There are hundreds of all-inclusive hotels in the Dominican Republic but not every accommodation is suitable as a family resort in Punta Cana. When you are planning a vacation in Punta Cana with kids it is therefore important to pay attention to the amenities of each resort. What can be overwhelming at the first hand is a breath with the following list of the best family resorts in Punta Cana, which is divided into subcategories to make it even easier for you: the best resort for smaller kids, the best hotels in Punta Cana for teens and the most affordable all-inclusives for families, among others, always taking into consideration key amenities such as family suites, water parks, kids clubs, kid-friendly entertainment or an activity schedule fitting all ages. And the best of this list: those kid-friendly resorts in Punta Cana are not just a random selection – we have visited 90% of them on our own and know all the pros and cons of these family hotels.
- Quick overview: the best family resorts in Punta Cana
- The best Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts for kids (approx. 3-12 years)
- The best family resorts in Punta Cana for teenagers (approx. 13-17 years)
- The best upscale Punta Cana family resorts
- The most affordable Punta Cana family all-inclusive resorts
- The best family activities in Punta Cana
If you need information about the best family activities in Punta Cana, have a look at what to do in Punta Cana with kids.
If you are not sure which Punta Cana hotel is the right one for you, you can check out here how to find the best all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana.
Completely UPDATED: November 2023
Quick overview: the best family resorts in Punta Cana
Finding a resort for your family vacation 2024 in Punta Cana might not be easy. There are so many resorts in Punta Cana catering to families that I often read emergency messages from parents who can’t decide on a hotel.
Even if you have only very limited time, I highly recommend you to read the full article as this is not just another random list of the best family resorts for your Dominican Republic vacation. You’ll rather find a hand-picked selection of the best resorts for every kind of traveler, which is exclusively based on all our own experiences we made throughout the years visiting all theses hotels and resorts. Therefore, we can also give you the best amenities and advantages for each one of the family hotels, which are outlined in each section.
Still, if you’re just looking for a quick overview, here are the best Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts at a glance, depending on what exactly you’re looking for:
The best Punta Cana family resort for teens: Dreams Macao Beach (check current promotions here*)
The best Punta Cana family resort for kids: Finest Punta Cana (check current promotions here*)
The best Punta Cana family resort for toddlers: Nickelodeon Punta Cana (check current promotions here*)
The best affordable family resort in Punta Cana: Royalton Splash (check current promotions here*)
The best upscale family resort in Punta Cana: Hyatt Ziva (check current promotions here*)
The best Punta Cana family resort with a large water park: Royalton Punta Cana (check current promotions here*)
The best Punta Cana family resort with the best family suites: Finest Punta Cana (check current promotions here*)
The best Punta Cana family resort with swim-out suites: Princess Family Club (check current promotions here*)
The Punta Cana family resort with the best beach: Lopesan Costa Bavaro (check current promotions here*)
The newest Punta Cana family resort: Sunscape Coco Punta Cana (check current promotions here*)
All of these Punta Cana family all-inclusive resorts are explained in detail further below – except for Sunscape Coco, which is only about to open at the end of 2023 or latest in January 2024. Therefore, we can’t share our own experiences for this specific hotel yet, but knowing the Sunscape brand it is for sure that Sunscape Coco Punta Cana will be a great family all-inclusive resort in the Dominican Republic, especially for those who are looking for an affordable resort in Punta Cana.
The best Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts for kids (approx. 3-12 years)
Princess Family Club Bavaro
Princess Family Club Bavaro is one of the few Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts which is fully dedicated to families, without any exception. The resort features a contemporary design as it was completely renovated in 2019 – in fact, it feels like a brand-new family hotel in Punta Cana. It is the sister property of Grand Bavaro Princess, which was also completely renovated and amazed us with its outstanding price-value ratio and the creative and well-elaborated restaurants and dishes. When you book your family vacation at Princess Family Club Bavaro, you enjoy full access to Grand Bavaro Princess incl. its 10 restaurants.
Princess Family Club Bavaro is one of the best kids resorts in Punta Cana as there are so many family-friendly amenities. From the design of the suites, the maximum room occupancy (perfect for families of 5), the Punta Cana water park for kids or the family restaurants, everything is prepared for relaxed and convenient holidays with kids in the Dominican Republic. The family resort is particularly catering to kids, as the water park, the teens club, the ice cream food trucks or the family activities are especially suitable for kids between the ages of 4 and 12.
Another great feature of Princess Family Club is its small size. The suites, the water park, the kids club, the family pool, the lobby and most of the restaurants are reachable with a 2-minute walk or less, which makes it pretty easy to stick together as a family.
But it is not only the family amenities that make Princess Family Club Bavaro one of the best Punta Cana kids resorts, also adults will enjoy an excellent time here. As mentioned, you have full access to Grand Bavaro Princess, which features various delicious dining options (including one of the best Indian restaurants in Punta Cana), a super huge buffet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and healthy dishes, a large selection of international premium spirits and access to Bavaro Beach (reachable by the free in-resort trolley train in 3 minutes), one of the most beautiful beaches in Punta Cana. The resort also counts with a mangrove area, hiking trails and a lot of wildlife, which is another plus for the kids. They will be enchanted when they spot the flamingos, ducks or giant iguanas.
For further information and our full experiences at this family all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, have a look at the full Princess Family Club Bavaro review.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– completely renovated and spacious suites with bunk beds for up to 5 guests, incl. 4 children
– various family amenities in the rooms, such as childrens’ bathrobes, little sweets, colorful glasses or sand and pool toys
– strollers for rent including designated stroller parking areas
– a newly-built water park with a family snack restaurant right next to it
– one of the few dedicated family resorts in Punta Cana with swim-out suites
Kids club hours (subject to change without further notice): 9 am to 6 pm (kids club, 4-12 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults + 2 children (up to 12 years) (or 2 adults + 3 children or 1 adult + 4 children), for example in the Family Club Junior Suite (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 3 adults + 2 children (up to 12 years) (or 2 adults + 3 children or 1 adult + 4 children), for example in the Family Club Junior Suite Swimout (check room details*)
Further information:
– Princess Family Club Bavaro – a comprehensive review for this Punta Cana family all-inclusive resort
– Grand Bavaro Princess – a comprehensive review for this Punta Cana all-inclusive resort
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana was one of the first family all-inclusive resorts we visited – and it is still one we love. The resort got completely renovated in 2018 and therefore offers contemporary suites and a fresh design throughout the resort. Grand Sirenis offers an outstanding price-value ratio, particularly considering the modern and spacious rooms (incl. their family suites) and well-elaborated dishes and menus.
However, the reason why Grand Sirenis Punta Cana is one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana is the on-site water park, Sirenis Aquagames. This famous Punta Cana water park features 7 different slides for older children and teens, a large area with a pirates ship for kids aged 4 to 11 (including 10 mini water slides and 4 splash barrels) and a water playground with different water sprinklers and animal statues for the smallest visitors (2 to 4 years) who love to play in the water.
Besides the water park, particularly the kids club is worth mentioning at Grand Sirenis Punta Cana, as it offers much more than the typical kids club at other kid-friendly hotels in Punta Cana. It is divided into different areas, guaranteeing a full day (or week) of fun for children from 4 to 12 years. The areas include a master chef zone, lego zone, craft zone, barbie zone, cinema room, outdoor garden and plant nursery.
Another great amenity for families traveling to Punta Cana is the different types of family rooms, including the regular family suites with a closeable door between the bedroom and the living area with a sofa bed and the connecting suite, which comes with two bedrooms, perfect if you are looking for an all-inclusive resort for teenage families in Punta Cana.
You are looking for further information about this kid-friendly all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana? Continue reading the comprehensive Grand Sirenis Punta Cana review.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– home to Sirenis Aquagames, one of the largest resort water parks in Punta Cana
– creative and extensive kids club with different areas, among them master chef zone, lego zone, craft zone, barbie zone, cinema room, outdoor garden and plant nursery
– affordable family suites with a separate bedroom for more privacy and tranquility
– large tropical garden including kid-friendly wildlife, such as ducks or flamingos
– family-friendly resort entertainment and activities during the day and the night
Kids club hours (subject to change without further notice): 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (4-12 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child (up to 12 years) or 2 adults + 2 children (up to 12 years), for example in a Double Room (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 5 adults + 2 children in a Club Premium Presidential Suite 2 Bedrooms (check room details*)
Further information: Grand Sirenis Punta Cana – a comprehensive guide for this family all-inclusive resort
Nickelodeon Resort
Nickelodeon is another top family resort on our list and – as many other hotels from our selection of the best all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana for families – also just opened a few years ago. 2016 marked the beginning of the Nickelodeon story in the Dominican Republic. Since then, the hotel has built up a reputation for being one of the best family all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, especially due to its nearly endless themed amenities and activities, which will let the kids feel as if they are part of one of the famous Nickelodeon series.
When talking about Nickelodeon Resort as one of the best Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts, we have to mention the several Nickelodeon experiences which are unique compared to other family hotels in Punta Cana. Imagine getting soaked with the typical green slime as a family (and having this moment captured in a foto), eating a giant burger together with your kids (which might be as big as your entire fridge at home), meeting the Nickelodeon characters live with your kids or visiting the water park of this Punta Cana resort – fun and longlasting memories are always guaranteed when visiting this kid-friendly resort in Punta Cana.
