Beach at the Paradisus Cancun/zzdtravel

If there was a popularity contest for sunny vacation spots offering a seemingly endless number of all-inclusive resorts to choose from, Cancun in Mexico and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic would undoubtedly fall at the top of the list. Straddling either side of Cuba -- about 1,200 miles apart -- both of these destinations boast gorgeous white-sand beaches, year-round tropical weather, and many of the same hotel chain brands. But with so many similarities, how do they compare to one another? We’ve matched these major tourist players off in a handful of categories, starting with how to get there from the airport. Check out our head-to-head and discover which makes for a better vacation spot for you.

Traveling to Punta Cana and Cancun

Aerial Photography at the Majestic Elegance Punta Cana/zzdtravel

Cancun is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, facing the Caribbean Sea, so its geographical position makes it an easy jaunt for those who live in the Midwest and East Coast of the U.S. Many airlines like Delta, JetBlue, Air Transat, Frontier, and American Airlines also make non-stop flights — especially during spring break season. Those arriving from Canada and the U.S. need to present a current passport plus a visitor’s permit known as the FMM, provided at the point of entry. No visa is necessary, but it’s best to check the government website for any updates before booking a trip. The Hotel Zone is about a 20-minute drive from the airport and can be reached by bus, a shared shuttle that makes stops between resorts (expect to pay a small price), or a private taxi that can cost between $50 and $60. As for getting around, the local bus system is perfect for adventurous types, but some choose to rent a car so they can have the freedom to explore. Plus, English-speaking visitors will be pleased to find that they can get by with limited Spanish, as Cancun locals are used to meeting travelers from their northern neighbors.

Punta Cana is located on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic, along the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. On the whole, flight prices from the U.S. and Canada tend to be a bit more expensive than to Cancun. Keep in mind that Punta Cana International Airport was the first privately-owned international airport in the world (owned by Frank Rainieri), and it receives about six million arrivals per year. At the customs and immigration desk, each visitor will receive a 30-day tourist card in exchange for $10 USD. That being said, remember to have cash on arrival. Some resorts within Puntacana Village, like the Four Points by Sheraton, offer free shuttle service and are close to the airport. Others are a private taxi ride away. And some, like Excellence Punta Cana, take nearly an hour to reach from the airport and can cost upwards of $70. Shared shuttle services are also provided, but folks may encounter language barriers while arranging these on the spot if it’s not part of a tour package.

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Four Points by Sheraton Puntacana Village

Excellence Punta Cana

Beaches in Cancun and Punta Cana

Beach at the Paradisus Cancun/zzdtravel

When it comes to beaches and scenery, both locations will not disappoint. Situated at Yucatan’s corner where the Caribbean Sea meets the Gulf of Mexico, Cancun boasts warm, clear, turquoise water — the kind that people tend to fantasize about when planning a tropical vacation. The Hotel Zone’s coastline offers plenty of white sand and pleasant water, allowing for water sports, sunbathing, swimming, and long walks along the shore. The sand will likely also be maintained (i.e. free of seaweed), and you’ll probably be close to a bar and bathroom. The best snorkeling in the Hotel Zone can be found towards the southern end. Rowdy groups of spring breakers tend to stick to the pools (and the pool bars).

Much like Cancun, Punta Cana, which is filled with white sand, coconut palms, crystal-clear waters, and lush coral reefs, offers ample opportunities to kayak, windsurf, snorkel, and enjoy other non-motorized sports, depending on the all-inclusive resort. If seaweed debris accumulates overnight, many resorts also have rakers clear it up in the morning to maintain the pristine setting. However, the coastline does vary depending on the location — some areas of sea are more choppy than others, and some resorts have a more narrow strip of sand that can feel crowded as a result. These latter resorts also tend to have a morning rush for reserving one of the slightly dilapidated plastic chairs. Other properties, like Iberostar Grand Bavaro Hotel, have large, secluded swaths of crowd-free sand dotted with shaded palapas. Packed with sun-seekers, partiers, and the like, Bavaro Beach is the most famed of the Punta Cana area beaches. Soft white sand, towering palm trees, and endless ocean vistas all clamor for attention, though keep in mind that the surf here is rougher than you’ll find on the D.R.’s Caribbean side.

