Punta Cana
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Punta Cana, named after a local cape, is a region in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. Covering about 4,200,000 m2 (approximately 1,100 acres), the region is home to a coastline of sandy white beaches and to a town of the same name. A region once named Punta de Borrachón was merged with Punta Cana by the founding investors in 1969.
Located in the province of La Altagracia and population estimated at 100,023, the region borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east. To the north, it borders Bávaro and El Cortecito beaches. It also limits with Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño and further west with Juanillo. Although it is mildly windy, the ocean in the area is mainly shallows, with several natural marine pools in which visitors can bathe.
North to South the main beaches are: Playa de Arena Gorda, Playa Bavaro, Playa Ubero Alto, Playa Macao, Playa de El Cortecito - all north of the cape - and Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño, Punta Cana, Juanillo - south of the cape.
It is a common mistake to associate Punta Cana with All-Inclusive facilities, because some hotels located in the neighboring town of Bávaro carry the name Punta Cana on them. Except for the Tortuga Bay and the Club Med, hotels located in Punta Cana are both All-Inclusive and not. The reason is because the luxury resorts in Punta Cana target the upper-class market. However, there are multiple TNT vacations that offer all-inclusive packages. Bávaro, however, is a tourist destination designed primarily for the middle/working class. Despite the area being fairly deserted, the proximity of Punta Cana to other major resort areas such as the above mentioned Bávaro, and Uvero Alto make the town one of the top Caribbean destinations. In fact, Punta Cana has one of the busiest and best connected airports in the region (the Punta Cana International Airport), serving about two million tourists per year and sometimes receiving more flights than the Aeropuerto Internacional de Las Américas, located in Santo Domingo (at about a three-hour drive).
The entire Bávaro-Punta Cana region entered a fast-paced growth phase in early 2004. With the establishment and initiation of foreign investment projects such as Cap_Cana and The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, the development of new marinas, resorts, and housing complexes have sprouted everywhere in the area. With 37,000 rooms counted in 2005, it is expected that the region duplicates its capacity in the upcoming years.
Climate
The weather is fairly constant, with an average temperature of 26°C. The hottest season lasts from April to November, and during the day temperatures might reach 32°C. From December to March, temperatures during the evening are around 20°C. Very little rain falls around the area, mostly because of the flat landscape.
Activities
Punta Cana is considered the major resort area in the Dominican Republic. Several professional golf courses have been built in the region. The Punta Cana Groupis the most renowned of the projects in the region, in which celebrities such as Oscar de La Renta and Julio Iglesias have residences.
The nightlife inside the resorts is very lively. Outside of the hotels, several small plazas and discotheques allow tourists to interact with local residents. Other tourist attractions have also been installed in the area, among them Manatí Park (a waterpark), Plaza Bolera Punta Cana (a shopping mall and bowling center), a Marina, and the Palma Real Shopping Center in Bávaro, housing well known facilities such as Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas. A list of Punta Cana hotels and ratings can be seen at Punta Cana Trip Advisor. Saona Island, located nearby, is popular for scuba diving.