Plainly, the beaches of the Punta Cana area of the Dominican Republic are among the most beautiful in the Caribbean. And when you come upon great beaches, great beach bars almost always follow. That’s definitely the case in Punta Cana, which is home to a diverse selection of beach bars, from chic bar-restaurants to rustic watering holes. Here are seven of our favourites.
Jellyfish
The Grand Dame of beach bars on Bavaro Beach, Jellyfish is a multi-level beach club near the Melia Caribe Tropical. It’s a South of France-style beach compound with great seafood to boot. Jellyfish alone is worth the trip to Punta Cana.
Langosta Roja
Just down the beach from Jellyfish, Langosta Roja is all about comfort — with a collection of tables surrounding a small bar. It’s the perfect place to grab a Presidente and watch the waves.
Poseidon Restaurant & Pub
This thatched-roof beach bar adjacent to the Plaza Bibijagua complex specializes in two things: seafood and powerful cocktails, with a range of strong drinks from capirinhas to fruit-based frozen drinks.
Huracan Cafe
Huracan Cafe is more of a beach lounge than a beach bar, with low-slung, comfortable seating and a rustic but modern feel.
Soles Chill Out Bar
It’s hard to argue with the concept of a Chill Out Bar. Soles is a bit of a secret; you have to walk through an indoor shopping mall to get there. And it certainly lives up to its high ambitions. It’s located in the Los Corales section of Punta Cana.
Bamboo Bar
Just a few grains of sand away from Soles is Bamboo Bar, a relatively tiny beach bar specializing in fruit-infused rums.
Capitan Cook
One of the more famous beach bars in the area, Capitan Cook is a combination dive bar-restaurant on a bustling stretch of Playa El Cortecito.
Juanillo
Further south in the Cap Cana area, Juanillo bills itself as the Bohemian corner of the luxurious Cap Cana section of Punta Cana. It’s a laid-back bar that’s also home to rather good food.