Punta Cana is one of the top four destinations in the world for all-inclusive resorts, along with Jamaica, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Why is this? Travelers are looking for the warm sun, beautiful white sand beaches, and turquoise blue waters. It is that simple. Punta Cana can be a great place to find an all-inclusive resort for a great price. The weather is fantastic from January through March when most of the United States is cold and gray. The temperature maintains a beautiful 80 to 85 degrees, and the skies are that cobalt blue there, while at home, it may seem like the sun will never come out.
I love Punta Cana.
Ground Transportation, Punta Cana Airport
I use a great company, AmStar, for ground transportation from the airport to my resort and back when I travel. I also use this company to book my excursions. This company is trusted and greets you at the airport with cheery blue-flowered shirts, fresh, clean vehicles, and a smile.
Arriving at an all-inclusive resort should be a wonderful introduction to your vacation. Most resorts greet you with a glass of champagne, a nice chilled towel, and a wonderful feeling of, “let us take care of you.”
Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana
I love to talk about places I have been to, but I also like to talk about a place or two on my radar. Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana is the next resort on my radar for Punta Cana. I have been to Margaritaville Island Reserve Riviera Cancun and loved it, so I really want to try this one as well.
Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana is located on Juanillo Beach. This resort is a Karisma brand resort, which means it will have a laid-back luxury feel. Live entertainment is offered twice daily, which is really exciting, and you’ll be happy to know there is a pickleball court. How fun!
I definitely want to spend time at the St. Somewhere Spa, and at Margaritaville, it is always “5 O’Clock Somewhere.”
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana
In Punta Cana, Zoetry Agua Punta Cana is about 45 minutes from the Punta Cana airport, which is just enough time to unwind from traveling and start relaxing. Amstar is, again, my ground transportation of choice. Guests of Zoetry can even get flown into Zoetry by private helicopter. Upon arrival, the very first thing I like to do is to get a glass of the most delicious iced tea in the world in the lobby.
Zoetry is all about your well-being, connecting with the ocean, and relaxing. This is a smaller boutique resort but very quiet and full of opportunities to better oneself. Yoga classes, cooking classes, or art classes with the ocean in the background are inspiring. The Spa is a must. You will want to recreate the scent of this fantastic Spa at your home. I like facials, and I’d recommend trying the Essential Eye package to relax your tired, overworked eyes. This resort makes me feel very literary as if I was in a Hemingway novel. There are lovely dining options there, but what I always look for in my vacation experience are the drink and small-plate pleasers. This is a treat to me. Overall, I was pretty pleased when I visited Zoetry Punta Cana.
Nickelodeon Punta Cana
So far, I’ve wanted to go to Margaritaville Island Reserve to relax and “Zen Out” at Zoetry. Still, for a full-blown family experience, I am making memories at Nickelodeon Punta Cana.
I’ll be honest, before going to Nickelodeon, I was skeptical. I thought this resort would be loud and obnoxious. Boy, was I wrong. Nickelodeon Punta Cana is connected to Sensatori Resort and Spa, making everyone happy. The kids (any age) have something to do, from the waterpark to the clubs to sports; there is always something for them to do. The kids even have their own Spa, but the Spa at Sensatori is heavenly for us adults.
Dining at Nickelodeon Punta Cana
The dining is unique at Nickelodeon. The Karisma brand prefers to offer gourmet food displays as opposed to buffets. Therefore, the food at Nickelodeon is of noticeably higher quality.
I enjoyed the Spacewalker restaurant in the Gourmet Village at Nickelodeon, which has three seatings a night. This is a themed resort with a fun drink menu! Also offered in the Gourmet Village is Italian, Eastern, American, and Mediterranean cuisine. All the restaurants are themed here. I enjoyed the family-friendly atmosphere in the village’s courtyard in the evenings.
Excursions at Nickelodeon Punta Cana
I am not a huge excursion booker in Punta Cana. I tend to really just enjoy the resorts and spas and the ocean where I am, although I had taken a sunset cruise before and enjoyed seeing the houses along the coast and such. I recommend booking all excursions through Amstar. Each resort has a concierge desk for excursions, or they can be booked by your travel agent before traveling.
Punta Cana is a place where I feel very safe on resort property. Just like most Caribbean resort destinations, staying on property is safer.
There is nothing like stealing away to the Caribbean in the dead of winter and enjoying the turquoise water and sunshine. Punta Cana is a great escape.
Health Protocols in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic
According to the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, “as of June 12, 2022, the CDC order requiring all persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded. Starting at 12:01 a.m. on June 12, 2022, the CDC will no longer require air travelers to show a negative COVID-19 test result, or documentation of recovery from COVID-19, prior to boarding a flight to the United States.”
To sum it up, Punta Cana is easy all the way around and makes for a very chill vacay.