Punta Cana Is the Caribbean Escape to Book Now
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Claire Stern Milch, Market by Meg Donohue and Nerisha PenroseSun, April 26, 2026 at 4:15 PM UTC
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ELLE Escapes: Punta CanaCourtesy of The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, Nina, and Punta Espada Golf Club
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Fantasizing about a beach vacation with great food, strong drinks, and reliable tropical weather? Consider this your sign to book Punta Cana. After a few days at The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, I can attest that it more than lives up to the Instagram hype. Set along the eastern edge of the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean hot spot delivers powdery white sand, clear blue water, and picturesque views in every direction. It’s basically synonymous with total relaxation, which might explain why Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber keep coming back. For my stay, I checked into Cap Cana, an ultra-exclusive enclave known for its laid-back energy and especially scenic stretch of coastline. Ahead, everything worth knowing (and booking) in this sun-filled dreamland.
What to SeeApi Beach House
Courtesy of Api Beach House
Make a reservation at Api Beach House for a relaxing beach day, free from the crowds and party scene. Settle in for a leisurely lunch, go for a swim, then ease into the evening with a cocktail at sunset.
Silvia Tcherassi
Courtesy of Cavu Studio
Your one-stop shop for a vacation wardrobe, Silvia Tcherassi’s boutique at Tortuga Bay has all the vibrant prints you need to make other guests do a double-take.
Punta Espada Golf Club
Courtesy of Punta Espada Golf Club
Whether you golf or not, this Jack Nicklaus-designed course is worth a stroll, from the sweeping ocean views to the immaculate greens. It’s easy to see why it ranks as the best in the area.
Where to EatNina
Jason Dewey
Perhaps the buzziest new opening in Cap Cana, Nina, on the sixth floor of the St. Regis, has a Peruvian menu with Nikkei influences and fire-prepared dishes like the Fried Pizza with stracciatella, cherry tomatoes, and pickled gherkins, topped with a generous scoop of caviar. (Nina means “fire” in Quechua.)
La Palapa
Courtesy of La Palapa
Head to La Palapa at the Eden Roc for Mediterranean dishes infused with local flavors. Their seafood paella, meant for sharing, is a must.
Barbudo
Courtesy of Barbudo
A local favorite in the area, Barbudo is known for its seafood carpaccios and live music. Plus, on Thursdays, you can bring your own wine with no corkage fee.
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Where to DrinkThe St. Regis Bar
Diana Baldera
For those who don’t know, New York’s King Cole Bar at the St. Regis famously invented the Bloody Mary. Here, bartenders give the classic a Latin twist with the Quisqueya Mary, swapping vodka for local rum and garnishing with a fried plantain. The glass is rimmed with spices commonly found in Dominican food (think chile, cinnamon, cilantro, oregano, and pepper). That’s worth a cheers.
Love Bar
Courtesy of Sanctuary Cap Cana
Come for the cocktails, stay for the piano. Located in the lobby of Sanctuary Cap Cana, Love Bar is the perfect spot to unwind with a drink and after a long day, all set to the soothing soundtrack of Beethoven. “Für Elise,” anyone?
Coco Bongo Punta Cana
Courtesy of Coco Bongo Punta Cana
An offshoot of the famous Cancun nightclub that inspired the one of the same name in 1994’s The Mask, Coco Bongo is the spot for full-on theatrics, from flying acrobats to samba dancers to celebrity impersonators. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
Where to StayThe St. Regis Cap Cana Resort
Jason Dewey
Since opening almost a year ago, The St. Regis Cap Cana has attracted attention for its sleek interiors and an atmosphere that makes leaving the property hard to imagine. The beauty is in the details: a wicker ceiling in the lobby pays tribute to Dominican artisans, local artwork hangs on the walls, and a manmade fountain calls to mind a cenote. The resort offers a private beach, four pools, a hot tub, 200 rooms, 70 residences, a spa, a fitness center, and eight places to eat, all surrounded by a world-class golf course.
Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort
Courtesy of Tortuga Bay Hotel at Puntacana Resort
Tortuga Bay is the only AAA Five Diamond Award-winning property in the Dominican Republic. Designed by Oscar de la Renta, the hotel features 13 beachfront villas and five-star service. Whether you want to hit the seaside golf course, take a lesson at the on-site tennis center (where de la Renta himself used to play), shop Silvia Tcherassi’s boutique for resort wear, or indulge in a spa day, there’s something for everyone. Bonus: each villa comes with its own golf cart.
Eden Roc Cap Cana
Courtesy of Eden Roc Cap Cana
Another oceanfront option with everything you can possibly need to keep you on the property, Eden Roc Cap Cana is slightly smaller than the St. Regis with 68 rooms (some by the pool, others with beach views), but still has that same sense of luxury seclusion.
Beauty Picks
Additional reporting by Carine Lavache.
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