Punta Cana Travel Guide & News

Aug 22, 2025

What to Eat in Miches

Just an hour’s drive from Punta Cana will have you in the heart of the Miches region. We like to call Miches “Punta Cana’s Great Backyard”; because where Punta Cana focuses on all-inclusive tourism, Miches is all about a more local, eco-tourism. And if you’re gonna be travelling locally you need to know what to eat!

Jul 17, 2025

Top Places to Visit in Miches

Miches has a long list of attractions for the outdoor lover. Just an hour’s drive from Punta Cana will have you in the eco-tourism epicenter of the Dominican Republic’s eastern region. Below are some of the most sought after destinations in Miches.

Jul 17, 2025

Los Haitises National Park

Hidden in a secluded corner of the Dominican Republic, about 20 miles west of Miches, is quite possibly the country’s most important national park. Los Haitises, meaning “highlands” in Arawak, the native Taino indian language, is an immense 230 square mile humid forest. A humid forest is just one step below a rain forest in amount of yearly rainfall; and the tropical rains within Los Haitises have created an emerald jungle teeming with native flaura and fauna. The park was once a sacred safe haven for the Taino natives and is now an awe-inspiring draw for visitors willing leave the beaten track.

May 13, 2025

Navigating Entry: Visa Requirements for Visiting the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic (DR), a jewel of the Caribbean, welcomes millions of visitors each year to its pristine beaches and vibrant culture. Fortunately for many, the visa requirements for short tourist stays are quite straightforward, often requiring only a **valid passport** and the completion of an electronic entry/exit form.

Apr 10, 2025

Miches’ Media Luna

Media Luna is the Dominican Republic’s ultimate natural swimming pool or “piscina natural” as the locals would say and it’s located just over an hour’s drive from Punta Cana.

Mar 17, 2025

Hike to Salto la Jalda Waterfall

After a taxing hike into the dense forests of Miches, I look down at my Garmin sport watch and the results read: - 8.25 miles hiked - 1,569 calories burned - 4 hours and 55 minute total time - 1,372 ft total elevation gain - And to whom do I express gratitude for this strenuous trek of nearly 5 hours? Her name is La Jalda and she is the tallest waterfall in the Caribbean.

Feb 14, 2025

Buying Cigars in Punta Cana

The Dominican Republic produces more handmade cigars than any other country in the world with over 500 million rolled yearly. The closest competition, Cuba, lags far behind with less than half that number. The DR also leads the world in the amount of brands. Cohiba, Aurora, León Jimenes, Arturo Fuente, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, are just a few of the internationally-recognized Dominican brands known for superb quality.

Feb 4, 2025

The Punta Cana Weddingmoon

The title of this article probably begs the question: What is a Weddingmoon? So, a Weddingmoon is a current trend in the wedding industry and it’s simply your wedding and your honeymoon all wrapped into one. On one single trip you’ll get married and have your honeymoon at the same time!

Jan 15, 2025

Cayo Levantado: From Pirate Hideout to Modern Day Oasis

Cayo Levantado (literally, ‘raised cay’ in English) is the Dominican Republic’s quintessential Caribbean oasis. Also known as Bacardi Island, because of it close resemblance to the beaches Bacardi Rum once used for their famous commercials, this sandy sanctuary is located off the southern shores of Samana Peninsula. The island sits in the heart of Samana Bay, world renowned for the thousands of humpback whales that visit every year from January to March. The World Wildlife Fund considers the Bay of Samana as one of the best places on earth to watch whales. This palm-tree studded island boasts bone-white sands, lapping turquoise waters and picture-perfect views of the Samana mountains to the North and the Oriental Mountain Range to the South.

Oct 14, 2024

Cuba Libre: The Dominican Drink of Choice

The most solicited mixed drink in the Dominican Republic is by far the Cuba Libre (Free Cuba). Although odd the word “Cuba” is included in the Dominican Republic’s most popular mixed drink, no other alcoholic concoction is as cultural as a classic Cuba Libre. Knowing this, proud Dominicans have put their own spin on the popular drink.