But it’s not only about the kids’ amenities at Nickelodeon Resort. The hotel, in general, offers very high quality, with impeccable service and plenty of dining opportunities. Particularly mentionable is the Spacewalker restaurant, where your kids can enjoy food from another galaxy (including the accordant decoration and Nick characters, of course) and the daytime gourmet option at Fresco, an Italian-inspired place to eat fresh dishes.
Also worth mentioning: this Punta Cana all-inclusive family resort has only 208 suites, hence it is one of the smallest family hotels in Punta Cana. This is particularly important if you are looking for a resort with more personalized services compared to a mega building with 1000 rooms or more.
Last but not least, Nickelodeon is one of the best resorts for toddlers in the Dominican Republic as they offer a toddler inclusive program, which includes strollers, pack-n-play, cribs, bottle sterilizers & warmers, baby bathtubs, baby monitors, portable changing tables, toddler bathrobes, in-room step stool/bench, baby food and booster chairs & highchairs. Furthermore, nannys are available for an extra charge (currently 15 USD per hour as of November 2023) from 8:30 am to 11:00 pm.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– the chance for the kids to meet their favorite Nickelodeon characters
– take a tour or stay at the famous Pineapple Suite
– tons of experiences centered around the Nickelodeon characters, such as “get superslimed”
– one of the most extensive food and drink menus for kids among all Punta Cana family resorts, including slime smoothies and the family machete burger
– one of the best resort in Punta Cana for toddlers, thanks to their “Toddler Inclusive” program
Kids club hours (subject to change without further notice): 09:00 am to 05:00 pm and 07:00 to 09:00 pm (4-12 years)
Typical room occupancy: 2 adults + 3 children (up to 12 years), for example in a Pad Suite (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 2 adults + 4 children (up to 12 years) in a Super Pool Villa or the Pineapple Suite (check room details*)
The best family resorts in Punta Cana for teenagers (approx. 13-17 years)
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana
Dreams Macao makes it to this list as it offers a perfect balance for all ages. It definitely can be considered as a kid-friendly hotel in Punta Cana but is very recommendable for teenagers and adults likewise. Dreams Macao Beach is a completely newly-built family hotel, which only opened its doors in 2020. So far, it is the only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana at Macao Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Punta Cana. Even though the beach is stunning and offers marvelous views, it has to be said that sometimes the waves and/or currents might be quite strong, which is why Dreams Macao Beach might not be the best family-friendly hotel in Punta Cana in case your kids love the ocean more than the pool. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t go swimming at Macao Beach, as waves and currents are only present occasionally.
So what makes Dreams Macao Beach a perfect all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana for families? Kids aged 3-12 will love the Explorer’s Club, which offers a wide array of included activities, among them a basketball court, trampoline, a kids’ cinema, an indoor game room with TV and video games, weekly campout adventures and big-screen movies on the beach. For teenage families in Punta Cana, it might be the best all-inclusive resort because teens can not only enjoy the teens club with nightly activities, but also the best surf spot in Punta Cana right in front of the hotel, where they can take surf lessons with the renowned Macao surf school* – this is absolutely unique in Punta Cana. And last but not least, adults can enjoy the stunning scenery of Playa Macao, explore a hidden beach close by and immerse themselves into the local culture by exploring the small village of Macao right next to the hotel.
If this is not enough yet, Dreams Macao is also one of those family all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana with 2 water parks – one for toddlers and one for the kids and teens. Endless fun is guaranteed!
If you’d like to know more information about this Punta Cana family all-inclusive resort, check out the comprehensive Dreams Macao Beach review here at Punta Cana Travel Blog.
And if you are wondering about all the things you can do when visiting this kid-friendly hotel, check out the best family activities in Punta Cana 2022.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– 2 water parks, one for toddlers and one for kids and teens
– separate kids club (for ages 3-12) and teens club (for ages 13-17)
– all kids club staff members are CPR certified by the Red Cross
– Macao Beach is the best surfing spot in Punta Cana, perfect for teens who’d like to get involved in this sport
– a lot of different and entertaining activities at the teens club
Kids and teens club hours (subject to change without further notice): 10 am to 6 pm (kids club, 3-12 years); 6 pm to 10 pm (teens club 13-17 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child (up to 12 years) in most rooms (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 6 adults + 2 children (up to 12 years) in a Preferred Club Two-Bedroom Villa with pool (check room details*)
Further Information: Dreams Macao Beach – a comprehensive guide for this Punta Cana all-inclusive resort
Dreams Dominicus
If the beach is one of the crucial points when looking for a Punta Cana family all-inclusive resort and you want to make sure to definitely not have any seaweed during your Dominican Republic vacation, Dreams Dominicus is worth a closer look. It is located in the Bayahibe area, less than 1 hour driving away from Punta Cana International Airport on one of the most beautiful stretches of beaches you can find in the east of the Dominican Republic. This Bayahibe resort is particularly one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana when your kids love the beach and you want to make sure your kids can play in a seaweed-free environment, as Bayahibe is overly protected from this natural phenomenon which sometimes occurs in Punta Cana during the summer months.
Note: the sargassum in Punta Cana is not dangerous, just ugly sometimes. Also, note that the seaweed only occupies a small stretch of the beach, there are still plenty of areas to build sandcastles and more. Seaweed sometimes occurs on Punta Canas beaches between April/May and August/September, according to the seaweed season in Punta Cana.
Besides the beach and the turquoise ocean, which is perfectly shallow and therefore also perfect for your kids to hop into the water, Dreams Dominicus is a compact resort built Meditteranean-style with plenty of spacious suites. The smallest rooms have a size of more than 500 square feet, most suites are sized 800 square feet and more. There is a no-reservation policy in all the à-la-carte restaurants, which means you can eat when and as often as you want in all the restaurants. Several pools – including quiet pools, family pools and entertainment pools – will keep your children “hydrated”.
However, what makes Dreams Dominicus one of the best Punta Cana family resorts is its separate family section in the Preferred Club area. It is an area that was only opened in recent years and is focusing completely on families traveling to the Dominican Republic. It features a water splash area, a family restaurant, a fully-stocked bar, a Preferred Club check-in, a games room and many interconnecting family rooms. Talking about the rooms it is important to know that when you’re booking a Family Preferred Club room category, interconnecting rooms are guaranteed.
Additionally, this area features a family buffet for breakfast and lunch and a family pizzeria for lunch. Parents will enjoy the added Preferred Club privileges, such as an extended bar menu with additional premium spirits or the additional breakfast, lunch and dinner options, particularly for eating à-la-carte. There is also a much larger and more spacious beach section when you book the Preferred Club family rooms at Dreams Dominicus.
Another feature children will love at this all-inclusive resort for families is the very extensive schedule and itinerary at the kids club and the teens club. While the kids club hosts activities such as treasure hunts, sandcastle contests, board games, field trips and big screen movies on the beach, the teens club will make older kids happy with weekly bonfires, foam parties, video games and water activities.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– marvelous beach with a 99% chance of not having seaweed
– a separate and newly-constructed family area with a splash park, family restaurants and games room
– very shallow ocean
– very spacious family suites and – when booking the accordant category – guaranteed interconnecting rooms
– super extensive hours until 10 pm respectively midnight for the supervised kids club and teens club
Kids and teens club hours (subject to change without further notice): 9 am to 10 pm (kids club, 3-12 years); 9 am to midnight (teens club 13-17 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child (up to 12 years) in most rooms (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 6 adults + 5 children (up to 12 years) in a Preferred Club Three Bedroom Family Suite Tropical View (check room details*)
Further Information: Dreams Dominicus – a comprehensive review for this Bayahibe all-inclusive resort
Lopesan Costa Bavaro
Lopesan Costa Bavaro is another one of those family-friendly hotels in Punta Cana offering several amenities for all kinds of travelers – including for teens. The resort was only opened in 2019 and therefore is brand-new – which you can see in nearly every corner. The rooms at Lopesan Costa Bavaro are offering a fantastic Caribbean design with contemporary art elements and frequent use of natural materials. You can also find a completely newly built leisure and shopping area called The Boulevard, which consists of plenty of apparel shops, some of the Lopesan restaurants, a coffee shop, the casino, the theatre, several bars and many other entertainment options, such as the kids’ amenities mentioned below.
What makes Lopesan Costa Bavaro a suitable family all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana is the combination of services and amenities for children (kids & teens). As a kid-friendly all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, the hotel is one of the Punta Cana resorts with a water park, particularly suitable for kids until the age of 10-12. There are no monster slides or spectacular attractions for teens, but a wide array of smaller slides and water games for kids, which will keep them entertained the entire day – particularly considering that the ice cream shop and the kids club are located right next to the water park. On the other side, older teens can enjoy the teens club with a dedicated relax area. They also will love the arcade section and bowling alley, even though they are not included in the price.
Regarding gastronomy, Lopesan Costa Bavaro also can score as a Punta Cana resort for teens & kids by offering very flexible eating options. While the regular breakfast and lunch buffet, as well as the à-la-carte dinners, have the common opening hours, families can choose between different options throughout the day – compared to other Punta Cana all-inclusive resorts where you usually only have one snack restaurant or buffet outside of the regular opening hours. Lopesan Costa Bavaro offers at least three options – and all of them with a decent food menu, which surpasses the typical snack restaurant:
– The Valley, an American à-la-carte restaurant, open 24 hours
– Yolo, à-la-carte snack restaurant, open from noon until midnight, located next to the water park
– Goldfish Beach Club, buffet restaurant, open from noon until 6 pm, located at the beach
And for everyone still doubting that Lopesan Costa Bavaro is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, show the ice cream shop to your kids and they will love the hotel.
