sailing, surfing, windsurfing, dancing, scuba diving and other highly desired activities. Some have activities such as horse riding and dune buggies that others do not. Some resorts are better designed for people with disabilities and other people with special needs.
How to take excursions to Punta Cana
Most holiday vacations include some opportunities to take excursions away from the resort. Most of them are very simple, so take a boat ride to the reef for scuba diving or go on a catamaran cruise to the island. However, tours to the hotel are almost never the best adventure outside your resort. Local fishermen and other locals also often offer to take tourists on their boats. They can be amazed or missed, most often do not miss unfortunately. You should also know that these locations are almost never licensed or unrelated, so if something happens you will be stuck.
You will have a richer and more memorable experience if you take excursions to Punta Cana with experienced tour operators who specialize in providing excursions. Your tour will be much safer. The adventures that receive the most recognition are those that offer eco-adventures, where you can really deeply explore the nature and culture of people who really care and have deep knowledge and appreciation for wildlife and people in the area. Take at least one of these types of excursions and compare them with what the resorts offer, and the difference will become obvious to you.
