Yes and no.
You can get to Cayo Arena a half dozen different ways. Screw that Paradise Island name!!
Having just been over part of that route, let me say that from the Cruce de Guayacanes west, the road is not at all what it should be, with a lot of holes.
However, the horrible ups and downs between Laguna Salada and Jaib?n are no longer there-a plus.
But, there are some amazingly rough patches that were not there a couple of years ago.
Is it doable? Yes, certainly. I would budget, from Cabarete about 2.5 hours for the trip, going cautiously.
Things to look out for: Once you reach Cruce de Guayacanes (can't miss it, it is under construction) you need to be cautious of sudden holes in the road that can damage a tire. There are also some serious undulations that were never there before.
You need to be aware of the fact that you are now in the "campo" Dominicano where tractors, harvesters and cows own the right of way.
Motorcycles are the vehicle of use, and that dead moth on your windshield had as much brains as some of the "motoristas" do.
Also, there are Army inspection sites, sometimes identified with old tires and red flags in the centerline of the Highway. Sometimes not. I would not take anyone of Haitian characteristics on the trip--unless they have passports and proof of ID.
Finally, there are lots of places to go snorkling up that way.
Punta Rucia:
There are three ways to get to Punta Rucia nowadays.
1) You can (coming from Cabarete-Sos?a-POP) turn RIGHT about a kilometer after you cross the bridge at Imbert, go through Guananico, then Mamey, Isabela, Estero Hondo. where you veer off to the right after you go through the town.
2) You turn right at Cruce de Guayacanes, and go up and over the Paso de los Hidalgos, and go the same way.
3) You can go down the highway to Villa Elisa (just after kilometer 45 or so) and when you see the ISLA station you turn right. Follow your nose to El Papayo, go right, and at the first left, go left into Punta Rucia.
The first two are longer, smoother rides doable in any vehicle
the #3 is rougher, shorter, faster really, but kind of hard on a car, but certainly doable in cars and easy in an SUV.
As you reach the beach, go to the right and ask for DAMARIS, she runs trips out to Cayo Arena at much less p/p than Paradise.
I noticed a big hotel-like structure there this weekend, out just past the Punta itself. Maybe 50 rooms. Need to look into that place.
HB