Check out this complete guide to Punta Cana in January, with important information on the weather, temperature, shopping, what to do there and even events and holidays.
Weather and temperature in Punta Cana in January
The first point we want to cover here in this complete guide to Punta Cana in January is the climate and temperature. In January, you’ll find lows of around 22 degrees Celsius and highs of 28 degrees Celsius. In other words, you’ll find mild and pleasant temperatures. As for the weather, know that this month is very dry, with little chance of rain. In other words, this is a very interesting time to go to Punta Cana.
It’s worth noting that January in Punta Cana is the high season there. So, if you want to travel at this time of year, you’ll have to budget more for things like airline tickets, accommodation and tours. In addition to the increase in prices, be aware that high season is also the time when the flow of tourists increases, so you’ll have to be patient with the queues and crowds in the establishments.
One way to make the most of Punta Cana in January, even in high season, is to follow a few tips:
- Plan at least 6 months in advance, to find more attractive prices on travel items.
- Try to buy your tickets for tours and excursions as soon as possible online. In fact, go here and secure yours now.
- Get organized by planning your itinerary, establishing what you’ll be doing each day and optimizing your time to make the most of it.
Important tip: Punta Cana is a region with many tourist attractions, such as day trips and tours. That’s why our tip is to always buy your tickets in advance. We buy everything on this website that has the best price.
Shopping in Punta Cana in January
As January is high season in Punta Cana, it ends up being a period of fewer promotions and discounts. So it’s not a time when you’ll be able to buy a lot and spend little.
If you want to find better values on certain products and/or merchandise, we recommend you go to places like Plaza Bibijagua Shopping Center and San Juan Shopping Center. They are particularly good for shopping for souvenirs.
Tips on what to do in Punta Cana in January
There are many incredible things to do in Punta Cana, especially in January, when temperatures are warm and pleasant and rainfall is low. But there are 5 attractions that we consider to be indispensable:
1) Punta Cana’s beaches
The first attraction that almost every tourist who goes to Punta Cana wants to see is the beaches. This is because the beaches in this destination are completely indescribably beautiful.
With their white sand, turquoise sea water and enveloping atmosphere, they enchant everyone who goes there. What’s more, the souvenir photos you take of these places are stunning. It’s definitely an attraction that needs to be on several days of your trip.
Some of the best beaches in Punta Cana are:
- Cabeza de Toro Beach: shaped like a bull’s head, hence its name. In addition, this is a beach with a pool-style sea, which is that calmer sea without waves that many people love. In terms of attractions, it is possible to go snorkeling here and enjoy the rich marine diversity that the area is home to.
- Bávaro Beach: considered to be one of the best beaches in the city, it has an impeccable infrastructure with many restaurants, bars and hotels. If you’re wondering about the beach itself, know that the sea water is transparent and perfect for lots of beautiful souvenir photos.
- Arena Gorda Beach: you know that beach in Punta Cana that has all the most luxurious resorts and hotels? We’re talking about Arena Gorda. If you want to stay on the beach and enjoy the hotel, we highly recommend this area. The cool thing is that even though Arena Gorda beach has some very sophisticated hotels, it also has some more affordable ones, which makes the whole area very alternative – in other words, attractive to different types of public.
- Macao Beach: this is the dream beach for surf lovers. With its perfect waves, it has a unique look that makes visitors want to visit it even just to take a few photos to remember the trip.
- El Cortecito Beach: apart from the beach itself and the hotels, did you know that El Cortecito has a great shopping area? That’s right. This beach is surrounded by several stores, perfect for those who want to come back with some souvenirs from their trip or any other new merchandise in their suitcase. As for the sea, it’s clean and very pleasant too.
2) Swimming with the dolphins in Punta Cana
One of Punta Cana’s “trademark” attractions is swimming with dolphins. After all, who hasn’t seen photos of people giving these marine animals delicious kisses there? It’s so cute. The park that offers this attraction in this city is called Dolphin Explorer.
Throughout the tour you’ll be able to enter a kind of marine tank, learn about the anatomy and habits of dolphins, play with them and cuddle them and, of course, take lots of photos and videos as souvenirs.
Important tip: to make the most of your trip to Punta Cana, staying in the best areas is essential. So, if you want, check out our article explaining the main areas and how you can save a lot on accommodation.
3) La Hacienda Park in Punta Cana
For park lovers, one of the must-see attractions in Punta Cana is La Hacienda Park. Set amidst lush vegetation, this park is full of activities to keep visitors entertained. There, you can expect to enjoy: hiking trails, buggy rides, cable cars, safaris, a free fall and a zipline. We’re sure that a whole day at La Hacienda Park will be full of adventure and adrenaline.
4) Scape Park in Punta Cana
After La Hacienda Park, we have another park for you to enjoy in Punta Cana. We’re talking about Scape Park. Here you’ll find zip lines, diving, mysterious caves, waterfalls and various activities involving nature. It’s a delight.
And, the Hoyo Azul cenote (the cenote itself is at the foot of a 75-meter cliff) is located within the Scape Park. In other words, you can enjoy both attractions in one place. This is certainly one of our top tips for attractions to make the most of Punta Cana.
5) Isla Saona near Punta Cana
To continue with these tips on what to do in Punta Cana in January, don’t forget to include Isla Saona in your itinerary. The tour from Punta Cana is made by car, transfer or agency to the first stop, in Bahayibe. Then it’s by boat/lancha, finally arriving on the island.
Along the way, it is possible for the boat to stop for a dip in the natural pools, which is great for getting a feel for the paradisiacal atmosphere of the region and for taking lots of photos to record the tour. We’re sure you won’t regret your trip to this unforgettable island.
Events and holidays in Punta Cana in January
To finish off this complete guide to Punta Cana in January, let’s look at events and holidays. There are 3 important holidays to put in your diary:
01/01: New Year (Año Nuevo).
06/01: Three Kings Day (Día de los Santos Reyes).
21/01: Our Lady of Altagracia (Día de la Altagracia).
29/01: Duarte’s Day (Día de Duarte).
Save money on your trip to Punta Cana:
Tickets: find out where to buy your Punta Cana tickets in the cheapest and safest way. You can save up to 40%!
Car: if you are thinking about renting one this is the best website. It compares the price at all rental companies and finds unbeatable prices. You can save up to 30%!
Mobile chip: we always use this chip. It’s electronic (eSIM), you install it instantly and you can use your cell phone’s Internet anywhere in the world.
Travel insurance: medical care in another country is very expensive and it is extremely important to take out travel insurance for any trip abroad. This is the website we always take out our insurance on. Reliable and at a good price.
Transfer: do you need one from the airport to the hotel? Find out here how to book and for the lowest price!
