Cap Cana: what it is and what to do

What Cap Cana is

It's a private destination of about 2,500 hectares south of the airport, with hotels, villas, a marina, golf courses and beaches. There's a security checkpoint at the entrance, so it feels quieter and more exclusive than Bávaro, with higher prices to match.

Juanillo Beach

White sand, palm trees and turquoise water. If you're not staying in Cap Cana, you'll be asked at the checkpoint for an ID in exchange for a visitor pass. The beach is public, like every beach in the country; loungers and facilities usually depend on buying something at the restaurants, such as Juanillo Beach & Grill, open daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

The marina

Marina Cap Cana has more than 150 slips for boats up to 250 feet, in a sheltered inner basin. It's a departure point for sport fishing for marlin, with catch-and-release, and it has restaurants such as Api Beach House, Soprano and Maralía.

Golf

Punta Espada is an 18-hole course designed by Jack Nicklaus that opened in 2006; eight of its holes are played alongside or over the sea. It hosted the Champions Tour from 2008 to 2010. Cap Cana also has Las Iguanas, another Nicklaus design, with its first nine holes open and the full course expected to open in 2027.

Scape Park and Hoyo Azul

About 5 km from Juanillo is Scape Park, open from 9:00 to 17:00. Its crown jewel is Hoyo Azul, a cenote about 14 meters deep at the foot of a 75-meter cliff, reached by a forest trail. It also has ziplines, caves and an area for little kids.

Los Establos

This is Cap Cana's equestrian center, offering show jumping, polo, paso fino and other disciplines, plus a veterinary clinic and a padel club.

Hotels in Cap Cana

There are seven in our selection: Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara, Secrets Cap Cana (on Juanillo Beach), Sanctuary Cap Cana, Eden Roc, The St. Regis and Dreams Cap Cana. You can find them by typing “Cap Cana” into the hotel search on the home page.