An Eden in the East
To the far east of the island is one of the
most beautiful gems of the entire Caribbean region: Punta Cana.
Every year, more and more travelers from around the globe wing
their way to this enchanting area for the opportunity to
unwind along its 30 miles of super fine white-sand beaches.
Often called the "Coconut Coast" due to the hundreds
of coconut palm trees gently swaying along the beaches, the
Punta Cana and Bávaro resort areas are home to more than 30
resort properties and 20,000 hotel rooms, making it one of the
most popular vacation destinations in the entire region.
Gloriously, with all of the visitors coming to the Punta Cana
area, the gorgeous beaches are so pristine and large that a
traveler can just as easily find a quiet stretch all to
themselves for a romantic getaway or a relaxing afternoon as
well as find an exciting game of volleyball or take a swim in
the warm azure waters.
Getting There
Punta Cana International Airport serves Punta Cana
and the surrounding areas. A short drive from the airport
takes visitors right to their accommodations and they can be
on the beach before they know it.
Where to Stay
The majority of the resorts in the Punta Cana and Bávaro
region are all-inclusive hotels that are almost
destinations in themselves. With a wide variety of
family-friendly resorts, upscale properties and smaller
romantic hotels, there is surely a match to be found for any
interest when it comes to booking a hotel. At many of the
hotels and resorts, visitors often have all of their needs met
right on hand: they can eat, play, sleep and party the day and
night away without ever leaving the property grounds. This
area has been home to a massive boom in hotel growth over the
last 25 years and shows no sign of slowing down. Major hotel
projects continue to be developed every year, promising that
Punta Cana will long be on the top of the list of most popular
vacation destinations in the entire Caribbean.
Major properties from the Club Med, Iberostar, Melia,
Occidental Allegro, Secrets, Superclubs and Barceló
brands can be found in and around this area, as well as the
world-class Punta Cana Resort and Club and many others.
Accommodations range from budget to luxury here in Punta Cana
and can meet everyone's needs and interests. The luxury Roco
Ki Beach & Golf Resort (www.rocoki.com), scheduled to
open in November 2006 20 minutes from Punta Cana's airport,
will offer real estate options, a golf course designed by Nick
Faldo, an aquatic sports center with full-service marina, a
spa and hotel accommodations by Westin.
What to Do
Whatever your clients are looking for in a fun-filled
vacation, they'll find it here, beginning with great golf.
Punta Cana is home to several great courses, including the P.B.
Dye-designed La Cana Golf Course at the Punta Cana
Resort & Club that offers breathtaking views of the
Caribbean Sea at every hole. There are also the Pepe Gancedo-designed
Cocotal Golf and Country Club and the Juan Manuel
Gordillo-designed Golf de Bávaro in the region. And
there's more to come: New courses bearing the stamp of Tom
Fazio, Jack Nicklaus, P.B. Dye and Nick Faldo will undoubtedly
grow the demand for this area.
In 1994, the Punta Cana Resort and Club established the Punta
Cana Ecological Foundation to protect and preserve the
natural resources of the Punta Cana region, while contributing
to sustainable tourism on all levels; locally, regionally, and
nationally. This led to the creation of the Punta Cana
Ecological Park, a natural sanctuary for local flora and
fauna. Visitors follow trails that meander through forest
settings and beautifully cultivated gardens where they will
see unusual plants and rare and endangered animals. Living
exhibitions showcase the island's diverse bird species and
insect life, the native rhinoceros iguana, a petting farm
where children can feed the animals, and some of the unique
history of the island.
Beyond the links, excursions are available to Manati
Park in Bávaro where they can interact with iguanas,
sharks, birds, and other wildlife, as well as swim with
dolphins and walk through a reconstructed Taino village to
learn about the indigenous culture and history of the
Dominican Republic. There are also ongoing shows and
spectacles to enjoy there every day.
Hardcore divers will love the fact that Punta Cana
is home to the island's largest coral reef, offering
advanced diving where the Atlantic Ocean converges with the
Caribbean Sea. For the more laid-back visitors, the endless
breathtaking beaches offer up a wealth of activities and
opportunities to relax and rejuvenate under the warm Caribbean
sun or in the shade of a palm tree.
Fishing enthusiasts can try their luck at catching
blue marlin, barracuda and dorado, among others. Arrangements
for a full day or half day of fishing can be made at hotel
front desks or at the Cabeza de Toro Yacht Club or Punta
Cana Marina. The best time for fishing here is in the
summer.
Meetings Market
Punta Cana has emerged as a serious player in the meetings
market. Corporate groups large and small can find their needs
met at many of the resorts throughout the area. Those looking
for larger convention space can turn to the Barceló Bávaro
Convention Center with its various meeting rooms,
ballrooms and amenities. Many of the other resorts offer
smaller spaces that work great for a sales meeting in between
tee times or spa treatments. And don't forget, under the terms
of the Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the Caribbean
Business Initiative, business meetings in the Dominican
Republic are tax deductible for U.S. citizens.
