Punta Cana
[The little town you were refering to is Cortecito. This is where you ate at Captain Cooks....Right next door is the Cortecito Inn which has basically the same menu at a cheeper price. This little town is just north of the Bavaro area and was left to "the people" when all the AI developement started in the 70's. Nice of them to leave the people something. The actual town of Punta Cana is south more towards Juanillo and does not have much to offer. The Punta Cana hotels and AI's are really in the town of Cabezza de toro. The term Punta Cana refers to an area that runs south from Punta Macao to Juanillo. If you get off the resort property and explore, there is much to see, with the new road and area construction or reconstruction, it is getting easier for the tourist to get out to other areas. Punta Cana has changed for the good over the years and still remains one of the best value AI vacations you can get in the caribbean. I can stay at the hotel I stay at AI for less money than it takes to live moderatly in the country, or at home in the states !! It's a good place to start if you are interested in seeing the rest of thr country, I use it as a home base and keep my room while I travel to other parts, it's cheep flying via Air SantoDomingo or Domca. GO OUT AND EXPLORE.........QUOTE=jackquontee]Dolphingirl, it all depends on what you're going to Punta Cana for. I first started going about 18 months ago as I have a vacation package and it was one of only 2 places available to me in the DR where I could vacation. If all you're looking for is to go to the DR, vacation, and rest and relax, it is not a bad place to go. When I was there last August, I went riding on all terrain vehicles in the back country and the beaches (first time), I went riding jet boats and snorkeling (first time), hit a couple of the clubs (Mangu's and Arieto's), took a helicopter ride over to Santo Domingo, and actually had a great time. For one of the very first times I did the tourist thing instead of spending my whole trip in the bars and clubs. I've stayed in both the Bavaro Princess and Bahia Principe, both of which were pleasant. However, most people who go to PC appear to do so for the purpose of staying at the resorts full time and hanging at the pools and beaches, and being satisfied with whatever entertainment is available in the resorts.
There is a little town center, though I did not go there much with the exception of a nice, though expensive, restaurant called Capitan Cooks. It is not a city, but maybe a small town with a seperate resort area. So, if your expecting a party place like Cancun or some of the other larger resort/vacation destinations, you will be disappointed. If you're looking for rest and relaxation, with a little fun, it's fine.
I am returning to PC from June 25-July 2 and intend to get around the immediate area some more to see what else is available outside of what I have already experienced.[/QUOTE]