Food and Drinks in Punta Cana
Resort dining: included and varied
Your all-inclusive covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the resort. Buffets are standard with options: local Caribbean food, international choices, and diet options. Quality is good; variety is wide. Breakfast: fresh tropical fruits, eggs, bread, smoothies. Lunch: grilled fish, rice, beans, plantains. Dinner: varied cuisines. You will not go hungry. Most excursions also include a meal (Saona has a buffet lunch on the island, Santo Domingo includes traditional lunch, horseback tours include tastings).
Off-resort dining: street food and casual spots
If you eat outside the resort, food is modest and cheap. A casual beachside meal (grilled fish, rice, fried plantains) costs $8–$15. Street vendors sell fresh juice, empanadas, and tropical fruit. Quality is good. Do not expect fine dining at street prices; expect authentic local food. Most guests eat most meals at the resort and only dine off-property for special nights or curiosity.
Mamajuana: the signature local drink
Mamajuana is a rum-based infusion with wine and herbs — a Dominican staple and souvenir. You will see bottles everywhere. It is sweet, strong, and meant as a digestif or aperitif (not a cocktail mixer). Sip it or use it in a drink. Presidente beer is cheaper and everywhere; Dominican rum (various brands) is excellent quality and affordable. Drink these at the resort bar or on excursions.
Mangú, sancocho, and tropical fruits
Mangú is mashed plantains (potato-like consistency), a Dominican breakfast staple. Sancocho is a hearty stew (meat, vegetables, broth). Both are comfort food, not fancy, but authentic. Fresh tropical fruits: mangoes, pineapple, passion fruit (chinola), papaya, coconut. These are on resort buffets and sold by street vendors. Eat them. They are why you are in the Caribbean.
Resort meals are included (varied, good). Off-resort: casual and cheap. Drink mamajuana or Presidente beer. Eat mangú and tropical fruit. Excursions include tastings or meals.
Food on excursions: what is included
Saona catamaran ($82) includes a buffet lunch on the island (fish, rice, beans, tropical fruit) and open bar on the boat. Buggy tours ($35) include stops at a Dominican farm for coffee, chocolate, and mamajuana tastings. Horseback ($36) includes coffee, chocolate, and mamajuana tasting. Santo Domingo ($70) includes a traditional buffet lunch. Most other tours do not include meals, so plan accordingly. Snacks and drinks are usually available for purchase on excursions.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Punta Cana known for?
Mangú (mashed plantains), sancocho (stew), fresh tropical fruit (mangoes, passion fruit, coconut). Not fancy — comfort food and island flavors. All included at the resort buffet.
What is mamajuana?
A Dominican rum-wine-herbs infusion, sweet and strong. Drunk as a digestif or sipped neat. Signature local drink. Bottles are everywhere; popular souvenir.
Is food expensive if I eat off-resort?
No. Casual off-resort meals are modest and cheap ($8–$15). Street food even cheaper. Most guests eat at the resort and only eat off-resort for special occasions. Good value if you do venture out.
Do excursions include food?
Saona ($82) includes buffet lunch and open bar. Santo Domingo ($70) includes lunch. Buggy tours ($35) and horseback ($36) include tastings (coffee, chocolate, mamajuana). Check each tour's description.