A blue sky, the occasional cloud looming, palm trees with coconuts, a turquoise sea that seems to dazzle, white sand like flour and someone taking a photo with a drink of strong color that contrasts with the whole landscape. It could be a nice background image of the work computer or it could be one of those typical images of the beaches of Punta Cana.
The most beautiful beaches in Punta Cana have all that accumulated paradise that makes them one of the best beaches in the world. In this post we will travel to the beach in the Dominican Republic where we will list the 10 best beaches in Punta Cana, their services, what they are like, where they are and the reasons why travelers should visit them at least once.
How are the beaches of Punta Cana
First of all and before imagining one drinking coconut juice, sitting on a deck chair on the paradisiacal beaches of Punta Cana, knowing what the beaches of Punta Cana are like leads one to think what are the reasons why which travelers choose these Caribbean beaches and not others, is there something special about them? Let’s find out.
As we described at the beginning, walking along the most beautiful beaches of Punta Cana give the same feeling as if one were stepping on flour, a soft and very white sand that even seems artificial (of course not it is), the sea, fortunately today without the presence of the hated sargassum, has a turquoise color that changes hue when the sun rises, the water temperature ranges between 26 and 28 degrees, and can reach 20 degrees on the “coldest” days.
In addition, the sea of Punta Cana has a visibility greater than 20 meters, so it is possible to dive to admire the largest reef systems in the entire country, populated by corals, colorful fish, shipwrecks and even, depending on the time of year, see humpback whales in the distance.
Many of the beaches (not all) are part of the exclusiveness of the hotel complexes, which means that only guests (or hiring a particular excursion) can go. Of course, not all of them are like that, but there are different public beaches and, with kilometers and kilometers of endless beaches, they make it quite difficult to find “overcrowding” of tourists on the shore.
Beyond everything, the best thing is that, in Punta Cana, there is beaches for all tastes, from calm waters, ideal for those who visit Punta Cana with kids; waters with intense waves, ideal for those looking to practice water sports such as surfing or kitesurfing; extensive beaches, perfect for those looking to walk romantically along the shore or beaches with more services, such as restaurants or shops, swimming equipment or even scheduled excursions.
Where are the best beaches in Punta Cana
Taking as a reference only the beaches of the island of the Dominican Republic, the most beautiful beaches of Punta Cana (and let’s say also, the best beaches of Punta Cana) are located on the east coast of the big island shared between Dominican Republic and Haiti, in other words, on the eastern coast, off Puerto Rico.
The entire beach sector, known as Punta Cana is actually “La Costa del Coco” but everyone knows it as Punta Cana. The road that runs along the entire coastal area is number 105 and being able to travel it along its entire length, it is possible to descend on the different public beaches of Punta Cana. But what are the best beaches in Punta Cana?
Traveler advice: yes, the most famous beaches in Punta Cana, those that all travelers (and residents) go to on a great sunny day, where they can bathe in the crystal clear water or rest on the sand, they are located in the east of the great island of the Dominican Republic, but, for the more adventurous travelers, we also recommend visiting a key place where you can find more paradisiacal beaches, more activities to do and sites most unknown to travelers. Keep reading that we will tell you where it is and how to visit it.
What is the best beach area in Punta Cana?
Punta Cana is one of those destinations in the world that “adapts” to all preferences, ages or ways of traveling, in other words, it is a great place to visit whether traveling alone, As a couple, with friends, as a family with small children or not so much, which means that there are activities and places to enjoy regardless of the type of trip you are looking for.
Sometimes defining “what is the best” can sound somewhat subjective, although we always recommend analyzing each of the points to, in this case, define which is the best beach area in Punta Cana. In what way? If someone is looking for a famous, beautiful, extensive beach, with services and close to most hotels, then the best beach area in Punta Cana is Playa Bávaro, famous worldwide, thanks to the “perfect paradisiacal postcard” that forms between the sand, the sea and the palm trees.
The Playa Bávaro area is one of the most chosen places by travelers to stay, especially because it is close to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world (literally).
On the other hand, if someone is looking for beaches further away from the tourist mass, exclusivity and privacy, then a great place to go is Cap Cana, located almost at south of the island. The difference between Cap Cana and the rest of the beaches is that there are no public beaches, so it is necessary to go on excursions or stay in hotels in the area.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a beach where surf, the best alternative is to visit the beach Cabeza de Toro,“ neighboring ”to Playa Bávaro and with an extremely important swell during most of the year.
