Punta Cana, like many tourist destinations, has its share of scams targeting visitors. Even though most of those scams will not entirely ruin your holiday, it is essential to know about a few of the tactics of con artists or pushy salespeople. This article reveals the common scams as we have seen them all while living in Punta Cana for many years and visiting more than 50 all-inclusive resorts in the country. It will help you to identify common scams in Punta Cana and learn how to avoid falling victim to these deceptive practices.
E-Ticket Scam
Let’s start with a scam that is pretty common already BEFORE your holiday in Punta Cana: the e-ticket scam websites.
What the scam is about:
As you might have heard, the e-ticket is the online immigration form for Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic and it is MANDATORY to fill it out. There is an official government website here* where it is FREE to fill it out. However, dozens of so-called visa service websites exist and they look pretty similar to the official governmental website. And while most of them do fill out the forms for you and send you a valid e-ticket (hence it is not 100% a scam because they actually deliver a service), presenting themselves as a semi-official source and charging outrageous amounts (sometimes up to 90 USD per person) for a free thing is kind of scammy.
How to avoid it:
There are two simple steps to avoid the e-ticket scam:
– only use the official website for the e-ticket*
– never enter your credit card details for an e-ticket
If you’re on a website where they ask for your credit card while filling out the e-ticket for Punta Cana, it’s one of the “visa service” websites aka scam.
Further information:
– this video explains how to avoid the scam and how to fill out the e-ticket correctly*
– here is a step-by-step guide on the blog about how to fill out the e-ticket – including screenshots
Airport Scams
Once you’re on your way, the vacation can start. But wait, airports are sometimes difficult to navigate, even though that’s not really the case for Punta Cana. Lines can be long, but true scams are rare.
What it’s about:
However, there are a few things you should take care of when arriving in Punta Cana. None of them are true scams but it can help to know a few things about Punta Cana Airport so nobody can take advantage of you:
Travel resources
Punta Cana Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*
Santo Domingo Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*
All-Inclusive Resorts: Info | Book It*
Apartments & Villas: Info | Book It*
Excursions: Info | Book It*
Rental Car: Info | Book It*
Road-Trips & Self-Drive Tours: Info | Plan It
I have spent many years in Punta Cana visiting all the beaches, resorts, attractions and hidden gems. Feel free to comment below for any questions I can help you with.
- 1) Never put valuables in your checked luggage. There have been reports of bags being opened and items taken out from checked luggage, even though this can happen at any airport in the world, including your home airport or any connecting airport.
- 2) Sometimes the porters try to grab your baggage without asking you to help you carry it through customs. They won’t tell you a price, but of course, they expect a generous tip. Sometimes they can even help you get much faster through customs.
- 3) Even though the money exchange at the airport officially does not charge commissions, their exchange rates are outrageously bad – you will lose around 20% of the moneys’ value.
- 4) Airport taxis are safe, but taxi drivers tend to be (very) pushy (especially if they see that you haven’t booked anything in advance) and/or try to charge higher fares. There is a table with set prices published on the airport exit.
How to avoid this scam:
1) Never put valuables in your checked luggage.
2) Agree beforehand with the porters about the price (or be ready to tip generously).
3) Do not exchange money at the airport.
4) Prebook your airport transfer (here is the best-rated airport transfer for most resorts in Punta Cana* and this one here offers excellent value for resorts in Uvero Alto*) to your resort which avoids haggling and negotiating.
Further information: Everything you need to know about Punta Cana International Airport.
Timeshare Scam
Once you’re at the resort, you might be overwhelmed. Everything is new, the resort grounds are extremely ample and it’s hard to identify where to go and what to do.
What it’s about:
That’s exactly where the timeshare scam in Punta Cana kicks in. (Sales)People with uniforms might approach you, especially during your first days in the resort and offer you a guided tour through the resort (of course, if it’s your butler that’s legit), a free breakfast or some spa and wellness vouchers – all in exchange for just a quick presentation. Unfortunately, the presentation turns out into a pretty hard and intensive sales pitch, where even a simple NO won’t be tolerated. Their goal is to convince you of their time-share contracts (which usually cost 5-digit numbers) through a high-pressure sales presentation.
TOP 12 Punta Cana Excursions
Isla Saona: Saona Info | Book it*
Private Saona Island Tour: Private Tour Info | Book it*
Dune buggy and ATV excursion: Buggy Info | Book it*
Punta Cana Ziplining: Zipline Info | Book it*
Party boat & booze cruise: Party Boat Info | Book it*
Best Nightlife Show: Coco Bongo Info | Book it*
Scape Park Cap Cana & Blue Lagoon: Blue Lagoon Info | Book it*
Los Haitises National Park: Los Haitises Info | Book it*
Santo Domingo: Santo Domingo Info | Book it*
Samaná (Salto El Limón & Cayo Levantado): Samaná Info | Book it*
Helicopter & airplane tours: Helicopter Info | Book it*
Whale watching (Jan-Mar only): Whale watching Info | Book it*
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the 40+ best Punta Cana tours!
