Punta Cana to Puerto Plata: Our Dominican Republic Trip Guide
If you're thinking about booking a trip to the Dominican Republic and would like to see both Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, there are a few things to keep in mind before you make the final arrangements. Nowadays, travelers to the DR are slowly moving away from the “all-inclusive resort" bubble of Punta Cana and are choosing to head North to the Samana peninsula. There you can find the mellow vibes of Las Terrenas, or travel even further north to the historic town of Puerto Plata.
Our vacation in the Dominican Republic lasted exactly 1 month, and in this guide, I’ll break down how we traveled across the island and the actual route we took.
Places We Visited in the Dominican Republic
Punta Cana
Bavaro Beach
Las Terrenas
Playa Punta Popy
Playa Bonita
Puerto Plata
Playa Bachata
Puerto Plata Historical Center
Palm Suites Airbnb Rental in Punta Cana
Starting in Punta Cana: Luxury and Ease
As many do, we started our trip by flying into Punta Cana, which is, of course, the most famous destination in the DR. It is popular for its luxury all-inclusive resorts, beautiful beaches, and overall convenience. Punta Cana is probably the best place for those looking to just relax and enjoy the beach without the hassle of finding transportation and traveling across the island. For the more adventurous types, such as ourselves, leaving the city for a more off-the-beaten-path experience is a must.
Instead of going all-inclusive, for our first 6 nights, we opted to stay at Playa del Corticito in an Airbnb near the Bávaro area. This rental cost us $363 CAD ($265 USD) ($16677 DOP), plus we had to pay for electricity, which is common in the Dominican Republic, and that ran us $67 CAD ($49 USD) ($3078 DOP). So overall, fairly reasonable at $71 CAD per night ($52 USD) ($3260 DOP). This 1-bedroom rental had a pool and a shuttle that took us to the beach, though the shuttle driver was not very reliable at times.
For our second week, my parents flew in from Toronto to join us, and we upgraded to a much better vacation rental with 2 bedrooms in the Palm Suites Community (Click here to watch our YouTube review). This condo was lovely and spacious, with a beautiful pool area and plenty of space, including three private decks. The location was also very convenient, and it was only 10 minutes walk to Bavaro Beach. We stayed another 6 nights in this rental, and that cost us $769 CAD ($562 USD) ($35300 DOP), and this time the electricity costs were $30 CAD ($22 USD) ($1400 DOP). That brought our costs to $133 CAD per night ($97 USD) ($6102 DOP), so overall, we found our accommodations fairly reasonably priced. To rent a condo at Palm Suites Community, click here.
By going with an Airbnb rental instead of an all-inclusive, we were able to cook our own food and save money that way, but it definitely made for a slight inconvenience, as we had to take several Uber trips to the local grocery store called Jumbo, which was 20 minutes away. This is the way we prefer, and it really depends on how you like to travel. If you want to relax and not have to worry about groceries and things like that, then try looking into the best all-inclusive resorts in Bavaro Beach. If you want to be on your own and enjoy some peace, then look to the quiet luxury boutique hotels in Bavaro.
Bavaro Beach
This quintessential Caribbean beach is the main attraction of Punta Cana and the sole reason why so many flock to this natural wonderland. Bavaro Beach features cerulean blue water and powdery white sands stretching as far as the eye can see. It is abundant in luxury resorts, beach bars, and vendors, making it convenient for travelers who want to simply relax and unwind or party their asses off.
Bavaro Beach, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Our Overall Thoughts on Punta Cana
Punta Cana was pretty much how we had imagined it to be, a gorgeous location but obviously a bustling tourist hub with visitors from all over the world.
Let’s start with the good parts. It has everything you need for convenience, transportation is easy, it has big grocery stores and shopping malls, beautiful beaches, and great places to swim, excellent choices for accomodations and plenty of restaurants and bars. It also has an international airport, making it the most logical choice for many travelers, especially those who only have a week or two for their vacation.
Now for the negatives. Prices in Punta Cana are much higher compared to the rest of the country, and that is obviously due to the high amount of tourism. I like to compare it to Cancun in Mexico, as everyone knows Mexico is a fairly cheap country, but in Cancun, prices are typically through the roof, and Punta Cana is no different. With that, don’t expect a budget-friendly vacation if you’re visiting the area.
Another issue is that vendors in Punta Cana can tend to be a bit more pushy than in other parts of the country. They are just trying to hustle and make some money, so I can’t fault them, but it does become overwhelming at times and can leave a bad impression if you’re not used to that sort of thing.
Lastly, the sargasso (seaweed) can be quite bad at certain times of the year. What season is the worst? I am not really sure, but I think it mostly has to do with the weather, and when we arrived, it wasn’t that bad, and then a couple of stormy nights happened and dragged a ton of seaweed and trash up onto the beach. Now, if you are staying at an all-inclusive, they will typically have workers out there raking it up in the mornings. Your best bet is to pull up Google and search Bavaro Beach seaweed forecast 2026, so that you know what you're up against.
