When you’re planning a Caribbean seashore trip or honeymoon, chances are you’ll be contemplating these two enjoyable and widespread locations. Each Montego Bay and Punta Cana have lots to supply for all kinds of vacationers, however there are some particular variations.
That can assist you resolve, right here’s our comparability of Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana.
Our Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana Fast Picks
- Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana Value: Punta Cana
- Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana Actions: Montego Bay
- Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana Seashores: Punta Cana
Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana: Overview
Whereas each Montego Bay and Punta Cana are scenic Caribbean locations with stunning seashores which can be straightforward to get to from the U.S., there are some key distinctions. Montego Bay is in Jamaica, and Punta Cana is within the Dominican Republic, so the native tradition, delicacies, and language are fairly completely different.
Montego Bay is the liveliest city in Jamaica, identified for actions, watersports, cultural and historic websites, purchasing, festivals, and nightlife. You’ll discover white sand seashores, calm water, and a wide range of eating places and bars.
Punta Cana has picture-perfect seashores, vivid turquoise water, all-inclusive resorts (together with an unique gated group), a number of eating places, and nightlife. It’s positioned fairly near the U.S. and is among the most affordable destinations in the Caribbean.
Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana: Seashores
Each Montego Bay and Punta Cana have great seashores, however Punta Cana has the sting right here on sheer magnificence. Each locations provide good snorkeling and scuba diving, nevertheless.
Montego Bay Seashores
Montego Bay is among the hottest spots in all of Jamaica, and one of many largest attracts is the seashores. Situated on the north coast of the island, Montego Bay presents the proper mix of metropolis bustle and calm nature. Seashores have smooth white sand and wonderful turquoise water, and there’ll typically be eating places, bars, and watersports accessible.
There are multiple beaches to choose from in Montego Bay. When you keep at a beachfront resort, you’ll have entry to a white-sand stretch with loads of facilities. It’s also possible to seashore hop at high native seashores like Physician’s Cove, mentioned to have restorative mineral springs, Cornwall Seaside, and Useless Finish Seaside. Useless Finish Seaside is very widespread for sunsets.
A lot of the seashores in Montego Bay are usually busy, because it’s such a preferred space, however Cornwall Seaside is a quieter possibility.
Punta Cana Seashores
The beaches in Punta Cana are picture-postcard good and plentiful. You’ll discover lengthy stretches of unpolluted, white-sand seashores lined with palm bushes overlooking turquoise waters.
One of the best seashore in Punta Cana is Bavaro Seaside. That is essentially the most visited seashore within the space and for good cause. You possibly can get pleasure from a lot of completely different water actions, hang around at a seashore bar or cafe, or simply catch a number of rays.
However when you want smaller crowds, then you definitely’ll need to go to Playa Cabeza de Toro. This seashore is way more secluded however nonetheless gives loads of issues to do. An enormous draw to this seashore is the kitesurfing. You possibly can even take classes right here.
One other of the highest seashores in Punta Cana is Juanillo Seaside, which options calm and shallow water good for swimming. It’s positioned within the gated group of Cap Cana.
Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana: Value
The largest value distinction between Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana goes to be lodging. Each locations have a variety of resorts at completely different value factors, however you’ll typically have the ability to discover the extra reasonably priced choices in Punta Cana. In truth, the Dominican Republic is among the least costly islands within the Caribbean.
Each locations provide largely all-inclusive resorts, which suggests the price of your lodging will cowl your meals and drinks. Flights are equally priced in addition to actions.
Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana: Climate
The climate in each Montego Bay and Punta Cana may be very related, with heat temperatures all 12 months. Each are tropical locations with drier and wetter occasions of the 12 months, so it’s greatest to plan your trip for these drier months.
Montego Bay Climate
The climate in Montego Bay is heat year-round. The dry season is mid-December to mid-April, so this is among the hottest occasions to go to.
Montego Bay’s wet season is between Could and November, so there may be frequent rain showers. There’s additionally a danger of hurricanes, though it’s fairly low in Jamaica. They’re most definitely in August, September, and October. Nonetheless, that is when you could find a number of the greatest offers, so it could be value visiting then so long as you get journey insurance coverage.
Punta Cana Climate
Punta Cana additionally has heat climate year-round. Nonetheless, one of the best time to go to the Dominican Republic is between December and March. This time of 12 months, there are few rain showers so that you’ll get loads of uninterrupted sunshine.
Rainfall is usually heaviest throughout November. These showers don’t typically final all day, however they do come up continuously and might put a damper in your plans. Hurricane season lasts from June to November, so when you plan a visit then, you should definitely get journey insurance coverage.
Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana: Resorts
Each Montego Bay and Punta Cana have loads of wonderful resorts so that you can select from, together with a lot of all-inclusive resorts for a totally stress-free trip. Solo vacationers, {couples}, and households will all have a lot of decisions.
Montego Bay Resorts
Sandals Royal Caribbean
One in every of two Sandals adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Montego Bay, Sandals Royal Caribbean incorporates a attractive white-sand seashore and a personal offshore island with one other seashore plus a pool with a swim-up bar and a restaurant. That is additionally the place you’ll discover wonderful overwater bungalows for a super-luxurious and romantic keep.
There are 9 eating places, 6 bars, a number of swimming pools, a variety of complimentary watersports together with snorkeling and scuba diving, land actions, nightly leisure, a health middle, and a spa. You even have entry to all of the amenities and facilities at close by Sandals Montego Bay, through a free shuttle service.
Along with the overwater bungalows, you possibly can select from a big selection of lodging together with swim-up suites and beachfront suites–a lot of which include outsized soaking tubs for 2 and butler service.
