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Welcome to Punta Cana Blessed with one of the Caribbean region’s longest white sand coastlines–a whopping 48 kilometers, punctuated with sky-reaching coconut palms–Punta Cana is the land of rest and relaxation by the sea. Here, where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean, from the northern tip at Uvero Alto to the southern at Cap Cana, all-inclusive resorts and boutique hideaways offer all the whims and comforts of modern beachfront living. Families enjoy miniature entertainment centers and water parks for children, while couples-only enclaves boast dream wedding locations, with secluded beachside lodging for an ultra-romantic stay. But it’s not only about fun in the sun, soft sand brushing against your toes, and iridescent, clear water to swim in, go fishing, or dive for underwater life and shipwrecks. Punta Cana is also a golfer’s destination, with 10 courses located all along the strip, a seaside escape with luxurious marinas and fine dining, and a wellness corner home to the country’s top spas.
Wherever you settle on this brilliant white Punta Cana coastline–counting 11 Blue Flag certified beaches in its inventory–go beach hopping to enjoy its full splendor. From scenic surf-hub Macao and Bávaro’s hipster beaches Corales and Cortecito–lined with shops, water sports, and beachfront bars–to secluded Juanillo, among others. Spend a day away from the sand and you’ll find a myriad of inland adventures. Cool off in fresh water azure cenotes and lagoons tucked inside forests at Ojos Indígenas and Scape Park, where the family’s tweens can also enjoy ziplines and caving expeditions. Explore the lush Dominican countryside on an off-road safari, tumbling past roadside meat shops, and sugar cane plantations. Along the way, visit the country’s top pilgrimage site at the Basílica Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, and feel the DR’s deep spiritual roots. If daytime activities are abundant, nights are no less vibrant. The young at heart can dance the evening away until their feet tire at the DR’s modern nightclubs, while classy evenings under the stars await at marinas and seaside lounges, with cocktails, bites, and hand-rolled cigars. Punta Cana is the quintessential water, sun, and sand escape.
Supreme Golf destination Punta Cana is perfect destination for golf lovers. One of the most famous golf courses in Punta Cana is a Tom Fazio creation, second oceanfront course at Puntacana Resort & Club opened in 2010, featuring six oceanfront holes set on rocky cliffs next to the Caribbean Sea. Fazio’s original design quickly established Corales Golf Club as one of Dominican Republic’s must-play courses. Corales boasts one of golf ’s most magnificent finishes: the last three holes, called the Devil’s Elbow, culminate in a striking, U-shaped 18th that plays around a narrow, bluff-edged bay. The course hosts the Tour’s first tournament in the Dominican Republic–the Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship.
Ojos Indigenas Located inside the exclusive Puntacana Resort & Club complex, this 1,500 acre nature reserve and ecological park is open to the public, for a small entrance fee, to enjoy its enchanting, shaded hiking trails that wind through a lush tropical forest, and lead towards a series of 12 freshwater lagoons. Most of them are swimmable, and the surrounding scenery is spectacular at each turn. The most popular lagoon for swimming has a wooden deck, and a diving platform for those who wish to leap into the turquoise and emerald fresh waters. In addition to an abundance of flora, the reserve is also a habitat of hundreds of bird species and iguanas. Combine a trip here with a visit to the nearby Puntacana Ecological Foundation, to see their beekeeping and worm composting projects.
Beaches of Punta Cana While the name “Punta Cana” is used to refer to the entire 50-kilometer (30-mile) beachfront destination, the eponymous beach–sandwiched between Playa Los Corales to the north and Playa Blanca to the south–is where the area’s tourism got its jumpstart with the opening of Club Med Punta Cana 1978. The resort remains open to this day, facing the same brilliant white sands and turquoise waters all along this stretch, and is now home to a handful of additional resorts. Part of the Puntacana Resort & Club, Playa Blanca is a hub of water sports, good food, and beachside relaxation. The beach is available to anyone dining at the popular, on site Playa Blanca Restaurant. Try your hand at kitesurfing or stand up paddle boarding lessons, or sign up for a diving and snorkeling excursion nearby. Every year, Playa Blanca hosts an annual Kite Fest, when the beach turns into one big celebration with visiting kitesurfers from around the country, performing impressive stunts on water.
La Romana La Romana - just one hour drive from Punta Cana - was originally a major sugar-producing region before turning into one of the DR’s most coveted, luxurious beach destinations. Providing an ideal location for meetings, conventions, and events, La Romana is best known for Casa de Campo, a Leading Hotel of the World, offering one of the most upscale and complete golf resorts in the Caribbean. Whether newbie or experienced, players can experience multiple Pete Dye-designed golf courses here, teeing right along the sea.
The adjacent Altos de Chavón, a replica of a Mediterranean village built over the Río Chavón, adds even more allure to the area with its stunning riverfront terraces, historical sights, restaurants, and shopping facilities. Located just 25 minutes’ drive east of La Romana, the eco-adventure rich area of Bayahíbe was originally a picturesque fishing town. Today, it offers the perfect beach and ecotourism complement with adjacent Blue-Flag certified Dominicus Beach and its full-scale resorts, as well as Cotubanamá National Park, replete with outdoor activities–from cave exploration to offshore island hopping at Saona and Catalina.
