Downtown Punta Cana is what you get when a resort coast decides it needs a downtown and builds one.
What's there#
| A mall | Shops, a cinema, a food court, air conditioning |
|---|---|
| Restaurants | Chains and local places with menus and prices |
| Bars | A few, lively on weekends |
| The nightclub | The coast's biggest show-club; tickets include drinks and often a shuttle |
| A supermarket | Snacks, rum, sunscreen at non-resort prices |
What it's good for#
A night out that isn't the resort's. A dinner with a bill instead of a wristband. The supermarket run that pays for itself in two bottles. Punta Cana nightlife covers the club and the alternatives; where to eat the restaurants worth leaving for.
What it isn't#
A town. There's no square, no street life, nothing to wander. It's a car park with good lighting. Go, do the thing, leave.
Getting there#
Uber, 10 to 20 minutes from Bávaro, less from Cap Cana; a resort taxi at a fixed price agreed in advance; a nightclub shuttle if your ticket includes one. Getting around.
The real downtown#
Verón, a few minutes inland on the same road, is where the coast actually lives: comedores with a plate of the day, colmados with cold Presidente and a speaker, barbers, a Sunday that belongs to the people who serve you Monday to Saturday. It's also Friusa, Bávaro's working neighbourhood. Neither is a tourist area; both are the Dominican Republic. Go in the evening, with someone from there. Punta Cana beyond the resort, how to meet locals.
Post your dates on Roavi Community and a Local Friend who lives in Verón takes you for the night Downtown was built to imitate.
Skip the fake downtown for one night. See Verón with someone who lives there.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
What is Downtown Punta Cana?
A purpose-built commercial zone on the main boulevard: a mall, restaurants, bars, a cinema, a supermarket and the big nightclub. A place to go for an evening, not a neighbourhood to wander.What is there to do in Downtown Punta Cana?
Dinner at a restaurant with a menu and prices, bars, the nightclub show, a cinema, shopping for things you forgot, a big supermarket for snacks and rum. Most people go for one night out.How do I get to Downtown Punta Cana from my resort?
Uber, 10 to 20 minutes from Bávaro, less from Cap Cana; resort taxis at fixed prices; some nightclub tickets include a shuttle. Agree the taxi price before you leave the resort.Is there a real downtown in Punta Cana?
Verón, a few minutes inland: the working town where most of the coast's employees live, with comedores, colmados, bachata and real prices. Go in the evening with someone who lives there.
