St Lucia is an English Speaking Eastern Caribbean Island which is a favorite vacation spot for visitors to the Southern Caribbean.
Likewise, Punta Cana is situated in the Eastern region of the nation Dominican Republic and is known for its wide range of vacation resorts.
In this article, we compare and contrast Punta Cana to St Lucia to help you narrow down your perfect vacation destination.
As a general rule, St Lucia is ideal for visitors seeking to island hop to the neighboring French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. Alternatively, Punta Cana is suitable for individuals who want to relax on white sand beaches and explore the unique cave pool Hoyo Azul.
Read on for further information on how St Lucia compares with Punta Cana. This article was written by a Caribbean national.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Which Destination Is Bigger
Known globally for its stunning twin peaks known as the Pitons, St Lucia is the larger of the two destinations being 238 square miles.
Punta Cana on the other hand is slightly smaller being 183.5 square miles.
Punta Cana has the higher elevation of the two places with Pico Duarte being 10,184 feet while Mount Gimie stands at 3,120 feet in St Lucia.
Additionally, Pico Duarte is the highest peak in the entire Caribbean region and the 16th highest point of elevation compared to other islands worldwide.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Does The Currency Differ?
The official currency of both destinations differs. For day to day transactions in St Lucia, the Eastern Caribbean dollar is used.
This currency is shared with seven other English Speaking Caribbean islands.
On the other hand, as part of the Dominican Republic the official currency of the Punta Cana is the Dominican Peso.
Its symbol is $ with RD$ being used to prevent confusion with other currencies.
The Dominican Peso is issued and managed by the Central Bank of Dominican Republic and is available in bank notes and coins.
Bank notes are available in 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000 bills. Alternatively, coins are available in 1, 5, 10 and 25 peso.
Nonetheless, the US dollar is widely accepted for financial transactions in both destinations. Change is usually given in local currencies.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Does The Language Differ?
Along the same lines as the local currency, the language spoken in both destinations differ.
Spanish is the official language of Dominican Republic as it was previous a colony of Spain.
On the contrary, English is the official language of St Lucia. However, the language used day to day by the locals is called Patois which is a broken form of French creole.
In St Lucia, many children learn Patois as their first language and later English is taught in the school system.
The French occupied St Lucia from 1651, when the island was purchased from the Caribs.
In 1814, St Lucia was transferred to the English. The French heritage is still alive in the island’s culture today.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Can You Island Hop To Other Destinations
St Lucia provides exceptional opportunities for seamlessly exploring other destinations via ferry services.
L’Express Des IIes offers easy transfer between St Lucia and the French Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe.
As overseas territories of France, the Euro is the official currency used in the French Caribbean.
Furthermore, L’Express Des IIes has transfers to the Eastern Caribbean Island of Dominica.
The Eastern Caribbean Dollar is also the official currency used in Dominica and is an excellent destination for nature lovers.
Alternatively, access to other countries directly from Punta Cana is limited. There is a ferry service to Puerto Rico which is restricted to select days each week from San Juan to Santo Domingo.
The Capital city of the country Dominican Republic is Santo Domingo. Moreover, from Santo Domingo, one can cross the overland border to Haiti.
It takes about 7 hours via bus to Port Au Prince which is the capital city of Haiti. This time may increase due to the volume of persons at the border.
At the time of publication, the cost of the bus was approximately USD$80.00. A bus ride from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Which Is Better For A Honeymoon
Both destinations are extraordinary places to consider for a honeymoon and it truly depends on the experience that you will like to enjoy.
If your preference is strictly all inclusive resorts and you prefer to spend a considerable time on property, Punta Cana is the ideal destination. The majority of the hotels are all inclusive.
On the other hand, St Lucia has a better balanced between all-inclusive resorts and hotels where you pay separately for your amenities.
If you are seeking a luxurious one of a kind experience, then consider Jade Mountain Resort in St Lucia.
This location has been featured in several publications around the world for its amazing mountain views, exceptional architecture and sea views.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Which Is Better For Nightlife
Hands down, Punta Cana is the more vibrant of the two destinations. Nightlife in Punta Cana consists mainly of nightclubs and restaurants.
Some of the popular places for Coco Bongo, Oro Night Club and Imagine Disco Clubs are some of the largest and most visited in Punta Cana.
It is prudent to make reservations prior to your visit to ensure that you get admission.
On the contrary, there is entertainment in St Lucia but not to the same scale as Punta Cana.
Most of the better spots on the island are concentrated in the Rodney Bay area in Gros Islet.
Furthermore, every Friday excluding Good Friday, there is a street food festival called Fish Friday where fish is the star ingredient in many of the local dishes.
There is usually a live band and vendors selling locally produced craft and souvenirs. Fish Friday is a fantastic opportunity to meet and interact with the locals.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Which Has Better Beaches
If enjoying powdery white sand beaches with beautiful clear waters is your vacation priority, Punta Cana is the better of the two destinations.
Playa Macao is a favorite of local and visitors. It is known for its white sand and clear waters.
Bavaro Beach is also another popular spot known for its beautiful white sand and turquoise waters.
On the other hand, due to the volcanic nature of the island, there are several black sand beaches in St Lucia.
Anse De Piton and Anse Chastanet beaches are two stunning black sand beaches to visit.
One of the popular white sand beaches in St Lucia is Reduit Beach which is a one mile stretch of white sand. Its calm and serene waters make it ideal for both children and adults.
St Lucia Vs Punta Cana- Unique Things To Do
Hoyo Azul, Punta Cana– this gorgeous cave pool with turquoise waters is a unique adventure to explore in Punta Cana.
This activity can be enjoyed by swimmers while there are floatation gears available for non-swimmers.
There is a walking trail before you access the pool which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the flora and fauna.
Immaculate Conception Church, St Lucia– this is an excellent opportunity to visit one of the oldest buildings in the capital city of Castries.
The stain glass windows and wooden ceilings give you a serene environment for prayer and reflection during your vacation.
Final Thoughts
On a whole, St Lucia is ideal for nature lovers who are interested in hiking the island’s famous twin peaks, The Pitons. On the other hand, Punta Cana is ideal for individuals seeking a range of all-inclusive resorts while enjoying a destination with pristine white sand beaches.
Need More Information?
We trust that you found the information helpful as you plan your Caribbean escape of a lifetime.
Feel free to continue reading more content on St Lucia, Punta Cana and the rest of the Caribbean using the search bar located at the top of this page.
Additionally, we have linked the following articles below on Punta Cana which may be valuable for you.
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