About Punta Cana's Geography

Punta Cana is a vast area stretching over 30 miles along the Atlantic coast.

The Punta Cana area stretches over 30 miles along the east coast of the Dominican Republic. It's well distributed by a highway called Autopista del Este, along which most malls, large businesses, and department stores are located.

It starts south with the exclusive gated community of Cap Cana and its beautiful marina, golf courses, and exclusive properties. It's a bit far away from the main points of interest and attractions, but it's one of the best areas to stay in the Punta Cana area, though...

Following the coast heading north is the Punta Cana “village” area. The boutique airport, miles of wall of all-inclusive resorts blocking access to the beach, and Punta Cana Village, a modern area of shopping, bars, and restaurants accessible to the general public. But it has nothing to do with a "local" village, as people ask me regularly.

Going north along the coast, you'll only find the alignment of resorts behind high walls for miles. The next area of "normal life" for the general public with access to the beach will be Los Corales. It's one of our favorite areas and what can be considered the heart of Punta Cana, with beautiful property rentals, bars and restaurants, beach clubs, and shops, most within walking distance. 

Then, a few more miles of resorts behind high walls before Plaza Bavaro. If you want an active nightlife with a more local vibe, that's the place to go. Northbound of Plaza Bavaro starts the White Sands gated community, followed by more miles of resorts & their walls until you reach Macao, and finally, Uvero Alto... 

The areas of Cap Cana, Punta Cana Village, Cabeza del Toro, Veyron, Pueblo Bavaro, Downtown, Los Corales, Bavaro, Friusa, Macao, and Uvero Alto are considered as areas of Punta Cana and listed as such in most travel booking apps... 

So it's not uncommon to rent a place technically in Punta Cana, but actually in the middle of nowhere, close to the beach on the map but without public access for miles unless you jump over one of the resorts' walls... 

Personal anecdote… The first time I visited Punta Cana years ago for a weekend away from Santo Domingo (where I had just moved to from Cambodia), I rented an Airbnb in Bavaro. The location wasn’t super accurate, but it said it was close to the beach and shops. The apartment and building looked brand new with high standards. And it was the case, the apartment was great. The only issue is that it was supposed to be in the Bavaro area…

But it was actually in the Pueblo Bavaro area, a detail not mentioned. A mere 5 miles from the beach and 2 miles of construction sites before the first shop... These unmentioned details ended up costing me more in taxis than in Airbnb and activities. So even if I got a partial refund, the harm was done, the transport money was spent, and my weekend was ruined.

Understandably, many visitors don't have a clear idea of the area’s urbanization model and book their holidays in resorts or properties “technically” in Punta Cana, but, 10 to 15 miles from the first well-stocked shops, decent restaurants, or relevant points of interest. Often, they end up having to pay up to USD100 for a return trip with a driver called by the reception to spend a night out...

This is one of the reasons we came up with Oui Travel! PC and Oui Dive! RD.

Because there are mistakes not worth learning from, especially the ones that can ruin the extraordinary moment that is supposed to be your long-awaited holiday...