Most of the resorts in the area have expansive grounds and non-gaudy low-rise buildings. Tropical foliage and flowers create a tropical paradise-type feel. Since everything is so spread out, walking rather long distances is sometimes required. Resort hotels like Punta Cana Grand and Punta Cana Resort and Club are two of the larger and more popular resorts in the area. Some resorts, like the large RIU Taino, offer bungalow-style accommodations.
Aside from the obvious beaches and water sports, Punta Cana has some other interesting attractions. Altos de Chavon is an artist colony in the highlands above the coast. It features galleries and cafes, as well as performance spaces and a distinctly Spanish and Mediterranean feel. Manati Park is a coastal park filled with wildlife. Visitors will encounter tropical fish, parrots and plenty of rare flowers. Finally, Marinarium is a unique venue that allows snorkeling in waters inhabited by small sharks and sting rays.
Punta Cana is filled with opportunities to have an outdoor adventure. The Rio Yasque is the Caribbean's longest river. It boasts challenging rapids and is the perfect place for a rafting adventure. Outfitters in Punta Cana regularly organize trips. Dolphin Island, a short boat ride off the coast, is home to a group of trained dolphins. Visitors are allowed a short time in the water with these friendly mammals. Many resorts offer speedboat cruises along the picturesque coast.
During the Northern hemisphere's winter, from November through March, Punta Cana experiences its tourist high season. Hotels and airfares are priced much higher that they are during the rest of the year. Temperatures during this time of year reach the mid-eighties during the day, and drop to a into the low seventies at night. During the summer, from April to August, temperatures regularly rise above 90 F. Summer is also hurricane season, though hurricanes are infrequent and there is plenty of advanced warning. Summertime hotel rates are as much as 50 percent lower than they are during the high season.
Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic. Most people have a working knowledge of English, especially in and around resorts. Tourists who want to travel away from Punta Cana will find a basic knowledge of Spanish to be very helpful. Most resorts have their own transportation. These shuttle buses and cars and more convenient and reliable than public buses and taxis. It is also possible to rent a car from the airport, though resorts also facilitate car rental.