People who have attended those presentations report nearly in unison that you need to get pretty determining, harsh and partly aggressive to leave that presentation. And even though you usually get your free gift promised at the beginning, it’s not worth the hassle and especially the hours of vacation time you lose. And we’re not talking about the contracts, which are usually only beneficial for the seller. So many vacationers have regretted to have signed these contracts which apparently offer free vacations in many resorts around the world, but later turn out as a value trap where you lose thousands of dollars.
How to avoid it:
Whenever someone approaches you at the resort grounds and offers you something for free, especially breakfasts, gift vouchers or spa services, be vigilant. Try to check the uniform – if they don’t wear the resort uniform but have something written like “Vacations Club”, “Holiday Management” or “Travel Services” or things like that, you’re most likely approached with an invitation for a sales pitch. Simply decline with a firm “NO”, walk away and don’t tell them your room number so they can’t call you.
More information: 10 mistakes most travelers do before or during their holiday in Punta Cana
Resort Shop Scam
Talking about the resort, there is another scam that is “provided” or “tolerated” by the resort, even though – similar to the e-ticket – it’s not a 100% scam. But you should definitely know about it before.
What it’s about:
Every resort has a resort shop where you can buy essentials such as snacks, sunscreen, hygiene products, hats, tumblers, swimwear, chargers, etc. – all the things you might forget at home when traveling to Punta Cana. The scammy thing here is that the prices are incredibly high and usually 5 times the amount you would pay in a local supermarket.
A few examples: a bottle of sun protection for 35 USD, a box of Pringles for 10 USD, cigarettes for 15 USD or bikinis for 50 USD and up.
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– I have been living in the Dominican Republic for approx. 6 years
– I have visited more than 50 all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic
– I designed hundreds of tailor-made itineraries for a tour operator in the Dominican Republic
– I have visited more than 40 waterfalls, all 31 provinces and 70 beaches in the Dominican Republic
– I have a bachelor’s degree in tourism and know all the secrets of the industry
– I have spent a total of 373 nights in accommodation in the Dominican Republic, visiting 155 hotels
– I have worked my entire life in the tourism industry and am a passionate traveler as well
Read more about me here or send me a travel coaching request if want to take advantage of my expert knowledge of Punta Cana’s tourism.
The problem is that
1) many people don’t know that prices in the local supermarkets are usually super cheap
AND
2) there are some resorts in Punta Cana where local shops are very difficult to reach, sometimes only with a 30-50 USD taxi ride, especially the resorts in Uvero Alto, Arena Gorda, Cap Cana and Miches.
How to avoid it:
Just don’t forget essential things at home (here is a packing list with the most important items for your Punta Cana holiday) and if you need something, try to go to a local shop or buy it during excursions – they usually also sell overpriced items but not as overpriced as in the resort shop.
Further information:
– Packing Hacks: the items most travelers forget when traveling to Punta Cana – and you shouldn’t
– A video about the top 5 items most people forget at home – and if you really need them*
Price Scams
Talking about prices, this is another topic where you can get easily scammed in Punta Cana – without even knowing it.
What’s it about:
Many travelers don’t know the value of products and services in Punta Cana as they only know the prices for certain goods at home. Sellers know that – and some of them take advantage of that. A shirt for 20 USD, a bottle of rum for 30 USD, some cheap cigars for 50 USD, paintings or artwork for 80 USD, small souvenirs for 10 USD – all prices sound legit, but in most of these cases, they’re not even worth half of the price. Sometimes you even get sold some really cheap stuff with a value of 1 or 2 USD – and the sellers, especially beach vendors, local souvenir stalls or other smaller businesses easily try to sell it to you for 10 or 20 USD.
Editor’s Choice: the best experiences 2025
Most unique experience in a small group: Authentic rum tasting* (rating 4.81/5)
Best Rated Punta Cana excursion: Isla Saona Premium in small groups* (rating 4.95/5)
Most booked through Punta Cana Travel Blog: Small-Group Snorkeling* (rating 4.92/5)
Best off-the-beaten-track excursion: Montana Redonda & Costa Esmeralda* (rating 4.77/5)
Best excursion for family fun: Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo* (rating 4.89/5)
New and trending for 2025: Mimosa Cruise*
Not the right tour for you?
Check out the 45 best Punta Cana excursions here at Punta Cana Travel Blog!
How to avoid it:
There are two options to avoid getting scammed with overpriced products:
- Inform yourself about the local value of certain services or goods before buying anything, either by asking online or talking to a local contact person (e.g. your butler, other seasoned travelers, local friends, etc.) – let me know in the comments if you have specific questions regarding this topic.
- Negotiate hard and don’t be afraid of some “NO’s”. If they don’t accept your price, you can most likely still buy the same item with the next vendor.
Apply at least one of those solutions – or better both.
Fake products
Talking about buying local products, there is another scam in Punta Cana we should talk about.
What’s it about:
Not all goods and items which the seller praise as unique, new, original or high-quality have indeed these characteristics, some of them are just cheap, crap or copied – or all three. The probability of fake products particularly increases for cigars, larimar, other jewelry, arts and crafts.
The Dominican Republic is well-known for its unique larimar stones – but fake products exist. The same goes for high-quality cigars or local artwork.
