The Punta Cana lifestyle begins with miles of white-sand beaches and year-round sun.
When you think about the Punta Cana lifestyle, the first thing that comes to mind is beaches, palm trees, and resort living. But if you’re considering a move or weighing an investment, the real question isn’t if you should buy here − it’s where.
Two communities define this choice: Punta Cana Resort & Club and Punta Cana Village. They’re only a few minutes apart, both close to the international airport, but the lifestyles are completely different. One centers around private beaches, golf courses, and nature preserves. The other is about neighborhood cafés, schools, and a connected day-to-day life.
The best way to decide is to look closely at what each offers and see which lifestyle fits you best.
PUNTA CANA RESORT AND CLUB: THE CHOICE FOR LUXURY AND PRIVACY
If you want the highest level of privacy Punta Cana offers, nothing beats Punta Cana Resort & Club. Spanning over 15,000 acres, the community seamlessly blends golf, beaches, and preserved natural areas. What sets it apart is how these amenities translate into everyday benefits for homeowners:
- DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BEACH: Three miles of shoreline with Playa Blanca and La Cana Beach Club give you reliable, crowd-free beach days year-round.
- GOLF AS PART OF DAILY LIFE: Two championship courses − La Cana and Corales, home of the PGA TOUR’s Corales Championship − put top-level golf right inside the community.
- DINING ON THE WATER: With its marina, the community offers a spot to relax, dine, and enjoy the water without stepping outside the gates.
- NATURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP: The 1,500-acre Ojos Indígenas Ecological Reserve provides trails and lagoons for homeowners to visit whenever they want.
- AN ACTIVE SOCIAL SCENE: From the Oscar de la Renta Tennis Center to resort restaurants, the community balances privacy with opportunities to connect.
The overall life here is expansive. Homes sit on large plots, reinforcing privacy while keeping you minutes from the airport, international schools, and shopping in the wider district. It’s the type of Punta Cana lifestyle that’s built around recreation and quiet living without giving up convenience.
PUNTA CANA VILLAGE: EVERYDAY LIVING WITH GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Condo living in Punta Cana Village puts shops, schools, and cafes just steps from your door.
Where Resort & Club is about privacy and space, Punta Cana Village feels like a lived-in neighborhood. It sits just outside the airport entrance and has a compact layout that makes daily routines simple. Most of the residents’ daily needs are found right inside the community:
- ERRANDS ON FOOT: Supermarkets, pharmacies, banks, clinics, cafés, and restaurants are all within the Village, so you don’t have to rely on a car for daily needs.
- ON-SITE SCHOOL: Punta Cana International School operates from preschool through high school within the community, giving families an education option without having to commute.
- HEALTHCARE CLOSE BY: Punta Cana Doctors and an IMG clinic operate in the Village, with larger hospitals a short drive away in Bávaro.
- PLAZA AS THE HUB: Galerías Puntacana serves as a central plaza with shops, cafés, and weekly markets, doubling as the site for seasonal community events.
The lifestyle in Punta Cana Village is both social and practical. Neighbors meet at the plaza, children walk to school, and professionals fit coffee or errands into the workday without leaving the Village. For buyers looking to buy a house in Punta Cana that supports full-time living with steady rental demand, the Village offers convenience and community with direct links to the coast.
HOW DO PROPERTY TYPES AND PRICE COMPARE?
Before you decide where to live in Punta Cana, ask yourself: Do you see yourself in a gated resort estate, or in a home where it’s easy to walk to the coffee shop? That question captures the core difference in property options between Punta Cana Resort & Club and Punta Cana Village.
In Resort & Club, the real estate reflects the scale of the community. Villas and custom estates dominate, often with golf or ocean views, and they sit on larger plots that emphasize privacy. Prices typically begin around the million-dollar mark and climb into the multi-million range for the most sought-after properties. Land is also available in sub-communities like Lagos and Corales, giving buyers the option to build custom homes within the resort framework. The investment is higher, but so is the exclusivity and access to world-class amenities.
The Village, by contrast, offers a mix of condos, apartments, and single-family houses on smaller lots. Entry points are lower, with one-bedroom apartments typically starting at around $250,000, while larger villas may reach seven figures depending on size and location. This flexibility appeals to families, professionals, and expats who want daily services and schools within walking distance.
These differences also shape how the properties are used. Resort & Club is best suited for buyers looking at seasonal estates, prestige rentals, or long-term legacy investments. Meanwhile, Village homes cater to full-time living and long-term rentals, driven by steady demand from the expat and professional community. In both cases, HOA fees and rental rules vary by sub-community or building, so it’s worth confirming the details before making a decision.
QUICK COMPARISON: PUNTA CANA RESORT & CLUB AND PUNTA CANA VILLAGE
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WHICH COMMUNITY MATCHES YOUR LIFESTYLE GOALS?
In Punta Cana, relaxation is never far from home.
Buying in Punta Cana is a choose-your-own-adventure story. The path you take depends on how you answer a few simple questions:
- CONNECTION OR PRIVACY? Resort & Club is designed around large plots and quiet enclaves, while the Village keeps neighbors, cafés, and services close together.
- BUILT-IN SERVICES OR NO? In the Village, daily errands like groceries, pharmacy, banking, and even healthcare are easily accomplished inside the community. Resort & Club offers access to these services, too, but on a more spread-out, resort-style scale.
- PROPERTY GOALS? Resort & Club homes often work best as seasonal estates or short-term luxury rentals, while Village properties see steady demand from long-term tenants such as professionals and relocating families. Rules vary, so it’s worth confirming rental terms in each sub-community.
- FULL-TIME OR SEASONAL BASE? Resort & Club fits well as a second home with golf and beach amenities at the center. The Village is built for year-round living, anchored by its international school and nearby medical services.
- BUDGET FLEXILIBITY? Resort & Club typically starts near the million-dollar mark and climbs from there. The Village offers entry-level prices around $250,000 for one-bedroom apartments, with larger homes pushing into the seven-figure range. HOA fees and rules differ by project in both areas.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Can you live full-time in Punta Cana Resort & Club?
Yes, you can live full-time in the said resort. It’s a residential community with year-round owners, and daily services like schools, clinics, and banks are available nearby in Punta Cana Village.
How close are Punta Cana Resort & Club and Punta Cana Village?
The two areas are only a few minutes apart. The Village sits at the airport entrance, and the Resort begins just beyond it.
Which is better for rental income: Punta Cana Resort & Club or Punta Cana Village?
Punta Cana Resort & Club properties are better for short-term luxury rentals, while Punta Cana Village homes usually attract long-term tenants such as expats and professionals. Rental rules vary by sub-community, so check them before buying.
Are there international schools in Punta Cana Village or Resort & Club?
Yes, Punta Cana International School is located inside the Village, serving families from both communities. Other international schools are also within a short drive.
Do Punta Cana Resort & Club and Punta Cana Village have security?
Yes, both communities are gated with controlled entry. Resort & Club has multiple checkpoints across its larger footprint, while the Village provides community-wide security on a smaller scale.
DON’T JUST DREAM PUNTA CANA − OWN IT
The best way to choose between Resort & Club and the Village isn’t by scanning listings − it’s by leaning on local experience. Jelena Golubovic has lived and worked in Punta Cana for more than 15 years, guiding buyers through everything from community rules to investment opportunities. She’s helped international investors secure rental properties and families find year-round homes, always with an eye on matching lifestyle goals with the right community.
If you’re ready to explore your options, Jelena can walk you through what life looks like in each neighborhood, arrange tours, and handle the details that matter when you’re buying abroad. Reach her directly at 809.351.5863 or via email.