May 1, 2024

Playa Esmeralda: Now or Never

Playa Esmeralda truly is the darling beach of the Dominican Republic’s eastern region. Tucked away on the southern shores of Samana Bay, the approx. 5km long Costa Esmeralda (Esmeralda Coast) is a virgin cove among the most photogenic shorelines in the entire Caribbean. The lazy turquoise-azure waters and amber-colored sands are outlined by hundreds of coconut palms. To the south rise the Oriental mountain range and to the distant north rises the Samana peninsula. These are the sights that welcome you upon arriving at Playa Esmeralda.

Apr 10, 2024

Mamajuana – What is it?

Mamajuana, a Dominican aphrodisiac with reputed healing powers, has become synonymous with the Dominican Republic. This elixir has captured the intrigue of locals and travelers, and its history as a traditional Taino drink, has added to its cultural mystique. What is it, exactly?

Feb 18, 2024

Saona island and its Hurricane Discovery

Did you know Saona island was discovered by Christopher Columbus because of a hurricane? It’s true because more than 500 years before Saona became the most popular daytime excursion from Punta Cana, it was the sleepy offshore sanctuary of the Tainos, the Dominican Republic’s original inhabitants. And if it wasn’t for a chance hurricane, the New World may have never met the Old World on Saona.

Feb 17, 2024

Top Rum to Try in Punta Cana

In the Dominican Republic, not all rums are created equal. Leyenda is Brugal’s newest release for the super-premium rum market. And one sip of this smooth premium blend will have you looking to add Leyenda to your home bar’s top shelf. Looking for that rum to try during your trip to Punta Cana? This is it…

Feb 16, 2024

Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve

Over 40 years ago, Punta Cana Club & Resort had the foresight to preserve 1,500 acres of pristine land for research, conservation of native and endangered species and recreational use for Punta Cana guests; and so the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve was born.

Feb 15, 2024

6 Ways to Break a Sweat at Punta Cana Club & Resort

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…

Feb 14, 2024

Bibijagua: Haggling Tips from Behind Enemy Lines

Bibijuagua souvenir village is one of the keepsake mainstays of Punta Cana. In existence from Punta Cana’s infancy and established well before many new souvenir shops have popped up, this beach-front market is as picturesque as it is unique in finding gifts and mementos from your trip to Punta Cana.

Feb 13, 2024

Dominican Winter League Baseball

Its Friday night in the capital and there’s no better place to be than Quisqueya Ball Park. On this night, Santo Domingo’s beloved Tigres de Licey are taking on their rival Aguilas Cibaeñas from the DR’s second city, Santiago. For RD$1000 pesos (US$20) my girlfriend and I are three rows behind home plate. For RD$500 pesos (US$10) we sit down with a beer, a soda, 2 hot dogs, with the works, and an empanada.

Aug 9, 2023

The Best Time to Visit Punta Cana

One of the most frequently asked questions for visitors to Punta Cana is simple: when’s the best time to go?! The short answer to that question is also simple, especially for North Americans and Europeans; when it’s cold outside you’re better off in the Caribbean than at home! With that said, there’s several aspects of the Dominican Republic’s weather and climate that are important to understand before booking that long awaited Punta Cana vacation.

Jul 16, 2023

The Best Gifts and Souvenirs to Bring Home

Do you want to buy a keepsake, memento, souvenir to remember your trip to Punta Cana? Most people do but what do you buy to truly capture that Caribbean experience of warm nights, tropical beaches and lazy palm trees? There’s much to choose from but we’ll highlight the **Top 10 Things to Take** to make sure your memories of Punta Cana are never too far away…

Mar 5, 2023

Private Yacht to Saona Island

If you’re coming to the Dominican Republic, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Saona Island. It’s by far the #1 tourist attraction in the Dominican Republic with hundreds of visitors daily, mainly on day excursions from the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana.