According to marine route maps from the period, the property acquired by GRUPO PUNTACANA in 1969 on the southern coast of the country was named Punta Borrachón (“Drunken Point”). Frank Rainieri understood immediately that this name was not attractive for either tourism or commercial purposes. For that reason he decided to use Punta Cana, the name of a nearby area located farther south of the property to name the first hotel constructed called the Punta Cana Club. With the opening of the Punta Cana International Airport, tourists who came to the area thought they had arrived to Punta Cana. What they did not take into account was that upon arrival they were transported to hotels located in the Bavaro, Macao, Arena Gorda, El Cortecito, Cabeza de Toro and Uvero Alto areas. That is why today many hotels use the name Punta Cana along with their brands although not been geographically located in Punta Cana.
Having been identified with the name for over 35 years, the Board of Directors of GRUPO PUNTACANA, pioneers in the destination development and tourism, decided to differentiate itself by converting the brand name PUNTACANA into a sole capitalized written word in late 2004. The emotional attachment and the successful progress of the region was a primary reason for the conversion. The airport on the other hand did not take on the brand name so as to avoid confusion between the destination and the name

The PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation (PCEF), is a non profit foundation established in 1994 by the PUNTACANA RESORT & CLUB to protect and restore the natural resources of the Punta Cana region and contribute to the sustainable development of the country. The Foundation is endowed with a 1,500 acre ecological park and reserve, filled with an array of local flora and fauna, experimental gardens, and a petting zoo. The PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation works directly with the PUNTACANA Resort and Club and numerous national and international partners, to influence and contribute to the rational use of natural resources and respect for nature as a model for the sustainable development of destinations. Established in 1999 by the PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation and Cornell University, the PUNTACANA Center for Sustainability and Biodiversity conducts research, education, and outreach programs to utilize relationships with strategic partners to become an international center of excellence. The Center hosts students, professors, and researchers from over ten universities including Columbia University- Center for Environmental Research and Conservation, Cornell University, Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Harvard University- Museum of Comparative Zoology, INTEC, Leiden University, Millikin University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Miami- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and Virginia Tech.

Visitors of PUNTACANA RESORT & CLUB are invited to visit the PUNTACANA Center in one of our free weekly guided tours. Reservations can be made at the Activities Department or at GUEST SERVICE.

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