Hola y Bienvenidos a PARADISIO!!! The Dominican Republic is a small island country in the Caribbean. It shares the same island as Haiti. And it is the perfect place to go veg out on the beach. So if you are a beach bum, love a water excursion, and are looking for an all inclusive vacation, keep reading for your travel guide to Punta Cana.

There are flight deals on JetBlue, Southwest, and Going (click photo above for major savings). The flight from Nashville stopped over in Fort Lauderdale and then onto the open airport of Punta Cana. Once you claim your baggage, find a taxi out in the pick up zone. Pre-negotiate your fare to your resort, which you can ask your resort how much a taxi should be from the airport.

Blue Beach Punta Cana

We stayed in a condo Airbnb in an all inclusive resort at Blue Beach Punta Cana. I believe they have been purchased by a chain hotel but click here to check out the listing! Many of the units are privately owned and operated but managed by the resort staff. This place is FABULOUS. Check it out…

A stay at Blue Beach includes an all inclusive package, including all food and drinks with special add ons. Concierge can hook you up with transportation to different activities and it’s pretty close to the main downtown area if you are down to party a little bit. The food was amazing and the drinks were made with fresh coconuts from the surrounding palm trees. Vibe.

The rooms let right out to the beach, where there are cabanas and chairs to lounge in between swim sessions. The beach was seaweed when we went but the sand is silicone, soft perfection. The blue water is crystal clear and just the right temp. There is also a HUGE pool creating space for families and large groups.

We left the resort a few times to experience everything the island offers. Once to get dinner at a local restaurant for authentic Dominican food. Our hotel recommended we didn’t walk around at night and I generally would agree. But there are bodegas and other shops within walking distance for a day of shopping.

Another day, we decided to check out a monkey animal preserve slash cacao plantation. You can choose to enter the sanctuary and feed the cutest little monkeys that jump on you and eat from your hand. It is kid friendly but I would generally avoid bringing children here if they handle animals more aggressively.

Our last excursion of the trip was a catamaran sail to a remote part of the island. We cruised on the bay before catching my flight home that evening. Check out this tour for the best rated tour on TripAdvisor. They’ll take you cruising around the Cabeza de Toro Natural Reserve, which is untouched tropical forest.

After a swim on the iconic sandbar in the National Park in the most crystal clear blue water, we had a fab lunch they brought to us from the shore by boat. Grilled langoustine, shrimps and peppers. Fuggin’ yum. To wash it all down, we swam ashore for fresh rum in a coconut.

Other awesome excursions to take that we didn’t on this vacation are a dip in Hoyo Azul or Scape Park Cap Cana. Both spots offer treks through the tropical rainforest to deep underground spring pools you can swim in. They are the my favorite color blue and both spots have amazing reviews. Apparently these sites were used by the indigenous people here for sacred rituals.

Other than going out for an adventure, take the time to check out and really take the time you need away from the hustle and bustle at home. It is island time now. Tag me in your pictures to make me insanely jealous or I will see you on some beach somewhere. And save this travel guide to Punta Cana to your Pinterest!