Ultimate 1-week travel itinerary for Punta Cana
You can explore so much in seven days around Punta Cana. Leave your resort behind and get out to the countryside, adventure around the mountains, wander in lush jungles, meet locals and spot wildlife. If you have the time, do make the effort to get to the famous national parks such as Los Haitises and Cotubánama National Park. You’ll be rewarded with a truly incredible adventure off the beaten track.
Day 1 - Jeep Safari around Punta Cana
There’s no better way to start your vacation than checking out all the important sights of the area right away. Go on a sightseeing jeep safari on your first day and you’ll feel like you know the Punta Cana area by heart for the rest of your holiday. Should you opt for a private jeep rental or a group tour, make sure to get out of your resort and explore the real Dominican countryside where you can meet local families who live and work on coffee and cacao plantations. Sample and buy their amazing organic products while they share the secrets of production with you.
Always keep your eyes open for wildlife because crocodiles, iguanas, turtles and other animals can appear to say hi anytime. However, don’t worry about the dangers of your tour. Your highly trained tour guide will always know what to do and he will most likely notice anything before you do. Enjoy a traditional Dominican lunch overlooking the mountains and go for a dip in a secluded beach in the afternoon. Can you picture a more perfect start of your holiday?
Day 2 - Excursion to Los Haitises National Park
The unique karst landscape of the Los Haitises National Park will take you to a Jurassic Park movie right away. The park is one of the main ecological attractions of the Dominican Republic with its dramatic coastline and lush flora and fauna. The geographical phenomena that make this national park stand out from all the other ones are its mogotes of ‘lomitas’ that can be as high as 40 meters and cover the whole surface of the park. The walking tours usually guide you through the untouched mangrove forests, take you to the Taino cave drawings, secluded beaches and pirate hideouts. After a walk, you’ll get to relax in the natural pools of the park.
We recommend a whole day tour to Los Haitises National Park that includes a visit to the La Cueva de la Linea Nature Reserve as well.
Day 3 - Zipline and visit to the botanical garden at Monkeyland
Take an adventure-filled journey into the lush tropical rainforest. Start your day at a private ranch where your guides will provide you with all the necessary gear and instructions for the day. The tour includes a short hike through two suspension bridges and 12 ziplines. Two of the longest ziplines of the Dominican Republic can be found here at the Monkey Jungle ZipLine. In the second half of the tour, you get to visit the Coconut House where you can learn all about how the purest coconut oil is made. The name of the ziplines comes from the friendly squirrel monkey that you’ll meet along your journey. As you enter the 5-acre Monkey Land you can have close contact with these fun little creatures who are always happy to pose for pictures and occasionally jump on your comfy shoulders. Finish the day with a delicious Dominican lunch overlooking the mountains before heading back to Punta Cana.
Day 4 - Whale watching and Bacardi Island
Have you ever seen a humpback jump out of the water? Spend the day on a double-decker catamaran that will take you where the humpbacks are at! The boat sails across Samana Bay that is famous for its rich biodiversity, therefore, it’s a popular hangout place for whales. They have been regular visitors for centuries now. However, it’s good to know that humpbacks mate in the Arctic between mid-January and mid-April and only come back to the area afterwards. The tour takes you to Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island, a popular snorkeling spot.
Day 5 - Mountain Bike Tour in Punta Cana
It’s time to get active after spending the day before suntanning on the deck of a catamaran. Should you want to experience life far away from the touristy hotspots, we got the perfect adventure for you. Try a guided mountain biking tour on the countryside of Punta Cana where you get to learn about how locals live than leave your resort and see it for yourself. The trails lead through forests, villages and cattle land and you’ll have the opportunity to stop and sample local delicacies and also burn off those calories. Don’t worry about the difficulty of the track, our recommended tour includes electric bikes that match any level of fitness. Bring your whole family or friends and embark on an off-road adventure!
Day 6 - Scuba diving in Catalina Island
Who doesn’t love island hopping? Take a day trip to Catalina Island that is a famous destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Catalina Island has a spectacular variety of marine life such as vase sponges, parrotfish and trumpet fish and colorful, vibrant coral reefs. Get away from the busy beaches of Punta Cana and enjoy the tranquil turquoise waters of the private beaches on Catalina Island. Most tours leaving from Punta Cana include a delicious lunch and tropical refreshments, as well.
Day 7 - Excursion to Isla Saona
Isla Saona is an island located south of the Cotubanama National Park. It’s still fairly untouched, therefore, it’s a popular destination for catamaran day trips because of its postcard-like looks. Around 3000 visitors come here daily to chill out on the pristine beaches like Canto de la Playa of this protected island. Saona Island is the most important turtle nesting site in the Dominican Republic, and you can see the cutest baby turtles from March through November.
Note that the boats leave from Bayahibe, a small fishing village in the south, which is about a 2-3 hour drive away from Punta Cana, so be ready for a long day. If you have the time, we recommend staying overnight in the charming village of Bayahibe, which is affordable and very relaxing.
