Hello, I am travelling next week to Punta Cana and am curious about safe options for airport transportation from the airport to Princess Punta Cana (adults only) for a solo traveler. Seems like there's a ton of options and price ranges.
Wife and I are getting massages there in a couple days and Im curious what to expect. A few years ago I ended up getting a massage at the place next to it and was a little surprised the lady took my swim trunks off after I was under the towel. Also a little surprised how far up the thighs they rubbed but Im not complaining (not a happy ending or anything, just hands sliding up against the genitals). Is that the norm down here or will it be different at Tropical Treasures? Id prefer to be completely undressed and am wondering if that is an option as it doesn't appear to have much privacy.
Just stayed at Zel Punta Cana with my girlfriend and honestly I do not understand how this place has so many 5 star reviews. I am not trying to be rude or just complain, because there were good things about it, but I think 3 out of 5 is fair.
The good stuff first. The resort is very clean, safe, and relaxing. Check in was smooth, staff were nice when we arrived, our suitcase was brought to the room, and the room was clean. Housekeeping came every day, towels were changed, water was restocked, and the room had good AC and fans. The pools were really nice, the beach was clean, and the property was well maintained. No garbage, no seaweed, no animals around, and the resort felt secure.
The beach itself was not bad. The chairs were comfortable and the shuttle to the beach was easy. It takes maybe 2 minutes by shuttle or around 10 minutes to walk, so I do not think the walk is a big deal. But I wish the beach was actually connected to the resort. There were also not enough umbrellas or shade, and the vendors came up constantly trying to sell things, even when we were trying to relax or sleep.
The biggest disappointment was the food. The buffet selection was limited and the food was very hit or miss. Some fish was overcooked, the shrimp was not properly cleaned, and seeing a big vein in shrimp while eating is really off putting. We also found what looked like a worm in one of our breakfast meals, and my girlfriend got sick for a couple days. I cannot say for sure what caused it, but after that I was definitely more cautious with the food.
The restaurants were mixed. Teppanyaki was actually pretty good. The Mexican restaurant was decent too. I got the fish filet and it tasted fresh with a good marinade. But the appetizer that was supposed to be flavoured goat cheese did not really taste like goat cheese, and they gave only 3 small pieces of bread with a lot of cheese. The steakhouse was disappointing. The filet was chewy, sides were limited, and the cheesecake was warm. The drinks there were good, but the food felt mid for a steakhouse.
The drinks overall were inconsistent. A lot of drinks had way too much alcohol, to the point where you could not enjoy them. Most piña coladas came from a slushie machine instead of being made fresh. If I ask for a fresh piña colada, I expect it to be made fresh, not poured from a machine and filled with rum. I also ordered a mojito and saw mint leaves that looked almost black, which was not appealing.
There are also not enough bars around the resort. If you are at the far end of the pool, you have to walk all the way back to the main bar just to get a drink. For an all inclusive resort, I found that annoying. Voltaje bar was also very small inside, especially for a resort that already feels quiet at night.
Nighttime entertainment was basically nonexistent. We saw dancers for maybe 5 minutes and live music for maybe 10 minutes. That was pretty much it. I know now that I booked more of a relaxation style resort, so that part is partly on me, but the place felt dead at night. It seemed like people were going to other resorts for entertainment.
The spa pricing was also crazy in my opinion. We were quoted around 400 USD for an 80 minute couples deep tissue massage, and that was with 10 percent off. I understand resort spas are more expensive, but that felt unrealistic. The guy also told us to book with him so he could get commission, which made it feel more like a sales pitch.
The room was clean, but our sheets did not seem to be changed once. I marked the sheets to check and the mark stayed there. I was tipping housekeeping 5 USD a day, so that bothered me.
The language barrier was hard sometimes too. I know we are in a Spanish speaking country, but this is an international resort, and simple things like asking for a fresh drink or confirming transportation should be easier.
