Bávaro – Beach holiday in the Dominican Republic

White sandy beach in the Caribbean: The beach panorama of the same name unfolds at the village of Bávaro – together they form one of the most beautiful and popular resorts in the Dominican Republic. Located in the region near Punta Cana, Bávaro is one of the highlights of the Dominican Republic, where Caribbean flair awaits travelers in good weather.

How to get there

If you visit Bávaro, you will land at Punta Cana Airport, 20 km away. This can be reached from Germany with a direct 10-hour flight from several major cities (e.g.
Flight Berlin – Punta Cana or flight Hamburg – Punta Cana) and with more than two million international arrivals per year, Punta Cana International Airport is the second most popular airport in the Caribbean.

Playa Bávaro – Beach Highlight of the Caribbean

Some of the most beautiful and impressive beaches, not only in the Dominican Republic, but also in the world, rest on the headland of Punta Cana. These include Playa Bávaro, which scores points with its fine coral sand and the Caribbean blue of the tropical sea in the Dominican Republic. Once a recreational home for the inhabitants of the region, the beach gained such popularity that soon an entire resort was grouped around it. Less than 20 kilometers west of the central town of Punta Cana, Bávaro including the beach is now one of the holiday highlights of the Dominican Republic. The palm-fringed beach panorama is a tropical paradise for a Caribbean sea holiday. The white beach was once even named one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by UNESCO. The entire beach region in which Playa Bávaro fits in stretches over almost 50 kilometers along the coast – making it one of the longest beach sections in the world. It’s no surprise that water sports are also popular here, from windsurfing to parasailing to snorkeling. From this perspective, Playa Bávaro provides the best reasons for a Caribbean vacation in the Dominican Republic.

Bávaro – Relaxation on the beach

Today, however, Bávaro is more than just a beach. Holiday resorts, restaurants and even a Bávaro Adventure Park now enrich the popular holiday region on the east coast of the Dominican Republic. The selection of restaurants and souvenir shops on the coast is comparatively large, and numerous hotels of various luxury levels are waiting for a stop. Bávaro and Punta Cana now manage to provide over 25,000 hotel beds for overnight stays – further proof of the popularity of the region. At the same time, various golf courses in the region around Bávaro await those who long for sporting relaxation. Bavaro Adventure Park is considered the only adventure park of its kind in the Dominican Republic. Everything here is designed for sporting entertainment – from the zipline to horseback excursions to the freshwater lagoon. But the real highlight around Bávaro remains the breathtaking beaches. Not only the section directly near Bávaro, but also the neighboring beaches know how to convince tourists with Caribbean flair. There is the neighboring, somewhat quieter Cabeza de Toro Beach, located on the coastal town of the same name. Playa el Cortecito also unfolds on the shores of a former fishing village, which can now be visited not far from the holiday resorts. Beach sections such as Playa de Arena Blanca and Playa de Arena Gorda round off the overall tourist picture of the Dominican Caribbean coast.

Natural region and Punta Cana in the vicinity of Bávaro

Natural paradises unfold in the south of the region around Punta Cana. National parks such as Cotubanamá and Parque Nacional del Este, the eastern national park of the Dominican Republic, are located here. A unique ecosystem of partly exotic plants and animals rests here mainly untouched. Cliff-rich coastal landscapes, beaches, mangroves and caves characterize the area, which preserves the natural facets of the Caribbean region. A cultural and tourist fixture of the region near Bávaro is the core town of Punta Cana, in the vicinity of which about 40,000 people live today, and in the Punta Cana Village itself about 15,000. Punta Cana is one of the most popular holiday regions in Latin America – also thanks to the beautiful beaches in the area. The number of residents in the region is growing steadily thanks to the tourist flair. Numerous activities – from excursions to the beach region to excursions to the neighboring islands – can be undertaken from Punta Cana. For example, day trips to the Caribbean island of Saona, located in the Parque Nacional Cotubanamá, or to Isla Catalina are also offered. The island’s capital, Santo Domingo, is just over a two-hour drive from Punta Cana. In terms of tourism, Bávaro and Punta Cana have enough facets to offer to stay more than just a few days on the Caribbean Sea.

Holidays in Bávaro: the most important information

The most important places & excursion destinations

1. Bavaro Beach: A mile-long stretch of white sand known for its beauty and crystal clear waters.
2. Dolphin Iceland Park: A maritime theme park where you can swim with dolphins and experience other marine animals.
3. Manati Park: A theme park that specializes in the flora and fauna of the Dominican Republic.
4. Cocotal Golf and Country Club: One of the best golf courses in the region with spectacular views.
5. Iberostar Bavaro Golf Club: Another excellent golf course in Bávaro.
6. Bávaro Adventure Park: An adventure park with a variety of outdoor activities such as ziplining, bungee trampolines and zorbing.
7. Hoyo Azul: A stunning natural pool at the foot of a cliff in Scape Park, Cap Cana.
8. Saona Iceland: A beautiful island with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, ideal for day trips.
9. Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park: A nature reserve with lagoons that invite you to swim and relax.
10. Scape Park: An adventure park in Cap Cana with caves, ziplining, and nature trails.

Important telephone numbers

• Emergency number (police, fire brigade, ambulance): 911
• Tourist Police (CESTUR): +1 809 552 1060
• Police: +1 809 552 1011
• Hospital (Hospiten Bavaro): +1 809 686 1414
• German Embassy in Santo Domingo: +1 809 542 8964

German Doctors

• Dr. Michael Laehn: Hospiten Bavaro, +1 809 686 1414

Opening hours

• Shops: Usually Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, some shops are also open on Sundays.
• Supermarkets: Usually daily from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Restaurants: Lunch from 12:00 to 15:00, dinner from 18:00 to 23:00.
• Banks: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Airport

• Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ): The nearest airport, about 20 km south of Bávaro.

Post / Stamps

• Post offices: There is a post office in Bávaro and others in the larger towns of the region. Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Stamps: Available at the post office and in some kiosks and supermarkets.
• Costs for letters and postcards to Germany: Standard letter up to 20g: approx. 40 DOP (approx. 0.70 EUR); Postcard: approx. 30 DOP (approx. 0.50 EUR)

Safety

• Crime: Bávaro is considered relatively safe, but tourists should exercise caution, especially in busy tourist areas and at night.
  Keep valuables safe and do not carry large amounts of cash.
• Emergency number: 911

Current

• Voltage: 110 volts
• Sockets: Type A and B (adapters for European plugs are required)

Tip

• Restaurants: 10% service charge is often included in the bill, additional tip of 5-10% is appreciated.
• Taxis: Round up the amount or about 10%
• Hotels: $1-2 per day for cleaning staff

Customs

• Allowances: Personal belongings are duty-free.
• Alcohol: Maximum 2 liters of spirits or wine.
• Tobacco: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco.
• Other items: Goods with a total value of up to $500 are duty-free.

Destinations

• Dolphin Iceland Park: Swim with dolphins and other marine animals.
• Manati Park: Theme park with a variety of shows and animals.
• Hoyo Azul: A natural pool in Scape Park.
• Saona Iceland: A popular destination for day trips with beautiful beaches.
• Catalina Iceland: An island with fantastic diving and snorkeling opportunities.
• Altos de Chavón: A replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village with art galleries, restaurants, and an amphitheater.
• Los Haitises National Park: A beautiful national park with mangrove forests and caves.
• Cueva de las Maravillas: An impressive cave with ancient Taino cave paintings.
• Bávaro Adventure Park: Outdoor adventure park with activities such as ziplining and bungee trampoline.
• Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park: Nature trails and lagoons, ideal for hiking and recreation.