Cotubanama National Park Also known as Parque Nacional del Este, this is one of the most cave riddled and adventure-packed national parks in the DR—understandably one of its most visited—counting more than 500 flora species, 300 types of birds, and including long stretches of diamond white beaches on Saona and Catalina islands, along with their underwater marine life. Visitors can hike the land portion, accessible from Bayahíbe village, to explore a handful of the park’s cave and freshwater springs along marked trails of varying difficulty, or go birdwatching. On the coastline, snorkeling and diving sites are numerous along colorful coral reefs, and steep walls teeming with sea life. On shore, the park’s sparkling beaches, particularly on Saona Island, is the most important turtle-nesting site in the Dominican Republic.
Saona island Located 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of the mainland, Saona Island’s picture-perfect beaches attract more visitors than all of the country’s national parks combined. A protected site spanning 110km2 (42-square mile) and part of Cotubanamá National Park, Saona is a dream tropical escape, where long stretches of brilliant white sand and their giant coconut trees seem to melt into iridescent turquoise waters. Visitors can take day trips to enjoy the beaches, through a myriad of options ranging from speedboat to catamaran. Riding along Saona’s stunning coastline scenery alone is worthwhile. Most trips leave out of Bayahíbe village, from its small waterfront area. Stops in Saona include a swim at Palmilla, a white stretch with a wide natural pool, and at Mano Juan, the only inhabited portion of the island. Saona Island is also the DR’s most important turtle-nesting site.
Catalina island Closest to La Romana’s shores, Catalina is popular for its water sports, particularly diving and snorkeling. Portions of the beach are used for cruise ship excursions, but the entire stretch is open for the public to enjoy. It’s a stunner with its powder-fine white sand, calm waters, and lack of development. Catalina’s waters are abundant in coral reefs, including a “Living Museum of the Sea” following the discovery—after three centuries—of Captain Kidd’s shipwreck at 70 feet (21 meters), right off the island. Popular dive sites include the over 100 ft. Catalina Wall, and the Aquarium.
Travel the world with Eurowings Discover A time for travelling, a time for seeing something different. We are all waiting with bated breath to take a holiday and finally relax a little after the strain of the pandemic. Eurowings Discover takes you to the world’s most beautiful and popular holiday destinations so you can enjoy true pleasure. Eurowings Discover draws on the expertise and experience of the Lufthansa Group, one of the world’s leading airline corporations. This includes Lufthansa’s network of feeder flights, which provides you with seamless transfers and convenient booking. As a young start-up airline, Eurowings Discover also brings fresh ideas and a great deal of passion. Eurowings Discover passengers can look forward to a number of surprises and new services.
Eurowings Discover is the Lufthansa Group’s new vacation airline that takes travelers from Frankfurt am Main and from summer 2022 also from Munich - to the world’s most beautiful short-, medium- and long-haul destinations. The mission of Eurowings Discover is to tailor the travel experience to the guests’ individual needs and to make the flight a special experience. Since Eurowings Discover is part of the Lufthansa network, travelers can benefit from direct connections to and from all German and European Lufthansa destinations, as well as an end-to-end booking process and seamless transfer. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, the airline can draw on the expertise and experience of one of the world’s leading aviation companies. Flights can be booked on lufthansa.com and eurowings.com. Quality and sustainability play a crucial role. For instance, you can compensate for the emissions made by your flights with voluntary carbon offsets, thanks to the partnership with Compensaid. On board Eurowings Discover also makes a point of using sustainable products with a focus on consistent reusability and recycled materials. What’s more, travellers on Eurowings Discover flights can use the Miles & More frequent flyer programme. Eurowings Discover flies you to the most beautiful vacation destinations in the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, Africa, North America and Europe.
Eurowings Discover offers a unique travel experience in 3 travel classes: Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class. In Economy Class, guests can look forward to a special and high-quality travel experience, with all meals and non-alcoholic beverages included in the price. In addition, there is a diverse Buy-on-Board offering from which travelers can select further snacks and alcoholic beverages The Premium Economy Class offers travelers comfortable, 115-cm-wide seats. Increased seat spacing, footrests and large monitors also contribute to the feel-good factor on board. In Premium Economy Class all meals and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the price. In addition, there is a complimentary selection of beer and wine. In Business Class, guests enjoy the highest level of comfort. At the touch of a button, the 165 cm wide seats transform into full-size beds with 200 cm of reclining space. High-quality menus and the wide selection of drinks - all included in the price – accomplish the feel-good program above the clouds.
The Dominican Republic is one of the top destinations of the young Lufthansa Group leisure airline and especially Punta Cana is a wonderful addition in the dreamlike Caribbean. Eurowings Discover serves the route from Frankfurt to Punta Cana up to seven times a week and from Munich to Punta Cana twice a week.