First trip to Punta Cana: entry requirements, money and safety

If this is your first trip to Punta Cana, these are the practical questions to settle before you pack: paperwork, safety, money, transfers and how many days to book.

What do I need to enter the Dominican Republic through Punta Cana?

A valid passport, a return ticket and the electronic E-Ticket form, which is free. Most tourists do not need a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

• E-Ticket. The entry and exit form, mandatory if you arrive on a commercial flight. You fill it in for free at eticket.migracion.gob.do as soon as you have your flight details, and it generates a QR code that the airline may ask for at check-in. One form covers a family of up to 7 people. Be wary of websites that charge to process it.
• Passport. The general rule asks for 6 months of validity. Until December 31, 2026 there is an exception: tourists from the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador only need a passport that is valid for the whole stay. If you travel in 2027 or later, expect to need the 6 months unless the official entry requirements page says the exception has been extended.
• Visa. Visitors from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Mexico and many South and Central American countries, among others, do not need one. Those who do can enter with a valid visa from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or the Schengen area; otherwise they must apply at a Dominican consulate.
• Return ticket. Airlines must check that foreign passengers hold a round-trip ticket.
• Fees. The US$20 departure tax is included in your airfare. If you stay longer than 30 days, you pay an extra fee when you leave.

Information from the official Dominican Republic tourism website, checked on November 10, 2026. Rules change: confirm them at godominicanrepublic.com before you travel.

Is Punta Cana safe? Can you leave the resort?

Yes. Punta Cana is the main tourist area in the country and you can leave the resort taking the normal precautions of any destination. The simplest way is on organized excursions or with pre-booked transport.

Official travel advisories point out that there is crime in the Dominican Republic and recommend common sense: do not display jewelry or large amounts of cash, use authorized taxis, ride-hailing apps or pre-booked transfers, and do not walk at night in isolated areas.

At sea, follow the flags and your guides: not every beach has a lifeguard. For adventure activities, choose operators that provide helmets and life jackets, and travel with insurance that covers them. Check your country's travel advisory before you leave.

Is it worth leaving the resort in Punta Cana?

Yes. Near the resorts there are beaches such as Macao, freshwater caves and Dominican countryside, and islands such as Saona are one excursion away. Half-day trips start at US$35, with pickup included.

A single outing already changes the trip: Saona Island (US$65) if you want the sea, or the buggy or Mundo Taíno (US$35 each) if you prefer something short on land.

With a week, three to five excursions alternated with beach days is a sensible number. The schedule is ready-made in the 3, 5 and 7-day plan.

How many days do you need in Punta Cana?

With 5 to 7 days there is time for the beach and for three to five excursions without rushing. With 3 or 4 days you can cover the essentials: an island, an adventure on land and a beach day.

As a reference, the Jhoraji Tours plans come to about US$160 per person in excursions for 3 days, US$360 for 5 and US$420 for 7.

Two practical rules: after a full-day excursion, schedule a short or free day, and do not leave the sea trips for your last day. The details are in things to do in Punta Cana in 3, 5 and 7 days.

What currency is used in Punta Cana? Are US dollars and cards accepted?

The official currency is the Dominican peso (DOP), but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere in the tourist area, and excursions are priced in dollars.

Bring dollars in small bills for tips, photos and souvenirs. Euros are easy to exchange at banks and exchange offices, but are not always accepted as payment.

Cards work at hotels, malls and supermarkets; at stalls and markets, cash is better. ATMs dispense pesos. Tell your bank you are traveling and do not change money on the street.

How do I get from Punta Cana airport to my hotel? Is there Uber?

The most comfortable option is a pre-booked private transfer with flight tracking: with Jhoraji Tours it costs US$35 per vehicle for up to 4 people. There are also official taxis and Uber.

The airport (PUJ) is close to the resorts: most are 15 to 45 minutes away, depending on the area.

• Private transfer. You are asked for your flight number and arrival time. The price is the same for any hotel in Punta Cana and Bávaro, the service runs 24 hours and larger vehicles are available on request.
• Official airport taxi. It charges per vehicle depending on the area: ask the price before you get in.
• Uber. It operates in Punta Cana, including at the airport, although pickup there can be more confusing and cancellations sometimes happen.

If you are traveling on a package, check whether the transfer is already included.

Can you drink the tap water in Punta Cana?

No. Drink bottled or purified water, which resorts usually provide in rooms and bars.

If you have a sensitive stomach, use bottled water to brush your teeth as well. At hotels and tourist restaurants, ice is usually made with purified water.

On excursions, bring your own bottle: several include water, but in the heat it is wise to drink often.

What should I pack for Punta Cana and its excursions?

Light clothing, two swimsuits, sunscreen, a cap, sunglasses, insect repellent and closed shoes that can get dirty for buggies, ziplines and horses.

• For the sea: a towel, a waterproof phone pouch and seasickness medication if you need it.
• For land: clothes that can get muddy, a bandana for the dust and a change of clothes.
• Documents and money: passport, the E-Ticket QR code and dollars in small bills.
• Electricity: 110 volts and flat-pin plugs, as in the United States. From Europe you need an adapter.
• May to November: a light rain jacket.

One detail: for Monkey Adventure, do not use repellent before the visit.

With the practical side settled, choose dates with the best time to visit and activities with the excursions and their prices.