Cancun or Punta Cana, this is the question that many Brazilian tourists ask before planning their vacation. Both destinations offer a multitude of all-inclusive resorts, excellent restaurants, beautiful beaches and lots of partying.
However, which destination best fits your profile?
Separated by Cuba, about 1.200 kilometers away, both destinations have beautiful white sand beaches, a year-round tropical climate and many hotel chains under the same brand.
But with so many similarities, how do they compare? We’ve compared these top tourist destinations across a number of categories, starting with how to get from the airport. Take a look at our experience and find out what makes a better vacation spot for you.
Cancun or Punta Cana: How to get there
Cancun It is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea, so its geographical position makes it easy for those who live in the Midwest and East Coast of the United States.
For us Brazilians, getting to Cancun or Punta Cana doesn't make much difference, as Punta Cana is slightly closer.
Many airlines such as Latam, Aeromexico, Copa Airlines, American Airlines and Delta offer flights with stopovers, remembering that there are no direct flights to Cancun.
Gol has 3 direct flights per week to Punta Cana, departing from São Paulo. Latam flies directly from Brasília. You can also fly with Copa, departing from São Paulo, Rio, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Porto Alegre and Manaus with a connection in Panama City.
Cancun and Punta Cana Airports
Cancun International Airport
O Cancun International Airport (the second busiest in Mexico!) received more than 20 million passengers in 2019. Those arriving from Brazil must present a current passport.
No visa is required, but it is best to check for updates on the government website before booking a trip. Cancun hotel zone It is about a 20 minute drive from the airport and you can get there by bus, a rideshare service or a private taxi which can cost between $50 and $60. Click here and see how to plan your trip to Cancun.
Public transportation in Cancun works well, but some choose to rent a car so they have the freedom to explore.
Furthermore, visitors who do not speak Spanish will have no problems, as the inhabitants of Cancun are used to dealing with Brazilian travelers, as thousands of Brazilians visit the destination every year.
Punta Cana International Airport
Punta Cana is located on the eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, along the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Remember that Punta Cana International Airport was the world's first privately owned international airport (owned by Frank Rainieri) and handles around six million arrivals per year.
At the customs and immigration counter, each visitor will be given a 30-day tourist card in exchange for $10. That said, remember to have cash on arrival.
Some resorts in the village of Puntacana, such as the Four Points by Sheraton, offer free shuttle service and are close to the airport.
Others are within a private taxi ride. And some, like Excellence Punta Cana, take almost an hour to get to from the airport and can cost upwards of $70.
Shared transportation services are also provided, but people may encounter language barriers arranging them on site if it is not part of a tour package.
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Cancun or Punta Cana: Beaches
Cancun Hotel Zone
When it comes to beaches and scenery, both places will not disappoint. Located on the corner of Yucatan, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexico, Cancun has clear, turquoise waters, the kind people often fantasize about when planning a tropical vacation.
The coast of the Hotel Zone offers plenty of white sand and pleasant waters, allowing for water sports, sunbathing, swimming and long walks along the coast.
Like Cancun, Punta Cana, full of white sand, coconut palms, crystal clear waters and lush coral reefs, offers ample opportunities for kayaking, windsurfing, snorkeling and other non-motorized sports, depending on the resort included.
If seaweed debris builds up overnight (the infamous and annoying sargassum), most resorts clean it up in the morning to keep the environment pristine.
Punta Cana
However, the coastline varies depending on the location: some areas of the sea are rougher than others, and some resorts have a narrower strip of sand that can lead to crowds.
In these areas you will need to hurry to reserve a sun lounger in the morning, however in other hotels such as the Iberostar Grand Bavaro, you'll find large, uncrowded stretches of sand with plenty of kiosks and plenty of shade.
Culture and activities
Chichén Itzá
Cancun, which was part of the ancient Mayan civilization, is considered the gateway to El Mundo Maya (the Mayan world), so there are many tour options that can be organized with tourist groups.
Popular excursions include the Isla Mujeres (located 13 km from the coast), Cozumel (an hour's drive and a ferry ride) and the sacred archaeological site of Chichén Itzá (located two hours west). There are also some archaeological sites in Cancun, such as El Rey and El Meco.
To shopping in cancun you'll find the best luxury shopping malls like La Isla and Luxury Avenue. And if you want to be wowed, two hours south of Cancun is the stunning Mayan city of Tulum, where centuries-old temples were built along the coast.
The Caribbean Sea offers coral reefs for snorkeling and diving, including Cozumel Island and Cenotes (caves flooded with fresh water).
Saona Island
Punta Cana doesn’t have a historic center or ancient ruins, so most visitors choose to stay at the resort. Many are here for the beaches, spas, water sports, and alcohol, and are content to stay put.
In short, Punta Cana is a place to stay inside the hotel, as it does not offer a variety of activities outside the resort.
