Should We Stay or Should We Go

If you're dreaming of white sand beaches, turquoise water, and endless sunshine, Punta Cana  might already be on your list. But before you book your trip, it's worth understanding what the weather is like throughout the year. Spoiler alert: it's pretty amazing—but with some tropical quirks! Punta Cana - What you can Expect Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic on the easternmost tip of the island, enjoys a tropical climate. Year round, the temperatures are warm - typically between 25°C to 31°C (77°F and 88°F), plenty of sunshine, and higher humidity.  Photo by Jamie Tudor on Unsplash Two Seasons - Dry Season, and Wet Season There are two seasons in the Caribbean, each with different weather patterns. The dry season is December to April.  The average temperature is 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). While there will be some rainfall, it is minimal.  Most days are sunny.  Because of this, the humidity is lower. The evenings are very pleasant. The wet season...

We're always up for adventure, and one excursion that we've done several times already keeps ticking the boxes for us.  That excursion is the Punta Cana Boogie Tour. Boogies are off-road vehicles designed for adventures. They're a cross between a small dune buggy and an ATV (all-terrain vehicle). These two, or four-seater vehicles are designed for rough terrain and are made to handle muddy trails, dirt roads, puddles, and all kinds of bumps and splashes. You’ll definitely feel the wind, the water, and the dirt -  getting messy is part of the fun ! There are many different companies that run boogie tours.  The price point varies, depending on what is included and most offer free transportation from the resorts and tourist areas. The trip there is only about 30 minutes from Punta Cana, but the time ends up being much longer by the time they make stops at all the resorts for pick-ups. Start Your Engines: Boogie Time!  After a quick safety rundown (and a heads-up...

Photo by Ben Iwara on Unsplash   Living the Good Life: Wintering in El Cortecito, Punta Cana As a retiree, we've always dreamed of living abroad for a few months to experience a new culture, enjoy beautiful weather, and make some lasting memories. As stated in a couple of previous blog posts, we decided to spend three months in the charming area of El Cortecito, Punta Cana. It’s been everything we were wanting and more, and have found that staying active, both socially and physically, is key to making the most of our time. The Beauty of El Cortecito First things first—El Cortecito is a hidden gem in the heart of Punta Cana. It’s a quieter area compared to the bustling resort zones, yet it’s close enough to the action. The beach is just a five minute walk away, and the local restaurants, shops, and bars offer a perfect blend of Dominican culture and modern convenience.  Staying Active: Beach Walks One of our favorite parts of this adventure has been staying physically act...

Flying Through the Trees: Zipling in Punta Cana Those that know us will know that we are always up for an adventure. While we enjoy our quiet time, a good book, or a quiet cruise—don’t get me wrong, I love those things too—but give me a harness, a helmet, and a zipline soaring over the treetops, and that’s  our kind of thrill. After spending the morning at Monkeyland (as shared in the post before this one) we, along with our son and daughter-in-law, got our heart racing on the ziplines at Runners Adventures Zipline Park . We had read about it beforehand—said to be one of the longest ziplines in the Caribbean—and we were all itching to go.  Three of the four of us had been ziplining in the past, but it was our first time on this course. We were outfitted with  harnesses and helmets and received a safety briefing before climbing to the first of 18 platforms and 12 zip lines.  We zipped across the sky from one platform to another on lines that ranged in length and ...

This year, while we were in Punta Cana, our son Cameron, and daughter-in-law Brittney came to spend a couple of weeks with us. Cameron and Brittney decided to take a local excursion. We tagged along for what would end up being a fun adventure—one that would lo bring us up close and personal with the playful residents of Monkeyland. Monkeyland Monkeyland is a 5 acre sanctuary nestled in the hills of the Dominican Republic, about 30 minutes outside of Punta Cana. Despite the distance, the drive took two vehicles and more than an hour and a half to get there.  Unlike traditional zoos, Monkeyland is dedicated to the conservation and care of squirrel monkeys , a small, playful species native to Central and South America. It provides a natural, free-roaming environment for these monkeys, allowing visitors the opportunity to interact with them in a way that is both safe and respectful of the animals’ wild nature. Upon arrival, our guides gave us a brief orientation about the monkeys' be...

