Punta Cana (on the eastern side of the Dominican Republic) is a destination that indulges all the senses, and offers numerous possibilities for enjoyment — with an enviable temperature averaging 26 oC and days with long periods of sunshine, tempting visitors out for a stroll beneath the coconut palms and a dip in its limpid waters.
On Punta Cana’s beaches, spectacular scenes at both sunrise and sunset make a lasting impression on visitors, and rest and relaxation are guaranteed. All kinds of water sports activities are available here, from leisurely fishing to more daring sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing.
From Playa Bávaro to Arena Gorda, we show you the finest beaches in Punta Cana
Playa Bávaro, the jewel in the island’s crown
Although all Punta Cana’s landscapes and beaches are unique and unrivalled, Playa Bávaro is, without question, one of the island’s most precious treasures. It is renowned at international level, and has been recognized as one of the best beaches in the world by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture.
Stretching for 48 kilometers, Playa Bávaro is graced with wide avenues of coconut palms which provide welcome shade for visitors. Beneath its welcoming, turquoise waters, it is surrounded by coral reefs that offer an irresistible temptation to disconnect and drift into another world, but also to enjoy a variety of water sports.
It is possible to walk most of the length of this beach, which includes the area with the greatest concentration of Punta Cana’s resorts; as a result, it offers all manner of attractions and facilities, such as restaurants with a range of cooking styles, jewelry shops, and craft shops — as well as dance and entertainment venues.
Macao, an earthly paradise
Another of Punta Cana’s best beaches is Macao, regarded as one of the five most impressive beaches in the Dominican Republic. This beach, with its very fine sand, is set in idyllic scenery and, since it does not belong to any particular hotel complex, visitors are free to choose an ideal spot for themselves.
Playa Macao is renowned for its swell and for its strong winds, making it highly popular with surfers, but it also has restaurants where tourists can enjoy the finest Dominican fish dishes.
Playa Juanillo, a paradise for water sports enthusiasts
Playa Juanillo (along with Playa Bávaro and Playa Macao) is considered one of the three finest beaches in Punta Cana. This beach is always immaculately clean, and enjoys a degree of exclusivity. Water sports available here include snorkelling, kayaking and beach volleyball.
Long stretches of beach await visitors who wish to participate in any of these activities, or who simply want to lie and gaze at the sky framed by coconut palms or to bathe in the pleasant, inviting waters of the Caribbean.
Playa Juanillo also offers treats for the most discerning tastebuds, including lobster, assorted seafood cocktails, or a variety of Caribbean and international fish dishes, all washed down with tropical drinks.
Cabeza de Toro, in the midst of nature
Playa Cabeza de Toro is the holder of a Blue Flag, the award granted to certain areas since 1987 by the European Foundation for Environmental Education. A bay, rather than a beach, it remains virtually unspoilt and enjoys an predominantly natural setting.
On these beaches from the world of dreams, with their gentle waters in various shades of turquoise, their prevailing atmosphere of peace, the sky, and the clouds cooling the heat of the sun, any visitor to Cabeza de Toro cannot help but feel captivated.
On this beach, with its calm waters, the main activities on offer are snorkelling, fishing (competitions are actually held here), or simply admiring the beauty and diverse life of the Caribbean reefs.
Playa Cabeza de Toro plays host to the White Marlin fishing contest, one of the great international fishing competitions organized within the framework of the Dominican Billfish Triple-Header Tournament Series. Last year, this contest took place in May.
El Cortecito, a beach full of Dominican color
One of Punta Cana’s finest beaches, located in an area known as the Costa del Coco, is El Cortecito, a lively beach which exudes Caribbean charm, and is crammed with colorful Dominican craft items displayed on the ubiquitous stalls.
To the north of the well-known Playa Bávaro, El Cortecito also offers an abundance of restaurants serving Dominican fish and seafood specialties, as well as bars where visitors can enjoy the country’s most famous export drink, rum, or cocktails made with tropical fruits.
With its lively atmosphere, this beach calls the visitor to walk its length, taking in the scene at every step, although there is also the temptation to sit or lie down and sunbathe, or to go kayaking or paddle-boarding.
Arena Gorda, the best place for lovers of the waves
Also boasting a Blue Flag, Arena Gorda is another of Punta Cana’s most impressive beaches. It is close to Playa Bávaro, and marks the boundary of this area of the Dominican Republic.
Despite its name (‘coarse sand’ in Spanish), Arena Gorda has very fine sand — the whitest to be found on the island — and has a rougher swell than other beaches, due to the strong winds that buffet this area, making it the perfect spot for surfing, windsurfing or kitesurfing.
Visitors will also find very pleasant walks on Playa Arena Gorda, as well as horse-riding. Among the ubiquitous coconut palms, hammocks are available for anyone who wants to relax or have a nap while being rocked by the breeze and soothed by the murmur of the sea.
Playa Arena Gorda has an unrivalled beauty, but the number of tourists is not so great that it gets in the way of an individual, even spiritual, experience, allowing the visitor to detach themselves from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, and to free themselves from all manner of stress.
