Wondering what to wear in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic? This guide gives you the exact outfits you need for December’s tropical weather.
December in Punta Cana is warm and humid, so breathable fabrics, resortwear, swimsuits, and light layers work best.
In this post, you’ll learn how to stay comfortable for beaches, pools, adventures, and evening plans.
You’ll get simple outfit tips that make dressing for Punta Cana effortless and stylish.
This post is all about what to wear Punta Cana Dominican Republic outfits.
What to Wear in Punta Cana
Weather & Climate 🌫️
Punta Cana is warm and humid all year, including winter months. Expect daytime highs of 84°F to 88°F (29°C to 31°C) and balmy nights around 73°F to 77°F (23°C to 25°C).
December through April is the dry season—perfect beach weather with plenty of sun and only occasional showers. Humidity is high, so breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics are essential.
Sun protection is also key, as UV levels are intense even on cloudy days.
How Locals Dress ✨
Dominican locals dress comfortably and colorfully, with an appreciation for breezy dresses, button-down shirts, and bright prints.
You’ll see casual, tropical-friendly styles during the day, and more polished, form-fitting outfits for nightlife or Sunday brunch.
While tourists often go ultra-casual, locals elevate their beachwear with style—linen sets, tailored shorts, maxi dresses, and flat sandals all blend with Punta Cana’s upscale resort atmosphere.
Off-Shoulder & Denim Shorts for a Cute Punta Cana Day Look
This relaxed look is perfect for beach market strolls or brunch, pairing soft stripes with summer-ready denim and playful accessories.
✨ Get the Look:
Light Blue Off-Shoulder Top / High-Waisted Rolled Denim Shorts / Pink Flat Slides / Round Sungla
Outerwear 🧥
You won’t need coats or jackets, but do pack a light cardigan or linen wrap for indoor air conditioning or breezy evenings.
A cotton kimono or chiffon duster is perfect for layering over swimwear or transitioning your look from beach to bar.
Off-Shoulder & Denim Shorts for a Cute Punta Cana Day Look
This relaxed look is perfect for beach market strolls or brunch, pairing soft stripes with summer-ready denim and playful accessories.
✨ Get the Look:
Light Blue Off-Shoulder Top / High-Waisted Rolled Denim Shorts / Pink Flat Slides / Round Sungla
Layers & Fabrics 🧵
Stick to lightweight, breathable fabrics like linen, cotton voile, rayon, and bamboo blends. Avoid heavy knits or polyester.
Think easy, flowy layers that move with the breeze and dry quickly after pool dips or beach strolls. Mesh cover-ups and sarongs are island essentials.
Striped Shirt & White Denim for a Tropical Casual Outfit
This breezy coastal look is ideal for sightseeing or market hopping, mixing crisp white denim with coastal blue tones.
✨ Get the Look:
Blue and White Striped Short-Sleeve Shirt (Tied Front) / White High-Waisted Denim Shorts / Woven Raffia Handbag with Shell Detail / Round Sungl
Tops 👚
Pack off-shoulder tops, cropped blouses, and sleeveless tanks in tropical prints or bold solids. Flowy fabrics and airy fits are key.
Linen button-downs or light tunics are perfect for beach lunches or excursions. For resort dinners, a halter-neck top or satiny cami adds instant elegance.
Orange Tank & Loose Linen Pants for an Easy Breezy Outfit
This laid-back resort look combines citrus tones and relaxed silhouettes with playful accessories and a beachy touch.
✨ Get the Look:
Rust Orange Spaghetti Strap Tank / White Wide-Leg Linen Pants / Yellow-Striped Oversized Shirt (Worn Open) / Brown Strappy Sandals / Round Straw Bag / Printed Headscarf / White Round Sunglasses / Layered Necklaces
Bottoms 👖
High-waisted shorts, flowy palazzo pants, and cotton skirts are versatile for day and night. Lightweight fabrics that don’t cling work best.
A wrap skirt or drawstring linen pant is perfect for island exploring. Skip jeans—too heavy and hot for Punta Cana’s climate.
White Tank & Floral Wrap Skirt for a Punta Cana Sunset Look
This breezy sunset-ready look combines bold florals and vacation staples, ideal for golden hour lounging or casual dinners.
✨ Get the Look:
White Scoop Neck Tank Top / White Floral Sarong Wrap Skirt / Tan Flat Sandals / Straw Tote with Tassels / Round Sunglasses / Straw Floppy Hat / Layered Gold Necklaces / Wavy Hair.
