What is the Punta Cana experience? Is it the white sand beach? Or the endless cocktails? Or the warmth of the service? Since the area first developed as a tourism destination decades ago in the Dominican Republic, it’s been defined by its hotels: large, mostly all-inclusive resorts designed around a comfortable, easygoing ambience and a stunning natural environment (and one of the Caribbean’s best airports, with flights from all over the world including robust airlift from the United States)
That still remains the case today: travelers flock to Punta Cana, an area that has grown from its roots in Bavaro to an ever-expanding coastline that ranges from the luxurious corner of Cap Cana to the golden sands of Uvero Alto. There’s a reason, after all, that this is the most-visited part of the most popular travel destination in the Caribbean. But navigating the all-inclusive landscape in Punta Cana isn’t easy — and that’s where our decades of on-the-ground experience staying at these resorts and visiting Punta Cana can help. We’ve curated the list of our favorite Punta Cana all-inclusive resorts for 2025, from tried-and-true properties to more exclusive resort-within-a-resort concepts. Here are the best Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resorts for 2025.
Lopesan Costa Bavaro The most complete, best-looking, best-designed resort in all of Punta Cana is the only Caribbean property of popular Spanish brand Lopesan, which took its well-regarded concepts from Europe to the heart of Bavaro Beach. There are more than 1,000 rooms here (and seven different pools), with everything from junior suites to some of our favorite swim-out units in the region. The look and feel here is modern and cool no matter where you look.
The biggest standout? This is an exceptionally family friendly resort, from the on-site waterpark to The Boulevard, a fantastic amenity that’s basically an open-air shopping mall perfect for evening strolls, with everything from a casino to a bowling alley to an authentic Dominican coffee shop. But the Lopesan also pulls off the impressive feat of being just as great for couples. Choose one of the secluded swim-up rooms and you’ll find your own private paradise for you and your companion. All in all, it’s just hard to beat if you’re looking for the essence of the Punta Cana experience. Rooms start in the $500s in the high season.
Sanctuary Cap Cana This is the only Luxury Collection resort in greater Punta Cana, and it delivers, from the stunning white-sand beach to what just might be the best spa in all of Punta Cana to the outstanding food. But what we love most at this All-Inclusive by Marriott resort — and where we recommend you stay — is the “castle” wing, which is about what it sounds like: a collection of beautiful suites in a setting that reminds of a centuries-old castle. That includes a number of castle swim-out rooms, which bright, airy, luxury accommodations where you can wade right out into a lazy-river style pool. You can find rates for those rooms at around $1,029 per night in the high season.
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana You notice something here the moment you walk into the massive, thatched-roof lobby. It just feels serene, quiet, exclusive. It feels special. That’s how we’ve always felt about this property, which is the essence of the Zoëtry brand: wellness-focused, calm, blissfully relaxing. The 92-room resort feels like a far smaller boutique hotel, and it’s perched on a lovely stretch of golden Punta Cana sand. What we really love? The Zoëtry restaurant program, which means you never need a reservation — just walk right into any of the restaurants when the mood suits you. Prices start at about $776 per night.
Secrets Cap Cana Secrets’ Flagship in the Dominican Republic always earns rave reviews from CJ editors and readers, and that hasn’t changed. It’s set on a beautiful stretch of Juanillo Beach, with 457 suites, some exquisite swim-up options and all of the dining concepts you expect at a Secrets, from the Barracuda Beach Bar to the French-inspired Bordeaux. There’s also a Secrets Spa and a Preferred Club should you choose to splurge. Unsurprisingly, we highly recommend the swim-out rooms, which start at a very agreeable $338.50 per night. Like the Zoëtry, it’s part of the Hyatt Inclusive Collection. That means it also is part of the World of Hyatt loyalty program.
Hard Rock Punta Cana This is really one of Punta Cana’s — and the Dominican Republic’s — signature places to stay. We’ve always loved Hard Rock hotels around the world for their unique concept and always-fun vibe — things that lend themselves particularly well to all-inclusive. The rock-and-roll ambience just works with AI, especially if you’re traveling with kids, which is where this resort truly shines. The water park is awesome and the kids club is excellent. For adults, there’s a bit of everything: on-site golf (a Jack Nicklaus design), a very good casino and an impressive Rock Spa. It’s just a great all-around resort. Cost? You can book a “Caribbean Suite” for you, your significant other and two kids for just $658 per night.
Hideaway at Royalton Punta Cana It’s one of the fastest-growing hotel brands in the Caribbean: Blue Diamond Resorts’ Royalton, which seems to be adding a handful of properties across the region every year. Hideaway is Royalton’s adults-only brand, and this one has 168 rooms in all, with a full slate of programming day and night, a terrific spa and a Diamond Club, which is the brand’s version of a preferred club or elevated-amenity room class, however you want to describe it. It’s always worth it, in our opinion, particularly when you pick one of the Diamond Club swim-out rooms.
Those will cost you about $828 per night, according to the property’s website and the time of season. The best part? This is part of Marriott’s All-Inclusive by Marriott Convoy collection, which means you can stay here on points if you choose.
TRS Cap Cana This is actually a marina hotel rather than a true beach hotel (although there is a beach), but that also means that if you venture out of the hotel you have easy access to all of the shopping and eateries in the heart of Cap Cana. The hotel itself has an impressive poolscape, with multiple pools of varying sizes, all with great views of the ocean. This is a classic adults-only hotel, with just 115 rooms, all suites. On our recent stay we loved the suites that include outdoor jacuzzis with views of the sea, although there are also a number of swim-up rooms.
What we love: every suite comes with 24-7 butler service, and your bracelet is also your room key. So what about prices? A marina-view junior suites starts at around $548 per night, depending on the time of year.
Royalton CHIC Punta Cana As we said, we like the Hideaway version of Royalton’s resorts. But if you want something a bit more exclusive, a bit more luxurious, a bit more fun, it’s the company’s CHIC brand; there are just a handful of CHIC resorts across the Caribbean, from Antigua to Cancun. This one has 320 rooms, along with seven eateries, eight bars, four pools, a casino and, yes, a Diamond Club, too. What we love here is the rooftop pool, a unique amenity in all of Punta Cana. If you book in March, you can find rooms as low as $296 per night, which is an exceptionally good deal. Note: this property is also part of the Marriott all-inclusive portfolio.
Paradisus Palma Real If you’ve traveled the Caribbean, you’ve probably heard of this resort. Melia’s 596-room Bavaro Beach resort is a Punta Cana signature, with nearly a dozen pools, a broad tennis offering, golf, a casino, a great stretch of beach. It’s just a solid place to stay. Is it a bit formulaic?
Sure, but it also delivers exactly what you’re looking for, with the service, food and grand ambience you expect from a large Melia property. There’s also the adults-only Reserve wing, which includes exclusive areas, all-day snacks, a Reserve-only restaurant and your own private enclaves on the sand and in the pool. Prices around $832 per night in high season.
The Level at Melia Punta Cana Beach By now, you should know that CJ editors are partial to elevated concepts, exclusive wings and preferred rooms. The extra service, design and amenities are just about always worth it. That’s why we like The Level — it’s an entire resort-within-a-resort designed around a wellness concept. The secret here is to go for one of the “Stay Well” rooms, which include a very cool list of amenities that include free daily spa treatments, direct access to the executive lounge and even guided digital meditations led by Deepak Chopra. Of course, you also get access to the rest of the resort. The Stay Well rooms start at about $730 per night.
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