Gay Punta Cana

Punta Cana is known as the Caribbean's most gay-friendly destination - and for good reason! This hotspot boasts incredible beaches, laid-back bars and restaurants, and exciting cultural events all year round. Punta Cana is also a popular location for gay weddings because of its picturesque setting and relaxing atmosphere. 

The resort town of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is home to countless resorts and hotels, many of them catering to North American tourists looking for a relaxing holiday with all-inclusive amenities. There are many great water sports and activities you can do while in Punta Cana, such as snorkeling, swimming, scuba diving, or taking in the beauty of the many majestic beaches. Or just simply choose to relax at a resort hotel; many of them throw poolside parties or special events to attract returning visitors.

Gay Scene in Punta Cana

Most LGBT visitors come to Punta Cana to relax, restore, and revive themselves from the hustle and buste of daily life. Glorious beaches beckon the weary traveler, so pull up a beach chair and pour yourself a strong drink! Punta Cana is especially known for its popularity with LGBT couples, so for your next romantic getaway look no further than the gay Caribbean. One resort has hosted several Caribbean Pride events in the past few years.

Besides some gay-friendly bars and nightclubs in Downtown Punta Cana, most of the gay scene is really at the resorts which cater to LGBTQ couples and romantic getaways. The other nearby towns to Punta Cana are not really very welcoming for LGBTQ travelers with little tourist amenities. For more gay scene in the Dominican Republic, most of the LGBTQ activities and vents are in Santo Domingo.

When to Visit

Because of it’s location in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic’s climate is tropical, with a heavy wet season in winter and warm summers peaking in the month of August. Hurricanes hit the D.R between August and October and cyclones hit every few years so be sure to check weather reports before your travels. Temperatures are pretty consistent year-round, and the water at the beach is usually warm. The most popular time to visit is in the winter from November through January, though you should expect higher prices at the resorts. The spring and autumn are also popular when prices are better.

Gay-Friendly Activities & Attractions

For gay tourists to Punta Cana, you may likely stick to just your all-inclusive resort accommodation for the private pool parties, beaches, or just relaxation at a spa, but there are some other things to see and do.

Beaches

The main beach in Punta Cana where you'll find mosts of the resorts is Bavaro Beach. Long stretches of white sand, turquoise blue waters with a sandbar in the distance—it's a beautiful spot to enjoy the water. Many resorts can help plan snorkeling or other boating activities.

Juanillo is a public beach in the Punta Cana region that’s popular for kitesurfing, kayaking, and snorkeling.

Shopping

Cap Cana Marina nearby is popular with bars, restaurants, lounges, and shopping. Pick up some Larimar gemstones, unique to the Dominican Republic, or just enjoy a leisurely stroll through the marina admiring all the private yachts that dock here. Downtown Punta Cana includes a small stretch of street lined with shops and restaurants, a popular spot at night after a long day of lounging by the pool or swimming in the Caribbean Sea.

Gay-Friendly Dining

Every Punta Cana resort (many of them all-inclusive) feature at least a few different restaurants on-site. Some may be buffet style with all sorts of dining options from cheeseburgers and pizza to fresh fish and finger foods. There are also more upscale dining options on most resorts, whether it's a steakhouse or something more international. Traditional Dominican meals include white rice, Habichuelas Guisadas (stewed beans), Pollo Guisado or Res Guisada (braised chicken or beef) and vegetables. It's a hearty meal with a lot of flavor.

La Yolla Restaurant

An award-winning Mediterranean and seafood restaurant, La Yolla is modeled after a fisherman’s boat and perched right on the sea with magnificent views of the sparkling turquoise waters at the marina.

Lorenzillo's Punta Cana

Located in Downtown Punta Cana, Lorenzillo's serves Caribbean dishes alongside international cuisine, specializing in seafood. With classic lobster dinners and a beautiful location at sunset, it's a great spot to start the night.

Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

While mots of the gay and lesbian nightlife in the Dominican Republic is found in Santo Domingo, there are some gay-friendly bars in Punta Cana. Many of the resort hotels even run special parties and events just about every night during peak tourist season, and the hotels are always very welcoming to gay and lesbian couples. Here are some other bars and clubs worth checking out.

Coco Bongo

Part of a Caribbean chain in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, Coco Bongo recently opened in Punta Cana and runs parties nightly, many catering specifically to gay tourists.

Legacy Disco Club

Look no further for the strongest cocktails and best DJs in town - some are even famous!

Imagine Punta Cana Club

Imagine is a popular club with incredible music and an exciting atmosphere!

Safety

In general, people are not overtly homophobic in Punta Cana thanks to the large influence of the tourism industry and many international tourists. While the country is very welcoming and the vast majority of tourists do not experience any trouble, there is a high crime rate (theft, pickpocketing, some violent crime) so if you go out to the Punta Cana Marina or Downtown Punta Cana at night, it's important to stay alert. In 2018 and 2019, there were many news reports about violent crimes toward tourists at some resorts. In 2020, to answer many tourists worries about safety in Punta Cana, the Punta Cana Promise was developed to provide up-to-date information on travel safety for visitors to the Dominican Republic.

Most hotels in Punta Cana are happy to welcome LGBTQ couples and even host gay and lesbian weddings.

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