punta cana travel guide
punta cana travel guide
Photo via MustangJoe/Pixabay
Written By Eno Edet; Sponsored by Luxury Retreats

Overhear someone talking about the Dominican Republic, and you’ll likely catch stories of delicious food (don’t miss the Sancocho!), beautiful beaches, late night Merengue dancing and thrilling adventure sports. And rightfully so, as there is much for visitors to explore in this Caribbean nation.

For most, the destination of choice is Punta Cana, known for its soft sand and azure waters. Which is all great; however, to experience the best of Punta Cana you’ll need to add some activities beyond the resorts. To assist, check out this Punta Cana travel guide showcasing immersive cultural activities to add to your itinerary.

DEZALB/Pixabay

1. Partake In Cigar Pairing

In the Dominican Republic there is a certain way one enjoys a cigar. Cigar-rolling has long been a celebrated pastime in the island country’s history. Instead of smoking a cigar in a traditional way, enhance its taste by pairing it with a delicious beverage. Learn the art of cigar pairing at Don Queco Cigar & Rum Bar, as certain characteristics of each pair well together. Tip: the rule of thumb is to never let one side of the pairing dominate the other. Think light bodied with light bodied, medium bodied with medium bodied and so on.

2. Dance Merengue

In Argentina it’s tango. In Spain it’s flamenco. And in the Dominican Republic it’s merengue. Many beginners describe merengue as being pretty simple to pickup, being that its foundation is a basic marching step. And if you feel like you don’t know where to start, Catalonia Bavaro Hotel offers one-hour classes for their guests. Merengue is not just a genre of music, but a staple of the Dominican Republic community. Why not give it a try, and learn how to communicate with your hips.

punta cana travel guide
Indigenous Eyes via Jessica Festa

3. Visit Indigenous Eyes

In every great land there is great folklore, with stories that have been passed down to entertain as well as explain how the land came to be. In Punta Cana one site shrouded in legend is a network of trails and crystalline lagoons known as the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park (or the “Parque Ojos Indigenas”). The name comes from the indigenous Taino Indians of the Dominican Republic, who thought the lagoons looked like eyes. Moreover, they believed their waters held healing and rejuvenating qualities. In a place as beautiful as Punta Cana, it’s not surprising a fountain of youth would be located here.

4. Language

Not to sound like your high school French teacher, but the best way to learn any language is to visit that place. And a great way to improve that Spanish is to go to the Punta Cana. There, you would not learn the text-book way of speaking Spanish, but how to use the language as everyday locals do. Apps like Duolingo and Busuu can give you a base to work with, while free networks like CouchSurfing and Meetup make it easy to find language exchanges or events where you can interact with locals. You can also attend a language school like Enforex in Santo Domingo (about 2.5 hours from Punta Cana), which offers both one-off and longer term courses.

punta cana travel guide
Tostones via Hungry Dudes/flickr

5. Savor The Cuisine

After a day of wind surfing and paddle boarding you’ll likely be starving. Luckily, Punta Cana offers the opportunity to savor delicious Dominican Republic eats. Make sure to try the Bandera, a meal of white rice, cooked beans and meat with fried plantains and a side salad. If you are in the mood for finger food, Pica Pollo features fried chicken served with a side of fried green banana slices called tostones. And you absolutely must try the Mangu, a dish of boiled mashed green plantains served with rice and beans.

Need to satisfy a sweet tooth? Opt for the arroz con dulce, or “sweet rice pudding.” This Dominican delight is made up of rice, milk, sugar and raisins. Yum!

For some recommended dining experiences, don’t miss traditional eats at Delicias de Bavaro Restaurant, a chocolate making class at ChocoMuseo and a Pirate Rum Factory and Taino Cave Tour from Punta Cana.

Do you have a cultural experience to add to this Punta Cana travel guide? Please share in the comments below!

Recommended:

Percolating Over Costa Rican Coffee At Finca Rosa Blanca [Blog Inspiration]

The Ultimate Dominican Cookbook [Great Reads]

Yoga Download Yoga on the Go [Travel Health]

 

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Eno Edet

Eno Edet is a children’s author who finds humor and absurdity in the bleakest situations. He's spent nearly a decade in New York City’s underground, and now dedicates his time to creating strange literature. Each one of his books is handcrafted from the binding to the narrative to the illustration. With the support of local bookstores, his titles have become underground favorites.

Eno Edet

Eno Edet is a children’s author who finds humor and absurdity in the bleakest situations. He's spent nearly a decade in New York City’s underground, and now dedicates his time to creating strange literature. Each one of his books is handcrafted from the binding to the narrative to the illustration. With the support of local bookstores, his titles have become underground favorites.

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2 Comments

  1. The Dominican Republic is absolutely beautiful! I visited there last summer with my sister, and it was an incredible experience. So glad to hear you guys enjoyed it!

  2. Hi Eno,

    Thanks for sharing this. I’d love to visit this place. I appreciate you sharing tips on how we can enjoy our stay there. I might book a flight next year. Wish me luck. Anywho, do you have any additional places that you would recommend?

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