It is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations Punta Canaa gem of a vacation spot located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic at the junction of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Although Punta Cana is considered a safe place when it comes to it In case of possible civil disturbances or street protests, visitors should be aware of a small risk of falling victim to pickpockets and thieves. A good rule of thumb that eliminates the chance of your purse or wallet being stolen is to leave these items in your locked hotel room when you go shopping or enjoying Punta Cana’s nightlife.
Many people who regularly visit Punta Cana prefer to stay in Los Corales or another gated residential complex for added security. This type of accommodation should be booked months in advance of a planned vacation because they are so popular.
Because public transportation is not available in all parts of Punta Cana, it is useful to have your own car if you want to travel outside of Punta Cana. Buses are known hotspots for pickpockets in the Dominican Republic.
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LATEST UPDATES / NEWS from PUNTA CANA:
August 30 – Crime in the Dominican Republic leads to a significant drop in vacation package prices
When it comes to Caribbean tourism, Punta Cana may not immediately be considered one of the top destinations. But those who decide to explore the Dominican Republic soon realize the country’s extraordinary appeal.
While tourists praise the culinary diversity, sports culture, and historical significance of the Dominican Republic, these aspects are not the main selling point for potential visitors. The Dominican Republic has one of the highest crime rates in the Caribbean, leading to a significant reduction in prices for holiday packages in the hospitality industry. These discounts are so substantial that they seem almost irresistible incentives.
This offering is especially appealing to seasoned travelers who have the insight to recognize who and what to avoid in an unfamiliar environment. That’s why the Dominican Republic is one of the most budget-friendly options among the Caribbean destinations.
July 26 – Club Med Punta Cana has undergone renovations to better serve its visitors.
Club Med is pleased to announce the completion of a major facility improvements at Club Med Punta Cana focused on improving the guest experience throughout the resort. The beauty salon, wedding hall, restaurants and accommodations have all undergone major renovations.
The accommodations are one of the standout features of the renovation. 90 fully renovated Family Rooms, 48 brand new Family Superior Rooms and 36 Family Deluxe Rooms are now available at Club Med Punta Cana. Each of these family rooms has two bedrooms, so that both adults and children have their own space.
From January to June, the island welcomed about 5.4 million people, an increase of 31% over the same period in 2022 and only 1 million fewer than the highest number of annual visits in 2019. More than half of all visitors this year came from the United States, said the Secretary of Tourism.
June 20 – Canada is launching more flights to Punta Cana this winter
This winter, Air Canada will increase its flights to Punta Cana, the most popular destination in the Dominican Republic.
For the upcoming winter season, the airline is expanding its flights to Punta Cana from both Ottawa and Toronto.
Air Canada will increase the number of weekly flights from Toronto to Punta Cana by four, bringing the total to fourteen.
Air Canada will increase the number of weekly flights from Ottawa to Punta Cana from two to four.
The move is part of Air Canada’s larger development in the Dominican Republic for the peak season and follows an upcoming connection between Montreal and La Romana.
Why travel to Punta Cana
Punta Cana is popular vacation spot for people from the East Coast and other parts of the United States for its sunny weather, sandy beaches, and all-inclusive accommodations. Even Mastercard chose the tourist location as its location top international destination for holiday travel in 2018.
According to the Punta Cana International Airport, you need a valid passport to enter Punta Cana if you are not a citizen of the Dominican Republic.
In addition to being the second largest country in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic welcomed five million foreign visitors in 2021, making it the second most popular destination in all of Latin America.
According to U.S. News & World Report, there are more than 24,000 hotel accommodations in Punta Cana, many of which are all-inclusive resorts.
Is it safe to visit Punta Cana right now?
Yes, it is safe to enjoy the sunny, tropical atmosphere of Punta Cana as long as you follow these basic rules for traveling abroad:
- Avoid traveling alone whenever possible.
- When planning your trip, always keep the extreme weather warnings in mind.
- Do not walk alone in the area, especially at night.
- Keep in touch with family and friends. Please provide your location when you are not at the hotel.
- Never let a stranger keep an eye on your bags or other personal belongings while you are at the airport, beach, etc.
- Do not rely on public WiFi connections unless an emergency arises
- Don’t keep all your money in one pocket when you go out. For example, if you take $60 with you when you go out to eat, put your $20 in three separate bags.
- Do not wear your most valuable jewelry in public, especially in crowded places.
At this time, there are no travel warnings issued by the US Embassy or other government agencies. The Dominican Republic as a country is under pressure warning level 2meaning Take extra care.
More safety information to know when planning your trip to Punta Cana
Weather forecast
Although the Dominican Republic is part of the hurricane lane in the Caribbean, the chances of a hurricane hitting Punta Cana are slim. The hurricane season for Punta Cana begins on June 1 and ends on November 30. If you plan to visit Punta Cana during hurricane season, always check the 10-day weather forecast for that area. Otherwise, Punta Cana’s climate is magically warm and sunny for most of the year. The rainy seasons are short: from September to November and from April to June. Rain showers occur in the afternoon and usually last only a few minutes.
Swimming in the ocean
Naturally, the ocean is filled with creatures that can sting or bite someone while they are swimming. However, the risk of needing medical attention due to an encounter with a jellyfish or sea urchin while swimming in Punta Cana is virtually non-existent. These animals do not attack humans and only sting or bite when threatened.
Health risks
The CDC advises that adults traveling to Punta Cana or other Dominican Republican locations take medication to prevent malaria. The female Anopheles mosquito is the only mosquito that can transmit the malaria parasite to humans.
Symptoms of malaria include high fever, fatigue and chills. Getting malaria medications from your doctor before you leave for Punta Cana, wearing long sleeves at night when outside, and using insect repellent will eliminate the small risk of contracting malaria while vacationing in the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana is safe to visit, so enjoy your trip!
Update Archives:
May 16 – The U.S. Embassy advises its tourists not to show signs of wealth
The US Embassy did advised its nationals to take a number of security measures before visiting the Dominican Republic. The embassy urges visitors not to display their wealth, such as expensive jewelry or watches, and to be aware of their surroundings in an official statement published on its website.
The embassy also advises travelers to adhere to all safety and security measures advised by their guides and accommodations. In addition, they advise tourists to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive emergency notifications and make location tracking easier.
The embassy also advises tourists to follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter to stay informed.