Punta Cana Among Top Destinations Americans Want To Visit This Winter, According To Tripadvisor

Last Updated 1 year ago

Punta Cana has been ranked among the top destinations for Americans this winter in a new travel trends analysis by the online review platform Tripadvisor. The findings come as the Dominican Republic sees a resurgence in its international popularity, welcoming millions of sun-seeking travelers and breaking records for international arrivals.

After years of COVID-induced travel mayhem, Americans are once again taking off and flocking to their favorite destinations across the globe. And many are opting for Caribbean destinations this winter, including the Dominican Republic and especially Punta Cana. According to a recent report by online travel giant Tripadvisor, Punta Cana ranks among the top winter destinations for Americans this winter.

Adorned with miles-long white-sand beaches and tropical palm trees, many find it hard to resist Punta Cana’s Caribbean appeal. The destination is also close to many large urban U.S hubs such as Miami and Atlanta, and its airport is one of the best connected in the region.

According to Tripadvisor, Punta Cana is the second-most sought-after Caribbean destination for Americans after Cancun. Impressively, Punta Cana managed to beat heavyweights such as Playa del Carmen and Puerto Vallarta, a sign that the destination may soon rise to the podium as one of the top overall destinations.

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The Caribbean location has become synonymous with luxurious all-inclusive resorts, although travelers can find a range of affordable options as well. Punta Cana is also one of the most versatile destinations in the Caribbean, offering stunning natural attractions, including Bávaro beach – one of the top-rated worldwide – as well as cultural and historical attractions.

Travelers can also find plenty of entertainment options in the area, including Katmandu Park, the Caribbean’s first major theme park. Slated to open this December, the 4.2-acre amusement park is expected to further boost Punta Cana’s popularity among families.

Punta Cana Theme Park — Image Courtesy Of: Katmandu Parks

Recently published statistics by the country’s tourism authorities also point to record growth and international arrivals. The Dominican Republic has reported back-to-back record-shattering tourism figures for several months this year already. Overall, travel to the country is up nearly 30% compared to 2019, and analysts expect the trend to continue well into the season.

After several years of canceled travel plans, Americans are eager to once again be ready to set off and spend some time under the tropical sun. Coinciding with a general trend in international travel, Americans are also choosing to spend more days at their favorite destinations compared to before the pandemic. Rising inflation rates mean travelers are looking for the best deals to cut down on costs, opting for destinations such as Punta Cana, which is closer to the mainland U.S.

With winter fast approaching, hotels and resorts in the Dominican Republic are gearing up for a busy season. Authorities are keen on ensuring smooth sailing across the country’s main airports and ports and have activated special arrivals protocols to manage incoming flights. The country’s largest airport is located in Punta Cana, which welcomes up to 60% of all international arrivals on the tropical island.

Meanwhile, properties across Punta Cana are reporting high occupancy rates throughout the season, with the peak of the winter season expected for mid to late December. Record demand this winter has prompted many North American airlines to launch new flights to the sunny destination, including Frontier and Toronto-based Sunwing Airlines.

In addition to Punta Cana, travelers are also flocking to the likes of Puerto Plata and Samaná, which are also home to some of the country’s top resorts. Visitors are also increasingly visiting Miches, an eco-tourism hotspot west of Punta Cana, where several new resorts have opened recently, and more are expected to do so next year.