We have visited this resort for families in Punta Cana not too long ago. For in-depth information, continue reading our comprehensive Lopesan Costa Bavaro review here at Punta Cana Travel Blog.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– kids and teens club with extended opening hours
– two water parks, one for kids and one for toddlers
– large leisure area with plenty of arcade games and a four-lane bowling alley (for a surcharge)
– several food options during the entire day (snack restaurant, à-la-carte restaurant, beach buffet), perfect when kids don’t want to stick to the regular breakfast, lunch and dinner hours
– perfect location of the water park, kids club, teens club, snack restaurant and ice cream shop right next to each other – kids never want to leave this area
Kids and teens club hours (subject to change without further notice): 11:00am to 01:00pm and 03:00pm to 10:30pm (kids club, 3-12 years); 10:00am to 01:00pm, 03:00pm to 05:00pm and 08:00pm to 09:00pm (teens club, 12-17 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults + 1 baby (0-1 years) or 2 adults + 2 children (2-12 years) in a Junior Suite Tropical (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 7 adults (incl. children) in a Junior Suite Two-Bedroom (check room details*)
Further information: Lopesan Costa Bavaro – a comprehensive review of this newly built all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana
The best upscale Punta Cana family resorts
Finest Punta Cana
Finest Punta Cana is one of the newest additions to the all-inclusive resort family in Punta Cana. It is located in Uvero Alto and belongs to the Excellence Group. Contrary to the other two resorts of this chain, Excellence Punta Cana and Excellence El Carmen which are both adults-only resorts, Finest Punta Cana was particularly designed as a kid-friendly hotel and might be indeed one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana, taking into account its high-end standard as well as some interesting innovations when it comes to taking care of families in Punta Cana.
Similar to Dreams Macao Beach, Finest Punta Cana is a newly-built resort that was inaugurated only in October 2021, hence everything is brand-new with state-of-the-art design. It definitely is a luxury family resort and offers some of the highest quality you can find among the best all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana for families.
What sets Finest Punta Cana apart is that there are just so many well-thought-of details, such as the kids and teens club hours during dinner time, the kid’s spa or the staffed playrooms next to each restaurant, so that the parents can enjoy a relaxed and romantic dinner whenever their little ones feel like playing. The Finest also offers plenty of suites for up to 5 guests – perfect when you are looking for a Punta Cana all-inclusive resort for a family of 5. Some of those room categories also have private pools, which is perfect for older kids and teens who want to use the pool outside of the main pool hours.
Furthermore, teens will love the flipper arcade machines, the pool tables and the table football area, where they can play against other guests. Last but not least, one of the Preferred Clubs the resort has (the Finest Club) is also an exclusive family VIP club.
But not only the kids will enjoy this Punta Cana family resort, Finest Punta Cana offers the highest standard for adults as well. Parents can enjoy high-quality cuisine, including à-la-carte lunch, lobster dinners or a family-style dinner at the beach (all included), as well as an outstanding wide selection of drinks, including fresh coconuts, many different brands of beer and premium liquors on every bar. There is a spa for adults and their kids. The suites are top-notch with contemporary design, all technical amenities and an amazing room service menu.
For our most recent experiences at this Punta Cana all-inclusive family resort, check out the comprehensive Finest Punta Cana review here at Punta Cana Travel Blog.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– a VIP club option exclusively for families
– special spa for adults and kids
– creative kids menus including family-style dinner menus
– staffed kids club rooms next to each restaurant, including for dinner
– 5 different room categories which all fit a maximum of 5 guests
Kids club hours (subject to change without further notice): 10:00 am to 05:00 pm and 06:00 pm to 09:00 pm (3-6 and 7-11 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child (up to 12 years) or 2 adults + 2 children (up to 12 years), for example a Family Suite (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 3 adults + 2 children (up to 12 years) in a Finest Club Imperial Family Suite with pool (check room details*)
Further information: Finest Punta Cana – a comprehensive review of this newly built all-inclusive resort
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
With around 1800 rooms, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is one of the biggest resorts in the Dominican Republic. Thanks to its sheer size and its focus on entertainment and music, it is the perfect family resort in Punta Cana for kids and teens who are looking for non-stop fun! Your little rock stars will feel like Elvis or the Rolling Stones here.
Hard Rock Punta Cana Resort is a world on its own. You can spend days here and won’t have explored it all. Besides the high quantity of rooms, Hard Rock Punta Cana offers 9 top-quality restaurants (all of them are air-conditioned), 23 bars with premium liquors and 13 pools, among them 3 infinity pools.
Even though Hard Rock Punta Cana is not catering exclusively to children, kids will love this top family resort in Punta Cana. There is always some entertainment going on, the beach is awesome to play in the sand, the kids’ menus are creative and extensive and compared to other kid-friendly resorts in Punta Cana, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana offers one of the most extensive kids club hours in the entire Dominican Republic – from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm, which includes a super varied schedule with activities like crazy games, face paintings, balloon workshops, music activities, ice cream party, dance competitions, kite flying, Zumba, table games, painting workshops and much more. On the other hand, teens will love the extensive array of additional activities, which are unfortunately not included in the price, but unique compared to other Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts, such as mini-golf, bowling, escape room, laser tag, VR games, arcade games and the FlowRider to practice surfing.
Since summer 2022, Hard Rock is also a family resort with one of the biggest water parks in Punta Cana. 26 slides are expecting you, among them 9 fast and thrilling slides for teenagers and adults, 9 slides for smaller children and 8 further slides somewhere in between. This rounds off the family amenities of Hard Rock Punta Cana even more.
And adults? They can enjoy top-notch cuisine, including one of the few Lebanese restaurants in Punta Cana, an amazing new market concept, a top-class spa and the biggest casino in Punta Cana, besides lots of live acts, shows and musical entertainment.
For our full experiences at this Punta Cana family all-inclusive resort, have a look at our comprehensive Hard Rock Punta Cana review.
If you are looking for some more exciting stuff to do, check out the best Punta Cana family excursions.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– non-stop kids club from 10:00 am to 10:45 pm
– an extensive array of additional activities (mini-golf, bowling, FlowRider, escape room, water park, etc.)
– kids stay free until the age of 17 during certain periods
– extensive kids menus at most restaurants
– one of the best ice cream shops in Punta Canas’ resorts
Kids club hours (subject to change without further notice): 10:00 am to 10:30 pm (4-12 years)
Typical room occupancy: 4 adults + 1 baby (0-3 years) in a Caribbean Suite (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 4 adults + 2 children (up to 17 years) in a Rock Family Suite or up to 12 guests in the Royal Villa (check room details*)
Further information: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana – a comprehensive review for this Punta Cana all-inclusive resort
Hyatt Ziva
One of the best Dominican Republic all-inclusive family resorts is without a question Hyatt Ziva – particularly considering the amazing reviews it gets everywhere like on Tripadvisor*, Booking.com* or different Facebook groups. And indeed, there is hardly anything you can complain about at Hyatt Ziva – maybe except for the price, which is definitely steep and therefore not affordable for every family. Hyatt Ziva is among the most expensive hotels in Punta Cana, but it definitely pays out to check if there are any promotions running currently.
With just around 375 rooms, Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana is a very compact resort, where your kids are never far from the next attraction. Among those attractions are of course the family water park with plenty of slides and a lazy river, the water sports centre with complimentary non-motorized water sports or the kids club with supervised games, a Spider Zone and other entertaining activities. Teens will love the teens club with the latest virtual reality stimulators and Formula 1 racing video games. The water park at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana is particularly suitable for kids and younger teens, but not so much for those looking for high-adrenaline slides, as there aren’t any monster slides like at the much bigger water parks in Punta Cana, such as Riu Palace Punta Cana or Royalton Punta Cana.
With 1 buffet, 4 à-la-carte restaurants, 1 snack bar and many other bars Hyatt Ziva offers a typical array of resort cuisine – but with a twist and on a particular high level, being on par with the resorts premium approach. Adults also have access to the 6 additional dining options at neighboring Hyatt Zilara, which is the adults-only area of the resort.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– best reviewed resort in Punta Cana and the No. 1 for many years
– kids club and teens club with state-of-the-art technology
– highest level of service, comfort and safety for your family
– family-friendly live entertainment every day and night
– family-friendly beach with shallow ocean and usually no waves
Kids and teens club hours (subject to change without further notice): 9 am to 9 pm (kids club, 4-12 years); 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (teens club 13-17 years)
Typical room occupancy: 2 adults + 3 children (up to 12 years) in most rooms (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 2 adults + 3 children (up to 12 years) in various room categories (check room details*)
The most affordable Punta Cana family all-inclusive resorts
Riu Bambu
Riu is one of the biggest resort properties in Punta Cana, featuring Riu Palace Punta Cana, Riu Palace Bavaro, Riu Palace Macao, Riu Bambu and Riu Naiboa. Even though the Riu Palace hotels are the highest tier of all those Riu properties, when it comes to the best all-inclusive family resorts in Punta Cana, Riu Bambu is the best choice, especially when traveling with some older kids and teenagers and when looking for a cheap family resorts in the Dominican Republic. The resort offers plenty of activities and entertainment, 7 restaurants and various bars. Riu Bambu is for sure not the most luxurious family-friendly hotel in Punta Cana, but it is, among Grand Sirenis and Serenade, one of the most affordable all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana when looking for a family hotel.
