On the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana beaches have become a paradise under the sun, far from "civilization". Visitors live here days by the sea in contact with nature and at peace, while several institutions turn this corner of the country into an ecological experiment.

The abundance of cana palm trees is what has given the name to this eastern region.

A short palm tree, unable to compete with the tall and slender coconut groves surrounding the beach, has given the name to this shore of the Dominican Republic, located on the easternmost tip of the island of Hispaniola, opposite Puerto Rico. Cana palm trees are small but for many years, its leaves have been the best to built the thatch roofs that crown all the buildings from the traditional fishermen’ cabanas to the most modern hotels. Finally it ended up-raising from the others and then this littoral was baptized with its name, located at some kilometers from Cabo del Engaño. Coral reef extends parallel along the 5-km coast—some contend that this is the largest of the country—it is like a replica of the coconut groves found along the sea, lining up along the shore for several kilometers. The closest city—as was stated before—is Higüey, but in general, Punta Cana is accessible by a busy airport of tropical air which is also roofed by the well-known cana-palm leaves and made up by very few walls. As a contrast, this eastern area presents a less thick landscape and is not so exuberant as other regions of Dominican Republic. A vegetation of low forest and of mangroves in many areas makes up the landscape that welcomes visitors upon arrival. A Peaceful Life Life is peacefully enjoyed there, activities begin very early and likewise end very soon. Punta Cana has hotel resorts which are against large numbers of visitors and in favor of hotels with a reduced number of guests. Here time is dedicated to the practice of all kind of sports, most of them water sports as diving, with excursions that begin in the very beach heading to the coral reef. Snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing or even deep-sea fishing are other options. But also other types of sports are also practiced for those who prefer the land rather than the sea as horse riding or golf. Dominican Republic is a complete paradise for golfers and even in this secluded spot of eastern Dominican beaches, a high quality golf course can be found as that of Bávaro where national and international contests are held. Taíno Life Some centuries ago, life should have been very peaceful in this part of "Quisqueya," a name given by its aboriginal inhabitants, the Taíno Indians, who lived there before the discovery. Higüey has traditionally been the most important human settlement in the whole eastern area. It is believed that Juan de Esquivel, the conqueror of Jamaica founded the village in 1494, and it is known that Ponce de León lived there from 1502 to 1508. At present Higüey is a prosperous city within the country though, according to Western view, its disorder is appealing, its traffic mad or its urbanization, unusual from what western people regard as the chief village of a local area. The truth is that this city is poorly visited or not visited at all for those who reach to Punta Cana area, looking for the sun, quietness and beach. However, this is a good reference, especially because the adventurous traveler that goes on his own, find right here all what he needs. Higüey is the capital of Altagracia province, its great day is that of January 21st when thousand of persons come to Altagracia Sanctuary to venerate the image of this virgin preserved in a 16th-century oil painting. Many miracles are said to be made by Altagracia Virgin which is a common name found among the women of the area. The devotion for this virgin all over the country is very deep. During the rest of the year, visits are made directly to the beaches that began to be exploited for tourism in the 80’s. The first beach line known by many as Costa del Coco (Coconut Coast) is a sandy area, linked directly with Bávaro beaches and the village of Juanillo. Few beaches are found in Dominican Republic—and it could be stated in the whole Caribbean—which fully resemble that idyllic portrait of paradise-like beaches of fine and white sand, surrounded by turquoise waters of different shades and where rows of tall coconut groves and cana palms line up, i.e. that kind of beach, seen in advertisements and in most tourism information, resembling paradise. With the added attraction of a coral reef that extends along the shore, Punta Cana can be the place of the Dominican Republic where the most beautiful beaches of the island are found. From Macao to Punta Cana, including Bávaro, there are over 15 tourism resorts with over 10,000 rooms. As a whole, all the beach area of the East accounts for almost 50 km of endless beaches, adding beaches as Bávaro, Arena Gorda, Cortecito, Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana and Macao. Travelers from all the corners of the world arrive to this spot. Seventy regular charter flights land every week at Punta Cana International Airport. Punta Cana Marina is the neuralgic center for water activities where visitors can find all kind of facilities for their recreation. It is a 24-hour service point that can render services up to 43 barges and sail boats at the same time, supplying a complete service even including cable TV. Large boats can also be brought alongside the deck, to catch the "blue marlin" and take part of deep-sea fishing tournaments.

Nature and Peace But not only the sea is reserved for those who choose as a destination, the area of Dominican Republic. Ecological tourism has also a weight in this area, between Bayahibe and Boca de Yuma, including the adjacent Saona Island where the National Park of the East is located, a wide protected forest where important species of the marina fauna live in the coastal area, where dolphins and manatees are found, in addition to mangrove ecosystems. Saona Island comprises just 130 km2, inhabited by some 1,200 persons who essentially feeds from fishing and the hunting of doves and pork. Nature in these spots is wonderful. And after all this, what remains is to enjoy relaxation and the quietness of a paradise-like spot where sunsets still urge visitors to dream.