The Dominican Republic welcomed more visitors last year than any in the country’s history, with most travelers descending on one place: Punta Cana, the tourism hotspot on the country’s eastern coast. Punta Cana has always been the most popular place to visit in the Dominican Republic, and that is largely for one reason: a remarkable number of all-inclusive resorts on the beach.
Centered on Bavaro Beach and now expanding to places like Cabeza del Toro, Cap Cana, Macao and Uvero Alto, Punta Cana is the Caribbean capital of all-inclusive resorts. But navigating them is not always easy, particularly when you’re choosing between family-friendly resorts and adults-only hotels. Our latest edition of the Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Punta Cana is your guide to CJ’s favorite places to stay in this booming Caribbean destination.
#1 Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort Spa & Casino We just love this Bavaro Beach resort, thanks to a blend of terrific design, excellent food, a prime perch of beachfront and an almost endless list of amenities, ranging from a water park to a fantastic outdoor mall-style promenade called The Boulevard. The rooms are sleek and well-appointed, particularly the lovely swim-up rooms. All in all, this is the most complete resort in Punta Cana and, for 2024 (as was the case last year), the Lopesan is our pick for number one. This is the first Lopesan resort in the Caribbean, and it’s a brand that should definitely be on your travel radar.
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana A wellness hotel in the guise of an all-inclusive resort, this is a lovely, boutique-style retreat with just 96 rooms in a beautiful setting in Uvero Alto. The remarkable thatched-roof lobby is just the beginning of a rustic-chic design aesthetic that makes you feel like you’re somewhere even more remote and rarefied. Even better? Zoetry’s easygoing philosophy means you never have to make a reservation, a rarity in today’s all-inclusive world. And yes, the spa is that good.
Secrets Cap Cana Secrets’ Dominican Republic flagship is set on the sparkling white sands of Juanillo Beach in Cap Cana, home to one of the most exclusive collections of all-inclusive resorts in greater Punta Cana. This adults-only resort has 457 rooms, all of them suites, including a selection of swim-out junior suites. Perhaps most importantly, the resort is part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection and the World of Hyatt loyalty program, meaning you can stay here with your Hyatt points. Other noteworthy amenities? A Secrets Spa by Pevonia, 15 different dining concepts, two pools and, if you want to splurge, a Preferred Club.
Sanctuary Cap Cana Marriott has a portfolio of six resorts in its Dominican Republic all-inclusive collection, but this is easily the best one: a lovely, luxurious, well-designed Juanillo Beach retreat with some of the best swim-up rooms you’ll find in the Caribbean. The resort, which recently underwent a $45 million renovation project, looks the part, with a Spanish-colonial style that somehow fits in effortlessly to the Cap Cana landscape. What else should you know? There are six pools, 12 dining concepts, a fitness center and a beautiful private stretch of Juanillo sand.
Royalton CHIC Punta Cana If you travel around the Caribbean, you’ll have probably heard of Royalton, which has quietly been one of the fastest-growing resort brands in the region in recent years. That includes a strong presence in the Dominican Republic, led by its elevated CHIC brand. CHIC resorts are adults-only, with a focus on comprehensive adult-friendly programming. This 320-suite resort has pretty, colorful rooms (with the brand’s famously comfortable beds) and a strong dining program that includes, for an extra fee, the endlessly fun C/X Culinary Experience, a sort of chef’s table-interactive dining event that’s worth the splurge. The Royalton CHIC is part of the Autograph Collection. That means if you you’re in the Bonvoy program you can stay here using your points.
Falcon’s Resorts by Melia Punta Cana Punta Cana is now home to the Caribbean’s first true theme park: Katmandu, an import from Spain that is an immersive experience with the rides to boot, along with other family-friendly activities like mini golf and even shops and restaurants. Katmandu, which opened last year, is also connected to a resort, the Falcon’s Resorts by Melia, which includes daily passes to the park and all of the amenities of a premier beachfront all-inclusive. Melia calls it “resortainment,” and it definitely has no analog anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana The Dreams brand, now part of Hyatt, is the rare resort that manages to satisfy both families and couples, and that’s precisely the case at this Punta Cana standout. There’s a great waterpark (and Explorer’s Club) for the young ones, a teens club for the older ones and an impressive adults-focused program that includes a 12-treatment-room spa, a nightclub, regular theme parties and a host of live entertainment.
TRS Cap Cana While this hotel is on the marina in Cap Cana, not on the beach (though it does have its own small beach), we’ve long been fans of this adults-only retreat for its stunning design, impressive poolscape and great access to the sights and sounds of the “town” of Cap Cana. The food and beverage program here is also a standout, from the Helios restaurant offering Mediterranean fare to a full-fledged Argentine steak house called El Gaucho.
