Holiday in Punta Cana
Punta Cana delivers the classic Caribbean beach holiday package: white sand, turquoise water and all-inclusive resorts with everything included. TUI flies direct from Amsterdam Schiphol to PUJ in around 10 hours. Best travel time: December to April.
✈️ Plan your trip to Punta Cana →Updated 23 August 2026
Best time to visit Punta Cana
December to April is the dry season: sunny, 25 to 28 degrees and little rain. November is a good middle option with fewer crowds and lower prices than the Christmas peak but still acceptable weather. Avoid August and September due to the highest hurricane risk.
Important note for 2026: the University of South Florida predicts near-record sargassum (seaweed). Cap Cana beaches and Macao Beach are less affected; consider visiting between October and December for the cleanest beaches.
Bavaro, Cap Cana or Uvero Alto: where to stay?
- Bavaro The busiest and most lively area with the widest range of hotels in Punta Cana. Long beaches, resorts at all price levels and good nightlife. Around 20-25 minutes from the airport. Best for families and groups who want choice.
- Cap Cana More luxurious, quieter and better protected against seaweed by an offshore reef. Juanillo Beach here is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Closest to the airport (10-15 min). Ideal for couples, honeymoons and high-end stays.
- Punta Cana village Most suitable for independent travellers who also want to eat and explore outside the resort. Smaller hotels, restaurants and shops. Around 10-15 minutes from the airport.
- Uvero Alto The most remote and unspoilt area: coconut palm forests, almost no tourists on the beach and a quieter atmosphere. Around 35-45 minutes from the airport. Perfect if you really want peace and quiet, but infrastructure is more limited.
Top 5 activities from Punta Cana
- Isla Saona day trip One of the most popular excursions: by catamaran to the beautiful Saona Island in the Parque Nacional del Este. Includes a stop at a natural pool, buffet lunch and open bar. Shared group tour: around 70 to 90 USD per person with an independent operator.
- Altos de Chavon A modern recreation of a 16th-century Mediterranean village near La Romana, around 1.5 hours away. Craft shops, galleries and an amphitheatre. Day trip with transfer around 30 to 50 euros per person.
- Juanillo Beach (Cap Cana) Accessible via the Cap Cana enclave; the clearest water and least seaweed in Punta Cana. Visit on a day trip or stay at a Cap Cana resort.
- Dolphin Island or Marinarium Swimming with dolphins, snorkelling on a protected reef and an underwater walk. Dolphin programme entry around 80 to 150 USD per person. Book directly online for the best price.
- Watersports on Bavaro Beach Jet ski, parasailing, snorkelling and kitesurfing. Book locally on the beach for competitive prices.
Flights from the Netherlands to Punta Cana
TUI flies seasonally direct from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to Punta Cana (PUJ) in around 10 hours. Return from around 650 euros via comparison sites. Package deals via TUI and Prijsvrij.nl are often better value than booking separately.
From Eindhoven, allow about 1 hour by train to Schiphol. Transfer from PUJ to Bavaro: shared shuttle around 15-35 USD per person; private taxi around 25-45 USD for the vehicle.
What does a Punta Cana holiday cost?
Return flight from around 650 euros. All-inclusive resort Bavaro entry-level: around 100-144 USD per person per night. One week all-inclusive midrange: realistically 2,500 to 3,800 euros per person including flights.
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Frequently asked questions about Punta Cana
How do I fly from the Netherlands to Punta Cana?
TUI flies seasonally direct from Amsterdam Schiphol to Punta Cana (PUJ) in around 10 hours, usually as an all-inclusive package or standalone flight ticket. Return from around 650 euros via comparison sites; TUI charter standalone from around 460 euros one way. KLM flies with a stopover via a partner hub.
When is the best time to visit Punta Cana?
December to April is the dry season with sunny weather and 25-28 degrees. Avoid August and September due to the highest hurricane risk. November is a good middle option: less busy and lower prices than the Christmas peak. Note: seaweed (sargassum) levels are predicted to be near-record in 2026; Cap Cana beaches are better protected by an offshore reef.
Bavaro, Cap Cana or Uvero Alto: where to stay?
Bavaro is the busiest and most lively area with the widest choice of hotels. Cap Cana is more luxurious, quieter and has the best beaches (Juanillo Beach) with less seaweed. Uvero Alto is the most remote and unspoilt, ideal for peace and quiet; longer drive from the airport (35-45 min).
What does a week in Punta Cana cost?
Return flight from around 650 euros (TUI via comparison sites). All-inclusive midrange resort Bavaro: around 200-260 USD per person per night. One week all-inclusive: realistically 2,500 to 4,000 euros per person. Budget AI entry-level: around 1,800 to 2,500 euros per person per week including flights.
Which excursions are worth it from Punta Cana?
Isla Saona (day trip by catamaran, 70-90 USD including lunch and open bar), Altos de Chavon (16th-century Mediterranean village near La Romana, day trip) and Dolphin Island (swimming with dolphins, 80-150 USD). Dominican Alps waterfalls and cenotes are also popular.
What is the difference between Bavaro Beach and Juanillo Beach?
Bavaro Beach is the longest and most famous beach but has relatively more sargassum in 2026. Juanillo Beach in Cap Cana is better protected by an offshore reef and has clearer water; it is narrower but quieter and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic.
🗺️ Where to stay in Punta Cana?
All-inclusive resorts, hotels and apartments in Punta Cana on the map. Click a pin for live prices and direct booking.
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