Trying to decide on Punta Cana vs Cancun for your next vacation? In this post, I break down all the major differences between Punta Cana and Cancun to make the choice easier for you!
After having visited both Punta Cana and Cancun (several times), I know it can be a little difficult to decide between the two. Both are great, tropical destinations, and you won’t regret it no matter which you end up going to.
Still, I hope this guide helps you in your decision, as I break down pros and cons for both Cancun and Punta Cana, including my favorite things about each destinaton.
Table of Contents
Punta Cana vs Cancun: First Things First
I want to start off by saying that even though Punta Cana and Cancun are in different countries, there is a reason people often compare them. Destinations such as Cancun, Cabo San Lucas, the Riviera Maya and Punta Cana are often mentioned in the same conversations, because they are similar in more ways than they are different.
I will start this guide by breaking down each destination separately, highlighting why you would want to visit either Cancun or Punta Cana.
Then, I will dive more into the actual differences – that’s the Cancun vs Punta Cana part of the post – where you can compare the two and make your decision on where to go. Hopefully the next few sections will also give you a good idea of this.
Why Visit Cancun?
Cancun is a top choice for travelers seeking a perfect getaway. Situated just a short flight away from most US cities, Cancun offers convenience without compromising on luxury. The city’s Hotel Zone is lined with luxury resorts (most of them all-inclusive), ensuring a lavish and comfortable stay for visitors.
Beyond the resort life, Cancun is a hub for adventure seekers with its exciting tours and excursions. From exploring ancient Mayan ruins to diving in crystal-clear cenotes, Cancun promises a diverse range of experiences for those looking to delve into the city’s rich culture and natural beauty.
Things to do in and near Cancun
Below are some of the top things to do in and around Cancun – barring relaxing at your resort, swimming in the ocean and getting tan (you can do this both in Cancun and in Punta Cana).
- Explore the underwater museum, Museo Subacuático de Arte, where you can snorkel or dive among hundreds of submerged sculptures.
- Indulge in a day of relaxation at Playa Delfines, known for its soft white sands and stunning views.
- Embark on a thrilling adventure to Xcaret Park, an eco-archaeological park offering activities like swimming in underground rivers and encountering exotic wildlife. Another popular park is Xel-Ha.
- If you are a nightlife lover, enjoy a lively night out at Coco Bongo, a renowned nightclub with dazzling shows and vibrant atmosphere.
- If you split your holiday between Cancun and the Riviera Maya, make sure to visit the mesmerizing Mayan ruins of Tulum, perched on a cliff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
- Discover the beauty of Isla Mujeres with its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and opportunities for snorkeling and water sports.
- Take a boat tour to the breathtaking Isla Contoy, a protected island with diverse marine life and untouched natural beauty.
- Relax and rejuvenate at one of Cancun’s luxurious spas, offering a range of treatments from traditional Mayan rituals to modern wellness therapies. The spa at the Grand Coral Beach has an 11-step hydrotherapy program, for example.
Quick Cancun Travel Guide
Where to stay: The Cancun Hotel Zone is where you will find most all-inclusive (and well-known) hotels in the city. My favourite resort is the Grand Fiesta Coral Beach, and you can check out my full review here. Other recommended hotels in the Hotel Zone are Secrets The Vine (adult-exclusive) and the Riu Palace.
Where to eat: There are several restaurants along the Hotel Zone, and most resorts have several restaurants. Don’t miss La fonda del Zancudo or La Habichuela.
Top activities and tours in Cancun:
- Day trip to Chichen Itza ($69)
- Day trip to Tulum and two cenotes ($39)
- Catamaran sailing trip and visit to Isla Mujeres ($139) – read my review of this here!
- ATV and Zipline adventure ($75)
- Pirate show and dinner ($120)
Read more: The Best Cancun Day Trips & Tours
Packing for Cancun: Cancun is hot-hot-hot, so you obviously want to pack your swimwear, flip flops and light summer dresses year-round. Most resorts have a casual dress code, but require closed shoes and somewhat nicer outfits for dinner. So pack a few nice dinner dresses as well. Don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen and sunglasses, and have a look at my all-inclusive packing list before you go!
Airport transfers: When you arrive at Cancun international airport it can be a little overwhelming, as there are countless transportation companies and taxies trying to get your attention (by literally shouting). I always save myself the trouble by booking a transfer in advance. This is the highest-rated transfer service on Viator.
Why Visit Punta Cana?
Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic, is a paradise known for its stunning white sand beaches and luxurious resorts, making it a sought-after destination for travelers seeking a tropical escape.
Often likened to Cancun, Punta Cana offers a similar selection of high-end all inclusive resorts and is a great place for a tropical vacation. Beyond the stunning Punta Cana beaches, the region serves as a hub for a variety of tours and excursions, offering visitors the chance to explore the natural beauty and cultural richness of the island.