Live Aqua Punta Cana The crisp, modern, 347-room Live Aqua is one of the best-looking resorts in greater Punta Cana. But the substance is there, too. From some seriously cool swim-up rooms to a marvelous spa, this is a state-of-the-art, rarefied adults-only vacation experience. We’re also big fans of the food and drink options, which tend toward the creative and the surprising. Yes, that even includes the only cevicheria at a Dominican Republic all-inclusive.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana The 375-suite Zilara is an adults-only retreat set on Cap Cana’s Juanillo Beach, with a veritable fantasy land of adult-friendly amenities: a 14,000-square-foot fitness center; nightly live entertainment; a two-story grotto-style spa with its own private lagoon; and even a recently-opened speakeasy-style hidden dining experience. It’s a fun, always-energetic place to stay with the strong pedigree of Playa Hotels and Resorts.
Club Med Punta Cana It was one of the first all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, and it remains a Punta Cana classic. The Club Med, which continues to evolve with new spaces and additions, just underwent another renovation, while debuting a transformed signature restaurant, Hispaniola. The more than 630-room retreat is located on a plum corner of beach. But the biggest story, as is always the case with Club Med, is the food, which is often head and shoulders better than most of its competitors.
The Level at Melia Punta Cana Beach The Melia Punta Cana resort is a pretty standard, unsurprising all-inclusive resort. But if you go for the elevated Level experience, you’ll find a completely different property, one that ranks among the best in Punta Cana. So what does The Level get you? Everything from private lounge access, an exclusive breakfast eatery, private check-in and check-out, your own private Level-only pool; access to the outstanding Quimera eatery; and top-shelf drinks, among other inclusions. You’ll also get elevated, premium rooms. All in all, it’s the way to go.
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana Part of the two-resort complex with the Hyatt Zilara, this family-friendly resort has 375 rooms and an all-encompassing family experience: an impressive water park replete with a lazy river, 13 dining concepts, and for adults, access to all of the amenities at the adjacent Zilara. It’s also rather hard to beat the sugar-white sand of Juanillo Beach.
Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana The Margaritaville Island Reserve brand, the product of an alliance between Margaritaville and Karisma Hotels and Resorts, has been growing very quickly around the Caribbean. But it’s hard to top this Cap Cana getaway, home to 516 rooms (along with 39 larger units the resort calls “villas”). The Buffett factor is strong here, from the Caribbean’s only Landshark brewery to a host of JB-themed bars. The biggest standout here, though, is how well it serves both adults and families; if you want a quieter, more refined experience, you can go for the adults-only Hammock section. If you’re traveling with your kids, there is the Parakeets Kids’ Club, options like certified babysitting and dedicated “family suites” that are meant for larger groups.
Paradisus Palma Real It’s one of the signature all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, and it’s still a great option. This sprawling, beautifully-landscaped Bavaro Beach resort has just under 600 rooms, access to a golf course, a terrific spa and an adults-only wing called The Reserve. It’s also one of the best resorts for weddings in all of Punta Cana.
Excellence El Carmen The adults-only El Carmen is Excellence’s standout Dominican Republic resort. And this property is all about the water, with a whopping 23 different pools. There are just under 500 rooms, all of which are suites, with nice touches like all-day room service and nightly turndown. While the ocean view suites are great, for a small premium you can check in to one of the resort’s delicious swim-up suites, the smallest of which stands at just under 1,000 square feet — the sort of room you’ll never want to leave.
TRS Turquesa Punta Cana Palladium’s TRS brand is always a winner, and this Punta Cana resort is no exception. What we really like here is the uniqueness of the programming. Here, it’s not about bingo or Marco Polo; the 372-suite TRS has thoughtfully curated a lineup of interesting activities that includes things like cooking classes, painting classes and even, refreshingly, a Spanish for beginners course. It’s that kind of thoughtfulness that manages to pervade the whole property, from the fine service to the international selection of restaurants.
Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana Hideaway is Royalton’s traditional adults-only brand, and that’s what you get at this resort-within-a-resort at the Royalton Punta Cana. Few brands know how to entertain adults better than Royalton, and that means you’ll get an excellent spa, a great fitness center, a private stretch of beach, a casino and a seemingly never-ending menu of daily programming. The resort is also part of All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy.
Sunscape Coco Punta Cana The Sunscape brand, now part of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, is all about families. At Sunscape’s newest Dominican Republic resort (and first in Punta Cana), families are front and center. It’s not small: 1,055 rooms and suites and six pools on a sprawling property in Cabeza del Toro. But the offering is vast, and not just for the littlest ones; you will find a Pevonia Spa, an adults-only casino and nightclub and a full lineup of entertainment every day. It’s also part of the World of Hyatt program.
Grand Palladium Punta Cana The most important feature about the family-friendly Grand Palladium is the amount of choice you’ll find in its nearly 600 rooms. You can choose a poolside double, a two-level loft-style suite, or even, in a welcome option for families, connecting suites. Because families are the priority here, ranging from a “baby club” for the smallest travelers in your group to myriad water slides, a mini-golf course and, yes, pickleball. In other words, there’s something for everyone in your group.