10 Best Punta Cana Resorts for Every Type of Traveler
Whether you're eager for a calming, wellness-inspired weekend or a girls-only getaway filled with pool foam parties and frozen drinks, we found options for everyone.
For a warm tropical getaway in the Caribbean, it's hard to beat Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. For one, it's fairly easy to get there thanks to direct flights from a variety of cities including Boston, Chicago and Minneapolis. Most hotels are a short drive from the airport, making it gloriously possible to be on a beach chaise by lunchtime.
Punta Cana is home to dozens of hotels and resorts, but which one is right for you? Whether you're traveling with teens in tow or are eager for an adults-only getaway, we've got you covered. Here are 10 all-inclusives across Punta Cana for all types of island travelers.
The brand-new all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana wows kids and families from the get-go with a massive water park with a lazy river, splashy water cannons and multiple colorful water slides. Set on picturesque Juanillo Beach, kids will be eager to start their day with a snorkel or a swim in the ocean. The Kidz Club has lots of indoor and outdoor activities, like boat races and themed pool parties. In the evening, acrobats, dancers and musicians perform. Thanks to a dozen restaurants, little ones should have no problem finding their favorite dishes and snacks.
For toddlers and small children, it's hard to top a tropical getaway to Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, which includes character breakfasts, meets-and-greets and even mass slimings at the on-site Aqua Nick water park. Stroll the soft sands of Uvero Alto Beach, then make time for photo ops with show faves like Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants and the adorable gang of rescue pups from Paw Patrol. A dozen casual and gourmet restaurants dot the kid-friendly resort, including Zest, which hosts super-fun character dining experiences. The property is also home to the world's only Pineapple Villa, SpongeBob's home away from his undersea home.
Teens will find a sun-splashed tropical paradise on stunning palm-lined Bavaro Beach at all-inclusive Now Larimar Punta Cana. Massive family suites give teens the space they need when they're not off on camp-out adventures and off-site excursions with the Core Zone Teen Club. Teens will love the resort's weekly bonfires and late-night disco mixers, too. As a family, come together at the on-site bowling alley or sample the delicious cuisine at a half-dozen restaurants. Barefoot Grill serves up burgers and hot dogs right on the beach, allowing teens to grab a quick bite then get back in the water on a catamaran sailboat.
There's truly something for everyone at Dreams Punta Cana Resort, a luxurious all-inclusive resort set on a pristine stretch of beach that's just right for a stroll or a snorkel. Tee up at one of four nearby golf courses, go horseback riding on the beach, sign up for a mixology class or simply splash around in one of the largest pools in all of the Dominican Republic. For school age kids, there's an Explorer's Club with a pirate ship water slide and pool, as well as a playground and movies on the beach. Teens will love the Core Zone thanks to a rock-climbing wall, teen discos and batting cages. Even pups can come along for a small fee, which includes a dog bed, food and water bowls, and dog toys.
Situated adjacent to the Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana on the pristine Juanillo Beach, the brand-new all-inclusive Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana is a dream for food lovers. Six scrumptious on-site restaurant options range from French-Polynesian cuisine at Brandos to Hindu-inspired dishes at Journeys. You can even order up gourmet pizzas at Presto. Guests have access to all the restaurants at its sister property, too, including Tempest Table for Asian-fusion cuisine and The Chinola for beachfront clean eating. In between delicious meals, relax in the infinity pool, join a yoga class on the beach for sun salutations or take a cooking class.
Set on sun-soaked Bavaro Beach, all-inclusive Occidental Punta Cana is the ideal tropical destination for a fun-filled girls' getaway. Lounge on a poolside chaise, frozen drink in hand, or head out to the soft, sandy beach for a splash in the gentle turquoise waters. Here you'll find water sports aplenty, like windsurfing, scuba diving, sailing and snorkeling. For endless fun, splash around at a pool foam party, get massages or take a poolside dance class. Settle in with the girls for laughs and reminiscing at one of 11 restaurants and 10 bars across the stylish resort. Enjoy evening music performances, then dance the night away at Mangu Night Club.
Set on Macao Beach, singles will find a glam, party vibe at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana. Choose from one of 15 swimming pools to cool off in, or order up a fruity cocktail at one of four swim-up bars. Chill out at Sax Pool or go topless sunbathing at the adults-only Eden Pool. Take your pick of cuisine at 13 on-site restaurants, then get the party started at seven lively bars across the music-oriented resort, including ultra-hip nightclub, Oro. Max out your workout at Body Rock, a state-of-the-art fitness center or let it ride at the glitzy casino.
Couples will find a lot to love on Uvero Alto Beach at uber-sophisticated CHIC Punta Cana, an adults-only all-inclusive. Snuggle up together on a sumptuous DreamBed (dreamy indeed) or sign up for a complimentary surfing lesson to ride the waves. Take your pick of six mouth-watering restaurants, which include Italian, Japanese and Middle Eastern cuisines. Get a couple's beach massage or play tennis or basketball at on-site courts. Upgrade to Diamond Club for access to a private beach, premium cocktails and the rooftop Mermaid Pool, which wows with a glass viewing wall.
When you find you're overdue for self-care, there's no better place to renew and recharge than Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort, an adults-only all-inclusive. Gaze out into the ocean with a fresh fruity cocktail in-hand as gentle cerulean waves wash onto the soft sand of Bavaro Beach. When you're ready to give up your chaise lounge, the spa awaits at this wellness-inclusive property, which recently introduced a new Wellbeing 360 Experience. Transformative wellness programs include activities like yoga, guided meditation, botanical garden workshops and healing fire ritual ceremonies. Stroll across the lush tropical resort, then take a dip in one of the resort's refreshing swimming pools.
For some, wellness means massages and meditations. For others, wellness translates into high-intensity group fitness classes and curated workouts, which is what adults-only all-inclusive Breathless Punta Cana does best. Here guests can join any number of cutting-edge classes, like paddle yoga, cardio boxing (on the beach, of course), aqua pole fitness and Strong by Zumba, a 30-minute cardio and full-body toning workout. Complement group activities with aqua bikes, windsurfing, kayaking and snorkeling. There's a world-class spa here, too, as well as eight pools, 11 restaurants and eight buzzing bars, including two swim-up bars.