Summer weekend in Punta Cana
How locals do summer in Punta Cana — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Punta Cana
Bávaro Beach
OutdoorsBávaro
Blue Flag turquoise stretch with coconut palms — paddleboards, banana boats, beach beds.
Hoyo Azul Cenote
OutdoorsScape Park
Electric-blue 75m sinkhole at the foot of a cliff — swim, jump and zipline above.
Isla Saona Day Trip
OutdoorsBayahibe (1hr)
Catamaran to a postcard island — natural pool with starfish, BBQ lunch, merengue boat back.
Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park
OutdoorsPuntacana Resort
12 freshwater lagoons in tropical forest — swim, kayak, spot iguanas.
Cap Cana Marina
Food & DrinkCap Cana
Superyacht harbour with waterfront tapas, La Palapa beach club and sunset cocktails.
Coco Bongo
NightlifeDowntown Punta Cana
Mega-club with aerial acrobats, tribute acts and confetti cannons till 4am.
Where to eat
Citrus
$$$Fusion Fine Dining · Punta Cana Village
Chef Patrick Hilaire's Dominican-French tasting — sea bass with passionfruit, candlelit garden.
Jellyfish Beach Restaurant
$$$Mediterranean / Seafood · Arena Gorda
Two-story beachfront house — toes in the sand at lunch, candles and live sax at dinner.
La Yola
$$$Caribbean Seafood · Puntacana Marina
Thatched-roof over-water palapa — Oscar de la Renta-designed, grilled lobster, marina views.
Playa Blanca
$$Caribbean Lunch · Punta Cana Resort
Beach club lunch — ceviche, grilled mahi-mahi, mojitos with feet in the sand.
Wacamole Restaurant
$$Mexican · Los Corales
Cantina with margarita flights, tableside guacamole, mariachi on Saturdays.
Live & on stage
Carnaval Dominicano (La Vega)
La Vega (3hr) · Every Sunday February · Carnival / Free
Latin Music Week
Cap Cana · Oct 27–31 · Reggaeton / Industry
Merengue Festival Santo Domingo
Malecón · Jul 21–28 · Merengue / Free
Punta Cana Jazz Festival
Hard Rock Hotel · Nov 6–8 · Jazz / Latin
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Bávaro Beach, Hoyo Azul Cenote, Isla Saona Day Trip. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Punta Cana and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.