The expansive, sandy beaches and clear Caribbean waters of Punta Cana are ideal for a number of outdoor activities. There's no doubt that sunbathing, swimming and water sports are the leading attractions, but it's also possible to charter fishing boats or take coastal horseback riding tours, both of which are popular with children. Of course, scuba diving and snorkelling are widely available throughout the coastal region.

Beaches
The stretch of waterfront that borders Punta Cana is known for its many swaying palm trees. With more than 48 kilometres of white-sand beaches, this is one of island's most coveted destinations—the perfect holiday spot for families with children. The resorts are outfitted with full amenities ranging from deck chairs and umbrellas to water-sports equipment.

Fishing
Big game fishing is popular in these waters, and charter boats are available for hire by tourists. Children jump at the chance to spend a day over open waters. This is actually one of the world's top five destinations for white marlin fishing. The season lasts from March until June, and specific arrangements can be made at the marina or in many cases, with the help of your hotel staff.

Golf
There are 15 golf courses situated here along the island's east coast, locally headlined by the course at Punta Cana Resort. Most of these are operated in conjunction with local resorts, and from the greens players can enjoy play at a range of difficulty levels complemented by pleasant ocean breezes and the ever-present backdrop of the sea. All of the major courses provide equipment hire, caddy services and golf clinics designed for every skill level. Phone: +809 959 4653 (Punta Cana Resort).

Horseback Riding
There are several ranches in the area offering horseback riding excursions. The Punta Cana Resort and Club operates its own ranch with custom riding tours available. Typical tours travel along the coastline with periodic diversions into inland portions of the gated community. Expert instruction is available for children and inexperienced riders.

Kite-boarding
The Dominican Republic is widely considered the kite-boarding capital of the world. Cabarete on the northern coastline has hosted the annual Kite-boarding World Cup for the past four years running. While the north coast of the island is considered king, Punta Cana's coastline has its fair share of kite-boarding and windsurfing opportunities.

Underwater Exploration
Underwater activities can be especially exciting for children. Anyone seeking PADI scuba certification can enrol in courses through the resorts, but there are several variations on diving that require little to no certification. Many travel agencies organise sea-walking expeditions where the participant can remain underwater by wearing a mask fitted to a tube secured to a tank above water. Coral reefs and sunken ships are both available for exploration.

As the site of Europe's first settlement in the western hemisphere, the Dominican Republic has a treasure trove of cultural and archaeological interest. The ancient Taino tribe was established here long before the arrival of Europeans, and museums like the one found in Manati Park bring tourists face-to-face with their dress and customs. Meanwhile, traditional Dominican villages such as Higuey lure visitors with their candour. Be sure to visit the majestic Altos de Chavon village and its Museum of Archaeology.

Altos de Chavon
A little over an hour outside of Punta Cana is the hideaway artists' village, Altos de Chavon. Built in the late 1970s, this village is a recreation of the sort of Spanish colonial settlement found on the island in the 1400s. The architecture has been meticulously recreated here on a cliff overlooking the Chavon River. Old-world cobblestone avenues connect historic shop fronts and a dizzying array of fine bars, intimate restaurants and artists' studios. Interestingly, the village hosts a local branch of New York's Parson's School of Design. Phone: +809 523 8011; www.altosdechavon.com  

Higuey
Roughly a 30-minute drive from Punta Cana is Higuey, a tourist-friendly Dominican village. Visitors come here for a first-hand authentic experience with locals. The narrow streets are an ideal setting for a leisurely walk, with shops and small grocery stores (colmado) found along the way. Be sure to visit the crowning point of Higüey, its Basilica dedicated to the Dominican Republic's patron saint, Virgen de la Altagracia.

Manati Park
This wildlife preserve is home to a variety of fish, reptiles and birds. Admission to the park includes an animal show that features dolphins, parrots and a troupe of dancing horses. Transportation to and from the park is provided by shuttle buses that stop at all the major hotels. Manati Park also boasts a recreated Taino Village complete with a folk museum dedicated to Taino art and sculpture. Actors don traditional costumes and perform Taino dance. www.manatipark.com  

Ponce de Leon's Home
Found in San Rafael de Yuma (less than an hour from Punta Cana), this house once served as home to the explorer Ponce de Leon, famous for his expeditions into Florida. He, his wife and their three daughters lived here at the beginning of the 1500s and he used this residence as a base from which to explore neighbouring islands. If you visit the house, consider a side trip to Boca de Yuma where there is ample opportunity to dance the salsa and bachata.

Regional Museum of Archaeology
Located in Altos de Chavon, this museum is dedicated to the study of the island's heritage prior to Christopher Columbus’ arrival in the region. Thousands of ancient artefacts are displayed here, most of which reflect the everyday lives of the ancient Taíno people who originally lived here. Most of these artefacts were sourced from the Chavon River. www.algosdechavon.com/fs_museum.htm  

Across the Dominican Republic, the quality and availability of restaurants varies considerably, but here in the Punta Cana resort community tourists will find plenty of upscale restaurants serving international cuisine. Local cuisine is also available, especially on the fringes of the resorts. Some of the best authentic cuisine is served in the most modest of establishments.

Local fare draws heavily on Spanish cuisine. Abundant, fresh produce factors heavily into local favourites, which often features pork or even goat instead of beef. Be sure to sample la bandera, a dish of stewed meat, red beans and rice served with a salad and fried plantain bananas. Sopa criolla dominicana is another popular stew. The favoured, local beer is Presidente, available across the island. Finally, nothing follows dinner better than a hot cup of locally grown coffee.

There are plenty of shopping options along the waterfronts of the resorts, where trendy boutiques and souvenir shops vie for the attention of tourists. Heading out of the resorts, visitors will find a much rawer shopping experience in local markets. In either event, polite bartering is an important part of buying and selling in the Dominican Republic. Travelling away from the resorts, the price of goods drops dramatically.

Amber is well-known local product, used to make jewellery and decorations. It is also sold in polished (but raw) form, often encasing an insect. Popular handicrafts range from wood carvings and rocking chairs to Creole dolls and ceramic goods. CDs of local music (merengue) are another popular gift or souvenir.