Embedded Files
Fun facts about Punta Cana were included in each of the monthly updates emailed to registered FunFest travelers. All of those fun facts are consolidated here for your enjoyment.
5 Fun Facts From The April Trip Update:
Punta Cana isn’t what a lot of people think it is.
Most people assume that Punta Cana is part of one island called the Dominican Republic – but this is false! Punta Cana is part of La Hispaniola, which is a big island that the Dominican Republic and Haiti share. It’s on the eastern coast of La Hispaniola, and it’s a wide area that covers many beaches and little towns. You’ll often hear them all described as just “Punta Cana”, but know it’s a lot of ground to cover!Punta Cana has many beaches (I know I just said that).
You’ve probably heard of Macao Beach and Bavaro Beach – they’re gorgeous! Our resort, the TRS Turquesa, is located on Bavaro Beach. Additionally, Punta Cana has other beaches that you won't regret visiting. If you’re looking for something different, give them a shot! Apart from the two most popular ones, you’ll find Uvero Alto, Arena Gorda, and Cabeza de Toro to name a few. Take your pick!There is a mineral exclusive to the Dominican Republic you can't find anywhere else!
Larimar is a gorgeous and quite unique stone that has only been found in the Dominican Republic. It’s very impressive with a color similar to turquoise. Many local businesses embrace the uniqueness of Larimar and name their businesses after it or sell jewelry made with it. So expect to be bombarded with its beauty as soon as you step off the plane!Almost everyone speaks English.
The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish, but because of Punta Cana's popularity you’ll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t speak English. The staff at the resort, restaurant waiters, bartenders, and even bystanders will be able to hold a conversation with you in English and sometimes other languages. So you shouldn’t have any issues fitting in. Note, there's enough time to get your Spanish language lessons using Duolingo!Punta Cana is tailor made as a tourist destination so nice, they named it twice!
This is one of my favorite fun facts about Punta Cana. Punta Cana as it is now didn’t exist until a number of years ago, when the Dominican Republic put a special focus on tourism. However, the location's original name translated to Drunkard’s Point. I guess they decided that wasn't such a good name for the kind of tourism they wanted! So they changed it to Punta Cana, which means Silver Point. It’s likely a reference to the white sand on their beaches.
5 More Fun Facts From The May Trip Update:
Roughly 40% of paid baseball players in the US are Dominican.
The Dominican Republic is about as obsessed with Baseball as the US. Maybe even more. This Baseball obsession has some negatives though. Sadly, many young boys drop out of school to pursue baseball. They see it as their only path out of poverty, and unfortunately, there are people that take advantage of that. There are now charity programs that help students learn baseball and give them the support they need to stay in school at the same time. As evidenced by the sheer number of Dominicans playing in the US, for those that have the guidance, there’s a pretty high success rate.Punta Cana shares its time zone with New York during the Summer.
Weird, right? When you think about tropical paradises you imagine them being so far away that your schedule will de-synch, but it’s much closer than you’d expect. With UTC-4, Punta Cana has the same time zone as the east coast of the US.Punta Cana's beaches are picture perfect. Literally.
Have you ever seen a poster of a tropical paradise, or the ideal beach? Chances are you have, and that means you’ve already seen Punta Cana! It’s very often photographed to sell the idea of a perfect beach to others, and when you see pictures of their landscapes you will probably think it’s too stereotypical to be real. But no, the stereotype was born here! Saona Island is the one that gets photographed this way the most.The island of La Hispaniola has a number of important ecological reserves.
There are several important places in the Dominican Republic that are dedicated to protecting the ecosystem. One such place is Lago Enriquillo. It can be found at the border with Haiti, and is a saltwater lake that serves as a reserve for crocodiles. Another is the Reserva Ecológica Ojos Indígenas. This ecological reserve is a rainforest with twelve freshwater lagoons, five of which visitors can swim in. Also, on the island's east coast, Punta Cana in particular is surrounded by coral reefs, which are guarded and surveilled very closely.In Punta Cana the food is as diverse as the people.
You won’t have any issues finding the kind of food that you’re used to. After all, we are at a luxury all-inclusive that caters to US tastes. But if you feel like trying something different you’ll have many options! Many local traditional ingredients from Latin American cuisine are present, like rice and beans, AND there’s an African twist that will shake things up for you. Do some exploration ahead of time of the different dining options available at the TRS Turquesa and prepare to experience new flavors. Click HERE to check out the resort's many restaurants.
5 New Fun Facts From The July Trip Update:
The Punta Cana Airport is the only privately owned international airport in the Western Hemisphere.
It is the world’s first and most successful, privately built, owned, and managed international airport. With service to 90 airports in 26 countries, it has three terminals: Terminal A for international flights, the FBO Terminal for domestic flights and private jets, and Terminal B, which opened in 2009.Punta Cana is a Golfer’s Paradise.
It has become one of the premier golf destinations in the Caribbean, voted for two consecutive years in a row as the “Best Golf Destination of the Caribbean and Latin America” by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.It will still be summer in Punta Cana when we get there!
Punta Cana is known for being one of the best climates in the world. It only rains heavily between 6 and 11 days during the year. Its unique location makes for an extended summer that runs from May to October. Punta Cana's geography also protects the area from Atlantic hurricanes and storms.The Dominican Republic is home to both the highest peak and the lowest point in the entire Caribbean!
Pico Duarte, located in the central mountain region of the Dominican Republic, is the highest mountain in the entire Caribbean at over 10,000 feet! Also, Lago Enriquillo, located near the border with Haiti, is the lowest point in the Caribbean at 135 feet below sea level.The longest game of baseball ever played in the Dominican Republic took 2 days.
On January 13, 1981, the Tigres del Licey and the Estrellas Orientales got involved in a 22-inning marathon, which began on January 12th and ended on the 13th. Estrellas Orientales won that match by a score of 4-3 at the Quisqueya Stadium.
Final 5 Fun Facts From The September Trip Update:
General Information.
The country’s currency is the Dominican peso – DOP or RD$ (currently trading at 56.82 to 1 USD). The national flag of the Dominican Republic depicts a white cross on a blue and red background.A Country Of Firsts.
The first cathedral, first hospital, and first university in the Americas were founded in what is now the capital city, Santo Domingo.Humpers say, “Heave… Ho!!!”
The Dominican Republic is a popular whale-watching destination during the months of February and March when humpback whales from the North Atlantic Ocean migrate to the humpback whale sanctuary in Samana Bay for their mating season.In Addition To Tourism...
The Dominican Republic is well known as a producer of bananas, mangos, sugar, coffee, cocoa, and tobacco. Dominican rum and cigars are highly rated by connoisseurs all over the world.So You Think You Can Dance?
The Dominican Republic is also the birthplace of the Bachata dance and musical genre. Bachata music represents the cultural diversity of the Dominican population. It consists of European (mainly Spanish music), indigenous Taino and African musical elements. This dance and musical style was popularized by important Latin American musicians like Juan Luis Guerra, exposing the importance that music has on the island.
Google Sites
Report abuse