Punta Cana is located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic in the heart of the Caribbean. It is known for tastefully blended luxury accommodations in its beautiful natural setting. It has become quite popular for a quick, warm winter getaway for people in Canada, Europe, and the United States. They come by the thousands to sunbathe in Punta Cana when it gets cold winter in their own countries.

If you are thinking about a vacation in Punta Cana, I want to share 7 travel tips that will make your stay more pleasant:

Avoid taking a taxi if you can

There is nothing particularly wrong with taxis in the Punta Cana area, but the fares can be exorbitant. For comparison, a fair that will only cost $4-$5 in Santo Domingo (the capital of the Dominican Republic) may cost you $20-$40 in Punta Cana!

To avoid taxis, try to negotiate a one-way airport transfer with your travel agent to be included in your package; many are and if you buy it you should be able to find it. If you take an excursion to one of the parks or islands, be sure to ask the tour operator if the cost of the excursion includes picking you up at your resort or hotel and bringing you back. to find this. You can also rent a car for a reasonable fee instead of a taxi. Many of the reputable car rental places are there: Avis, Budget, Eurocar, National and Prestige. If you are really budget minded, you can also take the bus called guagua, which covers the entire coast of Punta Cana and beyond. The nozzles work every 15 to 30 minutes. If you need to travel to Santo Domingo, be sure to look for the Bávaro Express.

How to find the whitest beach

The most coveted beaches in the Dominican Republic seem to be the white sand beaches, the whiter the better in my people’s book. Tourists love the beauty of these beaches and also how the silky fine sand feels between their toes. However, not all the beaches of “Punta Cana” are white.

What tourists often don’t realize is that what is now known as the “Punta Cana” coastline of the Dominican Republic stretches for some 38-39 miles. This is the entire east coast of the Dominican Republic. The color of the sand varies significantly along this stretch. In general, the further south you go, the whiter the sand. Punta Cana’s coastline is shaped like an arrowhead pointing east. Where the arrow reaches a point is called El Macao. North of this point, the white sands begin to turn more golden. This can also be very pretty, but if you’re a true fan of pure white sand, you’ll probably want to look for a resort south of Macao or find a resort on the southeast coast.

How to clear customs more easily

First, let me tell you some good news. Going through customs at Punta Cana Airport is much easier than at Santo Domingo Airport or other Caribbean Airports such as Cancun. With that being said though, there are a few simple things you can do to lessen the chance that you’ll run into some sort of problem going through customs.

As soon as you arrive in Punta Cana, you will need to get a “tourist card” which is only $10 and you can get it at the airport before going through customs. However, there may be a line for these, so if you want to speed things up, try to include this in your package so you get a tourist card before you get off the plane. Customs agents can be a bit picky about anything that could be construed as a “sharp object.” Items such as knitting needles and umbrellas may be considered “sharps” and may detain and even confiscate you. Be sure to pack these types of items in your checked baggage to avoid any problems. Also, make sure all your prescription drugs are CLEARLY labeled. There is a strict zero tolerance for drugs in the Dominican Republic, so you don’t want to give customs agents any cause for concern. Another big “no-no”: both input and output is ANYTHING derived from plant material or animal parts. This can include hats made from coconut fibers, shells, fruit, wood carvings, etc. These items will be confiscated and may make clearing customs longer than necessary. There are exceptions, such as amber jewelry that contains insect parts. The real concern is the spread of insects and microorganisms across the border.

Defend yourself on public beaches

Officially, all the beaches in the Dominican Republic are public. However, many of the resorts like to post signs and patrol the beaches in front of their resorts as if they have a private beach.

When you are walking on the beach, just know that you can walk on any of the beaches and you should politely stand your ground if someone approaches you and tells you otherwise. Just let them know that you only intend to stop by.

Tipping expectations and giving gifts to locals

You are expected to tip waiters and waitresses. 5-10% is considered the norm. Bartenders are often tipped $1 per round, sometimes more if the drinks are more complicated to make. Hotel maids typically receive a tip of $2 to $5 per day and airport bellboys $1 per bag. You are also expected to tip tour guides. Guides generally receive $5 for half day excursions and $5 – $10 for full day excursions.

It is also becoming increasingly popular to leave gifts for the locals. Sweets, toys and school supplies for children are very popular. Normally books, makeup and jewelry are left. It is best to check with the tour guides you go out with and hotel staff to determine what might be the most appropriate and most needed items to bring as gifts. Remember that this is a country that is a “third world” country with an emerging economy and there are many needs.

Find a resort that suits your needs

Different resorts cater to different needs. Some resorts cater to families with children. Others are “adults only” and cater to those couples looking for a romantic getaway with no kids underfoot. Many resorts in the Punta Cana area follow European customs. Some Americans like this, but others don’t. If you don’t, be sure to find a resort that is more accommodating to American customs.

You may want to get a complete list of all the activities offered at the resorts you are considering, as this will often help make your decision on which one to choose much easier. Some resorts offer better activities for children, some are supervised and some are not. Some offer sailing, surfing, windsurfing, dancing, diving, and other highly desirable classes. Some have activities like horseback riding and buggies that others don’t. Some resorts are better designed for the disabled and others with special needs.

How to take excursions in Punta Cana

Most resort vacation packages include some opportunities for off-resort excursions. Most are very simple, like a boat ride to a reef to snorkel or a catamaran cruise to an island. However, hotel tours are almost never the way to have the ultimate adventure outside of your resort. Local fishermen and other locals often offer to take tourists on their boats as well. These really can be hit or miss, most often they fail unfortunately. You should also keep in mind that these venues are almost never licensed or bonded, so if something were to happen, you’d be stuck.

You will have a much richer and more memorable experience if you take excursions in Punta Cana with a tour operator specialized in offering excursions. Your excursion will also be much safer. The tours that get the most recognition are those that offer eco-adventures where you can really explore nature and culture in depth with people who really care and have a deep knowledge and appreciation of the wildlife and people of the area. Take at least one of these types of excursions and compare it to what the resorts have to offer and the difference will be apparent to you.