What NOT to do in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Hey there fellow travelers! Wondering what to do in the Dominican Republic? Well, we have the do’s and don’ts of visiting this Caribbean Island. Whether you are staying at the all-inclusive resorts at Punta Cana or going for the colonial zone in Santo Domingo there is so much to enjoy and love about the Dominican Republic, but we do need to talk about some of the un-fun stuff too. So here are the don’ts of the Dominican Republic.
Don’t Forget to Arrange Your Airport Transfer in Advance
The arrivals hall at the Punta Cana airport is chaotic and full of taxi drivers yelling to get your attention. It can be overwhelming. If you already have your transport arranged, you can just breeze by all of them straight to your waiting vehicle. Most all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana will pre-arrange this for you.
Don’t Freak Out at the Airport Lines
After you deplane, you’ll have to go through passport control. The line can be quite long and snakes through several areas, but it moves pretty quickly. This is a good time to remember you are entering the “island time” zone so just take a deep breath and go with the flow. It took us about 40 minutes and the line was ¾ full when we arrived, so that gives you a bit of an idea of what to expect. There is a VIP service where you can pay to skip that line if you are in a hurry.
Don’t Expect a Lot of Hotels that Aren’t All-Inclusive
The majority of resorts are all-inclusive hotels in Punta Cana. If you’ve never tried an all-inclusive resort, you might actually like it, provided you research the resort ahead of time. They can vary quite a bit in terms of price, offering, and audience. In fact, our #1 “don’t” for staying at an all-inclusive resort is: don’t forget to do your research!
What Not to Do at All-Inclusive Resorts
Other tips for all-inclusive resorts:
- Don’t expect a lot of authentic local food at the resort. You might have to search for it.
- Don’t lose your wristband; it will cost you!
- Don’t forget to make dining reservations for some of the nicer places on property. And don’t forget to bring a nice outfit for the nicer restaurants. Some may have a dress code!
- Don’t forget your beach supplies, like toys and sunscreen.
- Don’t expect Uber or Lyft to be able to access your property.
Lastly, don’t feel bad if you don’t leave your resort. All-inclusive resorts are made for relaxing and if that’s what you want to do on your vacation, then enjoy it! Everyone has a different travel style, and sometimes we all need a few days to lay on the beach!
Don’t Forget to Bring a Lot of Single Dollars
The official currency is the Dominican Peso, but they get so many American tourists here that most places will accept U.S. dollars. Most places in Punta Cana accept credit cards, but It is a good idea to have cash on hand for smaller shops and for tipping. We recommend bringing at least $50 to $100 in single-dollar bills for tipping. (don’t forget to tip!)
Don’t Forget to Barter
Negotiating prices is something people do at the smaller shops and markets in Punta Cana. This includes your excursions, as we’ve seen some people pay twice as much as someone else on the same tour! As long as you use an officially licensed tour company, they’re all pretty much the same.
Don’t Assume All Excursions are Nearby
You will have many excursions to choose from during your trip to Punta Cana. The Sea Aquarium and the zipline are near Punta Cana, but the trip to Saona Island is a 12-hour day. And you only get a couple of hours on the island because it takes a while to get there. Make sure you research all the Punta Cana day trips and be reasonable with the time that you have.
Don’t Drink the Tap Water
It is not safe to drink tap water in the Dominican Republic. Stick to bottled water, which is plentiful especially if you stay at a resort. Most of the ice machines have filtered ice, so that’s usually safe to drink, but you can double-check with the hotel or restaurant if you’re not sure.
Don’t Forget to Chat Up the Locals
The locals are always going to be your best bet for insider intel. Whether you’re looking for hidden beaches or just the best restaurant on property, ask the locals!
Don’t Forget to Speak a Little Spanish
You don’t need to know Spanish to get by in Punta Cana, but it’s a nice sign of respect to learn a few words of Spanish before your trip. Most people in the tourism industry, especially at the all-inclusive resorts, will speak English, but they’ll appreciate the effort if you use “por favor” and “gracias.”
Seven Tips for Learning a Foreign Language
Don’t Forget You’re on Island Time
Remember, you’re in the Caribbean, so everyone is on “island time.” Everything moves at a slower pace, and it can take a few days to adjust. It’s a good idea not to wait until you are starving to sit at a restaurant because it will be a while before you get your food. Once you’ve adjusted to island time, it’s pretty relaxing, but the first few days can be frustrating!
Don’t Worry About Safety in Punta Cana
One of our don’ts of the Dominican Republic is to keep safety in mind when you are out and about. However, Punta Cana is very tourist-centric, so safety is less of an issue here than in other parts of the Dominican Republic. Of course, still use your usual travel safety smarts, and keep valuables in the safe. Pay attention when you are in town, but for the most part, Punta Cana is pretty safe.
Don’t Forget to Fill Out Your Arrival and Departure Forms Ahead of Time
There is paperwork you need to arrive or depart from the Dominican Republic. You’ll save a lot of time and frustration if you fill these out before you get to the airport. You can download them from the internet and save a lot of hassle by doing it in advance.
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We really enjoyed visiting Punta Cana and staying at an all-inclusive resort with various excursions around the island. Interested in planning a trip to Punta Cana or other tropical destinations? Check out these blog posts!