For those looking for adventure, a more rugged environment and the possibility of doing activities such as buggy or quad rides, a great option to also enjoy the beaches of Punta Cana is to visit the area from Playa Macao, located north of Playa Bávaro, which, in addition to having an extensive and wide line of sand, the way of arrival must be through some “adventure” means of transport. But come on, what are the best beaches in Punta Cana?
The 10 best beaches in Punta Cana
1. Bávaro Beach, the best beach in Punta Cana
As we told you at the beginning, the most famous beach in Punta Cana is Playa Bávaro, par excellence the area chosen by travelers to stay and, in addition, a perfect beach postcard with everything we have been mentioning: sand, turquoise sea and palm trees (declared a few years ago by UNESCO as one of the best beaches in the world, are there still doubts?)
Leaving aside the naturally beautiful part of Playa Bávaro, in its surroundings and very close to the income, the resort hotels are distributed, as well as shops and restaurants, being an ideal place to taste the typical dishes of the Dominican culture.
Did you know that designer Oscar de la Renta and artist Julio Iglesias have their beach mansions in Playa Bávaro?
- Are there public beaches in Playa Bávaro? There is no direct access from the road to Playa Bávaro but what is possible to do, At least until the year 2021, it is to walk along the shore from the “neighboring beaches” such as El Cortecito and thus reach Playa Bávaro.
2. El Cortecito, the beach in Punta Cana where locals go
When there is a place that is also visited by locals, it kind of generates a little more confidence for travelers, right? El Cortecito is one of the most visited beaches in Punta Cana and, definitely, one of the recommended places to rest during a vacation on the island.
El Cortecito beach has the particularity of having very calm and shallow waters, making it ideal for swimming, although, the best thing is that it is surrounded by a fishing village, ideal to learn more about the local culture of Punta Cana.
- Are there public beaches in El Cortecito? Yes! El Cortecito has different entrances from the road and even has taxi boats to travel to other places.
3. Cabo Engaño, one of the most beautiful beaches in Punta Cana
Located somewhat further away than Playa Bávaro or El Cortecito, but being an inexplicable place to the eyes is Cabo Engaño, located almost 30 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport and delighting travelers with more than 60 kilometers of white sands, turquoise waters and everything that Punta Cana is looking for.
Cabo Engaño is a great place to wake up and, instead of resting, take advantage of the strong winds to do some water activities such as parasailing and windsurfing (always taking into account the marine currents), photograph the local fauna and dive or snorkel enjoying the coral reef that surrounds it. The best? It is not so exploited touristically yet, so there are not so many tourists.
- Are there public beaches in Cabo Engaño? Yes, you can enter from the access of the Cabeza de Toro highway, even towards the Cabo Engaño lighthouse, another tourist attraction to visit in the place.
4. Cabeza de Toro beach, warm, calm and crystalline waters in Punta Cana, what more could you ask for?
Qualified as one of the most beautiful beaches in Punta Cana, we find Cabeza de Toro beach, located south of Playa Bávaro where, not only is it a A great place to rest and swim, as it has calm and turquoise waters (ideal for those who visit Punta Cana with children), but it is also surrounded by vegetation.
Being almost over a bay, there are practically no waves, which makes it one of the most chosen by families since, in addition, there are also activities to do both in the beach as in the sea.
The best: it is unusual that it is filled with tourists but it is still an almost unknown destination.
- Are there public beaches in Cabeza de Toro? Yes, access is from the road, entering the Cabeza de Toro National Park, from the port or from the nearby road to Catalonia Golf Hotel although there are also many agencies that carry out excursions to the beach.
5. Playa Blanca, an exclusive and very chic beach in Punta Cana
If someone is looking for something like “a deserted beach, with few people, tranquility, privacy and peace to rest” then the answer is: the White Beach of Punta Cana that, as only happens with some of them, continues to be a place little visited by the tourist mass.
The beach itself is small but, as it has restricted access, the “waves of people” walking along the shore are impossible to see. In the afternoon (actually at any time of day) there is a bar belonging to a luxury hotel where you can buy drinks to enjoy the atmosphere. Also, for travelers more restless, it is possible to do different activities such as volleyball, soccer, snorkeling, kite surfing and even diving.
- Are there public beaches in Playa Blanca ? Of course! Playa Blanca is considered one of the best public beaches in Punta Cana that, although you have to present an identification to enter, it is completely public and you do not have to pay any access fee.