The departure transfer process was frustrating. We were told Nexus does not come to Zel, then sent near the pool, then back to the lobby, then told to go to another resort. I ended up calling Nexus myself using one of the worker’s phones, and Nexus confirmed they do come directly to Zel and told me not to worry about what the resort staff said.
Overall, I do not think Zel is a bad resort. It is clean, safe, calm, and relaxing. If you want to do almost nothing for a week, you might really like it. But for around 4000 CAD for two people, I expected better food, better drinks, more bars, better entertainment, better spa value, and a smoother departure process.
I also saw The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real nearby and honestly it looked like it had a way better atmosphere and setup. Maybe I booked the wrong type of resort, and that part is my fault, but I still do not think Zel is a 5 star experience.
For me, 3 out of 5 is fair. Clean, safe, and relaxing, but too quiet and underwhelming for the price. Am I being too harsh, or did anyone else feel the same?
I’m going to be visiting next week and I wanna know would the dogs sniff out my shrooms? Shroom chocolate maybe? I’m just looking for some insight on the subject before I try it.
Will be travelling there soon and want to know if there will be machines where I can do my laundry or if I will need to sink wash/pack more.
I’m gonna be in Punta Cana for the next couple of days. What are some excursions I should book? I want to experience a little bit of everything, but I feel like a lot of the stuff on viator has mixed reviews. I’m also 24f traveling alone, is there any good excursions for me to meet others around my age?
How accepting or friendly is the DR around same-sex hookups? Do you see any other girl-on-girl at clubs or nightlife?
Fiancé and I are planning to have our honeymoon in Punta Cana probably the first two weeks of December. We're aiming for 6 night stay preferably at an adult only resort.
Trying to budget around 5k for this trip. We've heard a lot about Secrets and Excellence but we were turned off by review videos about Secrets being very busy and preferred club heavy and the waves at the Excellence beach being rough.
Any recommendations?
Terminal B parking situation right now.
Heads up if you're landing at Terminal B this week
A lot of people come to Punta Cana thinking the resort is the whole trip. Resorts are great, but many visitors make the same mistakes before they even get settled.
Here are a few I see all the time:
Booking the cheapest excursion without checking reviews.
Buying souvenirs at the airport or resort lobby when prices are usually much higher.
Waiting until the last minute to plan popular activities.
Scheduling excursions every single day instead of leaving time to relax.
Not asking what is actually included in a tour.
Forgetting reef-safe sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Assuming every beach vendor or operator offers the same quality.
Not bringing small bills for tips.
Overpacking and leaving no space for coffee, rum, chocolate, larimar, or other souvenirs.
Never leaving the resort and missing the local side of the Dominican Republic.
Punta Cana can be an amazing trip if you plan it right. My advice is simple: compare options, read recent reviews, and choose experiences that match your travel style instead of booking whatever is most advertised.
Insider’s Tip: Don’t choose excursions based only on price. Transportation, group size, safety, guide quality, and what’s included can completely change the experience.
What would you add to the list?
My wife and I booked our first ever all-inclusive resort trip to Serenade, adults only side. We jumped on a good sale and am wondering how people's experiences have been here? We are staying a Friday through Sunday in mid October. Only having 2 full days, we plan to spend most of the time in pools or relaxing on the beach. Is the couple hundred dollars saved worth it to stay here? Thanks in advance!
My wife and I just got back from our wedding in Punta Cana, and I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
From the moment we landed, everything went smoothly. The airport transportation to our hotel was on time, comfortable, and made the start of the trip completely stress-free.
The wedding itself was beautiful. The décor was exactly what we had envisioned, the food and drinks were great, and having a sunset ceremony made it even more memorable. It was one of those moments we’ll never forget.
Since we had a big group with us, we wanted everyone to have fun outside of the wedding too. We booked a private boat party before the wedding, and it ended up being one of everyone’s favorite parts of the trip. After the sunset ceremony, we kept the celebration going with our wedding after-party at Empire Night Club, which was an awesome way to end the night.
A huge shout-out to Beachfun809 for organizing the boat party and helping us with the nightlife. They made everything easy, and we didn’t have to worry about coordinating transportation or figuring out where to go. It really let us enjoy the trip instead of stressing over logistics.