How to get from Punta Cana to Las Terrenas without a car
After our time in Punta Cana, we wanted to find a place that was a bit more relaxing and budget-friendly. That is why we decided to head north to Las Terrenas in the Samana peninsula. The drive from Punta Cana to Las Terrenas takes roughly 4.5 hours, and you can either take a bus or rent a private van, taxi, or Uber. We chose to rent a van with a driver because we had a decent amount of luggage, and it would have been difficult to load it onto a bus. Also, if you take the local bus from Punta Cana to Las Terrenas, you will have to first go to Santo Domingo for a connection, and that can be quite tedious, but it will be the cheapest option and cost around $20 CAD ($14.50 USD) ($920 DOP).
A private taxi or Uber can be expensive and cost around $377 CAD ($275 USD) ($17300 DOP), so this is not really the best option if you are trying to stretch your funds. To ensure you are getting a good driver who is not a sheister, go to Google and search out the best-rated company in town, and that will be your safest bet.
You can also choose to rent your own car if you’re brave enough to tackle the wild Dominican driving, which can be quite erratic and scary at times. That will typically cost around $20 - $50 USD per day, depending on what kind of vehicle you require. If you go with this option, keep in mind that you will need to pay a few different tolls along the way, which can cost $15 - $20 USD.
Floating in the sea in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
Our First Impressions of Las Terrenas
Our 4.5-hour drive from Punta Cana to Las Terrenas went smoothly, and our driver was excellent. He even stopped at a Dominican Restaurant, and we had some really delicious food that seemed to be quite popular among the locals. The ride was nice in terms of scenery, but became even more spectacular when we finally reached the dramatic scenery of the Samana peninsula. It suddenly felt like we were transported to a different island or country, for that matter, and had us reminiscing about Southeast Asia, and more specifically, the island of Palawan, Philippines.
One thing we immediately noticed was that the roads were much cleaner in terms of garbage, and the small towns we passed through seemed very chill compared to the bustle of Punta Cana. With the vibes, the cleanliness, and the stunning jungle backdrop, it’s safe to say that we were already huge fans of this pristine paradise.
To reach our accommodations in Las Terrenas, we still had to drive along the entirety of the beachfront road, which made us even more excited as we got an up-close glimpse of how relaxed and truly beautiful this town was. Our Las Terrenas Airbnb vacation rental was a 2-bedroom condo that was situated in a private resort community called Bonita Village, and it did not disappoint. The layout was great, and the decor and furnishings were excellent, providing us with everything we needed to be comfortable for our 10-night stay. The grounds and location were equally great, with gorgeous tropical gardens, ponds, and a very nice swimming pool area. Right across the street was the incredible Playa Las Ballenas and the Las Ballenas River, which we thoroughly enjoyed when the weather cooperated. Yes, it did rain quite a bit during our stay, but it would usually last only a short period of time before opening up to blue skies and sunshine. That being said, the regular rains should be expected given the lush greenery that is abundant in the region.
Our Airbnb cost us $1379 CAD ($1004 USD) ($63300 DOP) for 10-nights and that included electricity and access to laundry. Below you can see our YouTube video where we review our rental at Playa Las Ballenas.
Playa Las Ballenas
We absolutely loved having direct access to Playa Las Ballenas and thoroughly enjoyed going for morning walks along its scenic shores. The beach is obviously the main attraction of Las Terrenas and is one of the most relaxing beaches we have been to. Miles of sand and palm trees create ample space for beachgoers to unwind, and the Francisco Alberto Caamaño Deñó road runs directly behind the beach, allowing for easy access, parking, and great views along the way. For a more upbeat atmosphere, visitors can enjoy one of the many beachfront bars that line the coast.
Overall, we absolutely adored Playa Las Ballenas and would highly recommend a visit to this magnificent destination.
Playa Punta Popy
Another one of Las Terrenas’s beach gems, Playa Punta Popy, checks all the boxes for what one would need to enjoy a perfect day at the beach. One can rent loungers and umbrellas, and there are also several spots where they serve food and cocktails. The beach is perhaps most notable for its many tall coconut palms, which provide excellent shade. On top of that, the water is very tranquil, providing a great place to swim.
Trees on the beach at Playa Punta Popy in Las Terrenas
Renting a Golf Cart or ATV in Las Terrenas
Golf cart or ATV? That really depends on how adventurous you are and your budget. The golf carts are definitely cheaper, but they will limit your exploration because they can only be used at the beach and around town. If you would like to explore the surrounding area and visit some of the other beaches and villages, then an ATV is a better option. The ATVs are more expensive, but if you rent for an extended period, you will get a better deal. Find a well-rated rental company on Google and then send them a WhatsApp message in Spanish, using Translate if necessary. This will give them the illusion that you are possibly Dominican, and they may offer you a better price compared to sending a message in English, as they will immediately know you are a foreigner. If you do rent an ATV, you will be able to venture to nearby beaches like Playa Bonita.
We ended up renting a golf cart for 5 days at $45 USD per day ($62 CAD) ($2800 DOP).
