Punta Cana
Punta Cana, named after a local cape, is a region in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. Covering about 4,200,000 m2 (approximately 1,100 acres), the region is home to a coastline of sandy white beaches and to a town of the same name. A region once named Punta de Borrachón was merged with Punta Cana by the founding investors in 1969.
Located in the province of La Altgracia and population estimated at 100,023[], the region borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east. To the north, it borders the village of Bavaro and El Cortecito beaches. The nearest town, Higuey, is 28 miles (45 km) away, and it takes about an hour to drive there. Europeans, particularly the Spanish, tend to own the resorts of Punta Cana. Resort architects have been likely to make some nod to Spain or colonial Mexico. Areas bordering Punta Cana include Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño and, further west, Juanillo. The coastline tends to be mildly windy. The ocean waters are mainly shallows, with several natural marine pools in which visitors can bathe.
North to South the main beaches are: Playa de Arena Gorda, Playa Bavaro, Playa Ubero Alto, Playa Macao, Playa de El Cortecita - all north of the cape - and Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño, Punta Cana, Juanillo - south of the cape.
Bávaro is a village developed in cooperation with the resorts of Punta Cana, as a town for workers. As the hotels started to rise along the East coast, Bavaro itself became a center of services.
Punta Cana has one of the busiest and best connected airports in the region (the Punta Cana International Airport), serving about two million tourists per year and sometimes receiving more flights than the SantoDomingo airport, Las Americas International Airport.
The entire Bávaro-Punta Cana region entered a slowed-paced growth phase in early 2004. With the establishment and initiation of foreign investment projects such as CapCana and The Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, the development of new marinas, resorts, and housing complexes have been developed. With 37,000 hotel rooms counted in 2005, it is expected that the region doubles its capacity in the upcoming years.
The weather is fairly constant, with an average temperature of 30°C. The hottest season lasts from May to December, and during the day temperatures might reach 35°C. From December to March, temperatures during the evening are around 20°C. Very little rain falls around the area, mostly because of the flat landscape.
Activities
Punta Cana is considered the major resort area in the Dominican Republic. Several professional golf courses have been built in the region.
The nightlife inside the resorts is very lively. Outside of the hotels, several plazas and discotheques allow tourists to interact with local residents.
Other tourist attractions have also been installed in the area, among them Manatí Park (a waterpark), Plaza Bolera Punta Cana (a shopping mall and bowling center), a Marina, and the Palma Real Shopping Center in Bávaro, housing well known facilities such as Hard Rock Cafe and Tony Romas. Saona Island, located nearby, is popular for scuba diving. (Source Wikipedia)
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