Top things to do in and near Punta Cana
For some inspiration, I have written a list of things to do in Punta Cana below. When I visited, we made sure to cover a few of these – all though we did spend our fair share relaxing by the pool and enjoying the swim up bar at our hotel.
- Punta Cana is known for its breathtaking white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or simply taking a leisurely stroll.
- Visit Saona Island: Take a day trip to this picturesque island to relax on the pristine beaches, swim in the turquoise waters, and experience a slice of paradise. This is one of the most popular day trips in the area.
- Explore Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park: Discover the lush tropical forest, pristine lagoons, and diverse wildlife in this hidden gem located in Punta Cana.
- Go zip-lining or quad biking: Get your adrenaline pumping by zip-lining through the lush greenery of Punta Cana and enjoying panoramic views of the stunning landscape, or joining a quad biking tour.
- Local Catamaran cruise: Sail along the Punta Cana coast on a catamaran, enjoy a relaxing day at sea, snorkel in the clear waters, and soak up the sun on the deck.
- Hoyo Azul: Hike to this enchanting cenote nestled in the jungle, where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters of this natural sinkhole.
- Horseback riding: Explore the tropical landscape on horseback, trotting along the beach or through the lush countryside for a unique perspective of Punta Cana.
Quick Punta Cana Travel Guide
Where to stay: Punta Cana is located on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, with loads of high-end all-inclusive resorts lining the coastline. Most visitors to Punta Cana opt to stay at one of these resorts, as it truly is a destination for relaxing and enjoying the Caribbean climate. Popular resorts include Dreams Macao Punta Cana, Impressive Premium Punta Cana (read my review here) and the Hard Rock Hotel.
Top activities and tours in Punta Cana:
- Half-Day ATV and Water Cave Adventure ($65)
- Adults-Only Coral Nursery Snorkelling Tour with Lunch ($114)
- Half-day Dominican Republic Cultural Tour ($60)
- Full-day Santo Domingo City Tour ($95)
- Small-group Cruise and Snorkel Tour ($99)
Packing for Punta Cana: Punta Cana is hot year-round, so you obviously want to pack your swimwear, flip flops and light summer outfits. Resorts usually have a casual dress code, but won’t allow swimwear in the restaurants. So pack a few summery dresses or shorts and tops for dinner as well. Don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses and a good book, and read through my all-inclusive packing list before your trip!
Airport transfers: There are plenty of vendors and sellers waiting for you at the Punta Cana airport, so finding a taxi or transfer to your hotel is not a problem. However, if this feels a little overwhelming to you, I recommend booking a transfer in advance – for ease of mind. Our transfer by taxi (booked upon arrival) to our hotel cost $30 USD, whilst booking a transfer in advance would have been less than $15 (this is the highest-rated one).
Differences Between Punta Cana and Cancun
As might be becoming clear now, Cancun and Punta Cana are very similar destinations in many ways. They are both very tourist-friendly, with beautiful sandy shorelines lined with all-inclusive and luxury resorts.
Since there are so many of these resorts, the best way of exploring the nearby area is by joining tours and excursions, each designed to pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.
Having visited both destination, and stayed at great hotels in both, I definitely see why people have a hard time choosing between the two. When I was in Punta Cana recently, I could have easily believed you had you told me I was in Cancun!
However, there are some differences worth pointing out that I have noticed during my trips.
There are more nationalities visiting Punta Cana
In Cancun, I found that 99% of the tourists surrounding me were American. In Punta Cana I was expecting the same, however I quickly noticed that I was surrounded by more languages than just English and Spanish. It seems that with flights from Europe being slightly shorter to Punta Cana (see the next section), more Europeans go there than to Cancun. There were also loads of Canadians at our hotel, which was fun.
When I went diving in Punta Cana (I did 3 days of diving during my stay), the people on our boat were from Canada, the US, Germany, England, France and Switzerland – in addition to the local crew!
Flights to Cancun vs flights to Punta Cana
If you are traveling from a major city in the US, you will find that it is easier to find direct flights to Cancun than Punta Cana. The larger selection of flights also means that they are often more affordable. So, if you are trying to save some money on flights, Cancun is your best bet.
Of course, major airports such as LAX and JFK will have flights to both. Travelers from New York City (or area) and Los Angeles won’t struggle finding flights to either Cancun or Punta Cana for their next vacation.
For Europeans, the flight to Punta Cana is slightly shorter than Cancun, all though it is still a good 10 hours from central Europe (I flew from Frankfurt to Punta Cana with Lufthansa/Discover Airlines, and the flight was 10 hours and 15 minutes).
Nightlife
Punta Cana and Cancun are both known for their nightlife scenes, and are popular spring break destinations, but they cater to different preferences. If you’re looking to dance the night away in top-notch clubs, Cancun is the ultimate party destination. With a plethora of world-class clubs and a lively atmosphere, Cancun is the go-to spot for clubbing enthusiasts.
