Top 10 Punta Cana Activities for Your Trip to the Dominican Republic

Soak up the sounds, sights, and smells of local street shopping by visiting a flea market in the Dominican Republic.

The beachside Bávaro Beach Flea Market is one of the best places to shop for local souvenirs. Stroll along the paper-white sand as you visit the ramshackle beach huts and shop from local artisans.

After visiting the market, spend the day relaxing under palm trees and snorkeling in the offshore reef on Bávaro Beach.

The Dominican Republic is responsible for producing a large portion of the world’s chocolate beans, and one of the can’t-be-missed Punta Cana activities is a trip to the ChocoMuseo in Punta Cana. 

The museum offers guided tours and a workshop to make your own chocolate! The result? A homemade and artisan sugar boost made with locally sourced ingredients. You can’t get more authentic than that. Discover the journey from cocoa bean to candy bar and hear the stories of how chocolate rose to fame in the Dominican Republic. 

Located in the heart of Punta Cana, the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve was named in honor of the island’s first inhabitants, the Taino Indians. The park is a transitional subtropical forest and features 12 freshwater lagoons fed by the Yauya underground river. 

At this park, you can swim in its crystal-clear lagoons, learn about the lives of bees, meet native iguanas, go on a bird-watching tour, and visit its sustainability center and Marine Innovation Center. 

Horseback riding on the beach in Punta Cana is the best way to explore its endless, breathtaking coastline. Local companies will match you with a horse according to your experience with horseback riding and – don’t worry – beginners are always welcome! Ride up and down the beach with views of paradise.

Experience the wilderness of the jungle and the excitement of thrilling attractions at Scape Park in Cap Cana. This outdoor adventure park offers a wide array of enticing ways to discover the area’s natural surroundings. From topaz blue underground swimming pools to dizzyingly high ziplines, you won’t be short of ways to experience an adrenaline rush. 

This park is an incredible way to experience the Dominican Republic’s natural landscape up close. Observe iguanas, parrots, and other tropical animals in their natural habitats. Cruise around the Caribbean coastline. Cool off while snorkeling in the park’s refreshing waters. Venture into the park’s caves and swim in its sinkholes. Visiting Scape Park is a magical experience that offers a glimpse of the real side of Punta Cana.

Some of the best tours in Punta Cana depart from Bávaro Adventure Park. At this thrilling epicenter for tourism, you can check a ton of fun Punta Cana activities off your bucket list. Seeking an adrenaline rush? Go on an ATV ride through their Jungle route.

Looking for scenic views? Go horseback riding on gorgeous trails. Want to fly like a bird and swim like a fish? Sign up for zipline mega splash: You’ll fly over a lagoon and end your ride splashing into fresh water. 

If you’re traveling with kids, one of the most unique things to do in Punta Cana is to take them to nearby Monkeyland. 

Join in on this fun excursion to the Punta Cana countryside for the opportunity to closely interact with and feed some of the Dominican Republic’s squirrel monkeys. If you’re lucky, one might even hop onto your shoulder for a cute photo opportunity.

One of the best things to do near Punta Cana is take a day trip to Boca de Yuma. This quiet fishing village and seafood paradise was one of the first places Spanish settlers called home in the Dominican Republic.

Boca de Yuma is just a short drive or boat ride from Punta Cana, and a fishing excursion is a great activity you can combine with your day trip here. You can rent a boat to take you from Punta Cana to Boca de Yuma, and fish on your way there. 

If you don’t have luck catching fish during your ride, Boca de Yuma’s unspoiled coastline is the ideal spot for a seafood lunch overlooking the beach. 

Saona Island is located just off the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic and is a great spot for a beach day. Its crystal-clear waters and shiny bright sand are what make Saona the best spot for a snorkeling excursion from Punta Cana. 

Make sure you pack your swimsuit and camera, as this is one of the island’s most picturesque spots for your perfect vacation photo.

No trip to the Dominican Republic is complete without sampling the local rum. If you’re searching for Punta Cana activities for adults, a day trip to Santo Domingo is a great choice. Santo Domingo is the island’s capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On this ideal day trip from Punta Cana, you’ll trace the steps of the Spanish settlers who founded the city in 1502. Take a moment to admire the city’s colonial architecture before reaching the historical Barceló rum distillery. 

At the distillery, you’ll discover the impressive barrel hall, stacked from floor to ceiling with wooden barrels. Also note the contrasts between the areas of the distillery from the traditional production methods and the modern machinery used to bottle the rum. Be sure to take home a bottle or two as a reminder of your travels.

Now that you know the 10 best things to do in Punta Cana, get to it! The time to have fun in Punta Cana’s endless summer has arrived.