They did it! For the first time in recorded history, the sun-drenched paradise that is the Dominican Republic has recorded its 11th million annual visitor in 2024, over a million more than in 2023.
Needless to say, the surge in arrivals has been led by a wide margin by Punta Cana, the leading resort town on the easternmost tip of the island and every American’s go-to destination in winter––that is, if they’re not going to Cancun.
If you’re wondering how Punta Cana keeps building on its popularity year after year, to the point it’s arguably the number one destination in the Caribbean this winter, here are 6 reasons why:
Cheap Flights From America
The excellent flight connectivity plays a huge part in Punta Cana’s popularity with Americans: no matter where you live Stateside, you’re likely to be a short 1-2 hour drive away from an airport that offers flights to the resort hotspot.
If that does not apply, your regional airport is surely connected to one of the 20 larger hubs hosting Punta Cana flights.
These include major airports like New York (JFK), Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Philadelphia (PHL), and Miami (MIA), with airlines such as American Airlines, JetBlue, and Frontier, among many more, selling tickets from only $85, as seen on Kayak.
Picture-Perfect Beaches
Then there’s the fact Punta Cana is home to some of the most beautiful beaches anywhere in the Caribbean.
Lying adjacent to Playa Bavaro, in the eastern Dominican Republic, it forms the wider Costa del Coco, or Coconut Coast, a stretch of coastline strewn with palm-tree-dotted white sands and bordered by gin-colored seas.
The area is literally packed with swimming sites catering to a diverse audience:
The peaceful Playa Blanca has laid-back restaurants, plenty of room to lie in the sun, and serene waters; are you a surfer and water sports enthusiast? Macao Beach is the place to be, with its tube-shaped waves and youthful atmosphere.
Now, if you love Cancun’s Hotel Zone for the buzzing shopping scene and nightlife, and you’d like to check out Punta Cana’s version of it this way, Carretera Cabeza de Toro runs parallel to a well-frequented beach, and it’s lined with shops and seafood restaurants.
Pick Your All-Inclusive!
It isn’t a Caribbean vacation if there isn’t some pampering involved.
Similarly to other leisure destinations in the turquoise sea, Punta Cana boasts a high concentration of luxury resorts with a wide range of prices, whether you’re simply looking for somewhere comfortable enough to sleep and within walking distance of the beach or an all-inclusive.
For the former, Aventura Villas Los Carales is a great alternative to the pricier resorts, with overnight rates of $154 for a Deluxe Suite with ocean views, an outdoor pool for all guests, and 9 restaurants in the premises of the accommodation.
If all-inclusive’s your way to travel, the award-winning Royalton CHIC Punta Cana is a solid pick, with a private beach, 7 restaurants on-site, a lagoon-style pool, and spa facilities––not to mention all of the endless food and sumptuous breakfast buffet for $390-a-night.
Other 5 incredible hotels in Punta Cana include:
Dominican Culture
Besides living it up in luxurious resorts, immersing themselves in Dominican culture is just as appealing to tourists.
While Punta Cana is not necessarily great for sightseeing, serving primarily as a beach destination, there’s nothing stopping you from using it as a base to explore other parts of Hispaniola island:
The overlooked capital, Santo Domingo, is a colonial-era gem and the oldest city founded by Europeans in the Americas, distinguished by a UNESCO-protected historic center, 16th-century fortifications, and ornate churches.
This day tour of Santo Domingo leaving from Punta Cana is the easiest and safest way to discover the historically-significant city, from $75.
Alternatively, you can visit a monkey sanctuary in the Dominican jungle, as well as plantation fields dating back to the period of colonial rule ($95), take a catamaran ferry to unspoiled Saona Island ($97), or enjoy a food sampling tour in Punta Cana itself (for only $8).
Great Food All Around
Though not as widely popular in America as Mexican or Cuban, Dominican food is just as delicious as their Caribbean counterparts, and Punta Cana has its fair share of amazing restaurants, both in and outside resort premises.
Don’t leave without trying Bandera Dominican (Dominican Flag), the national dish, combining white rice, beans, and stewed chicken, beef or pork, sancocho, the meat-heavy Caribbean stew, and any of the lemon-sprayed, freshly-caught fish.
Venturing outside your hotel?
Some of the top-rated restaurants in town are La Tiendita, a 4.5-star-reviewed steakhouse, La Yola, a Caribbean-Mediterranean fusion serving delicious lobster risotto, and Jellyfish Beach Restaurant, famous for their fillet mignon.
Punta Cana Resorts Are Safe For Tourists
Last but certainly not least, Punta Cana is a low-risk destination for Americans vacationing abroad: between the luxury resorts and their crime-free beaches and the well-surveilled downtown, violent crime affecting visitors in this part of the island is almost unheard-of.
That being said, you shouldn’t lower your guard if venturing out of your resort: make sure your valuables are kept in a hotel safe, and only take out your phone to take pictures if the surroundings feel safe enough.
Other parts of the Dominican Republic may be less safe than Punta Cana’s resort strip, such as Santo Domingo, where petty crime and even violent crime occur at higher rates.
For that reason, you’re advised to refer to the official U.S. travel advice.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.