6. Playa Juanillo, the most exclusive beach in Punta Cana
At the time we had told you that Cap Cana is the most exclusive place in Punta Cana, a place where luxury hotels in the region are located. In this same This site is also one of the best beaches in Punta Cana, Playa Juanillo, where, in addition to the beach postcard that we have been mentioning, it is also possible to carry out other activities such as snorkeling, kite surfing and kayaking.
The area surrounding the beach also follows the same type of exclusivity for its services and accommodations, consisting of casinos, restaurants and even a marina for luxury boats.
Traveler advice: a few meters from the beach, to the north, is the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve, with very beautiful natural wells to visit, a great alternative to do in Punta Cana.
- Are there public beaches in Playa Juanillo? The reality is that the only way to access Playa Juanillo is by staying in one of the hotels that surround it or, on the contrary, hire a day trip to visit it. Travel recommendation: the beach is worth a visit.
7. Playa Arena Gorda, the beach for surfing in Punta Cana
With its name, with the cause still unknown, Playa de Arena Gorda is one of the beaches of Punta Cana most chosen by surfers, due to the strong waves that occur during almost every days. For the same reason, it may seem that the turquoise color or the shades of blue have “faded” but it is because the waves themselves make the ground more disturbed.
Arena Gorda beach is close to Playa Bávaro, but smaller in size and less frequented by families, since the sea is somewhat more unruly, is chosen by those who they want to practice water sports such as kite surfing or even snorkeling although, for those who prefer to rest on the sand, it is also possible to play volleyball.
- Are there public beaches in Playa Arena Gorda? Yes, there is access to about 200 meters from the sand through the hotel zone, Lounge chairs (or loungers) are exclusive for hotel guests but there is always a palm tree available to rest in the shade.
8. Playa Macao, the adventure beach of Punta Cana
For those seeking adrenaline, adventure, surfing and a beach with more activities to do, then Macao Beach is ideal. This beach is located north of Bávaro but before reaching the Uvero Alto area, surrounded by a jungle landscape that makes it even more interesting.
The best thing about Playa Macao is that, as it is not surrounded by any resort, makes the atmosphere even more authentic and with the possibility of accessing without any “obstacle”, only with the need to have a vehicle.
Being north facing, the beach has intense swell, which makes it chosen by surfers, being able to rent their own boards on the beach and, for those who stay resting, you can rent buggys to tour it.
Travel tip: there is a stall that sells local food that, according to travelers, is a must.
- Are there public beaches in Playa Macao? One hundred percent! The entire area of Playa Macao is freely accessible, you just have to go through the exit that says “Macao” and go through a small town.
9. Playa Uvero Alto, one of the beaches with waves in Punta Cana
Just north of Macao is Playa Uvero Alto, another of the ideal beaches for surfers in Punta Cana due to its intense waves. Uvero Alto, furthermore, is far from the “tourist mass”, from the large number of luxury resorts and hotels, so the shore is usually a little quieter than other beaches that we have been counting.
Despite this, in Uvero Alto there are some small hotels, ideal for those traveling to Punta Cana as a family, for having water parks and for the tranquility that characterizes it, although, nobility obliges is not one of the longest beaches in the region, so long romantic walks along the shore can wait for another beach.
- Are there public beaches in Uvero Alto? Yes, as in Macao, access to Uvero Alto is free and not necessary cross the hotel income, but has access through the Uvero Alto Highway, bordering the lagoon.
10. Saona Island, the best recommendation to visit in Punta Cana
As we told you at the beginning, one of the “beaches not beaches” to visit in Punta Cana is located right in front of the Island of the Dominican Republic, less than 1 hour away and It is Saona Island, paradise in all its letters.
All its natural beauty, both flora and fauna, is protected by the Cotubanamá National Park, which preserves nature for the 110 square kilometers that make up the island.
Why is it one of the must-see beaches in Punta Cana? Because the island has miles and miles of virgin white sand beaches, surrounded by a turquoise sea that is incredible to see, palm trees, forests, mangroves, natural pools and even exotic vegetation that culminates in the “photograph”.
- Are there public beaches on Saona Island? The way to get to Saona Island is through an excursion that is offered in all hotels and resorts and Dominican tourism agencies.
Knowing which is the best Beach in Punta Cana can only be defined by visiting each one of them, because they have their own special charm and characteristics that make them unique. What is your favorite?
