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République DominicaineHigüeyPunta CanaSaona

Punta Cana

By Olivier•December 21, 2025•223 views

At the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is a beach destination known worldwide for its white sand beaches lined with coconut palms and its turquoise Caribbean waters. The region stretches over some fifty kilometres of coastline, where beaches like Bávaro and Macao draw travellers in search of sun all year round — the average temperature hovers around 27 °C.

Beyond the beaches, Punta Cana offers spectacular nature: coral reefs perfect for diving, mangroves to explore by kayak, and the Indigenous Eyes ecological park with its twelve freshwater lagoons.

The place wins you over with its laid-back atmosphere, its warm Dominican culture set to the rhythm of bachata and merengue, and its local cooking, which marries Creole flavours with freshly caught seafood. Whether for an all-inclusive family stay, a honeymoon or a getaway with friends, Punta Cana remains a sure bet for escaping the Quebec winter.

Practical information

Duration

7 jours

Season

Juin 2025

Getting around

Avion et Uber

Accommodation

Vista Sol

Itinerary

Chargement de la carte…

Vista Sol Punta Cana

Île Saona

Playa El Macao

Higüey

Aéroport International de Punta Cana

The hotel complex

The Vista Sol Punta Cana is an all-inclusive resort in Bavaro, in the Dominican Republic, on Cortecito beach. It offers a broad range of activities for all ages, such as water sports, dance lessons and shows. The property has six restaurants serving various cuisines, three outdoor pools, a spa, a kids' club, tennis courts and free Wi-Fi. It's also close to the village of El Cortecito, which has local shops and restaurants. Set on the edge of the magnificent Bávaro beach, the Vista Sol Punta Cana welcomed us into an enchanting tropical setting. With its lush gardens, its Caribbean-coloured buildings and its laid-back atmosphere, the resort has everything needed for a successful all-inclusive stay.

The hotel buffet

All-inclusives aren't always known for their buffet, but the main restaurant let us discover a wide variety of flavours at every meal. Between the international dishes, the Dominican specialties, the grilled items, the fresh fruit and the indulgent desserts, there was something for every taste. A fine way to start each day with a hearty breakfast facing the palm trees.

El Mariachi Mexican restaurant

An evening full of colour and flavour! Tacos, fajitas, fresh guacamole and a festive atmosphere — El Mariachi carried us straight to the heart of Mexico. The self-serve section to begin the experience while you wait for the dishes you've ordered is really a charming idea. The warm decor and the well-measured spices made it one of our favourite meals of the trip.

American BBQ Grill

By day, an American-style snack bar with giant screens for watching sporting events. Hamburgers, hot dogs and more, right on the beach. Perfect for eating in your bathing suit while admiring the ocean.
Don't stop there, because in the evening the à la carte menu gets more refined and it was one of the best suppers we had all week. For lovers of grilled meat, the American Grill was a real treat. Juicy steaks, meltingly tender ribs, hamburgers and generous sides — all served in a relaxed setting, perfect after a day at the beach.

Asian restaurant: Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar

An experience that is both delicious and entertaining! The chefs prepare the dishes in front of you on the big teppanyaki plates, juggling knives and ingredients in a genuine culinary show. Sushi, sautéed meats and crisp vegetables rounded out this memorable meal.

Snack bar on the beach

Ideal for a quick break between two swims, the beach snack bar offers sandwiches, fries, pizzas and snacks to enjoy with your feet in the sand. Handy, tasty and always open — a real favourite for lazy days. Watching the cook work so quickly and turn out such delicious burgers is an experience in itself!

The secondary pool

Quieter than the main pool, the secondary pool offered a corner of paradise to relax away from the bustle. Surrounded by palm trees and comfortable loungers, it was the perfect place to read, sip a cocktail or simply enjoy the sun in peace. The little cabanas where you can settle in out of the sun are comfortable, and there's a bar nearby.

Saona Island

An excursion not to be missed! In the southeast of the Dominican Republic, Saona Island dazzled us with its immaculate white sand beaches, its coconut palms and its turquoise water of incredible clarity. A genuine postcard setting, reachable by catamaran or speedboat.

Natural pool in the middle of the Caribbean Sea

On the way to Saona, we stopped at the famous natural pool — a sandbar in the middle of the sea where the water, a brilliant turquoise blue, came up only to our waists. You even come across starfish in their natural habitat. A magical experience, unique in the world.

Macao beach

Recognized as one of the finest wild beaches in Punta Cana, Macao offers a striking contrast with the groomed beaches of the resorts. Its more pronounced waves make it a spot prized by surfers, while its authentic atmosphere and its little grilled-fish stands win over visitors looking for a change of scene.

Visiting the village of Punta Cana (Higüey)

Higüey is not a traditional Dominican village, but rather a modern, planned residential community, designed for expatriates and middle- and upper-class families. Unlike the very busy tourist zones, the village offers a calmer, residential way of life, with practical access to all the amenities and services of a small town. In short, Punta Cana Village represents a side of the Punta Cana region that sets itself apart from mass tourism. At its centre, the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia is not only a monumental and architectural splendour of the Dominican Republic, but also a beacon of spiritual devotion and culture. Its unique design and the history it holds bear witness to a tradition deeply rooted in the social fabric of the local community and of the faithful who visit it.

