Why is Punta Cana less expensive?
 

We are pricing honeymoons to the islands and were wondering why all inclusives in Punta Cana were significantly less than other islands. Can anyone compare a stay in Punta Cana with any other islands? We're going the first week in November. Thanks....

My guess is that simply the Dominican Republic is a very poor island and hasn't been over-developed as some/many other islands. We've only been to StMartin, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic (4 times!) but we find the value of a vaction in the DR hard to beat. The big difference is, e.g. on St Martin you feel very safe in renting a car & touring the island for the day to find good restaurants & good snorkellying, whereas in the DR, especially in Punta Cana, you stay on the resort property or, at most, travel to neighboring resorts---there are no towns nearby & if there were, they are generally very poor. Just my opinion. The beach at Punta Cana is awesome--we loved the Riu Palace & would give it 6*. The Riu Bambu next door is also great, but not as fancy or formal.Good luck.

Lisa, its probably a matter of supply and demand. While the Dominican Republic has been a popular vacation destination for Europeans for quite a while, it has not been well known among Americans, and is therefore not as in "demand" as other islands such as Aruba, or the Virgin Islands. Whenever any product is less in demand, the price is lower. <BR> <BR>I have been to 9 different islands throughout the Caribbean, including Punta Cana in the DR this past February. For the value, it can't be beat. It was an immaculately clean area, friendly, and safe. It is close to the very nice airport. Most of the resorts are rather new. And the beaches are among the best anywhere in the Caribbean. <BR> <BR>Visitors should be aware of several things: many of the hotel employees dont speak English, which can be annoying (not enough to deter a visit there, in my mind though.) Also, Punta Cana is a place where you go and stay pretty much at your resort, enjoying the beach, pool, water activities and sports, casinos, clubs, live entertainment nightly, golf, etc. This is not a destination where you will find much to do in the way of sightseeing or exploring; there is no town to visit, etc. <BR> <BR>As a travel professional, I have inspected 27 hotels in Punta Cana. Among my favorites (for different reasons) are: Natura Park, Punta Cana Beach Resort, Occidental Flamenco, and Melia Caribe/Tropical, Paradisus, and the 5 Barcelo Bavaro resorts. I strongly disliked the Allegro hotels. Just do some research before you go to find a resort best suited to you. And you will love Punta Cana!