Making the most of Punta Cana
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
As cruise ships are not able to dock here you will be tendered ashore. Tendering takes about 20 minutes to Cap Cana Marina and Harbor.
Cruise schedule for Punta Cana Dominican Republic
Punta Cana is a town that is found in the La Altagracia Province, which is considered to be the Easternmost province of the Dominican Republic. The town is regarded to be a part of the Punta-Cana-Bavaro-Veron-Macao municipal district, but more specifically the town is located in the Higuey municipality. The region has been blessed with a beautiful coastline full of sandy white beaches that face both the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. Because of the natural beauty of the town, and its tropical wet and dry climate, it has been a very popular tourist destination since the early 1970s.
Bavaro Adventure Park Outdoor adventure theme park in a natural and ecologically sustainable environment. There are 44 hectares of land, 5.5 km of ecological trails, sustainable architecture based on used containers and recycled materials. There are rest areas, souvenir and photo shop, playground area for children, hammocks, bathrooms with showers, lockers, restaurant, hydration points throughout the park, among other services. Over 15 fun activities including zip-lines, paintball, a bungee trampoline, flight simulators, and many others. There's also an on-site Jurassic Park, with more than 20 animatronic dinosaurs.
Getting around
Passengers, who are interested in having a relaxed time under the sun, should pay a visit to Bavaro Beach. The beach boasts of powder white sand, that is always kept clean, and the access it has to the warm, clear waters that surround it.
Animal and nature lovers alike should not miss out on the chance to visit the Manati Park, which is a theme park that offers lush gardens and an array of animals that are found in the Dominican Republic. Here, visitors even get the chance to swim with real dolphins.
One of the most popular safari excursions in the town is the Bavaro Runners. The excursion encompasses interaction with the locals through visiting some of their homes, their sugar plantations, and finally closes with a horseback ride on the beautiful beaches.
Visit the turquoise waters of the Hoyo Azul, a freshwater lagoon at the base of a 200-foot cliff.
Nearby places
Historical landmarks can be found in plenty when one visits Santo Domingo and it is considered to be the site of the first European settlement in the Western Hemisphere, which has been successful in preserving its colonial heritage for over five centuries. In addition, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Scape Park Only a 10 minute drive from port. Scape Park offers everything from thrilling and adrenaline packed adventures to smooth and cultural experiences. Let your senses Scape while ziplining on a cliff, exploring ancient caverns, swimming in underground caves, jumping from water zip lines and riding in our splash hammocks! In addition to all these unique adventures you can also have the option to cruise along stunning beaches, snorkel in tropical waters or just relax in our exclusive beach club.
Money
1 Dominican peso = 0.029499 U.S. Dollars
Many establishments accept USD especially in touristic areas, however, some small stores will only take pesos. You can get some local currency through the ATM.