DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ITINERARY: PUNTA CANA & MICHES

It’s been exactly two years since my last trip to Dominican Republic for my bachelorette, and 4 years since my very first trip to Dominican Republic exploring the North Coast! I feel so grateful to be able to work with Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism again to share the safety measures the country is doing to keep you safe for when you feel ready to travel again. This time around, I’m sharing a 5 day Punta Cana & Miches itinerary on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat for the perfect social distancing getaway.

Over the course of the year, the tourism and hospitality industry have adapted and have created safety measures to ensure guests, and employee safety. Travel is a personal choice, if you decide you’re ready to travel, please be responsible and do research on the destination and hotels.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS

The country has been open for tourism since July 2020 and has implemented safety protocols for all visitors. Before traveling please check for COVID-19 updates here.

Ease of Entry: Since September 15, international travelers no longer need to provide a negative PCR or COVID-19 test upon arrival.
FREE Health Coverage Plan: Dominican Republic is the only country in the Caribbean providing free health coverage for visitors related to COVID-19 for all international tourists arriving on commercial flights and staying at a hotel. The coverage includes medical attention by specialists, medical transfers, transfer of a relative, penalty for airfare changes, lodging for prolonged stays, and more. This insurance will be provided at no cost to visitors arriving on or before March 31, 2021 and will be 100% paid for by the Dominican government.
Free Antigen Testing: As of January 26, 2021, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism began offering free viral antigen testing to all international visitors staying at a hotel. Tests must be administered within 72 hours prior to departure and present proof of a negative PCR or viral COVID-19 test.
Safety Upon Arrival: Guests will be subject to mandatory temperature checks, social distancing, and mask ordinances in and around airports, hotels, and public spaces. Travelers will be required to submit a mandatory Traveler’s Health Affidavit.
Sanitary Bubble: The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism (MITUR), in collaboration with the National Association of Hotels and Tourism (ASONAHORES) created a unique sanitary bubble strategy that significantly reduces the risk of virus transmission between guests and hotel staff. Within each bubble, teams of hotel employees work for two weeks straight, staying in a designated and segmented area of the hotel. Prior to the start of their shift, employees must present a negative COVID-19 test.

SAFETY PROTOCOLS AT HOTEL

All staff is required to wear masks at all times
Temperature checks and hand sanitizer in each area before guests enter
When checking in, the doors have stickers letting you know that the room has been sanitized and cleaned
Lower occupancy
An abundance of outdoor space for social distancing and only outdoor activities
QR codes for menus
Free antigen tests provided by the government for guests within 72 hours of departure flight

HOW TO GET THERE

There are direct flights from New York to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). The flight is 4 hours and if you arrive at the airport early when departing home I suggest visiting the VIP lounge. It’s the only airport in the Caribbean with a pool.

DAY 1: PUNTA CANA

WHERE TO STAY: Club Med Punta Cana is an all-inclusive resort that features premium services and experiences. Along with the long stretch of beach access, Club Med’s property includes 3 pools, an adult-exclusive zone, a spa club, a center for circus art, and a wide variety of restaurants. We stayed at the Zen Oasis Suite!

Spend the day exploring and relaxing at the hotel. All Club Med properties have water activities, special experiences such as sunset picnics, and daily entertainment including, Creactive by Cirque Du Soleil.

DAY 2: SCAPE PARK

Explore Punta Cana village: Walk around the village, take photos of the mural and have lunch at La Casita de Yeya. The food is local and delicious! What to order: Coconut shrimp with fried plantain, fish, and flan!

Scape Park: If you like an adventure, I would highly recommend visiting Scape Park. They offer a variety of experiences curated to satisfy adrenaline junkies to smooth and cultural explorers. The park has zip-lining, ancient caves, underground caves, and hammocks! Tickets are $129 for adults and $69 for children.

DAY 3: MICHES

WHERE TO STAY: Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda is the first and only resort in the region. It is about 1.5 hrs drive from Punta Cana by car and is an environmentally friendly all-inclusive resort. The resort is an exclusive collection meaning they provide 5-star experiences for their rooms, experience, and food quality. This hidden gem is created with four boutique villages providing guests with a unique experience in each environment. Archipelago, Caribbean Paradise, Emerald Jungle, Explorer Cave each offer different activities and accommodations to cater to each individual guest. We stayed in the Archipelago rooms and it was amazing!

Check into the hotel, relax and explore the hotel! Go to Coco Plum for lunch and get the tacos! Don’t leave the property without trying Coal & Copper Steakhouse. It’s hands down my favorite meal of the entire week!

DAY 4: MONTANA REDONDA

Montana Redonda: Located at the top of the mountain, this breathtaking hilltop offers 360-degree views of the ocean and mountains. The view is incredible with multiple swings, hammocks, and lots of open space for social distancing. Keep in mind, you have to park your car at the bottom of the mountain and take a shuttle to the top.

Sunset Cruise: Book a sunset cruise and get out and explore the ocean! The water is incredibly clear and blue. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side and we didn’t get the best sunset but we still had a great time!

DAY 5: MICHES

Miches Town: We did not get a chance to explore the town but if you do New York Times named the town of Miches the most photogenic town you’ve never heard of in 2017! Miches is an up-and-coming area in Dominican Republic with lots of hidden gems.

End the trip with a sunset picnic on the property at Club Med Miches Playa Esmeralda.

Thank you Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism for an incredible week exploring Punta Cana and Miches! I had a great experience and felt safe throughout my trip. If you’re looking to explore the Northern Coast of Dominican Republic make sure to read my other blog posts!