Overall, Punta Cana exceeded every expectation we had. The people were friendly, the resorts were beautiful, the food and drinks were excellent, and there was so much to do beyond just sitting on the beach.
If you’re planning a wedding, bachelor/bachelorette trip, or even just a vacation with friends, I definitely recommend taking advantage of everything Punta Cana has to offer. Don’t just stay at the resort—getting out on the water and experiencing the nightlife made the trip unforgettable.
We will be in punta cana for a week with 4 adults and 5 kinds ranging from 7-15. we are looking for a private boat excursion where they can take us around and we can do some snorkeling and swimming, with some snacks and drinks. any first hand experience and suggestions who should i try to book with? thank you.
I've spent over 12 years working in the travel industry in Punta Cana, starting back in 2014, and during that time I visited many of these resorts myself while also working closely with hotels, guests and local partners.
I figured it's finally time to put everything I've learned into one post and share a full breakdown of the all-inclusive (and a few non all-inclusive) resorts around Punta Cana.
I'm splitting the list by price range and also between Adults Only and Family Friendly resorts to make it easier to compare.
Obviously, prices can change depending on the season, room category and promotions, but this should give you a pretty good idea of what's actually worth your money.
TOP TIER $800+/night (In this category of resorts you really can't go wrong on food, service, design or rooms.)
Adults Only
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana - probably the best adults only resort in the entire Dominican Republic. Food, service and beach are all next level.
Secrets Cap Cana - beautiful modern design, one of the best beaches in the area and food that's actually consistent night after night. Safe pick if you want zero surprises.
Sanctuary Cap Cana - the Spanish colonial design makes it stand out from everything else around. Service is outstanding, food is great, just don't expect the strongest beach in Cap Cana.
Eden Roc Cap Cana - ultra luxury boutique with stunning villas, your own golf cart, and one of the best dining experiences in the entire Caribbean at La Palapa.
W Punta Cana - one of the newest resorts in Punta Cana and you can feel it everywhere. Modern, design-forward, younger crowd than the rest of the luxury bracket.
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana - small, intimate and wellness focused. Not the place for a party, perfect if you want to fully disconnect.
St. Regis Cap Cana - brand new, stunning architecture, beautiful rooms and luxury service from start to finish.
Tortuga Bay - feels more like a private residential community than a typical resort. Extremely personalized.
Families
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana - the best family resort in Punta Cana in my opinion. Amazing food, great service, fantastic water park.
Moon Palace The Grand Punta Cana - brand new, still too early to judge, but the rooms, pools and overall design look very impressive so far.
JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar - classy, almost old-school luxury feel. Wine list is AMAZING and the à la carte restaurants are genuinely good. Food is 7.5/10. Some rooms are starting to feel a bit dated.
Excellence Punta Cana - beautiful tropical layout and one of the strongest food programs at this price level. Food is 8/10. Beach not the best, depending on the season.
Excellence El Carmen - newer, more modern, more pools. Pretty much the same food quality as its sister resort, 8/10.
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana - great beach, fun atmosphere without feeling overcrowded. Food is 7/10 and you also get access to Dreams next door for more options.
Paradisus Palma Real - beautiful resort with big suites, and they just brought in celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso to refresh the menus. Food is 7/10 (the renovation helped but still not consistent across all restaurants). Service can be a bit hit or miss.
Hilton La Romana Adults Only (now also branded as Secrets La Romana) - beautiful beach, very relaxed. Food is 7/10.
Finest Punta Cana - probably the best balance of family and adult areas in Punta Cana. Food is 8/10, the steakhouse and French restaurant are standouts.
Paradisus Grand Cana - huge modern suites, very strong for families with younger kids. Food is 7.5/10.
Nickelodeon Punta Cana - the kids genuinely lose their minds over it. Food is 6.5/10, but you're paying for the experience, not the food.
