Discovered by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage in 1492, the island that is now known as The Dominican Republic was inhabited by friendly Taino Indians and eventually taken over by Spain. Now an independent sovereign about 800 miles southeast of Miami, the Dominican is home to white sandy beaches and a healthy tourism industry. Punta Cana, in particular, is the largest beach destination in the Caribbean alone with more that 50 hotels along the coast.
Puntacana Hotel is located on just over 100 acres of white beach and lush Caribbean gardens. This hotel offers guest rooms, suites and beach casitas with amenities such as cable TV, air conditioning and an in-room safe. In addition, suites have marble bathrooms and living areas. The Puntacana resort offers services and outdoor activities such as a spa, ecological park, petting zoo, golf and water sports such as windsurfin snorkelling and scuba diving. Eight restaurants in and around the hotel and resort serve gourmet seafood, pizza and local cuisine made from local ingredients.
Puntacana Resort & Club
Punta Cana, Higüey, República Dominicana
809-959-2262
puntacana.com
Sirenis Tropical Suites offers over 300 guest rooms and suites in addition to beach houses on 400 meter white Dominican beach in Uvero Alto, which is in the Punta Cana area. Basic amenities include a fan, air conditioning, minibar, balcony and in-room safe. Hotel services include a foreign currency exchange, babysitting, on-call doctor, parking and car rental. Don't spend too much time indoors as sports and recreation is just outside the hotel's front door, including scuba-diving, snorkelling, fishing, archery, windsurfing, beach volleyball and dancing lessons. Various restaurants serving Dominican cuisine, seafood, steak and Italian food are located around the resort.
Sirenis Tropical Suites
Playas Uvero Alto-Macao
Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic
809-688-6490
sirenistropicalsuite.com
Paradisus Luxury Resort is located just on Gabi Beach surrounded by indiginous animals, birds and trees which lends a feeling of being on a small tropical island. The hotel houses 684 guest rooms and large suites (from 500 to 1,000 square feet) with amenities such as cable TV, air conditioning, living room and 24-hour room service. Many suites come with a jacuzzi. This resort is an outdoors haven with seven outdoor pools, kids playground and tennis courts. Volleyball, scuba-diving, horseback riding, snorkeling and windsurfing are also available here. Dine at one of twelve restaurants ranging from light meals to gourmet Dominican seafood.
Paradisus Luxury Resort
Playa de Bavaro
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
809-687-9923
paradisuspuntacana.travel
