With September fast approaching, it’s nearly time to start planning that fall getaway, and if you haven’t yet had the chance to go somewhere nice and warm this year already, where you get pampered and bask in the sun, Cancun is likely to be at the top of your list.
Before you book that jam-packed hotel, however, you might want to check out this alternative gem, where beaches are just as pristine-white, resorts are just as luxurious, if not somewhat more affordable, and security is tight.
Leader in bookings in the Caribbean after Cancun, and home to a well-developed hospitality and entertainment industry, Punta Cana is all the off-season fun you need:
Why Is Punta Cana So Incredibly Popular Right Now?
According to David Collado, the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Tourism, the country is racing towards a record-breaking 2024 in tourism, and this has been largely helped by Punta Cana, its leading destination and best-developed resort zone:
As Collado reiterates, the high level of security tourists enjoy, as well as the diverse tourist offers, are all part of the reason why the country–Punta Cana included–is so popular with international visitors right now.
Though they certainly love the Caribbean’s endless miles of white, powdered-sugar-like sands, turquoise waters, and exotic nature, U.S. citizens still see the safety issues plaguing many countries in the region as a major deterrent.
Countries like Colombia and Jamaica, for instance, have all been slapped with travel warnings in recent months, currently featuring on the U.S. State Department’s Level 3 advisory; in non-technical terms, as an American, you’re urged to reconsider visiting.
Punta Cana, on the other hand, has not been hit with dire travel advisories, even though the Dominican Republic shares an island with one of the most unstable nation-states in the entire Caribbean––Haiti, we’re looking at you––where crime and gang activity are rampant.
Don’t get us wrong, crime can occur across the Dominican Republic, but as any beachgoer who’s ever swapped Cancun for Punta Cana will be able to attest, the touristy part of town, where all the upscale hotels, beach bars, and shopping centers are located is as safe as it gets.
How Safe Is Punta Cana?
The Dominican Republic itself is a Level 2 destination, and this means U.S. passport holders are not discouraged from visiting––instead, they must exercise ‘increased caution’, particularly when venturing out of the resort compound by themselves.
While the same cannot be said of certain districts of Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata, that near-20-mile stretch known as Coconut Coast, which includes Punta Cana and all its five-star listings and entertainment centers, is very low-risk to visit:
Furthermore, criminal acts have dropped 45% last year, as pointed out by El Nacional, which attributes rising safety levels in the Dominican Republic to efforts by current President Luis Abinader, ‘who has led a direct and constant strategy against crime’.
This is supported by the official presidency website, which corroborates crime is down across multiple regions of the island-nation, in certain areas by as high as 9.09%.
Punta Cana Can Be Cheaper To Visit Than Cancun
On top of its higher-than-average safety levels, Punta Cana is a surprisingly-economical tropical getaway for Americans, particularly those based in a Southern state like Florida: as seen on Kayak, there are one-way flights for as cheap as $75 leaving from Miami between September-November.
Though Floridians are better off, owing to their geographical proximity to the Caribbean and strong cultural ties to the Hispanic World, other U.S. travelers can just as easily get to Punta Cana in the fall, with at least 22 cities in America hosting Punta Cana-bound flights.
Let’s face it, the main reason why millions of tourists flock into the Dominican Republic every year is the world-class service that awaits them in those beachfront resorts, and the unparalleled tropical atmosphere.
Connectivity aside, resorts in this part of the Dominican Republic are not necessarily cheap per se, but they can be surprisingly affordable by American standards, especially in the eyes of the regular Cancun customer who’s used to a little splurging.
We all know fall travel means cheaper prices anyway, but in Bavaro, a laid-back patch of coast some 5 miles outside Punta Cana’s main resort area, we’re talking a mere $479 for a one-week stay at the Tropicana Sol Caribes Hotel Studios.
Granted, it’s not Grand Palladium or Iberostar, but it is sea-facing nonetheless, with access to a private section of beach!
It has an outdoor pool and spa facilities and as many as nine different restaurants on-site.
How Much Does An All-Inclusive Stay In Punta Cana Costs?
A slightly-more expensive listing, the Deluxe Villas Los Corales Beach & Spa claim the title of ‘best price for vacation rental’, as seen on Booking.com, and they’re an ideal pick for couples looking for some peace and quiet away from the kid-friendly mega resorts.
The property is equipped with a lush garden, restaurants and bars, as well as a casino; all units are reported to have AC, a safety deposit box––where you can leave your valuables as advised in the Dominican Republic––and room rates include a continental breakfast.
As for the more traditional, established names, the adults-only Serenade All Suites, a secluded oasis within short driving distance of all the shops and golf courses, with its landmark lagoon-style pool, costs from $1,666 to book for the week.
In the up-and-coming Cabeza de Toro, a wilder part of Punta Cana where hotels are located further apart and towering palm trees dominate the landscape, all-inclusive Catalonia Royal Bavaro will set you back by a (rather reasonable) $1,250 for a 7-night stay.
Essentially, regular hotels can cost anywhere between $479 and $596 this fall, while all-inclusive alternatives, for those who expect nothing but the royal treatment and 24/7 catering, range from $1,163 to $2,310, depending on amenities, location, and services provided.
A similar property in Cancun, with the best scores and lowest room rates on Booking.com can easily run you up $2,912-4,308, even in the off-season.
How Do Cancun And Punta Cana Compare?
There’s no doubt Cancun has the numbers to back it up and a wider variety of hotels, but as Superbox Travel verified in this detailed article, room rates in Punta Cana are generally cheaper, while the average user rating out of 10 (a.k.a satisfaction) isn’t that much lower:
Based on Superbox Travel‘s findings, the average cost of a four-star hotel in Punta Cana is $239 per night, versus $276 in Cancun, their respective ratings being 7.22/10 and 7.68/10.
As for five-stars, the price gap is even more pronounced, with overnights in Cancun averaging a whopping $505, while Punta Cana’s are roughly $422––ratings are similar as well, with Cancun scoring 8.46 and the latter a still-laudable 8.08.
For the thrill-seekers out there, there are plenty of budget-friendly activities to keep you entertained outside the confinement of your resort, from this $39-per-person buggy excursion through the jungle with hotel pick up to the best-selling $55.50 Catamaran Tour with open bar and snorkeling.
It’s definitely no Mexican Caribbean––don’t expect to find deeply cultural excursions to pre-Columbian sites or storybook colonial towns, as you would in Cancun––but it’s great for slowing down, taking a break from the busy life back home and engaging in outdoorsy activities.
It seems Punta Cana is in it for the win, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it took the lead in bookings come fall.
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