Punta Cana is a city at the east end of the Dominican Republic. The area along the coast is mostly taken up with various resorts.

Get in

By plane

American Airlines is a popular carrier that schedules flights from many US cities to Punta Cana International Airport. Other major carriers from the US include Continental, US Air and Delta. Air Canada also offers flights to Toronto.

Most people who are going to Punta Cana, are staying at a resort. With a resort package most hotels will have airport pick up arranged for you at the Punta Cana Airport. Just look for your hotel name on a sign that many guides will have, and they will direct you to your bus.

By boat

Get around

See

Leaving the resort property to the city/area outside can be interesting. However be warned that the souvaneer store's workers can be agrressive and annoying. There is a mall out here to, however it seems to always be empty.

Taking a day trip to the closest city Higuey can be fun, for the more adventurous type

Do

If you stay in Punta Cana Club Med (very first world!) don't miss the high trapeze at the circus.

Swimming with the dolphins at Manati Park is available. Animal rights groups and some countries have expressed concern for the treatment of the dolphins.

Buy

If you are planning a day tour to Santo Domingo, you will find that you will find everything much cheaper than you would at the resort. Souvaneers, Clothing, Artwork, Liquor, etc will be about 1/4 to 1/3 the price at your resort.

If you walk outside your resort to the city/area internet cafes will also be half the price.

Make sure you spend the remainder of your Dominican Pesos. It is next to impossible to convert your pesos back to USD or Euros.

Eat

The resorts offer all kinds of great food. Keep in mind that the standards even at the 5 star resorts are not the same standards as North America or Europe. Try to eat peeled fruits and vegetables. Stay away from food that may have been sitting for a long time.

Drink

All Inclusive Resorts have an endless supply of liquor! Enjoy it. You may also drink at neighboring resorts but you may have to pay or let them know your room number and resort name at the very least.

Presidente' is the national brand of beer Coffee is great here.

Do not drink the water. It isn't even recomended to brush your teeth with the tap water. Bottled water is widely available.

Sleep

• Gran Bahia Principe Punta Cana - (809) 552-1444 - First class All-Inclusive Resort located in Playa Bavario. Hotel has main restaurant and 6 specialy restaurants available. Along with nightly entertainment, they have their own entertainment village located at the entrance to the resort.

Get out