Punta Cana

EAST COAST
The East Coast region contains the most popular and fastest growing tourist area in the country - Punta Cana/Bavaro. One look at the surroundings and there is no question as to why. This is the place to be if tourists are seeking an all-inclusive style vacation set on one of the most picturesque beaches in the world.

In Punta Cana, it's all about the beach. Punta Cana is undeniably breathtaking with tall swaying palms scattered along 21 miles of some of the whitest and finest coral sand beaches in the world. The area has become a haven for vacationers who are seeking a beach chair, a Pina Colada and a good read.

Punta Cana is the perfect atmosphere for families, couples or friends who are looking for a resort-style vacation. Just about every tour embarks from this area so no one in the group can complain about being bored.

The majority of the over 30 resorts in Punta Cana are all-inclusive, allowing for an easygoing vacation with plenty to do. As one of the fastest growing areas in the country, more luxurious and bigger complexes are planned to open in 2006. Beyond new accommodations, a 24-mile long boulevard is being built to easily move vacationers throughout the area.

PUNTA CANA BEACHES
Playa Bavaro - El Cortecito Beach
Just north of Punta Cana, the Bavaro resort area continues the long stretch of picture perfect white beach. While Playa Bavaro is considered a separate beach from Punta Cana, the area appears as one extend strip of fluffy white sand reaching over 30 miles along the coast. Like Punta Cana, Bavaro is bordered with numerous all-inclusive resorts, many with cool refreshing drinks served beach-side.

Punta Cana
Punta Cana beach is often referred to as the coconut coast due to its hundreds of swaying coconut palms scattered along the 30 miles of super fine white sand.

This resort area is perhaps the DR's most popular vacation destination.
Punta Cana is outlined by a large concentration of all-inclusive resorts, each with their own garden of sun chairs and cabanas. However, despite the number of people who idle the day away here, the beach's size ensures visitors will never feel crowded. Those who don't want to spend their time simply baking in the sun can participate in an array of activities from beach volleyball to parasailing.

PUNTA CANA DIVING AND SNORKELING
Punta Cana
Located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana features the longest coral reef on the island. Due to the convergence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, the diving conditions at Punta Cana can be rough and is not a recommended area for beginners. If the ocean is not favorable for diving during a stay, a fresh water dive inland can be arranged and will provide a different type of underwater experience

PUNTA CANA GAMING AND CASINOS
Barcelo Bavaro Casino, Punta Cana
Website: www.barcelo.com
Hours: Slots 2 p.m. - 3 a.m., Table games 8 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Additional information: 100 slot machines and table games including, billiards, blackjack, roulette

Iberostar Hotel and Casino, Punta Cana
Hours: Slots 4 p.m. - 4 a.m. Table games 8 p.m. - 4 a.m. daily
Additional information: 46 slot machines and miscellaneous table games

Melia Caribe Tropical and Casino Palma Real, Punta Cana
Website: www.meliacaribetropical.solmelia.com
Hours: 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. daily
Additional information: 40 slot machines and table games including, blackjack, poker, roulette

New in 2006 Majestic Colonial, Punta Cana
Website: http://www.majestic-resorts.com/ingles.html
Additional information: slot machines and miscellaneous playing tables

PUNTA CANA GOLF
Punta Cana Resort & Club's La Cana Golf Course
Championship Resort course designed by P.B. Dye

Located at Punta Cana Resort & Club, every hole within this P.B. Dye-designed championship course captures the scenery of the Caribbean with 14 ocean-view and four oceanfront holes. In fact, the 18th hole has been said to resemble the infamous 18th hole at Pebble Beach. The Punta Cana Golf Academy offers private lessons with golf pro Chris Hall and his teaching staff.

Par: 72
Holes: 18
Length of course: 7,152 yards
Green fees: (non-hotel guests) $144/18; $88/9 or (hotel guests) $100/18; $61/9
Cart: Included
Caddie: Not mandatory. $12/18; $6/9
Club rental: $40/round
Lessons: $50/45 minutes, $400/beginners 5-day clinic and $350/advanced 5-day clinic
Website: www.puntacana.com with online booking

Cocotal Golf and Country Club
Pepe Gancedo-designed course
The 18-hole course, designed by six-time Spanish champion Jose Pepe Gancedo, uses the natural terrain of an old coconut plantation and includes serene lakes and palm trees in its landscape. In 2002, an additional nine-hole course opened. Located close to Sol Melia Caribe and Sol Melia Tropical resorts in Punta Cana, the club offers lessons at its International Golf Academy with Douglas Falconer, a British PGA-award winning professional instructor.