Half Moon Resort
This elegant resort hosts celebrities, royalty, and everybody else on its breathtaking stretch of the Caribbean. A family-run resort, Half Moon Resort options one thing for everybody, from {couples} to households.
Foodies will love the recent, regionally sourced elements, used to create conventional Jamaican meals and different scrumptious choices at 4 eating places. The romantic Sugar Mill Restaurant is among the high eating places on the island.
Select from rooms, suites, or giant villas with non-public swimming pools and butler service. Take pleasure in 5 bars, a number of swimming pools, watersports, golf, tennis, horseback using, a health middle, a playground, and a spa.
Punta Cana Resorts
Iberostar Grand Bavaro
Iberostar Grand Bavaro is a part of an enormous advanced straight subsequent door to the family-friendly all-inclusive Dreams Royal Beach. The lavish grounds reside as much as the Spanish-based chain’s repute for opulent architectural design with excessive domed ceilings, Greco-Roman-inspired white pillars, and luxurious gardens. Marble loos are simply as palatial, with deep bathtubs and French doorways.
The all-inclusive charge at this top-rated adults-only Punta Cana resort consists of butler service, big non-public furnished terraces, and in-room whirlpool tubs. Friends at Iberostar Grand Bavaro additionally get pleasure from a complimentary golf package deal with their keep that features limitless rounds of golf and free transfers to and from the course.
Excellence Punta Cana
This luxury all-inclusive Punta Cana resort is adults-only and presents chic views of aquamarine water from lavish suites that function non-public furnished verandas, whirlpool tubs, and swim-up entrances.
Friends can select from 11 eating places and 5 bars. The non-obligatory all-inclusive package deal at Excellence Punta Cana consists of all meals, a completely stocked mini-bar, watersports gear use, and a romantic dinner date amongst different perks. Hang around on the attractive white sand seashore, lounge by the pool, sip a refreshing drink on the seashore bars, take a yoga class, or indulge on the onsite spa.
Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana: Issues to Do
Each of those island locations pack a punch in relation to actions. You definitely gained’t battle to search out one thing to fill your days. Nonetheless, there’s a wider number of issues to do in Montego Bay.
Montego Bay Actions
As we talked about above, Montego Bay has a number of stunning seashores to select from, whether or not you need to chill out on the sand or be extra lively. There are many watersports choices right here, from snorkeling and scuba diving to paddleboarding and kayaking to boat rides and parasailing.
You possibly can snorkel proper off the seashore in Montego Bay alongside thriving coral reefs which can be simply offshore. Or go to the Montego Bay Marine Park, which permits snorkeling and scuba diving in its protected waters which can be residence to all kinds of marine life. It’s also possible to go swimming with horses in Montego Bay.
Different actions in Montego Bay embody {golfing}, river rafting, touring native historic properties, purchasing, and eating on scrumptious native delicacies whether or not at informal cafes or gourmand eating places.
Space excursions embody jungle safari excursions, climbing, horseback using, ziplining, Jamaican bobsledding at Mystic Mountain Journey Park, Dunn’s River Falls, Inexperienced Grotto Caves, historic websites, botanic gardens, and the Appleton Rum Property.
Punta Cana Actions
A lot of the actions in Punta Cana are out of doors actions. All kinds of watersports can be found, together with nice snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, and crusing. It’s also possible to go horseback using, golf, hike, swim in a cenote, go to an ecological reserve, tour a nationwide park, and take a look at the distinctive wildlife and cultural attraction of Monkeyland.
The pure theme park of Hoyo Azul presents a wide range of enjoyable actions as properly, together with exploring caves and ziplining off of cliffs. And be certain to not miss the Chocolate Museum!
There are additionally loads of excursions you possibly can take to discover completely different areas close by. Go on cave expeditions, discover the jungles in a jeep, take an ATV tour, strive cliff diving right into a lagoon, surf the waves, and fly by way of tree-tops through zipline cover excursions. Cultural safari excursions will take you across the Dominican Republic so you possibly can be taught concerning the distinctive tradition of the island.
It’s also possible to fly to Jarabacoa and go to the Dominican Republic’s magnificent Central Mountain Vary, which can also be the tallest one within the Caribbean. Towering 1700 ft above sea stage, it holds hidden gems like pine forests and rivers. Strive white water rafting within the Land of Waters, go to the Papillon Backyard, a colourful butterfly conservatory, and discover the mountainous city.
Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana: Security
Not too long ago, each the U.S. and Canada have issued “rethink” journey warnings for these planning journeys to Jamaica due to an increase in crime. Nonetheless, plenty of people visit Montego Bay without issue.
Punta Cana, alternatively, is among the safest travel destinations in the Caribbean. And it’s not simply protected within the Resort Zone. Vacationers can freely discover everything of Punta Cana. There are a number of occurrences of petty theft, nevertheless it’s not a giant menace to vacationers.
When visiting both Montego Bay or Punta Cana, use widespread sense and don’t put your self in a harmful state of affairs. Most crimes affecting guests are petty thefts and scams, so it’s necessary to be cautious when exterior your resort. Don’t carry a number of money or put on costly jewellery, keep in busy areas, don’t get inebriated, don’t settle for drinks from strangers, and maintain your eyes in your drink always.
The Verdict: Which is Higher, Montego Bay or Punta Cana?
Each Montego Bay and Punta Cana are great beach destinations in the Caribbean with lots to advocate them. The selection is as much as you and relies on what your price range is and what sorts of actions you need to do in your trip.
After studying our comparability on Montego Bay vs. Punta Cana, which one do you select? Tell us within the feedback! And be at liberty to succeed in out to one in all our expert travel agents if you need assist planning your journey!