A romantic supper on the beach

Although the Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort & Spa has several restaurants, romantic dinners on the beach are an extra service that can be arranged on request and for an additional fee. To close our stay in style, nothing beats a romantic supper with your feet in the sand, under a starry sky, rocked by the sound of the waves. A table set by candlelight, a refined menu and attentive service — a magical moment etched in our memories forever.

Highlights

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Le complexe de l’hôtel
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Buffet de l’hôtel
•
Restaurant Mexicain El Mariachi
•
BBQ Américain Grill
•
Restaurant Japonais
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Casse-Croûte de la plage
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Piscine secondaire
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L’Île Saona
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Piscine naturelle en pleine mer des Caraïbes
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La plage de Macao
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Visite de la ville avec Miguel
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Souper en amoureux sur la plage

Tips

💡
L’hôtel et ses services sont vraiment bien, cependant si vous voulez une belle plage à même votre hôtel, évitez le Vista Sol parce qu’il y a beaucoup de sargasses sur la plage et aux alentours de celle-ci (il y a même des montagnes d’algues car l’hôtel tente de préserver des bouts d’accès à l’océan en les ratissant avec un tracteur).
💡
Dès votre arrivée à l’hôtel, allez réserver vos restaurants pour la semaine.
💡
De même, réservez votre souper en amoureux à la réception de l’hôtel, vous verrez qu’il n’y a pas beaucoup de publicité sur cette possibilité tellement agréable.
💡
Prenez contact avec Miguel Mercedes +1-849-624-3131, il peut vous organiser une visite de la ville avec accès à la culture locale pour un très bon prix. C’est la vraie vie! Si vous ne parlez pas espagnol, pas de souci, avec google traduction, la communication a très bien été.

Photo gallery

Frequently asked questions

Is there a lot of sargassum in Punta Cana?

That's our main reservation about the Vista Sol: there was a lot of sargassum on the beach and around it, to the point where you could see mountains of seaweed gathered up by tractor to keep the access points to the ocean clear. The East coast faces the Atlantic directly and catches more seaweed than the South coast. The risk is generally lower from January to April. The interactive Sargassum Monitoring map lets you follow the situation before you leave.

Do you need to reserve the à la carte restaurants at the Vista Sol?

Yes, and as soon as you arrive. That's the first piece of advice we'd give anyone staying at the Vista Sol: go book your restaurants for the whole week on day one. The resort has six of them, including El Mariachi (Mexican), the American Grill and the teppanyaki with its sushi bar. The spots go fast if you wait.

Is the romantic supper on the beach included?

No, it's an extra service offered on request and for an additional fee. You book it at the hotel's front desk. A surprising fact: there isn't much publicity about this option, so plenty of vacationers miss out without knowing it. A table set by candlelight, feet in the sand, under the stars. It's really worth asking about.

How do you get to Saona Island?

On an organized excursion, by catamaran or speedboat, from the Punta Cana region. The island lies in the southeast of the Dominican Republic and offers immaculate white sand beaches, coconut palms and turquoise water of remarkable clarity. Most packages include the stop at the natural pool along the way.

What is the natural pool?

A sandbar in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, where the turquoise water comes up only to your waist. You stop there on the way to Saona, and you come across starfish in their natural habitat. It's one of the most memorable moments of the excursion. Handle with care: starfish are living animals and must not be taken out of the water.

Is Macao beach worth the trip?

Yes, for the contrast. It's one of the finest wild beaches in the region, very different from the groomed beaches of the resorts. Its more pronounced waves make it a spot prized by surfers, and its little grilled-fish stands give it an authentic atmosphere. Worth knowing: the waves are stronger there, so it isn't the ideal beach for a quiet swim.

How can you see the region outside the tourist zones?

We called on Miguel Mercedes, reachable at +1 849 624-3131, who organizes city visits with real access to the local culture, and at a very good price. It's real life, far from mass tourism. If you don't speak Spanish, no worries: communication went very well with Google Translate.

What is there to see in Higüey?

The Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, a monumental and architectural splendour of the Dominican Republic, and a major site of spiritual devotion. Its unique design and the history it holds bear witness to a tradition deeply rooted in the local community. It's a side of the region that sets itself apart completely from beach tourism.

Do you need a passport to go to the Dominican Republic?

Yes. Canadians can enter for tourism with a passport valid for the duration of the stay, without a visa, for a maximum of 90 days. For travel for other purposes, the passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival. Also check your carrier's requirements before departure, and consult the Government of Canada's travel advice.

When is the best time to visit Punta Cana?

From December to April, for two reasons. It's the dry season, with trade winds that cool the air even when it's hot, and it's also the period when the risk of sargassum is lowest. The rainy season runs from May to October, and historically September and October are the two months most affected by seaweed on the Dominican coast.

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