Paradise in Punta Cana

Adventure, discovery, exploration, and relaxation are all meaningful reasons to travel-but getting married is one of the most meaningful reasons of all as 98% of newlyweds in the USA choose to go on a honeymoon. Deciding where to go can be almost as stressful and overwhelming as planning the big day itself, but when working with a travel agent who is an expert at providing the realities of a destination, the level of stress can be drastically reduced for you and the entire experience can be turned around into a very enjoyable one!

With so many continents and countries to consider, how do you choose?

When asking yourself this question, keep in mind that no matter how adventurous your personality is, relaxation after a year or more of wedding planning should be first and foremost on your list. Romance is second. Combine the two, and you will find the Caribbean Islands to be a perfect match for your trip of a lifetime.

One outstanding destination in particular is Punta Cana, on the East coast of the Dominican Republic. Known for its breathtaking beaches, five-star resorts, and activities galore, this country is an amazing choice for your honeymoon or destination wedding. Discovered on December 5, 1492 by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage to the New World, the Dominican Republic is rich in cultural history and is filled with people who have an incredibly warm spirit who are eager to welcome you into their homeland.

In December 2009, I had the privilege of traveling to Punta Cana with a group of agents. Unfortunately, I've heard many negative things about the country, from the fact that they have a language barrier, to the cities being dirty, and the food not being very good. This was a deciding factor for me wanting to go there. I had to see for myself if these reports were true or not. Surprisingly, more than a few of the other agents on the trip had journeyed there for the same exact reasons and wanted to experience it first hand.

By the end of the week, all of us decided we were pleasantly surprised by this gorgeous land and were looking forward to returning soon. First of all, yes, the Dominicans do have a language barrier. However, they are very aware of it and have changed their schooling structure to begin teaching English in kindergarten instead of later in elementary years. The staff in the resorts bent over backwards trying very hard to communicate and to accommodate our needs, and if we couldn't cross the divide, they went out of their way to find another team member who could speak our language well. I was very impressed by this, and it ultimately earned them much respect in my eyes. It also made me even more intrigued to learn from them and to acclimate to their ways, rather than the other way around. After all, I was there to explore their culture.

On one of the tours we drove through the downtown area on a safari bus. The cleanliness of the towns and the beauty of the homes really surprised me. I did not witness trash, filth, or any signs of what I'd been told prior to arrival. In fact, our hilarious and informative safari guide, Alex, assured all of us that the Dominicans hold the highest regard for cleanliness and pride themselves on how clean they keep their homes and stores even if the floor is dirt. Most of the people live simple lives and live off the land they own. As we drove through the mountains, the beauty of the land stunned me. It was way more beautiful than I imagined it would be. Lush vegetation, tropical flowers, abundant herds of cattle and horses, sugar plantations, coffee bean and cacao bean plantations, and tobacco fields were everywhere covering the mountainsides and the valleys.

We visited these places on the tour and enjoyed learning how to dry tobacco leaves and roll a cigar, stir and roast coffee beans by hand, chop sugar cane and eat it properly, learned the distilling process of the sugar cane rum (which by the way was the best rum I've ever had!), visited children in an elementary school, and cracked the cacao bean fruit while witnessing the preparation of cacao beans so they are ready for the factories that produce chocolate as we know it.

While I was there I met Mama Maria, a very kind lady and one of the plantation owners who supply many of the crops in the country and had a deep love of the land. Her entire family as well as a large staff works the plantation. There are no modern machines and everything was done by hand. It was amazing to speak with her and understand her passion for growing organically the cacao beans, coffee beans, coconuts, grapefruits, breadfruits, and more on her farm.
If excitement is what you crave, you must experience the Bavaro Splash, where you will speed along the coastline of Bavaro Beach in your personal two-seater motorboat. It was a blast! We docked in the ocean and I was blessed to witness the most thrilling snorkeling excursion in my life thus far-two five foot tiger sharks swimming less than five feet below us! They were magnificent and beautiful. It was one of the most exhilarating moments of my life and I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest.

Another must-do activity is zip lining in the Valley of CoDyllera Mountain. The zip-line towers criss-cross all over the mountainside, offering amazing views and plenty of time for screaming along the way as you fly over the tree canopy up to 80 mph. When finished, grab a bite for lunch at the restaurant in the valley while you gaze at the gorgeous view.

When it comes to sunset strolls on the beach, Punta Cana offers some of the best beaches I've ever seen. Dotted with soaring palm trees, they resembled parks, except with sand. The water was postcard turquoise blue, calm, and warm. Locally owned shacks along the beaches filled with art, jewelry, and clothing are everywhere offering many opportunities to shop to your heart's content for authentic souvenirs.

The resorts in Punta Cana are varied, and we explored and stayed at the Sol Melia properties while on this trip. All are ranked four and five-star and excel as far as service and what they offer. From the all-inclusive experience, which includes all your meals and drinks and non-motorized water-sports, to casinos, amazing pools, daily entertainment, and multiple restaurants and bars to satisfy every craving you may have, these resorts have it all and more. They also offer an adult-only option with private butler and concierge service depending on the room category you choose. The grounds were beautiful and very romantic, with outstanding modern yet warm and cozy decor.

In essence, Punta Cana is an excellent choice for your honeymoon or destination wedding and offers everything you could possibly want for a romantic, relaxing, and adventurous trip. Making memories here will be easy as you begin your new life together, and we are here to help you plan your trip every step of the way. May your honeymoon never end...