Dotted with towering coconut trees, the inviting wide sandy beaches in Punta Cana are what most bone-chilled northerners image when they think of escaping to a Caribbean paradise. Whether you want to languish on the beach all day, play golf on picturesque courses or go horseback riding on the beaches, you’ll find Punta Cana has something for every recreation whim or desire. To fully enjoy this unparalleled beach experience, consider staying in a spacious, amenity-laden vacation rental instead of a small, mundane hotel room. In Punta Cana, your options range from gorgeous condos with balconies, swimming pools, kitchens and other amenities to luxury villas with postcard-like panoramas just outside your window.

Punta Cana has a seemingly endless line-up of activities. If you’ve always wanted to try surfing, Punta Cana is a great place to make the attempt with the Macao Surf Camp, where the entire family can enjoy the experience. For the shop-till-you drop set, the main shopping areas are Artesany Center, Bavaro Shopping Center, Plaza Bavaro, Plaza Punta Cana, Palma Real and the beachside El Cortesito Flea Market.

Divers and snorkelers love Punta Cana because there’s a long coral reef in front of the beaches. Big game fishing is a major draw to Punta Cana as well, which is one of the world’s best places for white marlin fishing. Other catches include dorado, wahoo, yellowfin, tuna, bonito and barracuda. The best fishing in Punta Cana is from March till the end of September.

Tee it high and watch it fly is the mantra in Punta Cana, which has eight golf courses, including the P.B. Dye designed Iberostate Golf Course and the Cocotal Golf & Country Club.

After a full day sunning and funning at the beaches or roaming the fairways, you’ll savor the entry to your spacious vacation rental where you can spread out, relax and enjoy your tranquil surroundings. Better still for families, the fully equipped kitchen allows you to prepare money-saving meals at a fraction of the cost at island restaurants. If you love to cook, why not prepare Dominican delicacies like Moro de guandules, a rice dish made with pigeon peas or Sancocho, a stew made with tropical vegetables and either pork or beef. Deals on Punta Cana vacation rentals