Punta Cana is a beach resort area on the southeastern point of the island of the Dominican Republic. It is populated mostly by mega-resorts – 50 or so of them. It is 45 kilometers (26 miles) from the nearest city – Higuey. Higuey is a very old town – 500 years old.
The Punta Cana resort area boasts 100-kilometre (62 mi) of coastline and tends to be mildly windy. The ocean waters are mainly shallows, with several natural marine pools in which visitors can bathe without danger.
Bavaro, one neighborhood of the Punta Cana area, has become the center for services, with shopping malls, fast-food stores, drug stores, restaurants, banks, a clinic, and schools. Another area called Veron is the base-city for resort workers. It sports one of only four gas stations in the Punta Cana area. Two of the newer ones are owned by Texaco and Shell. The Shell station is closest to the airport, I guess to catch the car rental business. There is a private car rental agency at the airport.
I am interested in Punta Cana because I just won a 5-day vacation trip there in April. It was awarded for sales in our marvelous Wine of the Month Club. Go here to read about that club and how you too will be able to earn income and trips in the future.
Weather
They say the weather for April should be around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 72 degrees F. This sounds wonderful to me coming from northern New York state where we still have snow on the ground. The record low was 59 degrees F. which still is warmer than most of our days have been. April still has relatively low rainfall, with the rainy season beginning in May through October. May and October are the months with the highest relative rainfall.
Marine biodiversity of Punta Cana
Most of the activities listed for the area center around water activity, since it was declared a marine reserve in 2012. I counted over 40 species of fish listed on their report. Also, two kinds of turtles. And shrimp, lobsters, squid, and octopus. These sea creatures exist in wide forests of coral. There were no snakes listed under reptiles, but under mammals they have manatee. Also, seven variety of birds, mostly water birds such as heron, egret, and pelican.
Activities
With the above array of sea creatures, it is not surprising that most of the activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, catamaran cruises, party boats, deep-sea fishing, as well as swimming with dolphins, sharks, and stingrays. I think I’ll leave the swimming with the sharks and stingrays to other more adventurous than I am.
And if I want to see more of the Dominican country-side, there are safari tours, horseback riding, and dune buggies.
So, in conclusion, I am thinking that five days will not be nearly enough, but, alas, it is all my paid trip includes. I surely may have to put it on my Bucket List to go back again later. Maybe when my girls are a bit older and can enjoy it all.
