Lessons from the Road

Punta Cana beyond the Resorts: family tips for families

Valuable tips from our community of traveling parents to make your family trip even more special

By Sut-Mie Guibert and Flávia Oliveira

Our community of traveling families holds a significant voice within our platform, as it brings forth real experiences and teachings that assist many families in their doubts, aspirations, fears, challenges, and joys while traveling. It’s truly valuable to be able to draw from the experiences of other families who have visited a specific destination. We cover a wide array of topics, ranging from itineraries to tips, while also sharing the delights and difficulties of traveling as a family. In other words, we discuss what we love, establishing this exchange as a frequent occurrence.

Today, we have chosen to share tips about the city of Punta Cana, a popular Caribbean destination for Brazilian families, renowned for its array of resorts. This type of accommodation is always a practical choice, often featuring all-inclusive options, encompassing meals and entertainment – perfect for relaxation. However, for families who enjoy exploring beyond resorts, what does Punta Cana offer? Discover the responses from our community of traveling families.

1. Relaxation on Paradisiacal Beaches

The main allure of Punta Cana: its white sandy beaches and turquoise-blue waters! Take your family to the beaches of Bávaro and Playa Blanca, where children can play in the sand while adults relax under the Caribbean sun. Enjoy activities like snorkeling to explore the rich marine life or even take family diving lessons for a unique experience. Those wishing to take surf lessons can head to Playa Macao.

2. Boat and Catamaran Excursions

One of the highlights of any trip to Punta Cana is a boat or catamaran excursion. Families can explore coral reefs, swim with stingrays, and even visit paradisiacal islands like Saona Island. This particular excursion has mixed reviews: some love it, beautiful sea, etc… (usually those who take the speedboat), while others hate it. It’s a lengthy trip: 2 hours by bus and then 1 hour by speedboat or catamaran. And under the sun. Quite tiring with young children; it’s better to go with teenagers. These excursions provide fun, with lots of people, music and dancing.

3. Water Parks and Thrilling Activities

For an extra dose of fun, visit the region’s water parks. Scape Park is an excellent choice, with ziplines over crystal-clear waters, natural pools, and plenty of water activities, or Reef Explorer at Marinariam Park, offering various high-sea activities.

4. Exploration of Local Culture

In addition to the beaches, Punta Cana offers opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture. Visit the fishing village of El Cortecito, where you can find craft markets, shops, and local restaurants. It’s a great way to experience Dominican cuisine and get to know the hospitality of the local people.

5. Ecological Adventures and Natural Reserves

If your family enjoys ecological adventures, don’t miss the chance to explore the region’s natural reserves. The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is an example, with trails that lead to cenotes (natural pools), lush fauna and flora. It’s an educational and thrilling opportunity for children to learn about the environment.

6. Cooking and Dance Classes

Dive even deeper into the local culture by participating in Dominican cooking and traditional dance classes. Children will love learning to dance merengue and bachata (many resorts offer this activity), while adults can master the art of cooking typical dishes like chicken stew.

Sut-Mie Guibert is the founder and moderator of our community of traveling families, Family Trippers, a closed group with over 11,000 families who want to share their real experiences and travel tips to help other parents travel better. Co-founder of Family Trip Magazine and mother of Clara and Nina, she brings a new article to each issue, recounting the discoveries of other parents from around the world.

Flávia Oliveira, mother of Duda and Bernardo, also co-moderates the group with great humor and is a frequent traveler.

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HOW TO GET THERE?

The airlines Copa, GOL, Latam, Avianca, and Sky Airlines offer flights from São Paulo to Punta Cana. The low-cost airline Arajet also operates flights between São Paulo and the capital of the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo, which is a 2-hour drive from Punta Cana.

More infos: www.godominicanrepublic.com