How to avoid:
Inform yourself about the product you want to buy and check thoroughly if it’s real or fake.
Get your free e-book now – “16 amazing things-to-do for free in Punta Cana”!
For larimar, for example, there are some ways to check it, such as
- Color and pattern (authentic larimar typically has a unique blue hue, ranging from light sky blue to deep ocean blue, often with white streaks or patterns resembling waves. If the stone looks overly uniform or lacks these natural patterns, it might be fake)
- Transparency (real larimar is opaque or semi-translucent. If the stone appears glassy or overly transparent, it could be an imitation made of glass or resin)
- Hardness test (larimar is relatively soft compared to other gemstones. You can gently scratch the unpolished back of the stone with another mineral. If it scratches easily, it’s likely genuine.)
- Light test (hold the stone up to the light. Real larimar doesn’t allow light to pass through, while fake ones might let light through at certain angles.)
For cigars, you can also check some characteristics closer, such as
- Appearance (High-quality cigars have a smooth, even wrapper with no visible veins or blemishes. The color should be consistent throughout the cigar.)
- Construction (gently squeeze the cigar. A well-made cigar feels firm and evenly packed, with no soft spots or lumps.)
- Aroma (Quality cigars have a rich, pleasant aroma). If it smells harsh or chemical-like, it might be of lower quality.
Just to let you know, I am neither a larimar nor a cigar expert, so that specific information is certainly not based on my own experiences compared to all the other first-hand details here on the blog.
Buying Excursions from Beach Vendors
Most of these fake products you can find at the beach in Punta Cana – right where you can find some more fishy tactics, which might lead to some further scams, especially when buying excursions in Punta Cana.
What’s it about:
There are different ways to buy your excursions – online, with the hotel rep, with excursion companies or at the beach. The latter one sometimes might be the cheapest option – but in the long run, it might be the most expensive one.
Beach vendors selling excursions are definitely NOT a scam per sé, but you need to be super cautious and do your own due diligence. You can get some great deals if you negotiate well and know exactly what you’re doing – but you can also get heavily scammed if you’re credulous and deal with the wrong guys.
The problems of excursions bought at the beach usually come down to one big problem: once you have paid, you won’t see this guy (and the money) ever again.
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This means
– if you want to change your dates or want to cancel, it won’t be possible (you lose your deposit)
– if you want to complain because you were sold something different, it won’t be possible (you lose your deposit)
– if you haven’t been picked up because there wasn’t any (or wrong) communication between the beach vendor and the excursion company, it’s your problem (you lose your deposit)
– if there are changes to your excursions due to the weather or operational reasons, you might not get informed (and will wait forever at the pick-up point)
And the list continues …
I think you get the point.
How to avoid it:
Just book excursions with reputable companies. You might pay a few dollars more but these are well invested for your convenience and peace of mind.
Further information:
– the best excursions in Punta Cana – and 5 excursions you should skip
– the best family activities in Punta Cana
– the best things to do in Punta Cana
Parrot Scam
And last but not least we have our final scam – again on the beach. This is a scam many people fall for as cute animals are involved, so better watch out.
What it’s about:
On various beaches in Punta Cana two guys (can also be just one guy in some instances) are roaming along the resorts, usually with a parrot and an iguana on their shoulder. They look for targets, place the animals on the shoulder of the “victims”, take photos with the phones of the “clients” and afterwards ask for an extortionate amount of money. Their scam works best with couples and families, as kids always want these photos (and parents don’t want to say no), the same goes for boyfriends/husbands who don’t want to say no to their better halves.
Everywhere outside of Punta Cana these photos would be worth a tip of 1-2 USD per person. But because these guys know how to make money, they easily ask for 20 USD, 50 USD or even more. And as people are usually happy when they negotiate it down from 50 USD to 25 USD, they still pay 10x the amount they should pay. It’s also worth noting that these guys can be pretty aggressive and unpleasant, so just walk into your resort grounds if you feel uncomfortable, they can’t follow you there.
How to avoid it:
Just say no when they’re approaching you and send them away (especially considering the poor living conditions of those animals). They will insist on taking the photos, but hey, you know the game now after you have read this blog post here.
Alternatively, if you fell into the trap and already took the photo, give them not more than 5 USD for your entire party (not per person) and walk away (ideally, you only have 5 USD in your pocket, so there won’t be any further discussions).
More information: 10 mistakes most travelers do before or during their holiday in Punta Cana
Have you ever fallen into one of these scams? Did you experience other scams during your holiday in Punta Cana? Feel free to comment and let me know your experiences.
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CHRIS
Author, Travel Coach & Industry Professional (Bachelor’s degree in tourism)
Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean soul, who has been living in the Dominican Republic for 6 years. I’d love to be your Punta Cana expert, as I have stayed at more than 45 all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and the country, visited more than 70 beaches, explored more than 40 waterfalls and have seen basically all the attractions Punta Cana has to offer. I have also studied tourism for 3 years and worked in the tourism industry my entire life, which is why I am not only giving you recommendations and tips as a traveler but also the best secrets and travel hacks as an industry professional.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page, send me a travel coaching request or Contact Me here.