Is Punta Cana Safe for Tourists in 2026?

Unofficial drivers at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) stand in the arrivals hall holding printed signs bearing resort names — Barceló, Iberostar, Hard Rock, Riu — that are indistinguishable from legitimate hotel transfer signs. They approach newly arrived passengers, confirm the resort name, and usher them toward private vehicles before demanding $150–200 USD for the 45-kilometer transfer to Bávaro — three to four times the legitimate rate of $25–30 per person on a shared shuttle or $80–100 for a private transfer booked through the resort.

How to avoid: Pre-arrange your transfer directly through your resort or a verified operator before departure. On arrival, proceed to the official hotel meet-and-greet area past the first wave of drivers; your legitimate driver will have your full name, not just the resort name. Confirm the driver's identity with the resort's front desk number if in doubt.

Where: PUJ Punta Cana International Airport arrivals hall, between baggage claim and the exit doors; the fake sign holders typically cluster near the glass doors before the official meet-and-greet zone

Unlicensed taxi drivers in the arrivals hall at PUJ airport demand US$80–150 for resort transfers that legitimate operators charge US$25–40. They target tourists who haven't pre-arranged transport.

How to avoid: Pre-book airport transfers through your resort or a well-reviewed local company. Official OMSA transfers are available at a fixed rate.

Where: Punta Cana International Airport taxi rank and hotel pickup zones

Jet ski rental operators on Bávaro Beach and at Arena Gorda rent equipment for a quoted $60–80 per hour, then claim pre-existing scratches or engine damage were caused by the tourist after the ride. The operator shows the damage — which existed before the rental — and demands $200–500 in cash on the spot, sometimes with an accomplice blocking the path back to the resort. Victims who refuse are threatened with police involvement.

How to avoid: Film a 360-degree video of the jet ski before and after the rental, capturing all existing scratches, dents, and the hull number. Use only operators with fixed pricing boards and printed receipts. Never pay a damage claim in cash without an official written incident report, and walk calmly back to the resort to call POLITUR (809-200-3500) if confronted.

Where: Bávaro Beach jet ski rental points between the Barceló and Iberostar resort beach entrances; Arena Gorda beach near the Melia Caribe resort; also at Los Corales beach area accessed from Avenida El Cortecito

Skimming devices are periodically fitted to ATMs located in and around the casino areas of resort strips in Punta Cana, including those near Bávaro and Cap Cana. Criminals install card readers and pinhole cameras overnight, then harvest card data from tourists withdrawing cash for gambling or excursions. Victims typically only discover the fraud after returning home when unauthorized charges appear on their statements.

How to avoid: Use ATMs inside major bank branches rather than freestanding machines near casinos or beach entrances. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN and check the card reader for any loose or misaligned plastic before inserting your card.

Where: ATMs near the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Blvd. Turístico del Este, freestanding machines at resort entrance gates in Bávaro, and casino cashier areas in Cap Cana