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana - sits on one of the most beautiful beaches in Punta Cana. Food is 7.5/10, and Oceana is one of the best resort restaurants I've eaten at in the DR.
Dreams Cap Cana - great for families who want Cap Cana without paying Hyatt prices. Food is 7/10.
Hilton La Romana Family Resort - calm beach, easy to navigate, perfect for families with younger kids. Food is 7/10.
Dreams Dominicus La Romana - the water here is unreal, real turquoise glass calm. People mostly book it for the beach. Food is 7/10.
Casa de Campo Resort & Villas - completely different beast. Famous for the golf, the marina and the villas. Not your typical all-inclusive.
Live Aqua Punta Cana - modern, beautiful pools and one of the best breakfasts you'll find at this price level. Food is 7.5/10. Honestly punches above its price.
Royalton CHIC Punta Cana - fun, lively, modern, big party crowd. Food is 6.5/10 and service can be inconsistent.
Secrets Tides Punta Cana - brand new and getting mix reviews so far. Food is 7.5/10.
Melia Punta Cana Beach - quiet adults only with a wellness vibe. Food is 7/10. Great if peace is your priority.
Zel Punta Cana - fresh, modern, laid back design. Pool scene is better than the beach here. Food is 7/10.
Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana - fun atmosphere, nice rooms, usually cheaper than the surrounding Cap Cana resorts. Food is 7/10.
Hyatt Vivid Punta Cana - brand new, modern design, still too early to judge.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana - massive, loud, fun, never a dull moment. Food is 6.5/10 and not the reason to book it.
Royalton Bavaro - modern rooms, good beach, lots for families to do. Food is 7.5/10 (the steakhouse and hibachi are the strongest). Diamond Club is worth it if the upgrade isn't crazy.
Iberostar Selection Bavaro Suites - beautiful beach, solid across the board, never the standout but never disappointing either. Food is 7/10.
Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa - modern rooms, lazy river and access to Breathless next door. Great for families with older kids. Food is 7/10.
Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana - not the newest but the layout works well for families. Food is 7/10.
Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro - renovated rooms, nice beach and good value. Food is 7/10.
Bahia Principe Ambar - the pool parties and entertainment are genuinely fun, but the food side is the weak link. Food is 6/10, the buffet is repetitive and the à la cartes aren't as gourmet as they market them.
Hotel Riu Palace Macao - the calmer Riu Palace option. Good if you like the brand but want to skip the party crowd at Republica. Food is 6.5/10.
Hotel Riu Republica - pure party resort. Pool games, nightlife, casino. Food is 6/10.
Catalonia Royal Bavaro - relaxed, friendly, calm beach. Food is 6.5/10, rooms could use a refresh. (I personally dont like this brand.)
Punta Cana Princess - small, quiet, easy to get around. Food is 6/10 but the price usually reflects it.
Breathless Punta Cana - social vibe, fun nightlife, exchange privileges with Dreams Onyx next door (which is actually a bigger deal than people realize). Food is 6.5/10 and the beach isn't anything special.
Lopesan Costa Bavaro - beautiful design, huge pools and the themed nightly restaurants are a real differentiator. Food is 7.5/10.
Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Bavaro - the quieter, more upgraded section inside Iberostar. Food is 7.5/10, the Coral buffet is better than what you'll find at the surrounding Iberostar properties.
Majestic Mirage Punta Cana - spacious suites, beautiful pools, very friendly butler service. Food is 7.5/10, the buffets are honestly some of the best in this price range.
Majestic Elegance Punta Cana - comfortable rooms, beautiful beach, good value when you find it on sale. Food is 7.5/10.
Majestic Colonial Punta Cana - the original of the three Majestic resorts. A bit older but still solid. Food is 6.5/10.
Bahia Principe Esmeralda - renovated rooms, lots for families to do. Food is 6.5/10 and the restaurants can be inconsistent.
Dreams Flora Resort & Spa - modern rooms, fun pools, good value for families. Food is 6.5/10.
