Punta Cana

As the sun rises on Hispaniola, Punta Cana awakens to the lapping ocean, its clear, unspoiled blue brushing up against the pristine stretches of sugar-white sand, and swaying coco palms in the backdrop.

The region commonly referred to as Punta Cana actually encompasses the beaches and villages of Juanillo, Punta Cana, Bávaro, Cabeza de Toro, El Cortecito, Arena Gorda, Macao, and Uvero Alto, which hug an unbroken stretch of the eastern coastline.

A thriving tourism industry fuels the region, and—with such ripe ingredients as sun (the average daily temperature is 82°F; any downpours tend to be short bursts that give way to more sunshine), sand (35 mi of uninterrupted powder) and sea (opportunities for water sports abound)—it's no wonder. For Punta Cana, it was only a matter of time.

In 1969, when the terrain was covered in jungle, a group of North American investors purchased some land along the eastern coast. They put up a small hotel and an air strip (which spawned an international airport) and—voila!—tourism in Punta Cana was born. Their visionary project, now the PuntaCana Resort & Club, spreads out lavishly across 15,000 verdant acres. Club Med opened its doors as the first all-inclusive in the area, and following its lead dozens of others popped up within their own spacious enclaves along the coast. More recently, a fresh crop of boutique hotels has sprung up. Many resorts, including those on beaches as far north as Uvero Alto and as far south as Juanillo (Cap Cana), tag on the moniker "Punta Cana" although they're in their own distinct geographical areas. But the name "Punta Cana" is now a recognized draw for the swarms of visitors who arrive through Punta Cana International Airport. Indeed, the privately owned and operated airport is the second most heavily trafficked in the Caribbean, behind only Cancun, and 51% of all visitors to the D.R. now pass through its gates.

A hot destination for golf, Punta Cana lures players with its abundance of spectacular courses—crafted by renowned designers—and posh clubhouses. The area's growth shows no signs of slowing. Major new development projects include Cap Cana and Roco Ki, and a handful of other megaresorts peppering the coastline. More than 5,000 new rooms are planned for the area by 2010.

Higüey, capital of the Altagracia Province (which includes Punta Cana) sits 21 mi (34 km) to the west. The site of three visits by Pope John Paul II, Higüey is notable for its towering, arched concrete cathedral. Its open-air market bustles in the morning when local shoppers flock in to buy produce and meat. Though poverty is visible here, Higüey is home to a large segment of the support staff at the resorts, about an hour's commute. It's also the site of the only post office that services Punta Cana, and a transit hub for buses bound for Santo Domingo and elsewhere.

Everywhere you turn, you can encounter friendly, smiling people. English is widely spoken by guest relations staff in the hotels. Though not necessary, knowing a few phrases of Spanish to communicate with support staffers—for example, housekeeping and maintenance—goes a long way.

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