Furthermore, Riu Bambu is one of the best all-inclusive resorts for teenage families in Punta Cana, particularly considering the very flexible room occupancy. While most Punta Cana family resorts only offer an occupancy of 4 or 5 guests (with a maximum of 2 or 3 adults + children up to 12 years), Riu Bambus rooms’ can host up to 4 adults and 1 teen up to 16 years. Alternatively, you can also stay with 2 adults + 3 children up to 18 years (with at least 1 child 16 years max.). This allows for some pretty cheap family vacations in Punta Cana as you can book your whole family into one room contrary to other Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts, where you would have to book two rooms.
What makes it even better is the kids stay free program of Riu Bambu, under which 1 child up to 12 years doesn’t have to pay when staying in the room of the parents. Furthermore, teenagers can enjoy the Riu4U club with exclusive activities and a wide array of sports opportunities.
As an additional plus, all Riu guests enjoy free access to the Riu Splash Water World, one of the biggest water parks in Punta Cana with some thrilling slides, incl. a Twister and a Kamikaze slide, and a separate water playground for toddlers and small kids.
In case the parents would like to party, you also have access to some of the best parties in Punta Cana, which are taking place at the RIU Party venue (adults only) just 2 minutes away from Riu Bambu. The entrance is free for all Riu guests and you should expect some of the best resort parties in Punta Cana, that are taking place 4 times a week.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– being a club hotel, this family resort offers an extensive activity and entertainment program for all ages
– free access to Riu Splash Water World on the property, one of the biggest water parks in Punta Cana
– kids stay free program (1 child up to 12 years)
– large sports program with windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling equipment, small catamaran, bodyboard, tennis court and beach volleyball
– one of the very few Punta Cana all-inclusive family resorts where you can occupy a room with 5 guests, including children with a maximum age of 16 years (instead of 12 years as with most other kid-friendly hotels)
Kids and teens club hours (subject to change without further notice): 10 am to noon + 3 pm to 5 pm (kids club, 3-12 years); starting from 10:30am (teens club 13-17 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults (incl. children, for example in a Double Standard Room (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 4 adults + 1 children (up to 16 years) (or 2 adults + 3 children or 3 adults + 2 children) in a Family Room (check room details*)
Royalton Splash
Royalton Splash is a very popular Punta Cana all-inclusive family resort, especially thanks to its famous water park, which is one of the biggest ones in the Dominican Republic. This Punta Cana resort for kids offers the best of all worlds: affordable resort prices, attractive services, plenty of restaurants and full access to Royalton Punta Cana (except a few selected restaurants) including their picture-perfect Caribbean beach.
Kids love this Punta Cana family hotel particularly due to its fun-filled water park. Besides 7 giant water slides, there is a pool with a wave machine, a monster barrel and a separate kids water park for toddlers and small children with even more (small) water slides. Besides the water park, the younger guests enjoy a kids and teens club with various activities and an arcade and games center, which is one of the biggest (and included in the price) of all kid-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.
When booking Royalton Splash Punta Cana family resort, you can also consider upgrading to the Diamond Club, as this comes with a particular vast array of additional services, which make your stay in this family-friendly resort in Punta Cana even more enjoyable – still for a very affordable rate. We particularly enjoyed the dedicated Diamond Club beach club area. But also the preferential reservations for à-la-carte dinners, the separate Diamond Club lounge and the access to additional restaurants are well worth it, especially for longer stays at Royalton Splash.
If you’d like to book a room directly at the beach, you can also consider booking the sister property Royalton Punta Cana. You have the same access rights (and a few additional) as from Royalton Splash incl. to the water park, but the rooms are located closer to the beach.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– one of the most popular water parks in Punta Cana on-site with 7 big water slides
– spacious family suites with bunk beds and a maximum occupancy of 5 guests
– one of the biggest arcade centers (with most of the games included) among all the family resorts in Punta Cana
– full access to neighboring Royalton Punta Cana with additional dining and activity options
– teens and kids club for all ages (starting from 4 years) with a diversified activity program
Kids and teens club hours (subject to change without further notice): 10 am to 5 pm (kids club, 4-12 years); 10 am to 5 pm (teens club 13-17 years)
Typical room occupancy: 4 adults (incl. children), for example in a Luxury Room (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 4 adults + 1 children (up to 12 years) (or 2 adults + 3 children or 3 adults + 2 children) in a Luxury Family Suite (check room details*)
Tropical Deluxe Princess
If you are looking for a very affordable Punta Cana all-inclusive family resort, Tropical Deluxe Princess might become particularly handy. It is a completely renovated resort in Bavaro which offers an outstanding price-value ratio, especially considering its contemporary rooms, the large selection of restaurants and the huge amount of amenities for children and adults alike. Renovations were only completed in 2021, hence you can enjoy a completely new family resort in Punta Cana without breaking the bank.
But why is Tropical Deluxe Princess, which offers the same amenities as its sister hotel Caribe Deluxe Princess, one of the best kid-friendly resorts in Punta Cana? This has different reasons. The first one is the number of amenities in the resort. There is not only a kids and a teens club available, but also archery, table tennis and water sports equipment. Furthermore, this Punta Cana family hotel is one of the few resorts with a miniature golf course, which the kids will love. Tropical Deluxe Princess is also a water park resort in Punta Cana, as it features a water playground with various smaller slides, particularly suitable for children up to 8-10 years. There is also a large area with video and arcade games, which are, however, not included in your stay, the same as the bowling lanes at the resort.
What truly sets Tropical Deluxe Princess apart in terms of an all-inclusive family resort in Punta Cana are the unique family suites. Compared to many other family rooms in Punta Cana, they have a separate bedroom for the parents AND two bathrooms, which means the kids have their own bathroom and don’t have to pass through the bedroom when they want to pee or take a shower. This adds a lot of privacy to the parents’ vacations in Punta Cana. Furthermore, as the rooms are fully renovated as well, the design is very contemporary, hence you’ll feel delighted to spend your Caribbean holiday here.
Probably the most unique feature of those family suites at Tropical Deluxe Princess Punta Cana is that they absolutely won’t break the bank as we’re still talking about one of the most affordable resorts in Punta Cana. Rates start at as low as 75 USD per person per night with generous child discounts available.
The Top 5 features making this hotel one of the best family resorts in Punta Cana:
– spacious, contemporary and affordable family suites with 2 bathrooms
– one of the few resorts with a minigolf circuit
– separate kids club (for ages 4-12) and teens club (for ages 13-17)
– bowling alley available plus a large selection of video and arcade games (not included)
– water park and water playground for kids and younger children
Kids and teens club hours (subject to change without further notice): 9 am to 5 pm (kids club, 4-12 years); 9 am to 5 pm (teens club 13-17 years)
Typical room occupancy: 3 adults + 1 child (up to 12 years) in most rooms (check room details*)
Highest room occupancy: 2 adults + 3 children (up to 12 years) in a Family Suite (check room details*)
Further Information: Tropical Deluxe Princess and Caribe Deluxe Princess – a comprehensive guide for this fully-renovated all-inclusive resort
The best family activities in Punta Cana
Ok, have you found your favorite Dominican Republic family resort? Among the selection above, there should be something for everyone.
But have you thought about what to do in Punta Cana?
Exactly for this question there is a separate article about the best family excursions and activities in Punta Cana. Punta Cana not offers stunning beaches and wonderful resorts, but also a lot of activities for kids. Of course the best activities in Punta Cana for kids depend on the age of your little ones, but in general, the following can be considered as some of the best:
– learning surfing at Macao Beach* (read more about it in our Macao Beach article)
– heading on a family-friendly dune buggy adventure* (read more about it in our buggy article)
– have a blast at Scape Park with the Blue Lagoon and a lot of water fun* (check out our Scape Park Punta Cana review here*)
– see giant mammals during a whale-watching excursions (read more about whale-watching in Punta Cana here)
Those 5 experiences are our top 5 highlights for families in Punta Cana. For further options, check out our dedicated article about the best things to do with kids in Punta Cana.
What is your favorite family all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana? Have you stayed in any of those? Do you have questions about these kid-friendly hotels in Punta Cana? Let me know in the comments, I am happy to reply.
If you need any inspiration for what you can do during your family vacation in the Dominican Republic, you can check out the best things to do in Punta Cana with kids here.
In case you need an individual travel consulting to find the best resort according to your personal preferences, you can also book a travel coaching session with me.
SHARING IS CARING! IF YOU ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE, PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS – I WOULD APPRECIATE IT A LOT.
CHRIS
Author, Travel Coach & Industry Professional (Bachelor’s degree in tourism)Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean soul, who has been living in the Dominican Republic for 6 years. I’d love to be your Punta Cana expert, as I have stayed at more than 45 all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana and the country, visited more than 70 beaches, explored more than 40 waterfalls and have seen basically all the attractions Punta Cana has to offer. I have also studied tourism for 3 years and worked in the tourism industry my entire life, which is why I am not only giving you recommendations and tips as a traveler but also the best secrets and travel hacks as an industry professional.
