Things to do in Punta Cana this weekend
A locals-first shortlist of what's worth your time in Punta Cana this weekend — from outdoor escapes to standout food and live music.
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
- Locals' favourites right now: Bávaro Beach, Hoyo Azul Cenote, Isla Saona Day Trip. The full list is curated weekly and balances outdoor, food, culture and live music picks.