When considering where to visit in the Caribbean, do you visit Punta Cana or the Riviera Maya and which one will suit your interests and travel style?
With both destinations in mind, each with very similar styles and climates knowing which to choose can be a difficult descion to make.
All this paired with the fact that for many people, knowing where to visit before booking is more challenging than actually getting there!
This is why I’ve designed this guide to pit two extremely differing Caribbean locations to get a glimpse into what makes the Caribbean such a great spot.
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Punta Cana vs Riviera Maya
Both the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana have been favorites for decades. From enjoying their legendary nightlife strips to relaxing on white sandy beaches, these resorts are perfect for travelers after sand, sun and fun.
I’m guessing you’ve heard of the Yucatan peninsula before? If not, that’s the Mexican part attributing to Cancun that includes the Riviera Maya and is by far one of the most popular destination with many resort opportunities.
Punta Cana on the other hand is high quality and the most luxurious of the two, but a less-visited spot in the Dominican Republic with a lot to offer.
This guide explores both and compares factors such as the best time to visit, foods to try, cost of travel, nightlife options and things to do.
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Punta Cana
The resort town of Punta Cana is a perfect spot to just kick back and relax, offering visitors a tropical paradise with luxurious beachfront resorts, crystal-clear waters, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Whether you prefer lounging by the pool, epic snorkeling adventures, indulging in world-class spa treatments, or sipping on a refreshing cocktail by the shore, Punta Cana provides the ultimate escape from everyday life.
The coastline of the Dominican Republic boasts miles of pure white sand and beaches like Bavaro are some of the most relaxing in all of the Caribbean, but like many first-timers, you may not have heard of them.
Where is Punta Cana?
Punta Cana is a resort town located in the Veron-Punta Cana municipal district, within the municipality of Higüey, in La Altagracia Province.
Simply put, it sits on the eastern tip of Hispaniola island with its own airport. There are good transport links to and from the airport too.
Most people have heard of Dom Rep’s capital Santo Domingo, but Punta Cana is the best place on the island to relax at an all-inclusive resort.
The area has beaches and balnearios which face both the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, making it a spot unlike any other for visitors.
The weather is hot and humid like most Caribbean islands, especially in late summer and autumn when the Northern Tropics receive the most sunlight.
Is the Dominican Republic Safe?
The Dominican Republic is a welcoming and friendly destination, where the vast majority of travelers experience trouble-free visits.
However, the crime rate varies depending on where you go, ranging from opportunistic crime like bag snatching and pickpocketing to violent crime.
⚠️ The U.S. State Department’s 2024 (18th of June) travel advisory designates the Dominican Republic as a Level 2 destination!
This is for the island and nation as a whole, but for the tourism hotspots such as Punta Cana, it can be a completely different story in most cases.
In other words, it is essential to take the necessary precautions when walking the streets of cities such as Santo Domingo, especially at night but your safety in a spots such as Punta Cana isn’t need not be a worry.
Visitors to Punta Cana should make sure to secure a trusted taxi or coach service when reaching hotel complexes from the airport.
Is Dominican Republic expensive?
According to budgetyourtrip.com, A vacation to the Dominican Republic for one week costs around $760 for one person.
So, a trip to the Dominican Republic for two people costs around $1,520 for one week and two weeks in the Dominican Republic can cost $3,040.
If you’re traveling as a family of three or four people, the price person in places such as Hilton La Romana often goes down because kid’s tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. Then, if you’re able to travel slower over a longer period of time, your daily budget will also go down.
Two people traveling together for one month in the Dominican Republic can often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.
This is why many people who travel to Dom Rep do so as a family rather than solo, although solo travel is perfectly safe and all.
If backpacking or on a shoestring budget you’ll be sure to check out these top-rated hostels that are popular with people doing solo travel.
Punta Cana Nightlife
The bars in Punta Cana are great for starting the night off. The nightclubs open later at night, so it’s good to have a few bars to hit before the clubs.
A favorite with the locals and visitors alike is the Drinks Point bar, which is just outside the Cortecito district.
Listen to the hypnotic native music and enjoy positive vibes as you gulp down cheaply priced drinks in this charming little bar.
