The Dominican Republic is becoming one of the best travel destinations in the Caribbean. This beautiful country has lush tropical forests, beautiful beaches and plenty of amazing places to stay and visit.
The two most popular destinations in the DR for vacationers are Punta Cana and Puerto Plata. So, naturally most people take time to compare Punta Cana vs Puerto Plata, when planning a trip to the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are similar resort areas yet they are also quite different. Each provides an ideal vacation for the right tourist. In this article, I’ll break down the differences and similarities of these two beautiful Dominican Republic cities.
A Quick Overview & Comparison: Punta Cana Vs Puerto Plata
Before I get into the details of Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, I’ll provide a quick overview of each city.
Punta Cana
- Perfect beaches
- Tourist focused area
- Many all-inclusive resorts
- Family friendly resorts
Sitting on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, where the breezes are mild and the waters are calm is Punta Cana. This beautiful ocean side city is the most popular tourist area in the DR. With white sand beaches that stretch for miles, and crystal blue waters it isn’t hard to see why people love to come here for a resort vacation.
In Punta Cana, you’ll find a wide array of all-inclusive resorts that provide all the amenities you can think of. Most have private beaches, exceptional dining, and comfortable rooms. Heading inland from the beach Punta Cana offers some of the most beautiful tropical jungles in the country. Hiking and waterfall viewing are popular activities on this side of the island.
Puerto Plata
- Offers a more authentic Dominican Republic experience
- Great spot for ocean sports
- More affordable lodging
- Lots of outdoor activities
Puerto Plata is located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. This part of the country is filled with history and natural wonders. Sure, it has beautiful beaches and plenty of all-inclusive resorts. However, visitors here come for the outdoor activities.
The northern coast of the DR is significantly more windy than the eastern, so it is an ideal location for wind surfing, kite surfing, sailing, and even a bit of surfing. If you would rather enjoy outdoor activities on solid ground, Puerto Plata neighbors Isabel de Torres National Park. This park is home to 27 waterfalls that are accessible by hiking.
Punta Cana Vs Puerto Plata: A Quick Guide to Choosing
With that quick overview, you are probably ready to learn more about each of these great Dominican Republic destinations. In this quick guide, I’ll offer some basics about each city and what you can expect when visiting.
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 is the most tourist centered city in the Dominican Republic. The heavy focus on accommodating travelers makes this city feel a bit more “Americanized”, and less Dominican. However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot enjoy the local culture in Punta Cana.
The big draw for tourists to Punta Cana is the beaches. The picturesque white beaches are postcard perfect. Calm waters are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, if you are looking for more than sunbathing on the beach.
Punta Cana offers visitors almost exclusively, all-inclusive resorts. For many visitors this is a selling point for Punta Cana, especially if you are looking for a relaxing resort vacation. Going into town, you will find some local restaurants, bars and shopping. Punta Cana is also quite family friendly, with resorts offering kid friendly amenities like water parks, family centered activities and even child care services.
Puerto Plata Mini Guide
- Location Size – 196.5 sq mi
- Population – 470,839
- Rainy Season – June- November
- High Season – December- April
- Top Sights – Fort San Felipe, Playa Dorada, Damajagua Waterfalls, Mount Isabel de Torres Cable Car
- Major Airports – Puerto Plata International Airport
Puerto Plata is one of the larger communities in the Dominican Republic. It is also not as tourist focused, so when you visit this destination, you’ll find it has a more authentic Dominican feel.
When visiting this location, you will notice that there are fewer all-inclusive resorts, and many hotels have limited dining options. For the budget traveler this is great because you can enjoy some beautiful places to stay, and experience the country’s culture without breaking the bank.
Puerto Plata is a playground for active travelers. It offers plenty of water sports, hiking, boating, fishing, and exploring. The city is steeped in history, so for history buffs there is plenty to see, the highlight being the Fortress of San Felipe.
The 6 Key Differences Between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata
Now that you have a basic idea about what Punta Cana and Puerto Plata offer visitors, it’s time to get into some of the differences between these two great beach cities.
Which Is More Family Friendly?
Punta Cana is the more family friendly of the two destinations. Though it really depends on the age of your children and what type of activities you enjoy as a family. In general, Punta Cana has more lodging and activity options that are geared towards families.
Punta Cana has a number of resorts that have water parks and family friendly entertainment. One of the most popular family holiday destinations in Punta Cana is the Nickelodeon Hotel and Resort.
Which Has Better Nightlife?
