where to stay in punta cana: the best area for your type of trip

What is the best area to stay in Punta Cana?

By Carles Barceló. Updated February 2026

The best area to stay in Punta Cana is Bávaro due to its central location, stunning beaches, and wide range of hotels. For those seeking luxury and peace, Cap Cana is an excellent alternative, while Uvero Alto and Cabeza de Toro are ideal for travelers looking for rest and nature.

Punta Cana sits on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, stretching along more than 40 kilometers of coastline where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the premier destinations in the Caribbean, drawing millions of visitors every year who are captivated by its white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and its vast selection of resorts and activities.

Having evolved into a top tourist destination since the 1970s, Punta Cana is now synonymous with leisure and sun drenched vacations. The beaches are simply perfect, featuring warm and calm waters framed by endless palm groves. Most activities revolve around the sea, including snorkeling, diving, sailing, whale watching, or coral reef excursions. Additionally, the area offers shopping centers, golf courses, and a vibrant nightlife.

Bávaro is the best area to stay in Punta Cana, as it serves as the main tourist hub with a great variety of hotels, restaurants, and activities for every type of traveler. Its beaches are considered among the best in the world, offering relaxation during the day and entertainment at night. On the map, which shows the most convenient areas to stay in Punta Cana, you can find some of the best located hotels.

On the map, which shows the most convenient areas to stay in Punta Cana, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.

Practical information for visiting Punta Cana

• Country: Dominican Republic

• Region: La Altagracia

• Currency: Dominican Peso (DOP)

• Language: Spanish

• Best time to visit:

• December to April, dry season with the most stable weather

• May and November, fewer tourists and lower prices

• Climate: Tropical

• Airport: Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)

• Getting around: Private transfers, taxis, and organized tours from the hotels

• Good to know: Hurricane season runs from June to November, with the highest risk between August and September

Best areas to stay in Punta Cana

• Bávaro → The best overall area, beaches, leisure, and resorts
• Cap Cana → Luxury, tranquility, and golf
• Uvero Alto → Relaxation, nature, and surfing
• Cabeza de Toro → Natural surroundings, peace, and proximity to the airport

Related destinations: Cancún, Playa del Carmen

Our Favourite Hotels

These are our 3 favourite hotels in Punta Cana

JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar - Adults Only All Inclusive Resort

Rating: 9.4 Price: $440

[Adults only] With its spacious rooms and perfectly kept gardens, this spot feels both clean and effortless. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the morning on a beautiful stretch of warm, aqua water and the afternoon drifting between the pools—with plenty of cabanas to go around and a golf course just a short shuttle ride away.

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Hotel Casa Don Luis Cap Cana by Faranda Boutique

Rating: 9.1 Price: $431

A serene oasis set within a converted chapel, this boutique gem pairs intimate garden terraces with a legendary service that makes every guest feel like family. From its exceptional breakfast to the 'peaceful sanctuary' vibe, it offers a soul-stirring escape just minutes from the airport.

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Ocean Blue & Sand Beach Resort - All Inclusive

Rating: 8.6 Price: $310

This resort makes everything easy—from the lush tropical layout and frequent beach buggies to the intuitive guest app. With spacious rooms, incredibly comfy beds, and a standout dining scene, the Japanese restaurant and breakfast buffet are absolute highlights. It`s a great experience where the friendly staff and endless activities leave you wanting for nothing.

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Bávaro, the best area in Punta Cana

Bávaro is one of the main tourist zones in Punta Cana. The turquoise water laps against sand so white it is hard to believe it is real, while the palm trees add a deep green to the landscape. The hotels are in perfect harmony with the scenery, organizing countless activities for everyone. You can choose from a brilliant selection of hotels of all styles and categories, most of them right on the beachfront. The area is well connected to the rest of Punta Cana and the airport, where you will find plenty of buses and taxis to get you to your hotel in no time. Bávaro is also a very safe neighborhood with a visible police presence to help you find your way if you get lost. What more could you ask for?

The first thing you will want to do when you arrive in Bávaro is find your hotel and run to the beach, which will only take a few seconds since the vast majority of accommodations are right by the water. The beaches of Punta Cana are considered among the best in the world, and Bávaro is no exception, the sand is pure and soft, and the waters are incredibly clean and perfect for swimming. You will never forget the postcard perfect views, giving you the constant feeling of living in a sun soaked paradise of palm trees and transparent waters. At Bávaro beach, you can rent loungers to soak up the sun for hours, try out snorkeling gear, go diving, test your surfing skills, rent jet skis, or head out on a kayak, rowboat, or sailboat.