Culture and Activities in Cancun and Punta Cana

Cozumel, Mexico; Caleb George/Unsplash

Cancun, which was part of the ancient Mayan civilization, is considered the gateway to El Mundo Maya (the Mayan World), so there are plenty of day-trip options that can be arranged with tour groups. Popular day trips include Isla Mujeres (located eight miles off the coast), Cozumel (a one-hour drive plus a ferry ride away), and the sacred Chichen Itza (situated two hours west). There’s also a small set of Mayan buildings in downtown Cancun. Cancun also has much better shopping options with upscale malls like La Isla and Luxury Avenue. Two hours south of Cancun is the trendy Tulum, where centuries-old temples are built right along the shore. The Caribbean Sea offers coral reefs for snorkeling and scuba diving, including the island of Cozumel, and Cenotes, a big sinkhole filled with freshwater and fish. Kids can play with spider monkeys at The Jungle Place sanctuary. For more inspiration on what to do in and around the area, check out our stories on the best excursions in Cancun as well as the most unexpected day trips from Cancun.

Punta Cana doesn’t have a historic town center or ancient ruins, so for the most part, visitors choose to stay at their resort. Many are here to take advantage of the beaches, spas, water sports, and alcohol, and are perfectly content not leaving the property. Those who are itching to break free can head out on a Santo Domingo sightseeing tour, sign up for a surfing lesson, take a catamaran cruise to Saona Island, or arrange horseback riding, zip-lining, and snorkeling tours. For more ideas on what to do in and around the area, check out our story on the best excursions in Punta Cana.

Dining and Nightlife in Cancun and Punta Cana

Amaya at Zoetry Agua Punta Cana/zzdtravel

Cancun and Punta Cana both largely consist of all-inclusive environments. In Cancun, many all-inclusive resorts include breakfast and lunch buffets, so most local restaurants serve lunch starting around 2 p.m. and keep their doors open until midnight for dinner. For those who like to venture out, several types of cuisine can be found in and around the Hotel Zone, but there are only a few oceanfront restaurants. Instead, those who want their meals with a side of a stunning view can dine at the waterfront restaurants facing Nichupte Lagoon, which also serves up beautiful sunsets. Downtown Cancun is a taxi ride away and presents a range of Mexican restaurants, fresh seafood, and international cuisine types. And when it comes to the nightlife, many might picture folks chugging beers, foam parties, and wet t-shirt contests — after all, this is and has been a popular spring break destination. If the thought of this makes you cringe, perhaps it’s wise to skip visiting the destination during March and April. The party hot spots do get steady crowds all year along, though, pulling in ages from 18 (legal drinking age in Mexico) to mid-50s and up. Plus, nightclubs tend to sell open-bar bracelets, which allow you to pay one price to enter and drink all night; bottle service is also sometimes encouraged. Cancun also offers bar hopping tours, which hit several nightclubs in one night. For a full list of the best nightlife venues, check out our story on the best clubs and bars in Cancun, in which we highlight spots like Coco Bongo, Mandala, Senor Frogs, and much more.

As previously mentioned, Punta Cana is a destination where most visitors will stay at their all-inclusive resort — and that goes for all meals, too. Many resorts here offer several different buffet options for breakfast and lunch, and several a la carte options for dinner (reservations are typically required through guest services). Keep in mind that food and drink quality does vary, though, so check out our thorough hotel reviews before booking. High-quality resorts like Paradisus Punta Cana offer extensive international buffet spreads and are likely to impress even the most discerning all-inclusive resort-goers. Some a la carte restaurants, like the one at Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort, may have a dress code. The romantic Passion restaurant here also boasts a menu designed by a celebrity chef from Spain. Some resorts even offer an upgraded VIP option with more choices. As for nightlife, pre- and post-dinner cocktails can be enjoyed at bars sprinkled around the resort. Entertainment in the form of music and dance occurs nightly (think lip-synched Michael Jackson performances). Late-night discos, like the one at Occidental Caribe, are also common.

