Exquisite fine white sand beaches stretching into the distance, lush tropical rain forests, and spectacularly beautiful mountains jutting toward the sky:  this is Punta Cana, the Dominican Republic’s foremost resort area.  Punta Cana is synonymous with championship golf, world-class casinos, exciting nightlife, and elegant spas. 

40 miles of unspoiled beach line the coast.  Visitors revel in tropical warmth year round as they enjoy the finest accommodations at spectacular,  all-inclusive resorts offering value-added vacations at an affordable price.  Punta Cana is a traveler’s dream.

The origin of the Punta Cana resort complexes can be traced back some 15 years to the time when a dawning realization by investors from Spain and other parts of Europe occurred.  The idea came to them that the many acres planted in sugar cane at the tip of the island of the Dominican Republic could be converted into a superb resort area with sun and sandy beaches available year round. 

The resorts come complete with the most lavish beach and pool facilities in the Caribbean, spectacular gardens, and relatively new concepts in architecture, focusing on postmodern interplays between indoor and outdoor spaces.  There is no town, though the resorts use tiny, nondescript Higüey (Ee-Gway), 40 minutes away, as a mailing address.  Don’t expect native culture and crafts exhibited along dusty streets in quaint villages.  Look rather,  for large, all-inclusive resort properties  that are self-contained to meet the visitor’s every need for rest, recreation, and relaxation.

This area is made up almost completely of large all-inclusive resorts populated by couples or by families. Some resorts in the area cater to sports-minded people. Most of the resorts focus on family entertainment. The exception is at spring break time when groups of university students fly down from Canada and the US. The hotels preferred by spring breakers are the larger complexes, where nighttime entertainment is the liveliest.

Besides historical sites, rugged mountains, and beautiful beaches, Punta Cana has a wider range of sports than any other Caribbean Island. Fishing, wind sailing, parasailing, snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, horseback riding, and golf are a few of the many offerings.

Population:  2.5 million
Time Zone:  Eastern Standard Time
Language:  English
Government:  Independent.  Member of the British Commonwealth of Nations

Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean archipelago are part of a mountain range, which in prehistoric times probably formed a land bridge between what is now Mexico and Venezuela. The island is about the size of Connecticut.

Average Temperatures:

When to Visit: 

The weather is perfect all year, and Jamaica is more and more a year-round destination. There is, however, a high season running roughly from mid-December through mid-April. Hotels charge their highest prices during this peak winter period, when visitors fleeing cold north winds crowd the island.

Reservations should be made 2 to 3 months in advance for trips during the winter. At some hotels and resorts it is necessary to book a year ahead for Christmas holidays or February.

The Hurricane Season:
The hurricane season, officially lasts from June 1 to November, but satellite weather forecasts generally give adequate warning  several days in advance so that precautions can be taken.

National Holidays:
New Year's Day Jan.1, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, National Labour Day (late  May), Independence Day (a Monday in early August), National Heroes Day (3^rd Monday in October), Christmas Day and Boxing Day Dec. 25 and 26.

A Word of Caution:
Travelers to Jamaica should be aware that despite the widespread presence of ganja or marijuana, its use is illegal in Jamaica.

Arriving:
There are two international airports on Jamaica: Donald Sangster in Montego Bay (tel. 876/952-3124) and Norman Manley in Kingston (tel. 876/924-8452)
The most popular flights are from New York and Miami. Remember to reconfirm all flights no later than 72 hours before departure.

Cruise Ships
Most cruise ships heading for Jamaica travel at night, arriving the next morning at the day's port of call, perhaps Montego Bay or Ocho Rios. In port, passengers can go ashore for sightseeing, shopping, and a local meal. Prices vary widely.

Currency:
Jamaica has its own dollar, which is far less valuable than the U.S. dollar. In all monetary exchanges, determine which dollar unit is being quoted in the price, Jamaican or US.

All the major resorts and first-class restaurants quote prices in U.S. dollars, so many visitors can go through their entire trip without converting their currency into Jamaican dollars. Its still a good idea to carry some Jamaican dollars:

If you have Jamaican dollars left over at the end of your trip, you'll need to show exchange receipts from a bank or other official bureau for the local dollars you purchased. This is a rather cumbersome process. Exchange only the amount of Jamaican money you think you'll actually need.

Getting Around
Jamaica is a large island without a highly developed public transportation system.  If you plan to stay in the general area of your hotel or resort, a car is not necessary.  If you plan to explore the island, a rental car is a wise choice.  Rental rates are high.  Be sure to deal only with agencies whose names are known in the US.  Rentals are available at both airports.

Taxis
can be flagged down on the street or summoned by phone. Rates are per car-not per passenger-and 25% is added to the metered rate between midnight and 5am.  JUTA cabs are supposed to have meters, but most of them are not in working order.

Agree on the price of the trip before booking. Cab fares should be posted inside the taxi; if you don't see them, you have the right to request a copy from the driver. A 10% to 12% tip is usually added.  Avoid pirate or unlicensed taxis. Not only are they not metered-they are illegal and rarely carry insurance.