Princess Family Club Bavaro - built for families with younger kids. Fun water park and plenty going on all day. Food is 6.5/10.
Grand Bavaro Princess - beautiful beach, recently renovated rooms, usually priced better than similar resorts. Food is 6.5/10.
Royalton Punta Cana - good beach, lots to do, direct access to the Splash water park next door. Food is 7/10.
Royalton Splash Punta Cana - the water park is the whole show here. Kids will never want to leave. Food is 6.5/10 and the beach isn't the highlight.
Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino - huge property with lots of restaurants. Food is 6.5/10 and be ready to walk a lot.
Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites - nice beach, plenty of dining and a relaxed atmosphere. Food is 6.5/10, some areas feel outdated.
Ocean El Faro - modern resort with nice pools and lots of restaurants. Food is 6.5/10 and the beach isn't as nice as the rest of the resort.
Ocean Blue & Sand - comfortable resort, nice beach, decent value. Food is 6/10, rooms starting to show their age.
Jewel Punta Cana - laid-back, nice beach, usually a fair price. Food is 6.5/10.
Serenade Punta Cana Beach & Spa - modern look, nice pools and underrated for what you pay. Food is 7/10.
Serenade All Suites - spacious suites and a quieter atmosphere. Food is 7/10. Good for families who want more space.
Funeeq Punta Cana - brand new family resort. Looks promising but too early to judge properly.
Melia Caribe Beach Resort - tropical resort with lots of palm trees and wildlife. Food is 6.5/10. Service can drop when the resort is full.
Riu Naiboa - one of the cheapest Rius in Punta Cana. Food is 5.5/10. Fine on a tight budget, but don't expect much.
Be Live Collection Punta Cana - decent beach and affordable rates. Food is 6/10 and service is very inconsistent.
Vista Sol Punta Cana - older resort with a nice beach and relaxed vibe. Food is 6/10. A fair option if the price is right.
Sirenis Punta Cana Adults Section - quiet adults area, but the rooms and food both feel dated. Food is 6/10.
Sunscape Coco Punta Cana - lively atmosphere with plenty going on. Food is 6/10. Still has room to improve.
TRS Turquesa - once one of the stronger adults-only options in Punta Cana, but today it feels dated compared to many of the newer resorts.
El Beso Adults Only at Ocean El Faro - the quieter adults section inside Ocean El Faro. Food is 6.5/10. Don't expect luxury.
Turquesa - once one of the stronger adults-only options in Punta Cana, but today it feels dated compared to many of the newer resorts.
Royal Suites Turquesa - used to be a real luxury contender, today it feels outdated compared to the newer competition. Food is 6/10.
Bahia Principe Aquamarine - adults section with a fun atmosphere. Food is 6/10, rooms are showing their age.
Bahia Principe Punta Cana - huge resort with plenty for families to do. Food is 6/10, rooms feel dated.
Bahia Principe Turquesa - family section with lots going on. Food is 6/10. Budget pick if expectations are realistic.
Bahia Principe Fantasia Punta Cana - castle theme, kids love it. Food is 6/10. Paying for the concept more than anything.
Occidental Caribe - wide beach, lots of activities, usually very affordable. Food is 6/10 and the rooms really need an update.
Occidental Punta Cana - beautiful beach, decent value. Food is 6/10 and service can be inconsistent.
Iberostar Waves Punta Cana - nice beach, family vibe, but the rooms feel old and the food is nothing special. Food is 6/10.
Iberostar Dominicana - basically the same story as Iberostar Waves Punta Cana. Food is 6/10.
Whala Bavaro - simple budget resort in a good location. Food is 5.5/10. Fine if you don't plan on hanging around the resort.
Tropical Deluxe Princess - affordable family resort with nice pools and a good beach. Food is 6/10. Rooms could use a refresh.
Caribe Deluxe Princess - very similar to Tropical Deluxe Princess and similar value. Food is 6/10.
Wyndham Alltra Punta Cana - modern rooms, nice beach, but the food is fairly average. Food is 6/10.