When you have had your fill of the beach, if that is even possible, you can visit nearby attractions. Take the little ones to Manati Park, where they can enjoy animal shows featuring dolphins, seals, parrots, and horses, or explore spectacular gardens filled with a wide variety of tropical flowers and trees.

Most hotels also organize excursions that take you to visit typical Dominican homes, go horseback riding, fishing trips, whale watching, or scuba diving lessons. There is a huge variety to choose from, and you really cannot spend a vacation in Punta Cana without taking at least one day to get to know the local customs, the people, the typical dishes and drinks, and sharing a few stories with someone from the area. Most tours include transportation, food, and an expert guide who will share the secrets of the region.

For those looking for some shopping, the beachfront is lined with shops offering everything you might need, from food to beach gear. Further inland, you will find a variety of supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, and small local shops. You can also enjoy a wide range of restaurants, bars, and clubs with an international atmosphere. The hotels are generally low rise and quite modern, offering impressive views, huge rooms, and excellent service, along with tennis courts, pools, hot tubs, indoor clubs, gyms, and spas. The area also features several famous open air nightclubs, such as Imagine, Mangú, Pachá, or Areito, which keep the nights lively for tourists, though every hotel usually has its own disco as well.

Hotels in Bávaro

Cap Cana, the other recommended area

If you prefer not to stay in Bávaro and are looking for something quieter, Cap Cana is another great option. This is an upscale neighborhood, famous for its luxurious atmosphere. It is very safe and well connected to both the airport and the rest of Punta Cana. In Cap Cana, you can visit the high end marina, where you will see giant yachts heading out to sea every few minutes. You can also relax and swim at fantastic golden sand beaches like Caleton Beach, Fishermen’s Beach, or Juanillo Beach.

You can play golf at the best courses in the country, go birdwatching at Scape Park, or visit Iguabonita Cave to see impressive limestone and crystal formations. Cap Cana also offers numerous restaurants, bars, clubs, and shops along the coastline. There are plenty of 5 star hotels providing top tier service around the marina, but if you are looking for something more budget friendly, a few streets back you can find more affordable options, ranging from simpler hotels to hostels.

Hotels in Cap Cana

Uvero Alto

Another place to consider when deciding where to stay in Punta Cana is Uvero Alto, a small and quiet enclave located north of the famous Coconut Coast. The beach at Uvero Alto is one of the best kept secrets in the area, a virtually untouched stretch of sand that has everything you would expect from a true Caribbean paradise. It is an ideal spot for those looking for total rest as well as those who want to add a bit of adventure to their vacation.

The beach stretches along an endless strip of white sand, perfect for relaxing under the sun, while its turquoise waters are especially popular with surfers. One of the big advantages of Uvero Alto is the consistency of the waves, making it a perfect spot for both beginners and intermediate surfers. The offshore reef helps create stable and safe waves, and along the beach, you will find surf schools and equipment rentals for all levels.

Besides surfing, you can go snorkeling and diving in well preserved reefs, or enjoy a horseback ride along the shore at sunset, which is a truly unforgettable experience. After an intense day between the beach and activities, you can return to one of the excellent all inclusive hotels in the area, known for their tranquility, good service, and beautiful natural environment.

Hotels in Uvero Alto

Cabeza de Toro

Cabeza de Toro is one of the most beautiful beaches on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, famous for its spectacular natural beauty and its unique location between the Caribbean Sea and the vast Bávaro Lagoon, an important natural reserve that adds a special charm to the area. Additionally, it is one of the most convenient areas to stay thanks to its proximity to the airport.

Compared to other parts of Punta Cana, Cabeza de Toro has a lower tourist density and a stronger focus on nature. Its coastline is protected by a reef that keeps the sea calm for most of the year, creating that characteristic relaxed Caribbean atmosphere with white sand, crystal clear waters, and palm trees everywhere. It is a particularly good spot for swimming and resting without large crowds.

Around the beach, you will find several restaurants and bars, as well as local craft stalls where you can buy typical souvenirs. For those who want to discover the most authentic side of Cabeza de Toro, it is worth heading a bit away from the main tourist spots to explore the quieter, more natural stretches of coast that retain a special charm and leave a lasting impression.

Hotels in Cabeza de Toro