Top locations to visit in Punta Cana today? Altos de Chavón is a replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village, located on a rocky outcrop above the Chavón River in La Romana, Dominican Republic. It was designed by Jose Antonio Caro, a Dominican architect, and Roberto Coppa, an Italian designer and cinematographer. Local artisans handcrafted every detail in this marvelous village. Altos de Chavón is one of the most popular attractions in the city, and it features facilities such as an archeological museum, a cultural center, and an amphitheater. It’s also home to the renowned Altos de Chavón School of Design, affiliated with the famous Parsons School of Design from New York.
Redesigned and remodeled by architect P.B. Dye in 2010, this par-72 course is one of the most popular spots to tee off in Punta Cana. Recent golfers said the only real downside to Barceló Bávaro’s 18 holes is that they aren’t situated near the ocean. Travelers say that compared to the other golf courses located in Punta Cana, a round at “The Lakes” is quite a deal, adding that the course is in great condition. Some also recommend bringing extra balls since water is a major feature of the course.
You can’t only learn about the culture and the people when going on an excursion, you can also learn about the unique nature of the Dominican Republic, such as the impressive humpback whales. These huge mammals are visiting the Bay of Samaná north of Punta Cana each year between January and March, which turns this area into the most popular whale-watching spot in the entire Caribbean. Sounds like a cool thing to do in Punta Cana, right? Whale watching excursions from Punta Cana are usually starting every day during whale watching season, which lasts from mid of January to mid/end of March more or less. You can see the huge humpback whales pretty close while on the boat. With a bit of luck, those huge mammals, weighing up to 30 tons, are even swimming right next to you. If this sounds like something exciting for you, continue reading this extensive whale watching guide for Punta Cana here. Find even more information at Awesome places to visit in Punta Cana.
Most travelers don’t expect to see a replica of a 16th-century Italian village during their trip to the Dominican Republic, but that’s what makes Altos de Chavón all the more surprising and unique. The meticulously designed attraction sits on the southern coast of the island, and it first opened to the public in 1982. Art galleries, boutique stores and restaurants line the village’s picturesque cobblestone streets. There is even a 5,000-seat amphitheater in the village center that features views of the Chavón River and the Caribbean Sea. The amphitheater has played host to numerous notable musicians and other performers, including Frank Sinatra, Elton John and Sting. The Archaeological Regional Museum is also a top attraction within the village, where visitors can learn about the island’s indigenous people and admire more than 3,000 artifacts. Not to mention, the St. Stanislaus Church offers breathtaking sea views, making it a popular wedding venue.
Manati Park, founded in 1996, was the very first theme park in the Dominican Republic. It’s a place where visitors can enjoy five amazing shows and discover more than 150 species of animals, including sea lions, manta rays, horses, and parrots. Through several education and investigation projects, Manati Park aims to preserve nature and all of the species in the park. Another fun activity to try is swimming with dolphins in the Dolphin Island Park. Some lucky visitors might even steal a kiss from one of the dolphins. There are food and beverage facilities in Manati Park as well as two beautiful natural wells in which visitors can enjoy a relaxing soak. See additional information at Taylan Evrenler.