Impressive Punta Cana - nice location and decent beach. Food is 6/10 and overall feels pretty average.
Impressive Premium Punta Cana - slightly upgraded experience. Food is 6.5/10. Not a huge step up unless the price is very close.
Hotel Riu Bambu - affordable, lively and great for families on a tighter budget. Food is 6/10.
Catalonia Bavaro Beach Golf & Casino - calm beach, tropical atmosphere, fair price. Food is 6.5/10. Solid budget option if you don't need luxury.
Viva Wyndham Dominicus Beach - beautiful turquoise water, fun atmosphere, great value. One of my favorite budget options around Bayahibe. Food is 6.5/10.
Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace - quieter than Dominicus Beach, slightly more upscale feel. Food is 6.5/10.
Garden Suites by Melia - spacious suites and access to the rest of the Melia complex. Food is 6.5/10. Good value if you don't mind being a little further from the beach.
If you're debating between any of these resorts, drop the name in the comments and I'll do my best to help.
I've visited many of them myself and worked with most of the others over the years, so I'm happy to share what I liked, what I didn't, and which ones I'd personally choose depending on your budget and travel style.
Some resorts are even better than they look online... and some are the complete opposite.
I don't work as a travel agent anymore, so I can't help with quotes or bookings, but I'm always happy to help if you're trying to choose the right resort.
Hey everyone! Private driver based in Punta Cana here — happy to help with questions about getting around
Hi all, I'm Alex, I live in Punta Cana and work as a private driver/tour guide here. I speak English, German, French, and Spanish, so I end up helping a lot of travelers who don't want to deal with the big tour bus groups or aren't sure how to get around safely once they land.
A few things I get asked a lot in this sub:
Airport pickup vs. resort taxis vs. renting a car
Day trips worth doing outside the resort (Saona Island, Los Haitises, Montaña Redonda, Santo Domingo, Higüey)
Local spots most tourists don't find on their own (coffee/cacao plantations, cigar factories)
I'm not here to spam ads — just wanted to introduce myself in case anyone has questions before their trip, or wants a recommendation that isn't from a resort concierge pushing overpriced excursions. Feel free to comment or DM me if you're planning a trip and want honest advice, whether or not you end up booking with me.
Happy to answer anything about Punta Cana logistics!
Hi, me and 4 of buddies of mine going to riu republica in a week.
Did you know a good golf course that they accept anyone and can rent club set? I have seen a lot near the resort but they look private for the each hotels. Maybe asking too much but something max 150usd for an 18hole.
Tell me if you know something.
Thanks you!
Looking for recommendations on family friendly all inclusive resort in Punta Cana for early November. We went a few years ago and stayed at Occidental Punta Cana which we really did enjoy but looking to stay somewhere else possibly a slight step up.
Current top choices are Serenade Punta Cana vs Royalton Bavaro. But open to other options!
We will have 7 adults, 2 teens & 2 kids.
Fifteen years on deck and most days I'm too busy checking lines, watching the weather, or making sure everyone's got a drink in hand to actually stop and look at where I am.
This one's off the Casa de Campo side, calm morning, nobody on board yet. Water out here shifts from that deep navy to this green-turquoise depending on the depth — you can actually see the drop-off from the flybridge on a clear day like this.
Punta Cana gets compared to Cancún a lot but the water here is a different animal — less current, calmer most mornings, better for people who get seasick easy on the open Caribbean side.
Anyway. Rare quiet moment, figured I'd share it.
The hubs and I will be traveling to the DR for our 10 year anniversary this August. I know it’s a less than ideal time to travel there due to sargassum and the heat but it’s the best time for us to travel without our kids.
We have narrowed it down to 2 resorts. The Secrets Royal Beach and the Majestic Mirage. I am having a bit of trouble making a decision. The majestic mirage has a roof top sky view suite available well within our price range. Secrets has several junior suites available along with a few preferred suites. Is it worth upgrading to the preferred club suites?
Please share any feedback or recommendations you have for either resort. Also, feel free to share any travel advice you may have.