I'm going to start participating in Wordless Wednesday and will be sharing some of my favourite travel photos over the years. The question I have for you, dear reader, is should I give a short description of the photo or leave them wordless? Wordless Wednesday

​ Punta Cana is widely regarded as one of the safest tourist destinations in the Dominican Republic, with low crime rates and a dedicated tourist police force, Politur, enhancing visitor safety. In fact, Punta Cana has lower crime rates than many parts of the United States. While other parts of the Dominican Republic have a relatively high crime rate, the situation in Punta Cana is significantly different. Tourists may encounter various types of criminal incidents, including: Pickpocketing Bag snatching Theft of unattended belongings Scams Sexual harassment That said, the risk of these crimes is notably lower in resort areas, thanks to the local government's focus on ensuring the safety of tourists. To stay safe as a visitor in Punta Cana, consider the following tips: Stay in reputable accommodations: Choose well-known, trusted resorts, hotels, or AirBNBs with good reviews to ensure safety and security. If staying privately, use a property management company. ...

We met Princess in January, 2022, when we first arrived at our extended-stay rental in Punta Cana. She was laying outside the entrance to the lobby of the condominium complex.  To be honest, we didn't pay much attention to her those first few days, as we were coming and going.  She was a street dog who appeared to just be hanging around. As the days went on, we noticed that someone had given her a dog bed, laid outside the complex. She loved it, spending most of her days curled up in it. A few weeks later, someone else bought her a dog house.  At that point we began asking questions about Princess, and learned her story. Princess was the original resident of the land where the condo complex now stood. Once the complex was completed, she continued to hang around the entrance.  The condo owners decided to take care of her and honor her as the original occupant.  She was well taken care of with all the food, and left-overs she could ever want.  They took ...

The most common question we get when we mention that we're retired and spend our winters in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, is "What do you do all day?" Well, here’s a glimpse into a typical day in our life. Most days, we don’t set an alarm and simply get up when we wake up. Usually, that’s around 7 a.m., when life starts to pick up outside on the streets. We catch the news, scroll through our devices, and enjoy our tea and breakfast. At some point during this routine, we look outside and decide whether it's going to be a beach day or a pool day. These are some pretty major decisions to make! If it's a pool day, we’ll still head to the beach for a 6 km walk, maybe stopping for a quick swim at the turnaround point. Afterward, we return to the condo and spend the afternoon relaxing and socializing by the pool. If it’s a beach day, we might pack a lunch and walk down the beach to one of our favorite spots. We lay out our towels under a palm tree and enjoy the day swi...

As a snowbird retiree — one of those from the snowy north who loves escaping the cold during the winter months — the top priority when choosing a destination is often grocery shopping. It can be a challenge experience, and one that can make or break a location particularly if there are dietary concerns. Punta Cana offers a variety of supermarkets where both locals and visitors can find a wide range of products. Unlike the larger grocery chains in North America, each store in the area may have its own unique selection of items. After spending four winters here, we’ve developed a regular routine for where we like to shop, and know where we need to go to get what we need. Ciccolella Within El Cortecito (the beach side community we stay in Punta Cana) there is a small grocery store called Ciccolella. It is a small space, but they carry almost everything we need. It is within walking distance to most places within the community, making it a perfect spot to stop in and pick up what we need b...

I feel like we were really lucky with our first winter in Punta Cana. We didn’t know much about the area, but we picked the location and the rental because we knew the owners and felt confident it would be a great choice. It was a beautiful 2-bedroom, newly built condo in the beachside village of El Cortecito. El Cortecito in Punta Cana is a charming neighborhood that offers a unique combination of local culture, beautiful beaches, good restaurants, and a relaxed atmosphere. It's a perfect place to spend three months out of the snow.  Vacation rentals are an increasingly popular option for extended stays in El Cortecito.  There are plenty of rentals that offer all the comforts of home, with added benefits like kitchens, laundry facilities, and private spaces. The options are many, making it easy to find something that works for many budgets.  Top Benefits of Vacation Rentals: Cost-Effective: Renting for an extended period often works out to be more affordable than b...

  When it comes to winter escapes, we retirees are always on the lookout for destinations that offer not just warmth and relaxation but also an affordable, comfortable lifestyle. Punta Cana, located in the Dominican Republic, stands out as one of the top choices for those seeking to enjoy an extended winter stay. Among the many charming areas in Punta Cana, El Cortecito (a beachside village located on Bavaro Beach) is a popular choice for retirees. Here’s why: 1. Ideal Climate for Year-Round Comfort Punta Cana is famous for its year-round warm tropical climate.  While much of the world braces for freezing temperatures in the winter months, people can enjoy pleasant, sunny days with temperatures ranging between 24°C - 29°C. The comfortable temperatures allow for outdoor activities year-round, whether it's strolling along the beach, enjoying a round of golf, or simply relaxing by the pool. The refreshing ocean breeze is an added bonus, helping to keep the environment pleasan...