Quick Guide To For What To Do In Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Introduction

Dominican Republic. One of the countries in The Americas that has been elusive to me. But no more. Earlier this summer I was able to book a trip with multicity flights, from JFK in New York City to Punta Cana in Dominican Republic, and then from Santo Domingo also in DR back to NYC. The premise was to get a glimpse of these 2 important areas within the Island, and then maybe come back if I liked the experience. So without further ado, let’s start this story where it begins, in New York City.

From JFK to PUJ

I had a very early direct flight from JFK to PUJ (Punta Cana International Airport). I had to be in the airport at 3:00 AM for the flight at 5:00 AM. My plan was to sleep on the plane on the 4 hrs flight. We departed and was on my way to country #73. The sunrise was marvelous.

I took a nap and after a few snacks offered by Jetblue, I was reaching the light blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, and the Island of La Espanola.

After landing, we got into the airport and Customs. The line was long, and apparently the island was going to be a bit packed with tourists this weekend.

The airport was a bit cute. But here is when one of the nightmares of this trip started…

The Uber scam

Being from South America and having been to 73 countries at this point, I knew a lot of types of scams. I actually advise friends and family on what to do or not to do when visiting a city or country, to prevent them to be a target for scammers and other types of criminals.

But still, I was not prepared to what what’s going to happen. At the airport, I was jumped at by a lot of cab drivers. I would never take a taxi where Uber is available, and fortunately (or unfortunately) Uber is available in this country.

I called the Uber and even though the driver was close-by, took forever to move from where he was, and then gave me instructions over an Uber Call on where to meet up. He used this trick to see if I was brand new in this country, like if I was local or had experience coming in.

He told me to meet him by some random store in the airport, and I told him I did not know where that was. I googled it and found it, and went there. I saw his car coming after a long wait, and got in. He then used this other technique to confirm I was not from there, and asked me where my plane was coming from. I was so tired I did not think he was doing it in a malicious way, and answered: New York. Not too long after I said that, and after literally the airport, he then said that Ubers in Punta Cana follow different rules…

He said Ubers in this city have to pay double the fare to the other taxi drivers on the airport, so they would not be attacked by them. I thought that the violence from taxi drivers against Uber drivers is common in other countries like Mexico or Colombia, so I thought, maybe he is right.

But then, even though I am a native Spanish speaker, he tried to confuse on the whole taxi against Uber driver scheme. I still try decipher what he tried to say, but next thing, he cancelled the Uber ride in the middle of a highway, next to nowhere, and I start to panic.

I told him that I did not have cash, that he did not have the right to cancel the Uber ride, and that I was not going to pay triple the amount of the fare. On top of all that, Uber automatically assigned me to another driver when he cancelled, and next thing I was trying to cancel that other one. I started yelling to please drop me off by the highway, and he did not want to do that.

The ride was long to Bavaro Beach, and this guy just seemed also very confrontational and even dangerous. My surviving instincts just said: let him take you to the hotel, and then you will figure it out.

After a long quiet journey, we arrived to my hotel. I had some cash in dollars, and had the exact original amount in my hands. I grabbed my suitcase, gave him the cash, and then jumped out of that car so fast while getting in the hotel. I was scared he would get mad I did not pay what he said, but at the end, he left.

The calm AFTER the storm: Bavaro Beach

But I did not want that incident to ruin my vacation. I decided to leave that in the past, and I would recollect my thoughts later. I waited for the check in, and to leave my suitcase, before I walked to the closest beach in Bavaro.

The water was so beautiful, like I could not believe it.

The beach was not too crowded, but definitely had a lot of people in it, more than expected. I went to one of the bars by the beach and got my Mocha, that was served as a cocktail lol.

I spent the early afternoon just laying on a shirt, while enjoying the sun and the music, and just relaxing in general.

Citrus Restaurant and the hotel

For lunch, I went a restaurant called Citrus in the same area in Bavaro Beach. It had good reviews on Google, and I just wanted a nice meal. For appetizer I got the pork baos, and they were sooo good.

The entrée was the steak, but even though it was good, I just thought it was a bit tiny.

