When people say Punta Cana, they usually mean the whole east coast of the Dominican Republic, from Cap Cana in the south to Uvero Alto in the north. The areas along it are very different, and choosing the right one matters more than choosing the right house.
Cap Cana
Cap Cana is a large gated community south of the airport, about fifteen minutes away. It has its own marina, the base for many private yachts and most sport fishing charters, the Punta Espada golf course along the cliffs, Juanillo beach, and some of the most private villas in the region.
It suits guests who want privacy, security and a quieter setting, with restaurants and the marina close by. Is Cap Cana part of Punta Cana? Geographically yes, but it feels like a separate world.
Puntacana Resort & Club
Just next to the airport, Puntacana Resort & Club is another gated community, with the Corales and La Cana golf courses, villas, hotels and Punta Cana Village, a small centre with restaurants and shops. It is the most convenient area for arrivals and departures.
Bavaro
Bavaro is the long beach north of the airport, and the heart of the resort area. Most of the large all-inclusive hotels are here, along with the widest choice of restaurants, bars and nightlife. It is livelier and less private, and its east-facing beaches receive more seaweed in the summer months than the south coast.
Cabeza de Toro
Just south of Bavaro, Cabeza de Toro is a smaller, calmer stretch of coast with a mix of resorts and residences, close to everything without being in the middle of it.
Uvero Alto
About an hour north of the airport, Uvero Alto is the quiet end of the coast: long, wild beaches, fewer buildings, and a slower pace. It suits guests who want to stay put and rest, and who do not mind a longer drive for dinners out.
Casa de Campo and La Romana
Further west, around an hour from the airport, Casa de Campo is a large resort community near La Romana, known for its golf, its marina and its easy access to Catalina Island. It is a different stay from Punta Cana itself, and a helicopter makes the connection simple.
So where should you stay?
- Privacy, a villa, the marina and golf: Cap Cana
- Convenience close to the airport, and golf: Puntacana Resort & Club
- Restaurants and nightlife on your doorstep: Bavaro
- Quiet and long empty beaches: Uvero Alto
Whichever you choose, a villa works best with the service arranged around it: a chef, housekeeping and groceries in the fridge before you arrive. That is what our villa services are for, and a driver on call makes the distances between the areas disappear.