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When it comes to travel destinations that excel at the all-inclusive resort, Cancun and Punta Cana are at the top of the list. These two tropical destinations offer visitors beautiful resorts with all of the amenities you could ask for. However, there are some pretty obvious differences between the two locations.
When you are considering Cancun vs Punta Cana for your next all-inclusive getaway, there are some important differences you will need to keep in mind. While both are beautiful tropical locations, and both offer amazing beaches and calm beautiful water, each caters to a different type of traveler.
In this article, I’ll tell you what you need to know about Cancun vs Punta Cana and help you navigate which is best for your next vacation.
A Quick Overview & Comparison: Cancun vs Punta Cana
When it comes to Cancun vs Punta Cana, the better, all-around choice is Punta Cana. Sure it is a little more challenging to get to, but the time and expense is worth it. Punta Cana offers beautiful beaches, smaller all-inclusive resorts with better dining, and plenty of activities to keep you entertained.
However, Cancun is also a great vacation spot for the right traveler. If you are looking for a quick getaway and want to enjoy a fun, vibrant atmosphere and a busy nightlife, Cancun is an ideal travel location.
Cancun
- Upbeat resorts and great nightlife
- Tourist focused economy
- Beautiful beaches
- Easy to get around
Cancun is located on the lower part of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, along the Caribbean Sea. This destination has grown around tourism, so you’ll find that everywhere you go in Cancun, service is outstanding and hotels and resorts are well-maintained.
As a tropical destination, Cancun offers visitors both the beach and jungle experience. During your visit, you can relax on white sand beaches, explore the beauty of the tropical rainforest, paddle through underground rivers or learn about the native peoples at ancient ruins.
Punta Cana
- Smaller all-inclusive resorts
- Beaches are less crowded
- Great for active travelers
- More affordable
Punta Cana is located on the far eastern edge of the Dominican Republic, on the Caribbean Sea. If you are willing to spend a little more time traveling to get to Punta Cana you will be greeted with great beaches, lush jungles, and all-inclusive resorts that are smaller and more intimate.
Visitors to Punta Cana will find resorts that are tucked into the jungle. High-rise hotels are not a thing. Beaches are connected with hiking trails, and many resorts offer half-day excursions into the jungle to experience the nature and culture of the island.
Cancun or Punta Cana: A Quick Guide to Choosing
Now that you know a little about both Cancun and Punta Cana and what they offer visitors, I offer a guide on how to select between Cancun and Punta Cana. This mini-guide section will give you some quick facts and reasons why you might choose one over the other.
Cancun Mini Guide
- Location Size – 55.1 sq mi
- Population – 1,023,000
- Rainy Season – June-September
- High Season – December- April
- Top Sights – The Hotel Zone, Maya Ruins Of El Rey, Cenotes, Chichén Itzá
- Major Airports – Cancun International Airport
Cancun offers a quick getaway for travelers from the midwest and eastern cities of the US. The area was developed with tourists in mind so the high-rise, all-inclusive hotels offer plenty of amenities, and hundreds of beach-view rooms.
Cancun is well-known as a prime destination for college spring break, but is also a fun place to visit outside of March and April. If you are looking for a spot that has great beaches, affordable hotels, and fun nightlife, Cancun is your perfect destination.
Suggested Reading: Cancun vs Hawaii: An Honest Comparison
Punta Cana Mini Guide
- Location Size – 183.5 sq mi
- Population – 100,023
- Rainy Season – May-August
- High Season – January-March
- Top Sights – Bávaro, The Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park and Reserve, Scape Park
- Major Airports – Punta Cana International Airport
Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic are quietly becoming popular vacation locations for people that want the all-inclusive experience without the towering hotel. Punta Cana has some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the Americas. However, most are tucked away from the beach, so if you want a beach view, you’ll have to be selective.
Though airfare to the Dominican Republic can be more expensive, almost everything else in Punta Cana is significantly more affordable than other locations throughout the Caribbean. The area offers a unique combination of beach and jungle, with many beaches connected by hiking trails. Popular activities for visitors are exploring the lagoons, waterfalls, and trails that dot the rainforest around Punta Cana.
The 6 Key Differences Between Cancun and Punta Cana
With a quick overview under your belt, I now offer you a comparison of Cancun and Punta Cana. Below are six important features of a vacation destination that you should consider when deciding between Cancun and Punta Cana.
1. Which Is More Family Friendly?
When it comes to entertaining your family, Cancun is the winner in my experience. While Punta Cana does have some great family friendly resorts, it just doesn’t offer the same travel experience for kids that Cancun does.
Since most of the resorts in Cancun are all-inclusive and designed for the customer that doesn’t want to leave, it is easy to find a great spot for your kids. Kids will also love exploring the surrounding jungle by zip-line or kayaking through the miles of cenotes (underground rivers).