Do you need more information? Read more at my About Me Page, send me a travel coaching request or Contact Me here.
ALSO WORTH READING:
The 8+ cheapest all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana 2024 (hand-picked and recommended)
The best Punta Cana 5-star resorts – all-inclusive and adults-only (high-end & luxury)
How to travel Punta Cana on a budget? (Backpacking Punta Cana)
Samaná 3-day itinerary from/to Punta Cana – the most beautiful region in the Dominican Republic
| FOLLOW ME! | External links |
|---|---|
| Did you like this article and would like to read all new stories about Punta Cana and beyond? Would you like to stay in touch with me to be your Punta Cana expert?
In this case, most important, please subscribe here for my newsletter!
Please also follow me on my social media channels for more information: | Links to external websites are either in bold letters or marked with a “*”. In case of linking to a booking website, I might be affiliated with this company and receive a small commission when you book through this partner. Please use those links as they support Punta Cana Travel Blog. However, you are still getting the best prices with all discounts and promotions, so nothing changes for you. Other external links might lead you to social media platforms or other relevant websites. |
Hi Chris! Just curious if you have an info on the melia caribe? We’re planning a family vacation to punta Cana for July with 12 adults and 6 kids… princess family, serenade and malia caribe is our short list. I’ve read your articles with serenade and family princess but nothing about malia caribe… care to share some thoughts? Thanks in advance
Hi Pam,
there is no article about Melía Caribe because we haven’t tested it yet after Covid-19.
In general, Melía Caribe is a decent family resort in Punta Cana on an amazing stretch of beach (Bavaro Beach). There are some renovated and modern areas, such as the water park, which is newly built and the biggest one of those 3 resorts mentioned, and there are other parts like the rooms which are a little bit older.
Hope this helps!
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris!
Thank you for the great information! I’m a bit overwhelmed with all of the choices! We are traveling in March with our (3) boys–ages 9, 9, and 11. We are looking for a great resort (waterpark would be awesome for 3 active boys but not a deal breaker) that is on the beach (preferably Bavarro), newer (or at least recently remodeled) that would also appeal to my 70 year old parents who will be traveling with us. Thanks for any suggestions!
Hi Megan,
have you checked out Lopesan Costa Bavaro? It ticks all your boxes and is a great choice for the entire family.
You can check out the comprehensive Lopesan Costa Bavaro review here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/lopesan-costa-bavaro-all-inclusive-resort/
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
This is great information Chris. I am travelling soon with a 20 month old and was wondering if there are any resorts with play areas and food suitable for that age?
Hey Sunaina,
most kids clubs in Punta Cana are starting from 2 or 3 years. However, obviously, you can play with your kid at all the playgrounds or facilities (outside of the kids club) of the resort. Furthermore, nearly all the resorts are offering paid child care from private nannies for kids younger than 2 or 3 years.
Regarding food, it depends on what you expect. The large buffets of the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana have everything you need, starting from unsugared fruits over plain rice to sweet delicacies (just as some examples). If you need hot water or any special equipment to prepare baby food, you usually can ask in the restaurant or the resort.
In general, the more premium your resort is, the more likely it is they can fulfill any extra needs you might have with your 20-months old.
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi,
I am hoping to travel to Punta Cana in July with mu husband and 4 children (aged 9, 7, 4 and 2). Would there be any resort with a room big enough to fit us all (the youngest will be in a cot)? A water park would be a bonus but not a must.
Hi Helen,
you could try Tropical Deluxe Princess, Finest Punta Cana and Royalton Punta Cana/Splash as they all have rooms for 5 people – maybe they would accommodate the 6 of you considering that the smallest one doesn’t “count” as a person. You can find them all above in the list.
I hope this helps.
Best regards, Chris
Thank you for this list! Any idea which would be the top 3 most affordable options around Christmas and New Years? We are looking for 6 kids ages 3-10 along with 6-9 adults who like a mix of activity and relaxation.
Hi Kristen,
there are two separate articles about cheap and affordable Punta Cana Resorts here on the blog:
– the cheapest Punta Cana resorts: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/best-cheap-all-inclusive-resorts-in-punta-cana/
– the most affordable resorts in Punta Cana: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/best-affordable-all-inclusive-resorts-in-punta-cana/
You can also do a price search here and see the most affordable resorts for your travel period: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/expedia/
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris! Great web site! All the information is a bit overwhelming! Which could be the best alternative for kids teens 16, 14 and an 11 year old. I want teen activities, a bit more upscale, medium size. Thanks!
Hi Gabriela,
thanks for your comment. My top choice, if you are looking for an upscale family resort for teens, would be Hard Rock Punta Cana: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/hard-rock-hotel-casino-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
RIU Palace Punta Cana might also be a suitable option: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/riu-palace-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
You can also find further options in the list of the best Punta Cana resorts with a water park: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/punta-cana-resorts-with-water-park/
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris,
Excellent information. We plan to travel with our kids (6 & 8) and our parents end of June. I have narrow down to either RIU bambu or Dream. I was just wondering why RIU is much more affordable Vs. other resort, is it because lower standard, foods, etc. Also regarding transportation from airport to resort, how much are we expecting to paid ? should we get a taxi or Uber.
thanks
Hi Minh,
RIU Bambu is a hotel with a decent price-value ratio, but obviously, for this price, you can’t expect super-premium quality. Still, for the price you pay, you get a really good deal. However, quality-wise, I would rate Dreams a bit higher than RIU Bambu particularly Dreams Onyx and Dreams Royal Beach. You can also consider RIU Palace Punta Cana if you are looking for a RIU resort, but of higher quality, it shares the water park amenities with RIU Bambu. You can find an extensive review of RIU Palace Punta Cana here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/riu-palace-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
Regarding airport transfers, I’d recommend prebooking a private airport transfer, this is usually the most convenient option and is perfect for your family. You can find all the options for getting from Punta Cana Airport to your resort here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/general-information-faq/airport-transfers-in-punta-cana/
Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris,
I love your site. So much great info. I will be traveling with a group of 8 adults and 7 kids ranging from 14-1.5 with most being 14-10 years old and then the little ones that are 3.5 and 1.5. Ideally what we are looking for is a luxury experience that has amazing food and yet is still very kid friendly with lots of kids activities and amenities. Right now based on your reviews, I think we are leaning towards the Finest but was wondering if you had any other suggestions based on those parameters?
Thanks for your help!
Hi Sameer,
I was also suggesting Finest when reading about your preferences. As an alternative, you could also check out the following two options, which offer a bit more action for the older kids:
Hard Rock Punta Cana – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/hard-rock-hotel-casino-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-hyatt-ziva-cap-cana/
Cheers, Chris
Thanks so much for the info!
Hola Chris,
Estamos planeando viajar en el mes de Julio con mis dos Hijos de 5 y 7 años. Estamos en la duda en cuál de los resort debemos ir ya que hemos reservado en el Finest pero las reviews que leímos no son buenas. Nos han recomendado el Lopesan… La realidad es que estamos mareados y nos sabemos cual es la mejor opción para pasar unas buenas vacaciones familiares con dos niños de las edades que te mencioné.
Muchas Gracias por tu ayuda
Hi Eduardo,
thanks for your comment.
Both resorts are great family resorts in Punta Cana, they both have amazing modern rooms and very appealing properties. Finest is a bit better with regards to food and drink quality, Lopesan has the better beach and more entertainment.
In terms of Finest Punta Cana reviews, I am not sure where this information of bad reviews is coming free. Each and every single all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana does have occasional bad reviews, but this is nothing to worry about it. Compared to other resorts, the reviews of Finest Punta Cana are outstanding.
On Tripadvisor, 69% of all Finest Punta Cana reviews are excellent and 15% very good, meaning that 84% of all clients are very satisfied.
Lopesan Costa Bavaros’ reviews are 65% excellent and 13% very good, meaning that 78% of all clients are very satisfied.
You can check out the expensive reviews of both hotels here:
Lopesan Costa Bavaro – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/lopesan-costa-bavaro-all-inclusive-resort/
Finest Punta Cana – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/finest-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi, I am looking for a resort in Punta Cana for 1 week in January 2023. We are a family of 9. Parents in their early 60’s. 3 sons, one who is married with 2 kids age 6 and 11. A single 38 yr old and a younger couple 25 and 30. As you can see we need a mix of everything to keep everyone entertained. I would prefer the drive from the airport not to be too long, international drinks, a sports bar, golf close by, nice long walking beach. The kids love a lazy river, newer and updated are preferred. I don’t mind paying a bit more to get what we want just not the most expensive either.
Thank you so much in advance for your help
Gail
Hi Gail,
I feel like Now Onyx or Hard Rock is what you are looking for. Hard Rock is 25 minutes away from the airport, has a golf course next by, endless beach walks and a lot of entertainment for all ages, including a newly opened (April 2022) water park. Now Onyx might be the perfect option if Hard Rock is too expensive, especially considering the beach, the water park and the access for the adults to the social resort next-door with its themed parties, breathless (just no golf there).
