10 Things to Know Before You Go to Punta Cana

 

10 Things to Know Before You Go to Punta Cana

From white sand beaches, ‘floofy’ umbrella drinks, swaying palm trees, and sweltering sun rays--Punta Cana has everything you might need to achieve ultimate relaxation-vacation mode. In any case, prior to jetting off to Punta Cana, here is a list of things you should know about the destination.

 

1.       Airport transfer fees

Every visitor passing through the Punta Cana International Airport is required to pay a fee amounting to ten dollars before reaching the immigration checkpoint. To ensure this isn’t a nuisance upon arrival, make sure to stop at an ATM before leaving for the destination and have everything in order (US dollars are accepted.)

 

2.       Nudity is a big, bold NO

Needless to say, it is important to respect the culture and customs of every location you visit. Not only will this practice save you a lot of trouble but also greatly improve your vacation experience. That said, the Dominican Republic is majorly a Catholic nation and being nude or topless in public is against the law.

 

3.       American dollars are accepted all over

Unless you’re contemplating traveling to an out of the way or non-touristy region, you  definitely don’t need to pay hefty charges to convert American dollars into Dominican pesos. Luckily for you, most, if not all, individuals accept US dollars as payment for just about anything, as well as tips.

Speaking of tips.

 

4.       Tipping

As a general rule, wages in developing countries are pretty low, meaning tips go a long way. Consider tipping up to 20% of your total bill, unless the service was terrible. Tipping is a way of showing appreciation and also helps to make sure you’ll be well taken care of during your visit.

 

5.       Most resorts in the region are all-inclusive

According to reports, 90 percent of all resorts in Punta Cana are all inclusive. This implies that voyagers prepay all packages including, but not limited to, alcohol, food, room rates, and loads of entertainment. There is nothing more relieving than leaving your wallet in your room before going out for a meal or drink.

 

6.       You can safely drink the water

Regardless of what you might have heard or read in the past, a majority of hotels and resorts in Punta Cana serve filtered ice and water, which is 100 percent safe to drink.

 

7.       Taxis are expensive

Hiring a taxi in Punta Cana is expensive unless you’re accompanied by friends with whom you will split the bill. The airport is approximately 30 minutes away from the resorts, so arranging airport transportation with your hotel, possibly through a shuttle service, is the cheapest and smartest option.

 

8.       It’s a traveler’s destination

The Dominican Republic has gone above and beyond to make Punta Cana an enticing tourist attraction. This means there are tremendous opportunities to explore exciting wilderness spots and intriguing locales designed for tourists from all around the world the enjoy.

 

9.       Always book your airport transportation beforehand

Going back to point 7 regarding taxis, the airport experience can be incredibly daunting if you’ve never gone through the process before. This at times stressful travel experience can be made worse by the added pressure of a large concentration of transportation services vying for your attention immediately after your departure from the airport.

It is advisable to avoid these taxis at all costs because they’re simply too expensive. The best way to avoid them is by pre-booking your airport transportation in advance!

 

10.   Souvenirs

What better way to remember a beautiful trip than bringing home a nice souvenir? Seashell necklaces, palm tree magnets, Mama Juana, and coffee are all Dominican Specialties you can bring home with you. For those not familiar with Mama Juana, I highly suggest getting familiar! Mama Juana is an alcoholic beverage consisting of an amalgamation of honey, wine, and rum and is guaranteed to contribute to a fun and memorable vacation!