From there, I walked to my hotel, where it was finally time to do check in. I stayed in Riviera Punta Cana Eco-Travelers House, a cheaper but good option for a escapade. The owners were so friendly with me. I heard their experiences as immigrants in this country, and I can’t recommend this place more.

The evening was coming soon, so I decided to go explore Punta Cana a bit more. Something that always amuse me while in Latin-America are all the stray dogs, or just dogs roaming free.

Downtown Punta Cana

I was still exhausted, so I got yet another coffee in Santo Domingo Café, by the Downtown Mall Punta Cana. I got here using Uber, because I was hopeful I would not be scammed twice in the same trip.

The mall itself was disappointing, so I walked to Downtown Punta Cana, the epicenter of the party in this city.

It was still very early to see any kind of party, although since it was a Saturday I was expecting way more people.

I went into Har Rock Café, and it was also very empty. I really was wondering where was everybody, I would get my answer the next day.

Echo echo echo….

At least from my seat I got a nice view of the lake and a beautiful rainbow.

I finally ordered and I got a nice cocktail…

And an OK burger. Like, it could definitely be way better.

But by the time I left the area, it was getting crowded, especially Coco Bongo, the party place in Downtown Punta Cana, I guess similar to the one in Cancun.

The Power Outage

I got an Uber back to another bar by Bavaro Beach, and it dropped me kind of far from the actual place. I walked a bit, and to the bar, but it was disappointing since they had terrible drinks at the moment and bad music, so I just left. I was walking the beach when suddenly everything got pitch black. It was a power outage in the whole Punta Cana. Oh Lord.

At least, I could see the stars very clearly this dark night.

Anyways, trying not to be robbed in this darkness, I walked quickly back to my hotel. The streets were lit by passing cars but nothing else.

Fortunately, it was Saturday night and the neighborhood was partying. A lot of people around means I feel safer. Regardless, I got to the hotel, and a whole show was happening on the back, it was nice.

After having finally a couple of drinks, I went to get a hog dog close-by, and it was just as the ones you can get in the streets of Colombia. Just full of literally everything. Yummy.

Barceló Bávaro Beach

I was kind of hesitating, but the next day I woke up early and went to Barceló Bávaro Beach for a day stay. But first, I got some breakfast from a place around the corner.

I took the Uber to the resort, and at the gate I got a lot of questions, and had to leave my passport at the gate as guarantee. Like WTF? The day pass was also way too expensive, above $100. But I was determined to spend the day in this resort.

But why this resort and no any other? Well, I did my research and this was not only one of the best ones in the area, but also, it was Adults Only. I definitely did not want to spend my relaxing day next to running kids.

And wow, this was paradise, literally. If I had to come back to Punta Cana, this is what I would do. Just stay in a resort and eat and eat and relax, and eat.

I walked the beaches, and kinda started to see where everyone was. People would just come all the way here, just to stay inside of a resort. Not bad.

In the past, I was against cruises or all-inclusive resorts, but as I grow old, I realize that sometimes, you just want to relax in these trips. Not everything has to be walking and running everywhere.

The complex was gorgeous, and of course, one of the incentives of this day pass was the included food, so I got my lunch right away.

There was a huge variety of food, and every room was dedicated to different types of cuisines.

One of the best parts was the bar in the pool with all drinks included. I got to meet some people, and swim a bit on this warm day.

Barcelo Bavaro Beach Spa

Next up, I got dressed up, and went to the Spa, to have one of the best massages I have ever had.

The massage was not included, but the fitness center in the Spa was. The massage was a bit pricey, but manageable, and gave me access to the rest of the spa facilities, including the pool and some amazing showers.

End of the day pass

The other restaurants in the resort where apparently off limits for visitors, but I went there, and they served me still some free food.

I was so relaxed after the big meals, the massage, the pool. I spent time here until the last minute I was able to.

And the view of the pool, the ambience at night, everything was so beautiful.

I ended the day by having dinner, and it was great, again with multiple options.

After this, I took an Uber, got my passport back, and went to my hotel. But the next day I was going to Santo Domingo. Do not miss that part of the story.