You can check them out here:
Hard Rock – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/hard-rock-hotel-casino-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
Dreams Onyx – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-now-onyx/
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris,
We are looking to go to Punta Cana in June for 7 days. I am looking for an All Inclusive places. It will be me and my boyfriend and my 15 yr old daughter. We are older, so my boyfriend doesn’t want a resort with a lot of little kids. A place that has a focus on teens, as well as, adults. Somewhere that has nightly entertainment, restaurant options and bar options (swim up, beach, pool side are all pluses), and other activities. I know I am asking a lot.
Hi Robin,
in my opinion, there is not really any all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana which is particularly focused on teens. However, in my opinion, Hard Rock, Lopesan (lots of bars but no swim-up bar though) and Dreams Onyx are great options for you, as they offer a lot of entertainment and restaurants, are catering to a mixed crowd and are not adults-only.
You can check out the details here:
Hard Rock – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/hard-rock-hotel-casino-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
Lopesan – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/lopesan-costa-bavaro-all-inclusive-resort/
Dreams Onyx – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-now-onyx/
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Robin, I’m impressed with all the info you pack in your website. When i did my research on family friendly all inclusive hotels i would see Nickelodeon which i saw on your list but i also saw the Bahia Principe but i didn’t see you mention them. In your opinion what are your thoughts on those properties? more specifically the Fantasia?
Hi Talia,
Nickelodeon and Bahía Principe Fantasía are hard to compare as they are usually a completely different price range. Both are great family options. There is not a specific reason why Bahía Principe Fantasía is not on the list. To start with, I had to pick ten resorts. If I would extend the list to 15 or 20, Bahía Principe Fantasía might make it to this list of the best family resorts in Punta Cana. Obviously it can’t compete with the quality, luxury and amount of activities Nickelodeon is offering, but it is also much cheaper than Nickelodeon.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hello…great info here…i have a family of 5 (kids are 13, 11, and 6 yrs). We love to swim at a calm beach and are looking for a clean, good quality all inclusive…with great food options. You mentioned Bavaro beach is the nicest but its public so does that mean that there are locals in front of the hotel part on beach? Do you recommend a specific hotel that would have a calmer beach but check off my preferences… im torn between royalton bavaro, grand sirenis…and dreams? pls help us choose for christmas. thank you
Hi Michelle,
thanks for your comment. The calmest beaches are the southeastern part of Cabeza de Toro, the southeastern part of Bavaro Beach and Cap Cana (but in general none of the beaches in Punta Cana, maybe except of Macao on some days), are overly wild.
On these beaches, you could check out Serenade Punta Cana (https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/serenade-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/), Catalonia Punta Cana (https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/catalonia-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/) or Lopesan Costa Bavaro (https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/lopesan-costa-bavaro-all-inclusive-resort/).
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
We are trying to figure a place to go with our three teenagers. I want a place where there is a great pool, delicious food, great beaches and fun for everyone. We are thinking about Dream Macao, Dream Onyx and Paradissus Real Palma. Please help or do you have any other suggestions.
Thanks!
Hi Sarah,
out of these 3, Dreams Onyx would tick most of your boxes, even though Dreams Macao has possibly the most beautiful beach.
Paradisus Palma Real is also a great resort (and more upscale than both Dreams), but it is under renovation until autumn hence it would be only an option if you are planning to travel in winter.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi! I am stuck on deciding on a resort for our family trip. It will be our first trip with children (6/4) out of the states.
I am wanting a resort with plenty of water activties for kids such as small slides and water play areas along with ample swimming areas.
I also want a family suite style room with a potential of a space for kids to sleep outside of a sofa couch ( that is not a deal breaker) and also either a private pool or swim up.
It would be nice to have extras on site such as ice cream places and bowling or mini golf.
These are the resorts im torn between ( Lopesan Punta Cana, Finest Punta Cana, or Dreams Macao) Which of these would you most likely recommend or is there others you may recommend? Im at a loss and spinnging in circles with all the options and my wish list
Should also not traveling will be in October
Hi Amanda,
I think Finest would tick all your boxes and is also the best out of these three resorts. However, Lopesan is also a very good hotel even though they have mostly only regular rooms/suites with exactly this kind of sofabed.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris, amazing info. Which one do you think would be the best and most luxurious or upscale one to go with kids 4 and 6 on mid Sept? Thinking of Royalton, Dreams or Paradisus. What do you think? Many Thanks
Ed
Hi Ed,
out of the 3 resorts you mentioned, it is hard to pick the most luxurious one as there are multiple resorts for each brand (Dreams, Royalton and Paradisus all have various hotels in Punta Cana). But just in case, Paradisus Palma Real is the most luxurious, followed by Royalton Bavaro and Dreams Onyx, in my opinion.
In general, if you’re looking for the most upscale family all-inclusive resorts, you can check out Finest Punta Cana and Hyatt Ziva.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hey Chris! Thank you so much for all the info! What would be your recommendation on the most luxurious resorts that aren’t adults only? We’re traveling to Punta Cana in February and have a reservation at the Reserve Paradisus Palma Real. I’m a little concerned that the renovations could get pushed out beyond the end of this year, so I was wanting a back up plan. We have a 3 & 7 year old traveling with us. The kids LOVE the beach and pools, so water parks and kids clubs aren’t super important to us. We want a super tropical feel, luxury, good food and drinks, and great pools and beach. We also like big resorts and will have family with us, so night time entertainment for adults would be a nice perk! Some places I’ve looked into are Majestic Mirage and Iberostar Coral Level at Selection Bavaro..
Hi Simone,
I think The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real already ticks a lot of your boxes and I would feel that Majestic Mirage or Iberostar Coral Level are a tiny bit below Paradisus Palma Real quality-wise. I don’t think that the renovations will be ongoing in winter, they will terminate well before high season.
Besides those resorts mentioned, you could also check out Finest Punta Cana and Hyatt Ziva as some of the most upscale family resorts. There is an extensive review about Finest Punta Cana here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/finest-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Coming with extended family, Grandparents(in their 70’s) sister and brother in law (in their 40’s), and my husband and I and our 4 kids ages 8-16. Looking to get the most bang for our buck, we are considering Royalton Splash Punta Cana. Is this a good choice or should we check out others? Traveling the first week of March 2023 and its our first carribean trip.
Hi Stacey,
Royalton Splash is a great resort, especially if traveling on a lower budget. However, for better amenities and a closer location to the beach – which might be particularly important for the grandparents – I would rather choose Royalton Punta Cana. You enjoy the same amenities as in Royalton Splash, including the huge water park, but have to walk less during your stay to restaurants and the beach. Just the water park is like a 7-8 minute walk away but I assume that’s ok for the kids.
You can check out the best prices for Royalton Punta Cana here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-royalton-punta-cana/
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris – thanks for all the great information! We are looking for a resort with the MOST activities for a family with an 8 year old boy and 12 year old girl (not a just a kids club but activities we can do together without going off property). We want as many activities as possible! We are having trouble also finding resorts with two queen beds (my husband is too tall for a double) or a king and a double. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Cheers,
Christine
Hi Christine,
I think in this case, Nickelodeon Punta Cana might be your best bet: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-nickelodeon-punta-cana/
They have so many activities, especially thanks to their show characters, you will have a blast there if you don’t want to go off resort.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Thanks learned and know a lot for sharing everything. Its helps a lot. Thank you very much.
You’re welcome. Great if this article was helpful for you.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris, thanks so much for the very informative website! Based on the current deals, it looks like the Barcelo Bavaro Palace and the Majestic Colonial would be about the same cost as the Serenade for the week we’re looking. Between these three, which do you think would be more enjoyable for a family of two adults and two kids (ages 6 and 8)? We’ll spend most of our time at the pool and beach, and maybe enjoy an excursion or two.
Thanks!
Dan
Hi Dan,
among those 3, Serenade Punta Cana is usually my favorite (you can read a full Serenade review here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/serenade-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/ ), but if all the 3 mentioned have the same price, I would lean more towards Majestic Colonial as – in my opinion – the quality here is slightly higher than at Serenade Punta Cana. I would also prefer the beach of Majestic and Barcelo over Serenade, even though the water at Serenade is the calmest of all of them. Poolwise, all 3 should be good, also for kids.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Chris
Hi!
Having a very hard time deciding where to go. We have 3 kids – ages 2, 5, 8. We will also be going with another family. We had somewhat narrowed it down to Serenade or Finest, and still trying to decide (Also aren’t opposed to other suggestions). Finest looks beautiful – my only hesitation is that it appears that it’s geared more for little kids and not so much my 8 year old. Is this place potentially a place where my two older kids will end up bored? Is there much for entertainment and do they just have the toddler pool area?
Thanks so much!
Hi Suzanne,
in general, Serenade and Finest are two totally different categories as I’d call Serenade Punta Cana a more mid-range resort while Finest Punta Cana is a premium resort in Punta Cana. If both are in the same price range for your travel dates, I would definitely pick Finest.
Besides this, I don’t think your kids get bored at Finest. There is a super nice and large kids club with an additional mini water park. Obviously, this water park at Finest Punta Cana is by far not as big as the ones mentioned here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/punta-cana-resorts-with-water-park/
Maybe you find a suitable resort in this list.