Another great bar is the Kan Drink House over in Bavaro. Known for its incredible cocktail menu and sultry music, this bar is perfect for anyone who wants to try some salsa dancing on their night out.
Punta Cana is just one of the many places to visit in the Dominican Republic so do research on other areas of the island you can visit.
Punta Cana vs Riviera Maya
If you’ve never heard of Riviera Maya, it may be because most people who visit here name it just ‘Cancun’. Nevertheless, it is true that Cancun is the epicenter of the Yucatan peninsula’s tourism, so it’s quite understandable.
However, when comparing Riviera Maya and Cancun you may be in for a surprise depending on who you ask. Here is why you should check it out:
What is Riviera Maya?
Riviera Maya is the section of land formerly known as the Cancun-Tulum Corridor and has some vast underground river systems.
Essentially, the Riviera Maya is known as the luxurious resort section of the Mexican Yucatán Peninsula, just south of Cancun and north of Tulum.
It is one of the more relaxing and safest parts of Mexico with little to no crime, Riviera Maya is the Costa Brava of Mexico with its splendiferous scuba diving, snorkeling, and biodiversity. It has something for everybody.
The Riviera Maya is world-famous for its large scale all-inclusive resorts and a historical tourism base of smaller boutique hotels.
This is a spot with everything, as it also has many fine-dining restaurants available along with the Fed 307 and incredible beaches.
You may have heard of other places such as Playa del Carmen, Cozumel or Puerto Morelos, which are all part of the Riviera Maya. This area well interconnected and is accessible via the Cancun international airport.
Is Riviera Maya safe?
Riviera Maya is one of Mexico’s most popular destinations for tourists, particularly for those visiting from a cruise ship.
Interestingly, more than half of all of the country’s cruise arrivals docked only in Cozumel in 2018, which is just one section of Riviera Maya.
Like many other areas of Mexico, the Riviera Maya is a safe destination for tourists to visit, but its U.S classification proves its level of safety to be safer than mainland Mexico. See some the best activities here that you can book.
Did you know? Riviera Maya once received the same U.S. Department of State threat-level ranking as countries including Japan and the Netherlands.
Violent crime is low, but not entirely absent. There have been reports of tourists drinking tainted alcohol at all-inclusive resorts, but this can be avoided with common sense and a raised amount of awareness.
Best time to travel to Riviera Maya
The Yucatán enjoys a warm tropical climate, with daytime temperatures rarely dropping below 25°C, ensuring pleasant year-round conditions.
When it comes to the weather, the dry/high season winter months of December to April are the best time to visit Cancun and surrounding areas.
This is when there are calm skies and clear, more predictable seas making for the best snorkeling, diving, and fishing. See these tour ideas for more.
However, accommodation rates are much higher around these times of the year and you’ll pay a premium on airfares and hotel rooms.
In July and August, it’s hot and humid throughout the peninsula, and busy too, with both Mexicans and Europeans flocking to the Riviera.
Mid-April to mid-July and September to November are low season, and much quieter, but be aware that the rainy season (with occasional accompanying hurricanes) runs from June to October.
🦈 If you’re keen on swimming with whale sharks, the best time to go is from June to September, when they arrive in the waters to feed.
Things to do in the Riviera Maya
Chichen Itza is by far the most well-known attraction in Yucatan and maybe in the whole country. It is a huge complex of Mayan ruins shaped like pyramids built by the Maya people approximately 1200 years ago.
These renowned Mayan ruins are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and are also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.
Even if you choose an all-inclusive, relaxing vacation, booking a day trip to Chichen Itza is totally worth it – since it is such an impressive place!
This area is known for having some of the best cenotes in the world and most of them are open to all visitors.
If you’re interested in exploring all the different types of cenotes and on offer, investing in a good snorkel set is advised.
Riviera Maya vs Punta Cana
Taking everything into account, these locations are vastly different.
However, as an all-inclusive destination where you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time, Riviera Maya is my top choice over Punta Cana.
If you want the type of spot which goes a little under the radar but with all the possibilities of a luxury resort stay, then I’d say Punta Cana is the best.
It all depends on your interests and travel style. If you do like the idea of the Riviera Maya, see these places to see in Mexico worth visiting as well.
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