Public beach area. Seafood restaurants, such as the popular Captain Cook that serves “langostinos” right on the beach, and lots of souvenir shops with arts, crafts and water sports rentals.

   Area dotted with the largest number of resorts. White soft sands, coral-reef protected waters. This is the most developed area in the eastern beach strip.

   This area of white sands is adjacent to the Cabeza de Toro Yacht Club (an affiliate of the Santo Domingo Yacht Club) that is used for summer fishing tournaments. Public access. Restaurants and shops in the area.

   The beach strip where the area got its start. White sands and calm waters are protected by an eight-kilometer reef that runs parallel to Punta Cana. Site of Club Med and Puntacana Resort & Club hotels.

   Where the new Cap Cana development is going up with its Jack Nicklaus golf course, that opened for the fall of 2006.

   Along the East Coast, the many hotels and private operators on the beach offer: catamaran boat rides, speed boats a la James Bond, flying boats, glass bottom boats for marine life observation, sports fishing, double-decker party boats, restaurant dining at sunset on the sea, parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. There are also boat taxisAlong the East Coast, the many hotels and private operators on the beach offer: catamaran boat rides, speed boats a la James Bond, flying boats, glass bottom boats for marine life observation, sports fishing,

double-decker party boats, restaurant dining at sunset on the sea, parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving. There are also boat taxis that can take you from one hotel to another via the beach. This is all in addition to banana boating, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, and beach volleyball that are offered onsite at the hotels themselves. There are many ways to enjoy Punta Cana and excursions on fourwheel bike rides, buggy rides, jeep safaris, monster trucks. Helicopter rides will give you a privileged view of the area.

   Area snorkeling excursions take groups out to The Aquarium (east of Club Med) and towards the reef off El Cortecito beach.

   A 130,000-square meter recreational area offering permanent exhibits of birds and reptiles. The park also puts on a show with parrots and dancing horses. A new sister area has been built on the ocean off Bávaro Beach for swimming with the dolphins.

   Go-Kart Racing Punta Cana at the Cabeza de Toro crossroads.

   Higuey is the capital of the province of La Altagracia and where most of the Dominicans who work in the east coast beach strip live. There the Basilica de la Altagracia that honors the patron saint of Dominicans, the Virgin of La Altagracia, stands tall in tribute to the religious fervor of the Dominican people. The country’s faithful pay homage to the Virgin with an annual pilgrimage to Higuey every January 21 and for the celebration of the dedication of the bulls to the Virgen from 14-16 August.

   BLocated in San Rafael de Yuma, a detour south of the route that leads to Higuey, this plantation home of medieval architecture is converted to museum. The setting brings visitors back to 1505 when Ponce de Leon lived there with his wife and three daughters and commanded the east of the country for the Spanish colonizers, thriving on a wood export business. He set sail from the picturesque Boca de Yuma bay in 1508 to colonize Puerto Rico where he was named governor. Later in 1513, he traveled to the Bahamas and conquered Florida for Spain. Those who travel a bit further south from the museum out to Boca de Yuma may enjoy catch-of-the-day fish dishes, bachata dancing and great views.

   Many hotels in the area draw families as their guests, with constantly-improving facilities for children of all ages. Mini-clubs abound at the resorts with circus training at Barceló Punta Cana, the Flintstones Theme Park at the Melia Caribe, Sunscape Punta Cana’s new land pirate boat children’s activities, and the well-known Club Med Punta Cana children’s program. Day passes are available to combine facilities available at the many resorts.

   In line with its focus on rest and relaxation,
several resorts in Punta Cana offer some of the country’s best spas with excellent facilities off and on the beach.