Cheers, Chris
Trying to plan a week vacation with husband and two kids (4.5yo and 3yo). I’m thinking the Finest would be best for us but concerned there’s not much around the area to do (outside of the resort). How expensive are taxis/UBER’s/etc and car seats? Husband is very much a nature guy and wants to see and explore (I’ve already sent him your “adventures & road trips” link) -is this a good area to explore from? Can kids explore too? Thanks!
Hi Lauren,
there is indeed not much around in Uvero Alto where Finest Punta Cana is located. Uber is not available in this particular area and taxis are expensive (minimum 30-40 USD for a ride and more if you want to go to any nature attractions). My recommendation would be to rent a car so you stay flexible with your family. You can check out this article to see if renting a car would be suitable for you: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/general-information-faq/shall-i-rent-a-car-in-punta-cana/
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Gotcha. Thank you. Would you recommend another luxury all-inclusive family resort? The Princess (while renovated) seems a little cheesy(?) – I could be wrong.
Hi Lauren,
I would not call Tropical Princess cheesy but compared to Finest Punta Cana it is indeed at least 2 steps down.
You can check out Hyatt Ziva (https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-hyatt-ziva-cap-cana/) or Club Med Playa Esmeralda (https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-club-med-miches/) if you’re looking for some other luxury family all-inclusive resorts.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris –
thanks for all the great information! We are looking for a resort with activities for a family with an 17 year old boy 13 year girl and a 10 year old girl .a kids club isnot mandatory but activities we can do together without going off property such as waterpark tennis beach activities .
We are having trouble also finding resorts with a family room with two bedrooms
swimp up will be the cherry on the cake ( we don’t want to fight for a sunbed 🙂
Any suggestions? Thanks!
olivier
Hi Hanon,
most of the large family resort have plenty of activities on offer, hence most of the family hotels mentioned above tick this box (and the vast majority has a kids and teens club as well, even if you don’t necessarily need it).
With regard two two-bedroom suites, that’s indeed quite rare in Punta Canas’ resorts, but most of the family hotels offer it by booking an interconnecting room (which is the same than 2 bedrooms).
Dreams Dominicus for example offer guaranteed interconnecting rooms when booking the accordant category, Dreams Macao Beach (afaik) for a surcharge as well. You can check them out here:
Dreams Dominicus – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/dreams-dominicus-la-romana-all-inclusive-resort/
Dreams Macao – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/dreams-macao-beach-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
Alternatively, you can also have a look at Royalton Resorts, which have afaik two-bedroom suites:
Royalton Punta Cana (incl. access to the huge Splash park, one of the biggest water parks in Punta Cana): https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-royalton-punta-cana/
Royalton Bavaro (incl. access to the huge Splash Park if you book a Diamond Club room): https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-royalton-bavaro/
With regard to swim-up rooms, you can check out this article, where you can find the best resorts with swim-out rooms in Punta Cana, including a couple of very recommendable family resorts with swim-out rooms: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/best-punta-cana-swim-up-rooms/
Particularly the family resorts mentioned there with swim-up rooms might be ticking all your boxes when booking two rooms and asking for interconnecting (or neighboring) rooms (not sure if swim-ups have interconnecting rooms neither if a 2-bedroom-swim-up suite is existing in Punta Cana).
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris,
Absolutely fantastic site! We had been ready to book at Royalton Bavaro as it looks very nice and wanted access to Splash but not have to be at a full waterpark every day. The reviews recently are pretty rough and with their recent water outage we are looking elsewhere. I have read a lot of your blogs and wanted to get your thoughts. My children are 6 and 9 and I like having a place with slides and activities but I don’t necessarily need one of the ones that is an enormous water park. However, what I am running into is it seems like my 6 year old might get turned away from many of these water slides. We are looking at mid-to-high tier. Lopesan seems like a good option but was also looking at Ziva Cap Cana and Onyx which seem nicer – however both of those appear to require kids to be 48 inches tall to do the slides. I ruled out Finest because there appears to just be a few slides designed more for smaller kids.
Outside of Lopesan, what would you recommend?
Thanks,
Kevin
I meant I was looking at Dreams Macao, not Onyx. Onyx has age restrictions of 9 years old for some sections and 12 for others.
Hi Kevin,
usually, resorts are not super picky about age or height restrictions at the slides (usually it is defined by the height, not by the age) as long as it does not impose a security risk for either the child or other users of the slides. However, obviously a 6-year-old kid shouldn’t use water slides which are designed for 12-year-olds or adults.
Apart from that, Lopesan Costa Bavaro indeed seems like a great option as I think that the water park there is perfect for a 6-year-old plus the beach is very child-friendly. Hyatt Ziva is obviously a totally different story and is the best of the best, but I guess that’s also a doubled price tag compared to Lopesan. You could also check out Hard Rock Punta Cana, as they have just opened a new huge water park in summer 2022: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/hard-rock-hotel-casino-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
You could also check out Nickelodeon Resort, which focus more on activities than a water park and probably would be a blast for your children: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-nickelodeon-punta-cana/
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Love this site! Currently booked Royalton Punta Cana with my 13 and 15yo. Booked for the waterpark and beach but recent reviews have me wanting to change due to crowding and other issues. Looking at Lopesan and Hilton La Romana – we like moderate slides but nothing too wild…good food, and ideally a beach we can snorkel at. Thoughts?
Hi Nicole,
there is not much snorkeling right off the beach from Punta Canas’ resorts, hence I wouldn’t include this as a crucial point when looking for the perfect resort. If at all, you have the best chances for some average snorkeling at Hilton La Romana.
Foodwise, I would rate all three hotels similar, also with slight advantages for Hilton La Romana.
For a 13 and 15-year-old, the water park at Royalton Splash and Hilton La Romana are the most appealing ones.
For further resorts with a water park in Punta Cana, you can check out this article: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/punta-cana-resorts-with-water-park/
For the best prices of Hilton La Romana you can check this page here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-hilton-la-romana-family/
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris,
Wow amazing reviews makes it harder to pick what is more amazing you replying to all the comments with detailed suggestions.
So I’m travelling with my mother and two kids 6 year old boy and 9 year old girl. I want them to enjoy their time to the max and have some time for myself and my mother without worrying about them.
I am looking for something more upscale yet lots of activities for the kids. Like to have nice views and new rooms feel.
All inclusive is nice not necessarily drinks though.
Looking for a nice relaxing beach with fine sand.
Will be travelling around Christmas
Was considering
Nickelodeon a bit higher price but willing to pay if worth it also read lots of walking which is hard for mom
Hard rock isn’t it too much activities all day long I want to relax a bit
Finest
Lopesan
Thank you so much!
Rawan
Hi Rawan,
thanks for your comment.
I think Finest Punta Cana ticks all your boxes – upscale, not too big, perfect for kids at the age you mentioned.
Nickelodeon Punta Cana is also a great option, similar to Finest in terms of quality and size, obviously with a different approach.
Hard Rock Punta Cana is very large and involves lots of walking.
Lopesan Costa Bavaro has a perfect beach for kids and a great water park for 6- and 9-years old, but involves some walking (not as much as at Hard Rock) and can’t compete food-wise with Finest or Nickelodeon.
I hope this helps.
Cheers, CHris
Hi Chris,
Your blog and information has been very helpful. I’m looking to go to Punta Cana in Jan 2023, with my husband and 5 yo. We are considering Nickelodeon but I read some negative reviews and was hoping for your honest opinion on whether or not it was worth it. We want to go somewhere with water slides, kids activities, etc., but also modern vibe and good food. My son is very active and will get bored just sitting. Also looking at Dreams Macao and Tropical Deluxe.
Thanks,
Melanie
Hi Melanie,
I think Nickelodeon will be a great choice for you and your son. It is a very active resort. You’ll find negative reviews at each and every resort. As long as the general opinion is positive, a few negative reviews shouldn’t refrain you from booking. Nickelodeon is a great quality hotel in Punta Cana. It is on the more expensive side, hence it is particularly worth for them who indeed have some links or connections with the Nickelodeon characters.
I hope this helps.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris. This article and this blog are amazing. I love how much information you give. I’m planning to do a cross-family reunion of around 13 adults, 5 kids, and 1 teenager. It seems to me that a weekend in an all-inclusive hotel is going to make it a little bit too hard to spend time together and get to know each other. Everything is so big and spread. I think it will be a challenge to find pool chairs together and sit together for dinners, for example. So I was thinking about a very small hotel or a private villa. Do you know any good ones? Thanks!
Hi Dani,
there are indeed some challenges (the one you mentioned, but nothing is impossible) when visiting an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana with 18 people, but there are also many advantages. It is a particularly great thing that you don’t have to take care of anything in a resort (shopping, organization, logistics, etc.) and the kids for sure will love the amenities and the water parks. Particularly if you’re booking a premium resort with butler service, this could be a good solution as the butler can take care of dinner reservations or daytime areas with enough sunchairs.
On the other hand, there are a couple of villas in Punta Cana that fit 18 people or more and if you hire a chef and a barkeeper, you will also have a great time. You can find some particularly large villas here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/punta-cana-villas-2/
One of my favorite villas for lagre groups without breaking the bank is this one here at Corales beach area: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/long-beach-villa-corales/
I hope this helps.
Cheers, Chris
Hi! We stayed at the Finest last year and really loved it. Plenty of things to do/pools even though it was compact and the food was great. We are returning to Punta Cana this year but looking to try a new resort. Which one would you recommend or is most similar to Finest? Our children are 1 and 3 and we will be traveling with 3 other families.
