Tours in Punta Cana

The first thing you notice in Punta Cana is how little of it is a town. There is no square to walk to, no old quarter to get lost in. What you get is a long run of coast where the palms lean toward the water, the sand is pale and soft underfoot, and the sea changes from turquoise to deep blue within a short swim of the shore.

Mornings are the best time to be outside. The air is still soft, the beach rakes are out, and the boats start moving along the water. By afternoon people have settled into the shade and the whole coast slows down. Plan your active things early and leave the heat of the day for a long lunch of fresh fish, rice and beans, and fried plantain.

This is the place to see the coastline from above. Parasailing lifts you up on a line behind a speedboat, and from the air you see how the beaches run on and on, with the palm groves behind them and the reef breaking the colour of the water. It is quiet up there, and a lot calmer than it looks from the sand. Wear light sports clothes and shoes you can take off easily, and bring sunscreen.

Beyond the beach, people come for the boat trips, the caves and cenotes inland, and the day excursions to nearby islands and towns. Santo Domingo and its colonial streets are a long day away, and Altos de Chavón is a favourite stop for travellers staying on this side of the island. If something here is not on our list yet, ask. A local guide can often arrange it.