2. Which Has Better Nightlife?
Punta Cana is a quiet location with small resorts and a quaint city center. If you are looking for a travel destination that has a fun and vibrant nightlife, Punta Cana is not for you. However, Cancun is.
As a popular spring break location, the city is experienced in providing visitors a fun, after-dark experience. Some of the resorts have their own nightclubs and discos, or take a taxi to the city center and enjoy bar hopping and some great spots for dancing and live music.
3. Which Is Cheaper?
When it comes to affordability, there is not much of a difference between Cancun and Punta Cana. What is different is where your largest expense lies. Cancun is the more affordable destination to fly to. With plenty of direct flights from most of the major airports in the US, it is easy to find an affordable flight to Cancun. Flights to Punta Cana tend to be more expensive, and there are very few direct flights.
When it comes to lodging, Punta Cana is the more affordable option. If you choose to travel to Punta Cana you will find that there is a pretty substantial difference in the per-night price for all-inclusive lodging compared to Cancun. All-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana are smaller, but are not lacking in amenities even though they are more affordable.
4. How Does the Food Compare?
With both Cancun and Punta Cana being so heavily dominated with all-inclusive resorts, in this category, I would say the destinations are a tie. You won’t find many good spots to dine in either city outside of the resorts.
You can travel between the resorts to try different restaurants, but you won’t find a lot of variability in food options. If food is important for your travel, make sure that you research the restaurant options at the resorts you are considering. Then read the customer reviews so you know what to really expect from your all-inclusive dining options.
5. Which Is Easier to Get To?
If you are traveling from any location in the United States, Cancun is a much easier destination to travel to for three reasons. First, the flight availability is better. You have more options for direct flights from most major airports.
Second, the flights to Cancun are more affordable. Third, Punta Cana’s airport is a privately owned airport, so when you arrive, you will need to pay an arrival fee. Sure it’s small, but you don’t have to pay $10 USD just to arrive in Cancun.
6. Which Is Easier to Get Around Town?
When you arrive in Punta Cana from the airport you will quickly see that walking between resorts, beaches, and the city center is pretty easy. The Dominican Republic is quite safe and many tourists feel very comfortable navigating around town on foot. If however, you aren’t up for walking, most resorts can help you with taxi service.
Suggested Reading: Cancun vs Cabo: The Honest Comparison You Need
5 Questions to Help You Decided to Travel to Cancun or Punta Cana
Before I close this comparison of Cancun vs Punta Cana, I would like to answer some questions that you should ask before traveling to either location. To finish this article, I offer answers to five common questions about Cancun vs Punta Cana.
Is Cancun or Punta Cana Better for Hotels?
Since both Cancun and Punta Cana offer mostly all-inclusive resorts, they are fairly similar in their lodging options. However, in my experience, hotels in Punta Cana offer a much different all-inclusive experience, one that is hard to find in Cancun. The smaller resorts, well spaced along beautiful beaches, combined with more affordable rates, makes Punta Cana the better option for hotels.
When Should You Visit Cancun or Punta Cana?
Since Cancun and Punta Cana are located at a similar latitude, the weather in both locations is fairly similar. You’ll find that late November (when hurricane season is over) through late February are the best months to travel to both Cancun and Punta Cana.
Punta Cana is not a spring break hotspot, so you can easily push the travel window to May. Avoid Cancun during March and April, unless you are a college kid wanting a full on party experience. In both locations, the shoulder seasons are more affordable. And for both destinations, avoid September through November, unless you want to take your chances with a hurricane.
Is Cancun or Punta Cana Better for Outdoor Activities?
If you are into outdoor experiences on your vacation, Punta Cana is a great destination. First, the beaches at Punta Cana are remarkable and they are less crowded. Snorkeling from the beach is a hugely popular activity for visitors.
Many resorts offer activities like beach yoga, tennis, and golf. You can also explore the jungles around Punta Cana. They are filled with beautiful lagoons, towering waterfalls, and miles of hiking trails.
Is Cancun or Punta Cana Better for Remote Work?
I wouldn’t pick either location as an ideal spot for remote working, but when comparing the two, Cancun is the better option. Since Cancun is so tourist focused, there has been a big push to ensure that resorts have good WiFi and business related amenities. Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic are still growing their infrastructure, so reliable internet and WiFi can be hit or miss in Punta Cana.
Is Cancun or Punta Cana Better for Beaches?
Cancun and Punta Cana offer fairly similar beach experiences. Both have white sands and beautiful, calm turquoise waters which are ideal for beach vacations. However, Punta Cana is my winner for beaches in this comparison.
The sands on Punta Cana beaches are exceptionally soft, which is unique to this part of the Caribbean. You’ll also find that the beaches in Punta Cana are less crowded, and cleaner.