Hi Annie,
great that you liked Finest Punta Cana. You could try Hyatt Ziva (most upscale family resort and more expensive than Finest), Nickelodeon (I would say the same quality as Finest, but a totally different concept) or Dreams Dominicus (quality-wise a little bit below Finest, but a beautiful beach with shallow water and a different area).
For Dreams Dominicus, there is an extensive review here in case you are interested: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/dreams-dominicus-la-romana-all-inclusive-resort/
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris,
I’m in the midst of planning a destination wedding. I haven’t narrowed down a specific destination yet, but on the list are DR, Mexico and Jamaica (although this may be outside our price range).
Would you be able to comment on which resort you think would provide the best offerings activities for the kids (ages 3-13), adults ages 40-80, great food, nice setting for a wedding, calm beaches (can you comment on the current situation with the seaweed?), for 5k USD or less?
I don’t know the extent of your experience outside of DR, but even just advice for DR would be helpful!
Thank you!
Hi Evelyn,
I would particularly look at Dreams Macao Beach, Lopesan Costa Bavaro, Grand Bavaro Princess / Princess Family Club, Riu Palace Punta Cana, Royalton Punta Cana and Dreams Dominicus, as they are all kind of affordable, offer great amenities for multi-generational vacations (=travellers of all ages) and have a great beach with gorgeous wedding locations.
If you need help organizing your wedding (incl. hotel booking, travel arrangements, weddings details and event coordination), feel free to send me an email as I worked a long time for a local travel + destination wedding company in the Dominican Republic which is specialized in all-inclusive resort wedding as well. I am happy to connect you if you’re interested.
Cheers from Punta Cana
Chris
Hi Chris,
What a great site and sooo many choices.
We are looking for a family vacation, we have 2 girls (4&9 years old). We want to be able to do some activities, watch a nice show at night, have a nice waterpark for the kids… Were looking at Lopesan or Nickelodeon.. which one of the 2 would you recommend? Or is there another resort that you would recommend above these two?
We will only be there for a week….
Thanks for your help and honest opinion 🙂
Stef
Hi Stef,
I think both hotels are great even though in my opinion Nickelodeon is geared more towards kids, especially if they are familiar with the Nickelodeon characters. If the budget allows, I would pick Nickelodeon. You can check the current promotions for your travel dates here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-nickelodeon-punta-cana/
Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris,
Your blog and information has been very helpful. I’m looking to go to Punta Cana in May 2023, with my wife and 9 month old baby and a 3.5 year old daughter . What will be the best resort, not considering budget, but quality of activities for the kids as well as quality food. I am not expecting to go out of the resort just staying there and chilling while enjoying most of the hotel. It will be great if they have a kids club for both of my kids. Really great full if you can help me.
Thanks,
Mike
Hi Mike,
if budget is not that much of an issue, your best bet is definitely Hyatt Ziva: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-hyatt-ziva-cap-cana/
It ticks all of your boxes.
Best regards
Chris
The quality of the Hyatt Ziva vs Finest Punta Cana is a lot of difference? Because the Finest Punta Cuna have a bigger family room.
Greetings
Mike
Well, difficult to say. I would say in general Hyatt offers better quality than Finest, but both are definitely top-premium resorts. Hence I’d say there is a difference in quality, but not super big. You will have a great family vacation at Finest Punta Cana as well.
Hi Chris!
I’m so happy I found your blog. Thank you for all sharing so much valuable information.
I have been a little overwhelmed with the sheer volume of all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. I will be 18 weeks pregnant when we travel to Punta Cana and we also have a 3.5 year old. This is a babymoon and probably the last vacation we will take as a family of 3. Price is not a criteria for us since it’s a special vacation, we want to find a luxury resort with a mix of family friendly activities, relaxation time for me, beach time, kids club with childcare for our 3.5 year old, high quality food and beach time for our family. What resorts do you recommend?
Thanks,
Neeta
Hi Neeta,
thanks for your comment. For the preferences you mentioned, I’d say you shall check out
Finest Punta Cana – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/finest-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
and
Hyatt Ziva – https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-hyatt-ziva-cap-cana/
They are two of the best family resorts in Punta Cana.
Chris
Thank you, Chris! I booked Finest 🙂 looking forward to some downtime before the new baby 🙂
Hi Chris,
Thank you for all of this information.
I am so overwhelmed.
I had a shortlist but I am unsure of it.
I wanted something fun for everyone.
I am travelling with my 3 kids (20,18,13).
I am looking for something fun but not too budget.
I had Caribe Deluxe Princess, Iberostar Selection Bavaro and Grand Bavaro Princess.
3 Different sites have 3 different ratings for them, which I think is what is causing more anxiousness.
Thanks to your article, I just added Dreams Onyx to my list.
I want beautiful, calmer beaches and something that has a lot of fun.
Any suggestions.
Carla
Hi Carla,
according to the preferences you mention, I would say that Riu Palace (Punta Cana or Bavaro), Royalton Punta Cana (not Royalton Splash), Lopesan Costa Bavaro or Grand Bavaro Princess would be perfect options for you. You can find extensive reviews to all of them (except Royalton Punta Cana) here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/
I hope this helps.
Best regards
Chris
Hi Chris,
Thank you for the valuable information.
I am travelling in August with a 13 yr old.
Looking for a resort that has teen activities lively entertainment. Day and night. A resort with lots of guests
Mid high end resort that has a lot of guests and families with teens would be ideal on a calm beach.
My fear is that I may choose a resort that is not so popular and may be quite empty with no teens for my 13 yr old to socialize with.
I’ve searched so many and undecided
I really don’t want to spent all day at a water park but it would be ideal that the resort has one for this age group.
I viewed Dreams onyx but the beach is too wavy or it’s not as calm from the pics
You mentioned Dreams Macau and the beach looks really nice and calm would the activities not be aimed for teens ? Any other choices ?
Grand Bávaro princess. But this resort doesn’t have a water park for teens
Any suggestions of other mid to high end to consider
The Iberostar Bávaro is under renovations and I didn’t. See any water slides
Thanks so much
Hey Linda,
the Dreams Resorts are generally a great pick for teens as they all have a huge teens club with multiple activities. Great to keep your kid occupied and great for socializing. Hard Rock might also be an interesting choice, they have a lot on offer as well. Riu Palace is another option – it is very big so you will definitely find people.
Alternatively, you can also check out these resorts where you find some more amazing family resorts – all of them with a water park: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/punta-cana-resorts-with-water-park/
Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris,
Thank you for sharing your recommendations.
Any suggestions for resorts in mid high end popular resorts modern preferred that has slides and a nice calm beach with activities for teenagers and great live entertainment day and night
Is Dreams Macau a good option ?
Grand palladium would in the lower scale in terms of activities ? There are no slides at all for this age group
I’m not looking for a massive park but teens games club and slides to enjoy and good beach location.
Planning to go in august hopefully the resort I select has a lot of families
If you could provide any resort names
Thanks
Are there
Hi Linda,
please see my answer on the comment above. 🙂
Chris
Hi Chris
Graet blog. We’re coming from the UK for a family vacation at the end of August. Brief set of info & requirements:
– 2 adults, 3 boys (11, 13, 15)
– hoping for decent amount of activities (swimming, water park, mini golf, bowling etc…)
– but don’t want to compromise on the food quality, we would like a high standard a la carte
– two bed family suite preferably
We are looking at:
– Dreams Macao Beach
– Barcelo Bavaro Palace
– Dreams Royal Beach
– Falcon Resort
– Finest Punta Cana
Would you have any advice as to which sounds like a good fit?
Thanks
Tim
Hi Tim,
among those, Falcons and Finest would be my top picks. Falcons has more activities, Finest has better food. You can find a full review of Finest here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/accommodation-resorts/finest-punta-cana-all-inclusive-resort/
Cheers, Chris
Hi Chris,
Thanks for this great list. Looking to book a trip around Christmas break for my wife and 5 year old son, all inclusive, activities especially for the kids during the day, things for all of us to have fun, high end look, quality, and service. Waterpark is a plus, but not a must. Love the idea of shows, good food, getting to have drinks and have fun. Would love your top recommendations for this.
Hi Jeremy,
great if this list of family resorts in Punta Cana was helpful for you.
My top recommendation for the preferences you mentioned would be Finest Punta Cana, but you can also check out Hyatt Ziva which is one of the top resorts in Punta Cana: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-hyatt-ziva-cap-cana/
Cheers, Chris
Hello,
We are a family of 4 travelling for a week. Kids are 2 years and 3.5 years. Would like waterslides/splash park they can use and also a kids club or play place they could join with our supervision. I like the idea of a family room. Bonus would be breakfast room service options. I don’t really care location just more concerned about keeping the kids entertained and fed. What would be my best options.
Hi Brae,
thanks for your comment. This request sounds more like something for my travel coaching services as breakfast in the room (I wouldn’t recommend it) and family rooms (I assume you mean 2 bedrooms?) are a little bit harder to find: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/travel-coaching/
Most kids clubs also don’t allow the parents to be present as this is a bit against the idea of the kids club: the kids shall play, the parents relax.
It also depends on your budget but you can definitely have a look at Dreams Onyx, Nickelodeon or Hyatt Ziva.
I hope this helps.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Best regards
Chris