However, it’s worth noting that both Punta Cana and Cancun boast the famous Coco Bongo club, known for its spectacular shows and entertainment (and perhaps seedy practices?).
Top tip: if you are visiting Coco Bongo in either location, make sure to book your entrance tickets in advance in order to get various benefits you won’t get at the door. Book here to skip the line at Coco Bongo Punta Cana, and here to skip the line in Cancun!
Walkability
As a Norwegian, you know I had to include this in the comparison. Out of the two, I found Punta Cana to be more walkable than Cancun. This especially goes if you are staying at the Cancun Hotel Zone, where you will find only resorts lining the man-made strip.
In Punta Cana, however, we were able to walk to a sports bar near our hotel to watch the Grand Prix (I try to watch the Formula 1 whenever I travel!). At the Hotel Zone in Cancun, you need a taxi to get into the city center (all though you can of course just walk along the strip itself).
Experiencing Culture
Save for the Dominican Show at our resort in Punta Cana, I feel that experiencing local culture is easier in Cancun. In Cancun, you’ll find that you can explore Mayan ruins (even Chichen Itza) on a day trip from the city, and immerse yourself in Mexican culture and history in a way I didn’t find as accessible in the DR.
We did go on a cultural tour from Punta Cana, where we went to Higuey to see the cathedral there, and visited a family-run coffee farm. But that was the only type of cultural tour available to us during our stay.
Therefore, if you want your trip to be a good mix of soaking up the sun and exploring local heritage, Cancun might be a better bet than Punta Cana.
Value for money & prices
In both Cancun and Punta Cana you’ll find that they accept US Dollars in addition to the local currency (pesos, MXN in Mexico and DOP in the Dominican Republic).
I personally found prices in Punta Cana (outside of the resort) to be cheaper than in Cancun. For example, when we went to see the Formula 1 at a local sports bar, the price of our meal (and 3 cocktails) was 37 USD. It would have been even cheaper had we paid in the local currency.
Which reminds me of an important tip: always pay in local currency when you can, as it is cheaper 9/10 times.
In the resorts, I have found prices to be pretty similar in both Cancun and Punta Cana. Massages can easily cost over 100 USD. However, if you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, you’ll have more control over your spending.
Types of tours and excursions
Both places have lots of tours and day trips to explore for travelers. Since they are mainly “resort destinations”, you’ll find that most of the things to do in each place is tour-based. This is great news for those who prefer the convenience of getting picked up from your hotel, taken out to explore what the area has to offer, and before being delivered right back to your resort at the end of the day.
As mentioned above, exploring local culture is a little easier from Cancun than Punta Cana, in my opinion. Therefore, amongst the top tours in Cancun, you’ll find a few more cultural tours than amongst the top tours in Punta Cana.
However, the tours offered are quite similar once you look past this. In both destinations, tours on the water are the most popular. You can find catamaran cruises and party boats in both, day trips to various islands (such as Saona Island in Punta Cana and Isla Mujeres outside of Cancun – read my review or our boat trip to Isla Mujeres here).
Cancun might be the better destinations if you want to head on day trips to other towns and areas on the Riviera Maya, such as Playa del Carmen or even Akumal (where you can swim with turtles!).
The highest rated tours and excursions from Cancun:
Below are the top-rated tours and excursions from Cancun, each offering pick up from your resort.
The highest rated tours and excursions from Punta Cana:
Moving on, you can browse the best tours from Punta Cana below.
Weather and seasons (and best time to visit)
Punta Cana has a tropical climate with two distinct rainy seasons. From April to June and September through November, rainfall is common, with the latter period typically witnessing heavier downpours. Those are considered the rainy season (or even monsoon season).
Additionally, the region is prone to hurricanes from June through November. For travelers seeking the best weather conditions, Spring and Winter are considered the optimal times to visit Punta Cana, offering pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall.
We visited in March, and had perfect weather our entire stay.
Cancun boasts a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The best time to visit Cancun depends on what you’re looking for. The dry season, from November to April, offers sunny days with low humidity, making it ideal for beach lounging and water activities.
If you prefer fewer crowds and lower prices, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of May to June or September to October. However, be prepared for some rain showers during these months.
The wet season, from July to August, brings higher temperatures and humidity but also lush green landscapes. Overall, the best time to visit Cancun for most travelers is during the dry season for the perfect balance of sunshine and comfortable weather.
Frequently Asked Questions: Cancun or Punta Cana
Below are some FAQs about visiting Cancun vs visiting Punta Cana – answered!
This depends on personal preferences. Both Cancun and Punta Cana offer beautiful beaches, warm weather, and a variety of activities for tourists. For nightlife and culture, Cancun is better. For relaxing and quality time, I prefer Punta Cana.
Both are great countries to visit! Having explored more of Mexico, I have to say it is my favorite at the moment.
Punta Cana is a great destination, with luxurious resorts, beautiful beaches and lots of fun tours and excursions for visitors. It has gained popularity as a great alternative to the busier Cancun.