The Caribbean is the go-to spot for Americans going on international vacations.
With its miles on miles of white sands lapped by a turquoise-colored ocean, tall palm trees, and relaxed atmosphere, there is simply nowhere quite like it in the world.
With that being said, the Caribbean is an incredibly diverse collective of nations and territories, and due to their similar nature, sometimes it’s hard to tell them apart, especially for newcomers.
Granted, if there is one that is engrained in the average American’s mind, it is the stunning beach destination of Punta Cana.
Punta Cana Is One Of The Trendiest Resort Zones This Year
The crown jewel of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is one of the most popular beach spots right now, having registered a record increase in tourist numbers, and a high occupancy in 2023 so far.
You may be wondering what the fuss is all about.
First of all, where is Punta Cana even located?
The Crown Jewel Of The DR
If you aren’t yet familiar with a map of the Caribbean, you should know Punta Cana is located in the easternmost part of the Dominican Republic, a country that is itself part of Hispaniola, an island it shares with Haiti.
Unlike its neighbor to the West, however, the DR, as it is commonly called in its shortened form, is much more developed and stable, as well as a fast-growing tourist destination, mostly propelled by its coastal resorts.
Home to popular towns like Puerto Plata, La Romana, Las Terrenas, and of course, Punta Cana, it is perhaps the Caribbean’s second most sought-after destination after Mexico’s mighty Cancun.
So Why Is Punta Cana So Popular?
We could list dozens of reasons why Punta Cana is so trendy at the minute, but we will focus on the four main ones. First, there is obviously the climate.
Gorgeous Weather
As it is located in the Caribbean, near the tropics, it enjoys year-round warm weather and temperate evenings, making it a perfect off-season destination.
In fact, the best time to travel to Punta Cana is winter, when humidity levels are lower, it rarely ever rains, and it is still hot outside.
Punta Cana is surely no stranger to clouds or storms over summer and fall, but these are known to dissipate within minutes of appearing, as it is mostly a result of the buildup of heat.
Needless to say, Punta Cana is just the perfect tropical getaway.
World-Class Service
Secondly, there is Punta Cana’s well-equipped resort zone, home to both some of the world’s most luxurious hospitality brands and affordable all-inclusive stays.
Whether it’s exclusivity you’re after – and you have some dosh in the bank to splurge – or an affordable vacay, Punta has something to offer you.
You can stay at the famous all-inclusive Jewel Palm Beach resort in Cabeza de Toro, one of the liveliest zones in Punta Cana, for as cheap as $145 per night this fall when making a reservation through Booking.com.
The next one up is the Grand Bavaro Princess, yet another luxurious property boasting private beach access and bungalow suites, with one-night rates starting at $174 this September
Traveling with family and small kids? Perhaps you should consider Nickelodeon’s Punta Cana listing.
The Nickelodeon-themed Gourmet All Inclusive by Karisma. It sits 17 miles away from the city center of Punta Cana at the development zone of Uvero Alto, but it features an aquatic park, children-friendly pools, and large suit pads, with individual rates starting at $181.
Meanwhile, solo travelers and couples will perhaps prefer the adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach, a short 4-mile drive from central Punta Cana, within walking distance of several bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues.
Finally, there is Punta Cana’s impressive safety levels.
Punta Cana Is Very Safe
Especially in resort zones, tourists are rarely, if ever affected by crime at all. While the Dominican Republic as a whole faces higher rates of violence compared to certain parts of the United States, Punta Cana is a safety oasis.
Criminals are kept out by the tight surveillance adopted by local authorities, and the strong police presence ensures wrongdoers are immediately identified and driven away from the entertainment complexes.
A majority of travelers flying to Punta Cana stay within resorts, as well, only leaving the premises when joining a tour with an authorized travel guide, and both at their accommodation and when exploring other parts of town under supervision, their risk of falling victim to crime is essentially null.
Punta Cana, and the wider DR, is currently a Level 2 destination, meaning Americans are not advised to avoid visiting.
They must adhere to general safety advice instead, such as avoiding displaying signs of wealthiness in public or walking deserted, non-touristy areas unaccompanied.
Punta Cana is perfectly safe, the beaches are stunning, and resort guests are treated like royalty: what’s not to like, again?