Hotels in this story

Price Dates

Paradisus Punta Cana Resort

Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort

Safety in Punta Cana and Cancun

Aerial Photography at the Hotel Riu Palace Punta Cana/zzdtravel

Is Cancun safe? Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, has a Level 2 warning from the U.S. Department of State. This means travelers should exercise increased caution. The warning states that “While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations and turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens.” (To put things in perspective, other countries with a Level 2 warning include Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.) That being said, as long as tourists stick to popular areas and keep their wits about them, as with any location, Cancun feels extremely safe.

Much like Cancun, the Dominican Republic as a whole also has a Level 2 warning from the U.S. State Department. The website states: “Crime is a threat throughout the Dominican Republic though tourist destinations are generally more heavily policed and safer than other metropolitan areas.” For more information, check out our story on safety in the Dominican Republic.

History and Hotels in Cancun and Punta Cana

Grounds at the Tortuga Bay Hotel Puntacana Resort & Club/zzdtravel

Cancun’s growth began to explode in the late 1960s when the Mexican government realized the city’s potential and revealed its plans for tourism development. The Hotel Zone (with over 100 hotels, it’s where most people stay) is a lengthy 14-mile strip of sand shaped like the number seven. It features a lagoon on one side and the sea on the other. Prices here tend to be mid-range, though you won’t be hard-pressed to find everything from cheap hostels, like the Hostal Mayapan, to pricey luxury resorts, like Le Blanc Spa Resort.

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Hostal Mayapan

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun

Punta Cana was nothing more than a few sparsely populated fishing villages (and without any access to roads) until five American investors saw its potential and purchased the 30-square-mile land in 1969. They partnered with a local businessman, Frank Rainieri, and traveled to France to woo Club Med into opening Punta Cana’s first resort in 1978. The international airport opened in 1984 and since then, Punta Cana has introduced more than 100 all-inclusive resorts. The Grand Palladium, for example, is just one of four resorts inside a 2,000-plus-room mega-resort complex. It’s spacious, but there’s a shuttle bus that connects all the properties. Resort prices here also tend to be cheaper than in Cancun. Plus, the properties attract more diversity from charter tour groups coming from Canada, Russia, Italy, France, Germany, and Scandinavia. This gives Punta Cana an international vibe unlike Cancun, which can feel more American. Those seeking a more intimate boutique property can stay at Tortuga Bay, a 30-room hotel that was designed by Oscar de la Renta and offers amazing service, including preferential treatment at the Punta Cana International Airport.

Our Top Pick for a Cancun Hotel: Le Blanc Spa Resort

Le Blanc Spa Resort Cancun/zzdtravel

The luxurious, 260-room Le Blanc Spa Resort is the best (and priciest) adult-only all-inclusive in town. It stands out for its gorgeous white-sand beach in the heart of the Hotel Zone, decadent spa (guests get free access to the hydrotherapy area), stunning pools (two with swim-up bars), and especially its pampering service, from the butlers who will unpack your clothes to the pool attendants who will provide cool towels for your eyes. It has a hip, gorgeous aesthetic throughout the entire pristine white property, and the modern, bright rooms have two-person whirlpool tubs; most have either ocean or lagoon views

Our Top Pick for a Punta Cana Hotel:

The Pool at the Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa/zzdtravel

The oldest of the four resorts that make up the 2,000-plus-room Grand Palladium mega-resort in Bavaro, the upscale, 537-room Palladium Punta Cana is also the most affordable, attracting an active and party-friendly crowd of younger, mostly North American adults. Every room has a big jetted tub, and the main draws are the clean white-sand beach, access to four free-form pools, and eight reservation-free restaurants.

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