Punta Cana

Visitors arriving at Punta Cana International Airport are required to pay a $10 visitor fee prior to going through immigration. The fee must be paid in cash only (U.S. dollars are accepted), so make sure to hit an ATM stateside before you fly. Most businesses accept dollars as payment, including tips and excursions. Bring small bills so you don't have to break a $50, which could be harder to do.

If you’re not renting a car, be sure to reserve your airport to hotel transportation ahead of time. This will lower your stress level after passing through customs. After retrieving your bags, you’ll be immediately bombarded by those trying to offer transportation services in exchange for signing you up for a timeshare presentation. Rather, head straight out the door where you’ll find your transportation company rep waiting for you, sign in hand with your name on it. The airport is relatively close to most resorts, typically a 20-to-30-minute drive to the hotel zone. Taxis are very expensive, so resort transportation is the best way to go.

A majority of the resorts in Punta Cana are all-inclusive, meaning that travelers pre-pay for packages that include accommodations, food, alcohol, and some entertainment. There are great deals to be found at various times of the year, especially the off-season, and for many, not having to worry about paying for each meal and drink during their vacation is comforting.  However, resort guests should watch for sneaky extra charges for a la carte restaurants, certain menu items like lobster, or imported alcohol.

Unfortunately, some resorts have a reputation for endless revelry and wild partying, even resulting in self-induced alcohol poisoning incidents. However, this paradise offers so much more to the traveler with its pristine white sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, swaying palms, and a myriad water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, parasailing, and boating. Beyond the beaches, Punta Cana offers nature excursions, including visits to lagoons, waterfalls, and ecological reserves. The area is also popular with families, with resorts offering kid-friendly amenities, water parks, and excursions such as dolphin encounters and safari-type tours.

Punta Cana has a warm, tropical climate year-round, with temperatures ranging between 77°F (25°C) and 88°F (31°C). It’s sunny, hot, and humid with occasional rain showers, especially in the late summer and fall, but the rain rarely lasts long. The best time to visit is from December to April, when the weather is typically dry and pleasant. Hurricane season typically runs from June to November though hurricane impacts are not a yearly occurrence. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellant if you’re planning a forest or jungle-type outing.