So you’re staying at one of the amazing beach resorts or beautiful villas at the Punta Cana Club & Resort. Lucky you! For the fitness or adventure minded, you may be asking – what’s there to do?
Well, you’d be pleased to know that Punta Cana has numerous Things to Do for those who want to “get out and about” and don’t mind breaking a sweat…
At 26 square miles the Punta Cana Club & Resort is an ample expanse of tropical grounds that encompass world class beaches, healthy offshore reefs, resorts, residential communities, golf courses, restaurants, shops and a renowned Ecological Reserve with humid and dry forests.
Understandably, there’s tons of Things to Do in Punta Cana but we’ll focus our efforts on those who want to experience the outdoors and perspire a bit!
By Sea
Stand Up Paddle Board: Almost everyday is a good day to Stand up Paddle Board (SUP) at Playa Blanca in Punta Cana. The coastline’s extensive offshore reef keeps Playa Blanca’s aquamarine, transparent waters calm and tranquil. This mix is the perfect setting to paddle over a glassy ocean. As a bonus, bring some snorkeling gear as you’ll be passing over sections of healthy coral with plenty of sea life. Visit the Kite Club at Playa Blanca for SUP rentals or SUP classes. Oh, and don’t forget to ask the Kite Club rep to direct you to the natural swimming pool, an unforgettable sandbar with waist-deep waters, some 100 meters from the shore. Visit http://kiteclubpuntacana.com for more information.
Kitesurf: This water sport is definitely more technical than SUP but it doesn’t mean you can’t try it out! Kite Club Punta Cana, at Playa Blanca, offers lessons from novice to experienced; in a group setting or completely private. For beginners, choose from a 1 day, 2 day or 3 day course. And for more experienced kiteboarders, you can rent equipment and/or take refresher or advanced classes. The same conditions that make SUP so desireable at Playa Blanca also apply to kite surfing. The waveless, waist high waters and steady cross-onshore trade winds combine for a safe and controlled environment. Visit http://kiteclubpuntacana.com for more information.
Dive: You may have read that diving is sub-par in Bavaro, but that’s not the case in the waters off the Punta Cana Club & Resort. Because this is a protected area, the corals and sea life are in an incredibly healthy state, making for an amazing underwater experience. Playa Blanca’s Blue Vision Adventures has over a decade of diving experience in the Dominican Republic with several centers throughout the country. For beginners, Blue Vision offer a PADI open water certification course. Best of all, the three day course can be tailored to your busy vacation schedule! For divers already certified you can dive wrecks like the Enriquillo or the Patricia (both ships were scuttled to create more natural reef), or reef dives like the Coral Garden, Colosseum, or the aptly named Aquarium where stingrays, nurse sharks and eels are commonly seen; and where Franciose, the Aquarium’s resident barracuda, resides. Visit http://bluevisionadventures.net for more information.
By Land
Golf: Punta Cana Club & Resort boasts two world class golf courses that are a must do for golf aficionados.
La Cana – Designed by P.B. Dye, La Cana is a magnificent 27 hole course; 14 of those holes feature ocean views of the surrounding Caribbean Sea. After your round, visit the Oscar de la Renta designed La Cana Beach Club where you can visit the pro shop, grab a drink, a bite to eat or take a dip in the infinity pool or the lazy, lapping waters of La Cana Beach.
Los Corales – Designed by Tom Fazio, Los Corales is a breathtaking 18 hole course with natural cliffs, bays, ocean coves, inland lakes and six ocean side holes. The course is consistently rated one of the world’s top golfing experiences. So much so, the PGA has its only stop in the Dominican Republic, at Los Corales, with the Web.com Tour. The course’s most famous distinction is the last three holes, dramatically known as the “Devil’s Elbow”, which features an 18th hole requiring a tricky forced carry over the cliff-lined Corales Bay. In other words, you’ll get your money’s worth!
Visit http://www.puntacana.com/golf for more information and to book tee times.
Tennis: The Oscar de la Renta Tennis Center has everything you need for an awesome tennis experience. Surrounded by tropical vegetation, the center’s several clay courts are among the best maintained in the Caribbean. The center features 14 ball boys to chase balls, 7 ball boy players for match playing, three professional assistants for private and semi-private play and lessons. The center also boasts a pro shop, kid’s clinic, tennis camp, and social tennis doubles to meet like minded tennis enthusiasts! Visit http://www.puntacana.com/tennis for more information.
Bird Watching: Environmentally conscious since its inception, Punta Cana Club & Resort set aside 1,500 acres of its property to scientific research and conservation. Grab your binoculars and head the the Punta Cana Ecological Reserve on Thursday and Fridays from 7am – 10am for a free bird watching walking tour. A field expert will guide you through the reserve to the Bird Watching Tower. There are more than 100 bird species living in Punta Cana and none rarer than the Ridgeway hawk, an endemic bird of prey with only about 300 left in the wild. Be an explorer for a day in Punta Cana!
So, those are the six most popular ways to break a sweat in Punta Cana – some by land, some by sea, but all outdoors and all within the confines of the enviously diverse Punta Cana Club & Resort.