A LOCAL’S PERSPECTIVE: TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN PUNTA cana

_Here at PUNTACANA we appreciate the random and miscellaneous.  As we said in a previous blog post, we are unconventional, and we like it. One of our employees gave us a list of her favorite things to do in Punta Cana, and it is both unique and refreshing… and it’s a world apart from our prior list of top 10 tourist attractions in Punta Cana.     

In fact, we were all so intrigued by her list that we decided to write it up for this week and share it with you.  In the spirit of being unconventional and embracing our diverse and varied interests, I am proud to present you with the most random and fun Top 5 list you have ever seen.

#1 SEA GRAPE MOJITOS
The first thing on our list is a drink that is so perfectly eastern Dominican that it almost says more about the island than it does cocktails.  I am proud to present you with the Sea Grape Mojito, which is the signature cocktail at our Tortuga Bay hotel.  If sea grapes don’t sound familiar to you that is because they only grow beachside in tropical climates.  In fact, they are often planted to prevent soil erosion, and the fact that they make great tasting fruit is just a bonus.  Pair this native Dominican fruit with Dominican rum and you have a wonderful representation of our island - and you can drink it!

#2 ORCHIDS
PUNTACANA Resort & Club might not be the first place you think of when you think of orchids, but anyone who has visited our Marina and or Tortuga Bay complex knows that we have our fair share.  The orchids here are stunning, and the rest of the tropical plants in our gardens make a trip to the Marina well worth a visit.  It’s a great way to take a scenic walk and have a beautiful backdrop for photographs and for those of you on the fence about staying at The Tortuga Bay Hotel, let us remind you that there is a stunning bunch of orchid right next to the outside gazebo jacuzzi!

#3 CRANES
While we’re looking at natural beauty on the island, we also wanted to mention the cranes that like to gather on nearby beaches and golf courses.  Sometimes it feels more like we share the property with the cranes than vice versa, but that’s all part of the wonderful relationship we have with animals on the resort.  I have heard them described as “elegant” and “majestic” by people viewing them for the first time, and I couldn’t think of a better way to describe the experience of having a gorgeous snow white crane stand no more than a few feet in front of me.  If you walk around our property long enough you are almost guaranteed to have a similar experience.

#4 PETTING ZOO
The PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation also has a Dominican Republic petting zoo in case simply getting to see some of the beautiful indigenous animals isn’t enough. Unlike the sad petting zoos many of us remember from our childhoods, however, this petting zoo takes care of its animals and very closely mimics their natural habitats. The animals in the zoo all live together and are very happy.  While you’re here, make sure to take a look at the bees and the iguanas, which are always popular.

#5 BIKE RIDES
We spend a lot of time talking about fun activities in Punta Cana, but we rarely tell you some of the ways you can get around the property.  One of the best ways to get some exercise and appreciate the natural beauty and wonder of the resort is to take a bike ride around the property.  We have designated bike paths designed to keep you safe as you take a leisurely (or not so leisurely… we’re not going to tell you what to do) ride through the resort.  For those looking to do more than just see the sights of the resort, there is also a bike ride every Thursday that any guest can join. Local bikers get together between the hour of 7 and 7:30 pm at Cuidad Las Canas en Cap Cana and bike up the Farallon aka Cliff (a lovely uphill ride with great view). After the ride, which takes about an hour and a half, the crew sits back for a few beers and great meal at a low key local food joint.

What are some of your favorite things to do in Dominican Republic? Let us know below.