Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic: beaches, golf and airport transfer

Cap Cana is located in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic, where the beach begins right away. Here you will find white sand and the warm Caribbean Sea.

The resort lies south of Punta Cana Airport (PUJ), so the transfer is short (according to Punta Cana Transfer). At many hotels, the transfer is already included in your stay.

Now for the practical side: where to swim, what to see underwater, which excursions to take, and how to get there on your own.

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What Cap Cana is

💡 In short:

• Cap Cana, a gated resort area, lies in the east of the Dominican Republic near Punta Cana Airport (PUJ).
• The Punta Espada golf club ranks among the best in the Caribbean.
• It has white-sand beaches, snorkeling, and kiting, and excursions run year-round.
• Infrastructure and transfer: 09/2026, verified on the official Cap Cana website.

The island of Hispaniola is shared by two countries: the Dominican Republic occupies the eastern part, while Haiti lies to the west. Cap Cana sits on a cape between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. That is why the water here is calmer than in the open ocean.

© https://www.flickr.com/photos/uira/ · CC BY-SAPhoto: https://www.flickr.com/photos/uira/, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The resort grew up around golf and the marina. The first to open, in 2006, was the Punta Espada Golf Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus (according to the Cap Cana website). Eight holes run directly along the sea, and GolfWeek has for years named the course the best in the Caribbean and Mexico.

The Trump Organization also left its mark on Cap Cana’s history. The company announced a partnership with the resort and a $2 billion project with its own golf course, villas, and beach club (according to Travel Weekly). Construction stalled for years, and the project was restarted from scratch (according to TravelPulse).

Hotels and bungalows line the shore, and the service goes beyond the usual five stars. People come here for wedding ceremonies and honeymoons. The hotels welcome couples from all over the world.

Beaches, sea, and hotels

The beach remains the main reason to visit Cap Cana. The sand here is fine and white, almost like flour. There are no shells or rocks at the water’s edge, so swimming with children is easy.

Each hotel has its own stretch of shore. Loungers, umbrellas, and towels are included in your stay, and beach access is open around the clock. You don’t need to arrange anything.

In the evening you can walk along the water’s edge: the sea stays warm even after sunset. Gazebos with sofas sit right on the sand, and chilled drinks are brought to you there.

Underwater world and snorkeling

The Caribbean Sea at Cap Cana is clear, and a mask is almost always worth having. Just two meters from the shore you’ll see bright fish and starfish. Turtles swim close and aren’t afraid of people at all.

A glass-bottom catamaran is included in the stay at many hotels. That way you can see the reef from the surface without going into deep water.

For those who love depth, diving to shipwrecks is offered. The wrecks and corals sit far from the shore, where you can’t reach from the beach.

Kitesurfing and the Atlantic wind

Cap Cana sits almost at the opening to the Atlantic, so the wind here is steady. Kiters and surfers come here from all over Europe. Rentals and schools operate right on the beach, and even beginners take their first lesson.

The waves and the social scene stay at one end of the shore. Quiet family areas start at the other. That way the surfers’ noise won’t bother you if you came for peace.

Excursions from Cap Cana

© Oleg Yunakov · CC BY-SAPhoto: Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

From Cap Cana, trips go to islands, inland, into the open ocean, and fishing. The main trip takes you to Saona Island, which is called Bounty Island. Pink flamingos live there, and the water near the shore is crystal clear.

The trip to Saona takes two to two and a half hours each way. The full day with transfer and boat stretches to 9-10 hours (according to puntacanard.com). Along the way, the boat stops at a sandbar where starfish lie on the bottom.

Manatí Park near Bavaro, which used to host dolphin shows, has been closed since 2019 (as of 09/2026, Tripadvisor).

Humpback whale watching deserves a special mention. The official season in Samaná Bay runs from mid-January to mid-March. During that time, 1,500 to 2,000 whales arrive there (according to lagunadudu.com). The trip from Samaná takes a full day, and a mother with her calf is most often seen in February.

Deep-sea fishing works even for beginners, with gear provided on board. Just keep in mind that not everyone handles the rocking on open water. Saona excursions and deep-sea fishing are best booked in advance: tours and tickets on GetYourGuide.

Spa, rum, and cigars

After the beach and sun, spa treatments await you. They’re available at all resort hotels, and booking is usually at the front desk. An oil massage works well to relieve fatigue after snorkeling.

Rum and cigars are a local point of pride. They’re served to the sound of the surf, and in the evening live music plays on the terrace.

How to get there on your own

Proximity to the airport remains the resort’s main convenience. Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) receives flights from all over the world. It’s built right on the coastline where all the region’s resorts sit, so the transfer to Cap Cana is short.

Book tickets in advance, because in high season spots fill up quickly. Tickets to Punta Cana are easy to check on Kiwi.com.

At Cap Cana hotels, airport transfer both ways is usually included in your stay.

If you book a private transfer, the price is fixed in advance and the driver waits for you in the arrivals area. Taxis on the spot are usually more expensive.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Cap Cana?

The season here runs year-round. January through March are the driest months, but also the peak for prices. From May to November the air is hotter and more humid, with occasional short showers. Summer and fall are hurricane season here. Whales in Samana Bay are only visible from mid-January to mid-March.

How long does it take to get from the airport to the hotel?

From Punta Cana Airport (PUJ) to Cap Cana hotels it is about 12 km, and the drive takes roughly twenty minutes. Most resort hotels include airport transfer in the room rate. A private transfer starts at 35 dollars per car, not per person (as of 09/2026, Punta Cana Transfer).

What to do instead of the closed Manatí Park?

Swimming with dolphins is offered by other parks in Bavaro and Uvero Alto. Snorkeling with starfish is available right off the Cap Cana shore. Book Saona excursions in advance, as spots fill up quickly in season.

Is Cap Cana good for families with kids?

Yes, it has everything for that. The water entry is gentle, with no rocks or shells. Hotels divide the beach so that quiet zones are separated from kite stations. Kids enjoy the catamaran and pools, while adults get the spa, golf, and diving.

Do I need a visa for the Dominican Republic?

Citizens of Germany and most EU countries do not need a visa for a short tourist trip. On entry, a valid passport and the migration card handed out on board are enough. The tourist fee is usually already included in the airfare. Check the exact rules with the Auswärtiges Amt before you fly.

In short: what to book

Cap Cana suits those who want a beach, golf, and calm sea close to the airport.

• If you are on your honeymoon: pick a hotel with a private beach and spa.
• If you have kids: choose a building away from the kite station.
• If you only have a week: book Saona and a rum dinner in advance.

Resort hotels are booked through Trip.com.