Bávaro's water is famously calm because a reef shelters it. Drive north for twenty minutes and the coast changes: the reef opens, the waves come in, and the resorts thin out. This is Macao and, beyond it, Uvero Alto.
Macao: the beach locals use#
Macao is a wide public beach with no hotel on it — a rarity on this coast. It has real waves, surf schools, and a row of shacks behind the sand frying fish. On a Sunday, it's where Dominican families from Higüey, Verón and the villages nearby come for the day.
What to do there:
- Surf — schools rent boards and teach beginners; mornings are usually friendlier
- Eat fried fish with tostones at the shacks — agree the price first, it's often by weight
- Walk the length of the beach, which is long and mostly empty on weekdays
The where to eat in Punta Cana guide has what else to order.
Swimming safely#
Macao is open ocean. Waves and currents change day to day, and it is not the shallow lagoon of Bávaro.
- Swim near other people, not alone at the far end
- Stay in your depth when it's rough
- Ask the surf instructors or the fish-shack owners where it's calm today
- Keep valuables out of sight on the sand
Getting to Macao#
About 20–30 minutes north of Bávaro by road. There's no resort shuttle, which is partly why it stays local. Take a taxi and agree a round-trip price before you go, or join one of the buggy and ATV excursions that stop at Macao — the excursions guide covers which ones are worth it.
Uvero Alto: the quiet end#
Further north still, Uvero Alto is the most secluded resort area of Punta Cana: large hotels spread far apart, long beaches, and rougher sea than in the south. It suits people who want to rest and not go out much. The catch is distance — restaurants, nightlife and the airport are all a long taxi ride away. Where to stay in Punta Cana compares it with Bávaro and Cap Cana.
Why it's worth the trip#
Macao is where you see the coast as Dominicans use it: music from a car, families in the waves, fish from the shack. For the full list of what's beyond the resort, see Punta Cana off the resort and the best beaches in Punta Cana.
A Punta Cana Local Friend can take you to Macao on a Sunday, the way their family goes.
Browse Local FriendsMany visitors reach Macao on a buggy tour: what the Punta Cana buggy tours are really like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Macao beach worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you've only seen resort beaches. Macao is a wide public beach with no hotel on it, real waves, surf schools and fried-fish shacks behind the sand. It is where many Dominican families from the area go on Sundays.Can you swim at Macao beach?
Carefully. Unlike the reef-sheltered water of Bávaro, Macao has open-ocean waves and currents that change with the day. Swim near others, stay in your depth when it's rough, and ask the surf instructors or locals where it's calm that day.How do you get to Macao beach?
It is about 20 to 30 minutes north of Bávaro by road. Take a taxi and agree a round-trip price, or go with an excursion — many buggy and ATV tours stop there. There is no resort shuttle, which is part of why it stays local.What is Uvero Alto like?
The quietest resort area of Punta Cana, at the northern end of the coast. The hotels are big and spread out, the beaches are long and the sea is rougher than in Bávaro. It suits people who want to rest and don't plan to go out much; everything else is a taxi ride away.Can you surf in Punta Cana?
Yes, at Macao. It has surf schools that rent boards and teach beginners, and the waves are usually friendlier in the morning. It is one of the few places on this coast with real surf.