Our Overall Thoughts on Las Terrenas
We absolutely loved our time in Las Terrenas, and it could definitely go into our ‘top ten’ or possibly even ‘top five’ favourite travel destinations. After 10 relaxing days, I could really see it as a great place for expats to retire, and real estate is still quite cheap for the time being.
Reaching Puerto Plata
The final part of our Dominican Republic vacation took us to the city of Puerto Plata. Again, for this 4-hour journey, we rented a van service which cost us $170 USD ( $234 CAD) ($10700 DOP). Along the way, we passed some famous beach surf towns such as Cabarete and Sosua.
A view of the Senator Puerto Plata Hotel, Dominican Republic
Senator Puerto Plata Hotel
During our time in Puerto Plata, we chose to stay at an all-inclusive resort, which was called The Senator Puerto Plata Hotel. For an 8-night stay, it cost us $1367 CAD ($990 USD) ($62912 DOP). The resort was pretty good, and we had a great time. If there was one complaint I had, it was that they needed more selection for their buffet, as it was slightly underwhelming. But that is, as they say, “first-world problems.”
The staff were great for the most part, as long as you tipped them, but that is common at all-inclusives throughout the world, and in some cases, the staff make most of their money off of tips. The best thing to do is figure out the equivalency to $1 CAD in Dominican Republic currency, which is about 50 pesos, and use that for your tipping. This way, you will get good service, strong drinks, and you will help the workers, as the average wage in the DR is only $340-$400 USD per month.
The 6 pools were very nice, with one of them being a swim-up bar, which was the more lively area where they had daily pool exercises, games, and foam parties. The remaining pools were much more for pure relaxation.
They had 6 total restaurants, which included a sports bar, the Larimar buffet, a steakhouse, a Japanese restaurant, an Italian restaurant, and a pizza place, as well as a coffee shop and an ice cream parlour.
Senator Puerto Plata vs. Playabachata: which is better?
When you stay at either the Senator Puerto Plata Hotel or the Playabachata Hotel, you will find that they are actually sister properties, thus giving you access to both. When I was originally booking my room, I decided to go with the Senator because it looked a bit newer, but once I visited, I realized it would have been a bit more budget-friendly to have gone with the other one, and end up with access to the Senator anyway. That being said, the Senator definitely had easier access to the restaurants and a lot more pool space, but Playabachata had better, more secluded beach areas, so it depends on what you're looking for, really.
Playa Bachata
The Senator offers access to the amazing Playa Bachata, which boasts excellent scenery and views of Magdalena’s Rock in the background. The water is turquoise blue and calm, with plenty of loungers available for guests. A few vendors walk the beach with items to sell, but overall, it’s mellow comparatively. If you’re looking to get a good spot on the beach or pool during your visit, I recommend placing your towel in the morning, as the good spots are quickly taken.
Puerto Plata Historical Center
While we mostly relaxed at the Senator Hotel, we did end up doing a day trip into town to visit the
Puerto Plata Historical Center (Centro Histórico De Puerto Plata), which was a great experience for the most part. We took a taxi from the resort and got dropped off at Independence Central Park, which is essentially the hub of the area. It was around Christmas time, so we got to enjoy the numerous decorations that were set up. In the very centre is a large gazebo where you can climb to the second level for better views of the historical buildings, which feature a unique blend of Caribbean and Spanish architecture.
After we had finished in the park, we headed to check out Paseo de Dona Blanca, famous for being a completely pink street with various wonderful photo opportunities.
We then proceeded to the iconic Umbrella Street, where colorful umbrellas hang overhead, creating a sensational photo opportunity. Here you can find bars, restaurants, clothing stores, and souvenir shops. I wouldn’t suggest buying anything here unless money is no object for you, as they are way overpriced and most items don’t even have price tags, which is typically a huge red flag, as they say. Vendors will also be somewhat pushy down here, and they are used to cruise ship passengers who are there to spend money. But stand your ground, and if you are looking for better deals, move a few streets down.
Paseo de Dona Blanco in Puerto Plata
Overall Thoughts on Puerto Plata
One of the issues with renting all-inclusive is that you don’t typically venture out as much as you would if you had rented an Airbnb or a regular hotel. There’s always the thought that “I paid good money to stay here, so I have to get my money’s worth.” And since your food is all-inclusive, you are less likely to be adventurous with trying out new cuisine. At an Airbnb, you must fend for yourself a bit more in terms of finding food and making arrangements for rides, but this typically makes for a more adventurous experience.
So I guess what I am trying to say is that I don’t have enough data to make a great assessment about Puerto Plata. It is nicknamed “the Adventure Capital, and we honestly didn’t really adventure much while there. It was also quite expensive to do any of the excursions, and by this point, we had already burned through quite a decent chunk of money and were kind of over the spending.
The one thing I really wanted to do while in town was take the Teleferico Puerto Plata Cable Car, but it was unfortunately shut down for maintenance while we were there.
The one thing I do know for certain about Puerto Plata is that it is an incredibly beautiful region with a unique look. Being surrounded by sharp mountains covered in dense jungle makes it seem still so wild for a city of 162,000 residents.