Par: 72
Holes: 27
Length of course: 7,183 yards
Green fees: $89/18; $58/9. Guests of Sol Melia resorts receive discounted fees
Cart: Mandatory. $35/person
Caddy: Information not available
Club rental: $40/18; $30/9
Lessons: $50/hour; $30/half-hour
Website: www.cocotalgolf.com with online tee time request

Golf de Bavaro
Resort course designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo

Located at the Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort in Punta Cana, this par 72 18-hole course was designed by Juan Manuel Gordillo in 1991. The course is situated alongside the Bavaro lagoon and is considered excellent for beginners. Surrounded by lush vegetation, it was built specifically to accommodate tourists.

Par: 72
Holes: 18
Length of course: 6,106 yards
Green fees: $60/18; $48/9 plus an approximate $35 day pass. Guests of the resort receive discounted rates
Cart: $40/18; $30/9
Caddy: Information not available
Club rental: $30/18; $20/9
Lessons: $50/hour; $35/half-hour
Website: www.barcelo.com

Corales Golf Course - Opening August 2006
Resort course designed by Tom Fazio

With construction beginning in 2005, the second oceanfront course at Punta Cana Resort & Club will feature holes perched on cliffs along the north shore of the resort's luxury enclave called Corales. Oscar de la Renta, Julio Iglesias and Mikhail Baryshnikov all have beachfront residences in the enclave and visit often. Famed golf architect Tom Fazio is designing Corales to be very distinctive and promises it will be one of the Dominican Republic's must see and play courses.
www.puntacana.com

Las Iguanas Golf Course - Just announced
Resort course designed by Jack Nicklaus

Promising to be one of the most luxurious and largest resorts in the Caribbean, Cap Cana is scheduled to open the majority of its facilities in 2006. Just south of Punta Cana, it will be home to three Jack Nicklaus Signature courses. The second of these courses to open will be Las Iguanas with construction beginning in early 2006. In addition, the resort will house Golden Bear Lodge, the world's first Nicklaus-designed luxury condominium village located between Las Iguanas and Punta Espada, the first course scheduled to open at Cap Cana.
www.capcana.com

Punta Cana Resort & Club's Second Golf Course - Just Announced
Resort course designed by P.B. Dye

Just announced: P.B. Dye will be designing his second golf course at Punta Cana Resort - Club. The third course for the resort will be adjacent to Dye's world famous La Cana course. Additional information will be available soon.
www.puntacana.com

Punta Espada Golf Course - Opening 2006
Resort course designed by Jack Nicklaus

The initial golf course to open at luxurious Cap Cana will be Punta Espada, the first Jack Nicklaus Signature Course in the Dominican Republic. World renowned golf course management team Troon Golf will staff the 7,382 yard-long 18-hole course. The architecture utilizes the area's bluffs, beach, waterways and jungle foliage with eight of the holes directly on the ocean.
www.capcana.com

Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort - OPENING 2006
Resort course designed by Nick Faldo

One of the newest projects announced for the Punta Cana area, the Roco Ki Resort by Westin will feature an 18-hole Nick Faldo-designed course with six of its holes stretching across the headlands. Troon Golf will also manage this course. Additional information will be available soon.
www.rocoki.com

Catalonia Cabeza de Toro Golf Club - NEW 18-HOLE COURSE ANNOUNCED
Nine-hole resort course designed by Alberto Sola

Designed by Alberto Sola, the nine-hole course located at the Catalonia Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana is short but challenging. It opened in 2000 and features five lakes and numerous shade trees. The resort is now in the process of constructing a new 18-hole course. (The name, opening date and additional details are unavailable at this time.)

Par: 35 and 3
Holes: 9
Length of course: 2,600 yards
Green fees: $65/18; $45/9 or $20/par 3 18; $12/par 3 9. Guests of Catalonia Bavaro receive discounted fees
Cart: $25/18 per person; $20/9 per person
Club rental: $10
Website: www.cataloniabavaro.com/golfENU.htm