Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Punta Cana & the Southeast
Why Go?
A Caribbean workhorse of sun and sand, the southeast is synonymous with go-big-or-go-
home tourism and carries the weight of the Dominican Republic's most dramatic beaches
and turquoise seas on its deeply-tanned shoulders. Sprawling resort developments, some
like city-states unto themselves, line much of the beachfront from Punta Cana to Bávaro,
offering families, couples and the young and restless alike a hassle-free Caribbean holiday
on some of the most idyllic environs in the region. But there is life beyond Punta Cana.
Less-crowded beach towns such as Bayahibe and Juan Dolio offer only slightly less dra-
matic seascapes but sands that go unshared with the masses; and isolated getaways such as
Playa Limón, beyond the sugar plantations and inland mountains to the north, showcase a
different and worthwhile side of the southeast if you can tear yourself away from the buf-
fets long enough to take the rewarding journeys required to make their acquaintance.
When to Go
»
January & February
If you can hold off just past the winter holidays, January and
February offer the same sun and sand as Christmas and New Year's Eve - but a whole lot
less people.
»
March
If you're looking for a fiesta, join North American Spring Breakers descending
upon Punta Cana. If you're not on Spring Break, this is probably a bad time for that leis-
urely family vacation.
»
October
For those pinching pesos, October bridges the gap between hurricane season
and the preholiday onslaught.
¡Salud!
Best Places to Eat
»
Passion by Martín Berasategui (
Click here
)
»
Restaurante Playa Blanca (
Click here
)
»
Ñam Ñam (
Click here
)
»
Ristorante El Sueño (
Click here
)