Dresses 👗
Maxi dresses, wrap dresses, and sundresses are your best friends. Go for vibrant colors, tropical florals, or crisp white for daytime chic.
For evenings, pack a form-fitting midi or flowing strapless number in lightweight satin or crepe. These transition seamlessly from cocktails to beachfront dancing.
Bright Orange Mini Dress for a Warm & Minimal Beach Look
This playful and vibrant look is the ultimate minimalist take on vacation dressing — easy, breezy, and bold.
✨ Get the Look:
Sleeveless Orange High-Neck Mini Dress / White Slide Sandals / White Cat-Eye Sunglasses
Shoes 👢
Flat sandals, espadrilles, and slides are perfect for daytime. For dinners or dancing, opt for wedges or heeled mules.
Flip-flops are great for poolside, but elevate your look elsewhere with more polished flats.
Avoid sneakers unless you’re doing an excursion or need arch support for travel days.
Black Tank & Linen Trousers for Tropical Chic Layers
This sleek and minimal look nails tropical elegance with a modern silhouette and texture-rich accessories.
✨ Get the Look:
Black High-Neck Sleeveless Tank / White Linen High-Waisted Wide-Leg Pants / Straw Bucket Bag / Roun
Accessories 🧣
Bring a wide-brim hat, sunglasses, and reusable water bottle. A woven beach bag is perfect for day trips, while a small crossbody works for nights out.
Add shell jewelry, gold bangles, or a statement earring to elevate simple outfits. Headscarves or hair clips also help with humidity styling.
Rust Maxi Dress for a Summer-in-December Look
This bold maxi dress brings volume and drama to warm holiday style with puff sleeves, a tie waist, and stacked gold accessories.
✨ Get the Look:
Rust Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress with Tie Waist / Woven Straw Mini Tote / Statement Earrings / Gold Bangle Stacks / Long Waves / Warm Toned Makeup
Color Palette & Style Vibe 🎨
Lean into tropical tones: turquoise, sunset orange, coral, white, and bold florals. The vibe is resort-ready and radiant—nothing too tight, but everything should feel fresh, light, and celebratory.
Choose prints and colors that pop against palm trees and white sand. Comfort and glow are the name of the game.
Striped Shirt & White Shorts for Soft Beach Tones
This relaxed beach-ready look is all about playful volume and crisp contrast, styled with summery accessories.
✨ Get the Look:
Blue and White Striped Oversized Shirt (Tied Front) / White High-Waisted Denim Shorts / Woven Mini Basket Basket Bag / Round Sunglasses / Statement Shell Earrings / Colorful Flat Sandals / Natural Curls
Daytime vs Evening Outfits 🌞🌙
Daytime calls for bikinis, cover-ups, linen shorts, and cropped tanks. Evenings are a step up—think maxi dresses, satiny tops with palazzo pants, or halter-neck midis.
Swapping flip-flops for sandals and adding jewelry is often all it takes to transform your look for dinner or drinks.
White Halter & Print Pants for a Punta Cana Evening Style
This elegant vacation evening look is a fresh blend of structure and statement, grounded in bold abstract print.
✨ Get the Look:
White High-Neck Sleeveless Blouse / Multicolor Abstract Print Wide-Leg Pants / White Mini Shoulder Bag / Gold Hoop Earings
Common Mistakes / What to Avoid 🚫
Don’t bring jeans, heavy sneakers, or long sleeves unless they’re linen. Skip all-black outfits—they absorb too much heat.
Avoid synthetic fabrics—they trap sweat and feel sticky. And don’t overpack heels or overly formal pieces—you won’t need them in most Punta Cana settings.
Final Tips & Best Practices ✅
Pack outfits you can mix and match, and bring extras of swimwear and underwear—humidity can slow drying time.
Choose light colors and layers, stay sun-safe with SPF and hats, and focus on comfort. A few polished pieces go a long way in transforming resort casual into sunset-ready glam.
Final Outfit Checklist 📝
Pack bikinis and cover-ups, flowy dresses, linen pants, light tops, flat sandals, a sun hat, sunglasses, evening wedges, bold earrings, tropical prints, a light cardigan, and natural fabrics—ensuring you stay cool, glowing, and gorgeously dressed from beach days to rum-filled nights in Punta Cana.