If you are looking for nightclubs and bars that offer dancing, music and entertainment into the last hours of the night, Punta Cana is a better pick for nightlife. Because this town is very tourist focused, you’ll find more “American” style clubs and bars in Punta Cana.
Puerto Plata is a great spot for gourmet restaurants and upscale cocktail bars. So if your idea of a great night out means sitting on a roof-top patio enjoying the sunset, Puerto Plata will be the perfect destination.
Which Is Cheaper?
Airfare aside, the Dominican Republic as a whole is one of the most affordable places to visit. Even if you are looking for a nice all-inclusive option, you can find spots that are comfortable, and affordable.
However, when considering Punta Cana vs Puerto Plata, the more affordable location is Puerto Plata. The difference in affordability is directly related to Puerto Plata being less tourist focused.
How Does the Food Compare? Or Which Is Better for Restaurants & Eating Out?
I love to travel to spots where I can enjoy the culture. And one of the best ways to do this is to enjoy local foods and restaurants. Puerto Plata is by far the better of the two destinations for food.
The city center offers numerous dining options. You’ll find spots with relaxed, traditional Dominican meals or go for one of the more upscale restaurants that have popped up in the last few years.
Punta Cana has some good dining spots, but since most resorts have multiple restaurants, most people stay at their resorts for dining.
Which Is Easier to Get To?
Both Punta Cana and Puerto Plata have international airports, so neither is terribly difficult to get to. However, in this particular category, Punta Cana is a slight winner. The airport is located closer to the resort areas, so you’ll have a shorter taxi or shuttle ride from the terminal to your resort.
Which Is Easier to Get Around Town?
Both Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are very easy to get around in. However, Puerto Plata has a much more condensed resort area, making it easy to walk around the city instead of hiring a taxi.
One thing to note about the Dominican Republic is that Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are both quite safe. Walking around these areas is not a problem for tourists that are observant and aware.
5 Questions to Help You Decided to Travel to Punta Cana or Puerto Plata
As I wrap up my comparison of Punta Cana vs Puerto Plata, I offer answers to some of the commonly asked questions from visitors to the Dominican Republic.
Is Punta Cana or Puerto Plata Better for Hotels?
Punta Cana is the better choice for hotels. While Puerto Plata has a larger number of options, many are off the beach and offer fewer amenities. The availability of all-inclusive beachfront resorts with plenty of activities, amenities and room options makes Punta Cana the better hotel area.
When Should You Visit Punta Cana or Puerto Plata?
Since you are considering two cities on the same island, there is not a difference in when it’s best to visit the Dominican Republic. The high season for both cities is December through April. However the shoulder months of November and May are nice and you’ll find that hotel rates tend to be more affordable in the shoulder seasons.
Avoid the Dominican Republic from September through early November. This is the hurricane season in the Caribbean.
Is Punta Cana or Puerto Plata Better for Outdoor Activities?
Puerto Plata is the hands down winner for outdoor activities. Besides the outstanding conditions for a wide range of water sports, there are lots of other great activities. Take the city cable car into the mountains outside of town.
From here you can hike down the hills where you can view 27 waterfalls, and some of the most beautiful tropical forests in the Caribbean. Puerto Plata also has the Ocean World Adventure Park which is a great spot for the whole family.
Is Punta Cana or Puerto Plata Better for Remote Work?
As a more tourist focused community I would pick Punta Cana for remote working. Since the city is built around the tourist industry, and after Covid-19 inspired more people to the nomadic life, you are more likely to find spots with reliable internet access in Punta Cana than other parts of the Dominican Republic.
Is Punta Cana or Puerto Plata Better for Beaches?
You cannot find many places in the Caribbean with more beautiful beaches than in Punta Cana. It is the easy winner when it comes to the best beaches in the Dominican Republic. With beautiful sugar sand and calm, turquoise waters, Punta Cana offers an idyllic beach experience.
Punta Cana or Puerto Plata: Which Is the Better Choice?
When considering Punta Cana vs Puerto Plata, it is a hard decision to pick just one as the best. The Dominican Republic is such a wonderful place to visit. The people are friendly and the culture is vibrant. The country offers some of the most beautiful landscapes and varied travel experiences.
However, picking between Punta Cana and Puerto Plata, I call Puerto Plata the better choice. Not only is this a more affordable option, but it offers a more authentic Dominican Republic experience. Here you can enjoy beautiful beaches, great outdoor activities, a bustling community and great dining.