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With September quickly approaching, it’s almost time to start planning that autumn holiday, and if you haven’t had the chance to go somewhere nice and warm this year, where you can be pampered and enjoy the sun, then Cancun probably does. at the top of your list.
Before you book that crowded hotel, but you might want to check this out alternative gem, where beaches are justNot so pristine white, resorts are just as luxurious, if not somewhat more affordableand safety closely.
Leader in bookings in the Caribbean after Cancun, and home to a well-developed hospitality and entertainment industry, Punta Cana offers all the off-season fun you need:
Why is Punta Cana so incredibly popular right now?
According to David Collado, the Dominican Republic’s minister of tourism, the country is racing toward one record-breaking 2024 in tourism, and this has been largely helped by Punta Cana, the main destination and best developed resort zone:
As Collado reiterates, the high level of safety that tourists enjoy, as well as the diverse tourist offering, are all part of why the country – including Punta Cana – is so so popular with international visitors at the moment.
While they certainly love the endless miles of white, powdered sugar sand, turquoise waters, and exotic nature of the Caribbean, American citizens still view the security challenges facing many countries in the region as a major deterrent.
Countries like Colombia and Jamaica, for example, have all been that way hit with travel warnings in recent months, currently included in the US Department of State’s Level 3 advisory; in non-technical terms, as an American, you are urged to reconsider your visit.
Punta Cana, on the other hand, has not been affected by bad travel advisories, even though the Dominican Republic shares an island with one of the most unstable nation-states in the entire Caribbean – Haiti, we’re looking at you – where crime and gang activity is rampant.
Don’t get us wrong, crime can prevent on the other side of the Dominican Republic, but as any beachgoer who has ever left Cancun for Punta Cana will attest, the touristy part of town, where all the luxury hotels, beach bars and shopping centers are located, is as safe as can be.
How safe is Punta Cana?
The Dominican Republic itself is one Level 2 destinationand this means that US passport holders are not discouraged from visiting they must exercise ‘heightened caution’especially if they venture out of the resort complex themselves.
While the same cannot be said of certain districts of Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata, the nearly 20-mile stretch known as Coconut Coast, which includes Punta Cana and all its five-star listings and entertainment centers, is very low-risk to visit. :
Furthermore, The number of criminal offenses fell by 45% last yearas noted by El Nationalwhich attributes the rising security levels in the Dominican Republic to the efforts of current President Luis Abinader, “who has led a direct and constant strategy against crime.”
This is supported by the official website of the presidencyThis confirms that crime has fallen in several regions of the island nation, by as much as 9.09% in certain areas.
Punta Cana can be cheaper to visit than Cancun
In addition to the higher than average safety level, Punta Cana is one surprisingly economical tropical getaway for Americans, especially those based in a southern state like Florida: As seen on Kayak, there are some flights for that as cheap as $75 departure from Miami between September and November.
Although Floridians are better off, due to their geographic proximity to the Caribbean and their strong cultural ties to the Latin American world, other American travelers can just as easily travel to Punta Cana in the fall, with at least 22 cities in America will host Punta Cana-bound destinations. to flee.
Let’s face it: the main reason why millions of tourists flock to the Dominican Republic every year is the world-class service that awaits them at these beachside resorts, and the unparalleled tropical atmosphere.
Aside from connectivity, the resorts in this part of the Dominican Republic are not necessarily cheap per sebut they can be surprisingly affordable by American standards, especially in the eyes of the Cancun regular who is used to spending a little money.
We all know that traveling in the fall means cheaper prices anyway, but in Bavaro, a relaxing stretch of coastline about five miles outside the main resort area of Punta Cana, we’re talking only $479 for a week’s stay at the Tropicana Sol Caribes Hotel Studios.
Granted, that is true not Grand Palladium or Iberostar, but it is yet sea views, with access to a private area of the beach!
It has an outdoor swimming pool and spa facilities and no fewer than nine several restaurants on site.
How much does an all-inclusive stay cost in Punta Cana?
A slightly more expensive offering, the Deluxe Villas Los Corales Beach & Spa claim the title of ‘best value for holiday rentals’, as seen on Booking.comand they are an ideal choice for couples looking for peace and quiet away from the kid-friendly mega-resorts.
The property is equipped with a lush garden, restaurants and bars, as well as a casino; All units have air conditioning and a safe – where you can leave your valuables, as advised in the Dominican Republic – and room rates include a continental breakfast.
As for the more traditional, established names, adults only Serenade All Suitesa secluded oasis a short drive from all the shops and golf courses, with its signature lagoon-style swimming pool, costs from $1,666 can be booked for a week.
In the up-and-coming Cabeza de Toro, a wilder part of Punta Cana where hotels are further apart and towering palm trees dominate the landscape, all-inclusive Catalonia Royal Bavaro will cost you a (quite reasonable) $1,250 for a 7 night stay.
Essentially, regular hotels could cost anywhere from $479 to $596 this fall, while all-inclusive alternatives, for those who expect nothing more than the royal treatment and 24/7 catering, range from $1,163 to $2,310depending on facilities, location and services provided.
A comparable property in Cancun, with the best scores and the lowest room rates Booking.com can easily make you $2,912-4,308 even in the off-season.
How do Cancun and Punta Cana compare?
There’s no doubt that Cancun has the numbers to back this up and a greater variety of hotels, but so on Travel off the path verified in this detailed article, are the room rates in Punta Cana generally cheaperwhile the average user rating of 10 (also called satisfaction) is not much lower:
Based on Travel off the pathAccording to the company’s findings, the average cost of a four-star hotel in Punta Cana is $239 per night, compared to $276 in Cancun, with respective ratings of 7.22/10 and 7.68/10.
In terms of five stars, the price difference is even greater, with nights in Cancun costing an average of a whopping $505, while those in Punta Cana are around $422.
There are plenty for thrill seekers budget-friendly activities to enjoy yourself from here outside the confines of your resort $39 per person buggy excursion through the jungle with hotel pick-up among the best-selling $55.50 Catamaran Tour with open bar and snorkeling.
It’s definitely not a Mexican Caribbean – don’t expect to find in-depth cultural excursions to pre-Columbian sites or storybook colonial towns, like you would in Cancun – but it’s great to unwind, take a break from the busy life at home and participating in outdoor activities.
It seems Punta Cana is in contention for the winand we wouldn’t be surprised if it took the lead in bookings in the fall.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