Those looking to let loose can visit Santo Domingo, sign up for a surfing lesson, take a catamaran cruise to Saona Island, or arrange horseback riding, zip-lining, and snorkeling excursions. If you’re wondering which trip is cheaper, Cancun or Punta Cana, the answer is the latter, as Cancun offers more attractions to spend money on.
Restaurants and nightlife
Most of the restaurants and bars are located in Cancun's Hotel Zone.
Cancun and Punta Cana are largely all-inclusive resorts. In Cancun, many all-inclusive resorts include buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so most local restaurants serve lunch starting at 14 p.m. and keep their doors open until midnight for dinner.
For those who like to venture out, you can find various types of cuisine inside and outside the Hotel Zone, but there are only a few restaurants facing the sea.
Instead, those who want to enjoy their meals with a stunning view can dine at the waterfront restaurants facing the Nichupté lagoon, which also offer beautiful sunsets. See the full list of the best here restaurants in Cancun.
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O downtown Cancun is a taxi ride away and offers a variety of Mexican restaurants, fresh seafood and international cuisine.
And when it comes to nightlife, many might imagine people drinking beers, foam parties and wet t-shirt contests, after all, this is and has been a popular destination for Spring Break vacations.
If you want more peace and quiet, it may be advisable to skip visiting the destination during March and April.
Additionally, nightclubs tend to sell Open Bar wristbands, which allow you to pay one price to enter and drink all night; sometimes purchasing bottles is also encouraged.
Cancun also offers bar crawls, which hit several clubs in one night. Check out the best ones here. Nightclubs in Cancun.
The best gastronomic offerings in Punta Cana are found inside the hotels. (Paradisus Punta Cana)
As mentioned earlier, Punta Cana is a destination where most visitors stay at the all-inclusive resort, and this also applies to all meals.
Many resorts offer different buffet options for breakfast and lunch, and several à la carte options for dinner (reservations are usually required through guest services).
Please note that the quality of food and drink varies, so check detailed hotel reviews before booking. High-end resorts like Paradisus Punta Cana offer extensive international buffets and are likely to impress even the most discerning travelers.
Some à la carte restaurants, such as Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, may have a dress code. The romantic Passion restaurant also offers a menu designed by a famous Spanish chef. Some resorts even offer an enhanced VIP option with more options.
As for nightlife, you can enjoy pre- and post-dinner cocktails at the bars around the complex. Entertainment in the form of music and dancing takes place every night (think Michael Jackson's guitar performances). Nightclubs, such as Occidental Caribe Hotel, are also common.
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History and hotels
Cancun in the 70s.
Cancun's growth began to explode in the late 1960s, when the Mexican government realized the city's potential and unveiled its plans for tourism development.
The hotel zone (with over 200 hotels, this is where most people stay) is a 22-kilometer long strip of sand in the shape of the number seven. It has a lagoon on one side and the sea on the other.
Prices here tend to be mid-range, although it's not hard to find everything from budget accommodations in the center, such as the Mayapán 25, to luxurious luxury resorts such as the Le Blanc Spa Resort.
Punta Cana was nothing more than a few sparsely populated fishing villages (and no access to roads) until five American investors saw its potential and purchased the 48-square-kilometer land in 1969.
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They formed a partnership with a local businessman, Frank Rainieri, and traveled to France to court Club Med to open the first Punta Cana resort in 1978.
The international airport opened in 1984 and since then Punta Cana has introduced more than 100 All Inclusive Resorts.
Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort & Spa – All Inclusive
O Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort & Spa – All Inclusive, for example, is just one of four mega-resort complexes with over 2.000 rooms. It’s spacious, but there’s a shuttle bus that connects all the properties. Resort prices here also tend to be cheaper than in Cancun.
Additionally, the properties attract a more diverse range of charter groups from Canada, Russia, Italy, France, Germany and Scandinavia. This gives Punta Cana an international feel unlike Cancun, which can feel more American.
Those looking for a more intimate boutique hotel can stay at the Tortuga Bay, a 30-room hotel designed by Oscar de la Renta that offers incredible service, including preferential treatment at Punta Cana International Airport.
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Cancun or Punta Cana: which one to choose?
Aerial view of Cancun
Now you have more information about both destinations. It will depend a lot on your profile and how much you want to spend.
Cancun offers a wide variety of tours and a more varied hotel offering, as well as better restaurants and a much cooler nightlife.
On the other hand, Punta Cana offers more tranquility and is ideal for those who just want to relax and enjoy the facilities of the large resorts.
Specialized advice for your trip to Cancun and Riviera Maya
If you want an unforgettable experience, you can count on the assistance of our partner, Cancuners.
Upon arrival at the airport, you will be warmly welcomed by staff who will be ready to accompany you to your hotel.
They will also be on hand to help you with any eventuality that may arise, whether it is a medical emergency, missing transportation or any other unexpected situation. Don’t hesitate to contact them, as they are ready to help!
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