Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic’s easternmost province is the perfect destination for the beach lover. The roughly 22 miles of coastline has picturesque beaches that face the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Whether you are into scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, or simply lazing on the warm sand, you’ll want to pay a visit to as many Punta Cana beaches as possible. Use the following guide for getting around Punta Cana.
Playa Bavaro
The beach in Bavaro is blessed with a powdery white sand making it one of Punta Cana’s most popular. The shore seems endless, and it’s a great beach for a long walk. Get to Playa Bavaro by a clearly marked road south of the Melia Caribe Tropical Resorts.
You will find a spacious parking lot, gift shops, and market. Go past the gift shops and settle into a spot on this perfect beach.
El Cortecito Beach
The next pristine white sandy beach is El Cortecito on the shore of a quaint fisherman village. This beach town is thought of as Bavaro-Punta Cana’s downtown area. You’ll want to browse the shopping centers and gift shops before hitting the beach. There are bars to stop in for a cocktail and several restaurants including one facing the beach.
Macao Beach
About a half-hour drive north of Bavaro, you will find the beautiful underdeveloped Macao Beach. Drive straight through the tiny town of El Macio. After the crest of the hill, you will see a lovely beach. Macao is popular with surfers, and you can take surfing lessons if need be at the Macao Surf Camp.
There are also a few excellent restaurants on the beach. This Punta Cana Beach is a popular stopover for ATV tours.
Arena Gorda
Called the Fat Sand Beach, Arena Gorda is a favorite for families with kids. The wide, sandy beach slopes down to shallow water of a beautiful turquoise color. Arena Gordo appears to be exclusive to those staying at the area resorts, but if you look carefully, you’ll find public access at the Ocean Blue & Sand Service Entrance.
Uvero Alto
If you love seclusion, be sure to check out the beach at Uvero Alto. The beach is rather secluded except to the high-end resorts nearby. With its lush green coconut forest near the shore, you are likely to find yourself alone except for members of a horseback riding tour.
You can access this beach from highway 105 traveling from Macao to Miches or Laguna de Nisibon. You’ll see a narrow dirt road on the right marked Miches/Uvero Alto.
Playa Blanca
Kids, white sand, kite, and windsurfing is what you’ll find on this shallow water beach. The azure water is calm and clear. If you go through the gated area of one of the resorts, you can leave your passport or driver’s license in exchange for a day on the beach. The beach is secluded since it’s in a gated resort area.
You will find an excellent restaurant and bar here. It’s a good beach for spending the whole day.
Cabeza de Toro
Natural forests and wildlife is the trademark of the beach at Cabeza de Toro. Try horseback riding through the Natura Park Eco-Resort. To get to the natural, secluded area find the Barceló Bavaro golf course and travel south along the Bulevar Turistico del Este. Go to the parking lot past the military area and walk to the Dream Palm Beach Resort.
Juanillo
Juanillo is another secluded beach in the Cap Cana area at Punta Cana’s south end. The Sanctuary Cap Cana resorts are nearby. For luxury, beauty, and fine cuisine, check out the restaurant with its cabanas and lounge sofas. Take the road to Cap Cana to the gated area. As with Playa Blanca, you can spend the day there in exchange for your ID.
Both Juanillo and Playa Blanco now charge to get in. $20 US pp
I went with my boyfriend to take our first kitesurfing lesson in Punta Cana at Uvero Alto Beach. The lesson was excellent and our instructor was very patient and went at our pace. He was very knowledgeable on how to kite surf and had our safety in mind at all times.
The crew overall was great, they picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel so we did not need to worry about transportation. Great wind conditions on that beach, and super amazing beach landscape.
I recommend this experience to anyone that wants to enjoy a great experience at the Dominican paradise: http://www.kbspuntacana.com/