Planning a vacation to a tropical paradise like Punta Cana can be challenging when you’re spoiled for choice of things to see, do, and places to stay. We partnered with lifestyle blogger Jessie Festa, also known as @JessieOnAJourney on Instagram, who crafted the perfect itineraries for 3, 5, and 7-day vacations, complete with activities, excursions, and transportation recommendations so you can make the most of your vacation.
Jessie stayed at the beautiful Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort, an all-inclusive and adults-only escape situated on the idyllic shores of Bavaro Beach. Renowned for its inclusive wellness experience, guests can focus on well-being through five unique spaces – social, silent, sensory, culinary, and personal. This resort has something for everyone, from group activities to quiet sanctuaries, exceptionally crafted cuisine, and shimmering pools. If you’re looking for Caribbean vacation inspiration, we’re here to share all the details of Jessie’s BeachBound experience.
Getting to Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort
BeachBound coordinated all transfers for a smooth and seamless travel experience, so upon arrival, Jessie was picked up at the airport by Amstar DMC, where they were waiting for her with a welcome sign after she claimed her bags. From Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), it was just a 20-minute drive to Bavaro Beach. Once there, she checked into her room at The Level at Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort. In this resort section, guests enjoy private beach and pool areas, preferential restaurant reservations, private rooftop access, and included spa treatments and wellness rituals for an elevated experience.
Things to do
Jessie’s trip was a perfect blend of resort activities like beach yoga, bike tours, rum tastings, and off-resort excursions that included local gems like the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve. She also enjoyed a day trip to the capital of the Dominican Republic – Santo Domingo. Here’s how Jessie recommends spending your time on a Punta Cana vacation.
How to spend seven days in Punta Cana
With a week or more in Punta Cana, vacationers can enjoy plenty of beach and pool time, and still have plenty of time for excursions away from the resort. Jessie highly recommends the multi-course chef tasting menu at Quimera Rooftop in The Level section of Melia – but this special dining event only happens on Tuesdays, so if you’re staying for a week, this is an absolute must!
One of the best beaches in Punta Cana is Bavaro Beach or Playa Bavaro. It’s known for its palm-fringed beauty and for being one of the longest white sand beaches in the Caribbean at 30 miles. It’s impossible to resist letting your inner child out at the sight of it. Jessie recommends waking up early to watch the sunrise over the ocean and participate in a beach yoga class. From there, laze the day away in a comfy beach or pool chair with a bottomless cocktail in hand at one of the four resort pools. With many days to enjoy your beautiful surroundings, there are no hurries and no worries, so why not indulge in a bit of you-time at the spa or gym, too?
There are plenty of unforgettable day trips from Punta Cana where you can immerse yourself in nature, history, and more beautiful surroundings. One of Jessie’s favorite day trips is to the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Reserve for its network of walking trails, wildlife spotting, and 12 glistening freshwater lagoons, a few of which you can swim in. You can visit this spot on your own by calling a taxi or Uber, or through a guided tour.
Step back in time with a day trip to the Colonial Zone in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. The journey is about 2.5 hours from Punta Cana. Here you can walk the colorful streets, visit the Plaza de España, a historic square with an impressive fortress, and see the ruins of places like the first hospital in the New World and the oldest Franciscan monastery in the New World.
If you don’t have a week or more to spare, you may need to think about what’s most important to you on your vacation, whether it’s rejuvenation, reigniting passion, or finding adventure. Here’s a sample itinerary Jessie put together for how to spend five days in Punta Cana.
How to spend five days in Punta Cana
Day 1: Explore the resort, relax by the pool, and enjoy activities from the scheduled events.
Day 2: Relax on the beach and enjoy water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, or windsurfing.
Day 3: Choose the Punta Cana day trip of your choice.
Day 4: Walk Bavaro Beach, partake in resort activities, and rejuvenate with a spa treatment.
Day 5: Spend your last day enjoying the pool or beach.
If you’re looking for a quick getaway to Punta Cana, Jessie recommends skipping out on a set itinerary and making the most of the resort activities, pool, beach, spa, and nightlife. Even with just a quick 3-day trip, this Caribbean paradise will have you feeling recharged and inspired to plan your return trip.
How to spend three days in Punta Cana
With a long weekend in Punta Cana, you’ll want to avoid overbooking your schedule so you don’t return home feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation. Instead, make the most of your resort amenities – beach, pools, food, drinks, activities, parties, and more – that are already included in your stay. Need some inspiration? Here’s what your typical day could look like:
Morning:
- Wake up for sunrise and walk Bavaro Beach before breakfast.
- Attend a beach yoga session to find your center and feel energized for the day.
- Enjoy a delicious breakfast with a healthy fruit smoothie.
Afternoon:
- Head to the pool or beach and relax in a comfortable lounge chair.
- Order lunch and a cocktail served by the waitstaff.
- Dance off those calories at a daytime pool party.
Evening:
- Enjoy a happy hour cocktail at sunset.
- Indulge in a multi-course dinner with dessert.
- Listen to live music or attend one of the resort’s nightlife experiences.
Punta Cana is an incredible island escape whether you have a long weekend or a week to play with. Check out top-trending deals to Punta Cana and beyond at BeachBound.com.
