Facts and Info about Punta Cana

The name Punta Cana in Spanish means 'tips of white palms'. And Punta Cana, situated on the Caribbean island of Dominican Republic, rightly proves so.

sunset coconut coast It is the most sought after tourist destination of the Caribbean and known for its beautiful and pristine beaches. The beaches are lined with an alley of dense palm trees. For this reason Punta Cana and Bavaro are nicknamed La Costa del Coco, or the Coconut Coast.

Practical Info Punta Cana

Power supply:110V, with 3-pin flat blade plugs as standard (same as in the US)
Tap water:Not potable in Punta Cana
Health Risks:Dengue fever and malaria are somewhat of a risk (remember to bring along a strong bug spray) - more: Health Risks
Crime:There are few instances of petty crimes yearly, but with proper preparation these can be prevented - more: Safety Risks
Prostitution:Prostitution is legal in the Dominican Republic and very visible in tourist areas. Brothels or similar establishments are illegal

More practical and useful information to know before arriving in Punta Cana, can be read in the Useful Travel Info sector of this site.

Dominican Republic Facts

Official Name the Country:Dominican Republic / Republica Dominicana
Capital and largest city:Santo Domingo (population close to 4 million)
Population:about 10 million
Official Language:Spanish
Official Tourism website:Godominican Website
Official Currency:The Dominican peso (signed as RD$ or DOP)
Time zone:Atlantic (UTC-4) - during the summer same as New York or Toronto
Independent:since 1865
GDP per capita:$9,286 (average for Latin America)
People living on less than $2/day:15,1%
Head of State:President Danilo Medina since 2012
Drinking age:18
Emergency phone number:911




Next page:   Punta Cana History