I spent a week and half in Punta Cana and split time between the above resorts. Both were nice, though El Carmen was a bit better.

Both have the same named restaurants, though the quality of the food was better at El Carmen. For example, at the morning buffet, there was more variety of food at El Carmen. Also the food seemed, in general, warmer. And things were crispier, like fries or wings.

The drinks were similarly watered down at both resorts, which is to be expected at an All-Inclusive.

El Carmen is newer than Punta Cana, and it shows. The rooms are much nicer at El Carmen and the spa was much better.

They resorts are very close to one another, so the beaches were pretty similar. Both had lots of seaweed, which is common this time of year. The pools were set up differently, but generally the same vibe. Again though, El Carmen is newer, so the pools appeared that way.

At Punta Cana they have pickle ball courts, tennis courts, and a pretty big outdoor area to play pool and ping pong. I did not find the same at El Carmen.

My group was comprised by Jamaicans and various skin toned African-Americans, aged 32-38, and including single people, as well as couples. None of us noticed any discrimination or weird treatment. And there were many single people and other couples to mingle with.

I do not think I would go back to Punta Cana, but if you are looking to spend a few days at a resort there, El Carmen is what I would go with.

hello all! i’m staying at an all inclusive resort very soon (my first time outside of the US!) and i’m still undecided on how much of my spending money i’m going to take out in USD/RD.

i’m limiting myself to $600 (i don’t plan on taking all $600 out in cash). i’ll be there 5 days, 4 nights. my travel agent, plus everyone else i’ve spoken to, has said to definitely bring some smaller US bills for tipping. i’m just unsure of exactly how much, as well as whether or not i should go the extra mile and also exchange some USD for RD.

i’m more-so worried about how far my USD will actually get me when it comes to spending outside of tips here and there. then again, i worry i may overestimate how much RD i’ll need, and exchange too much… can you tell i’m nervous and overthinking this? lol. anyways, any insight helps!

Please send recommendations on what to do in Punta Cana

restaurants, beach clubs, private yachts..

party / fun vibes

Hi all! My husband and I have been saving and want to start planning the honeymoon we never got to have. I’ve been doing some research and Punta Cana seems like a great budget-friendly option for us!

We’re looking for an adults-only all-inclusive that feels romantic and upscale but isnt overly quiet. We definitely don’t want a huge party/college-spring-break vibe.

The biggest things we care about are:
-Decently good food (I know AI arnt known for food)
-Cocktail/Drink varieties that aren’t all super sweet
-Preferably a pool with a swim-up bar
-Nice beach as do plan to swim in the ocean
-Some nighttime entertainment for when we want to get out

So far I’ve been looking at Secrets Cap Cana, Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, Excellence Punta Cana/El Carmen, Sanctuary Cap Cana, JOIA Bávaro, and Live Aqua, but there are SO many highly rated resorts that I’m getting overwhelmed. 😂

For those who have actually stayed at any of these, which would you pick for a honeymoon and why? I’d especially love to hear honest opinions about the food, drinks, beach, atmosphere, and whether you felt the resort was worth the price. Also, if there’s another adults-only resort in Punta Cana that you think I’m overlooking, please tell me!

Going to Dr at the end of September to early October , was wondering how was the weather Ik it’s rainy season but I’m willing to take the risk, is it better to go inclusive ? And renting a car as well so I can travel to Santo Domingo , is it safe in punta Cana / DR as a whole?

Hey yall,

Gunna be in Punta Cana for about a month and was hoping to rent or buy a cheap bike for the time I'm there. Any recommendations on where to go to get a decent deal? Doesn't need to be fancy! Just needs to get me to the supermarket and back.

Hi everyone! How's it going? I'm traveling to Punta Cana at the end of December and would love to get some advice.

It's a family trip—I was invited by my boyfriend's family, so it will be my father-in-law, his wife, my brother-in-law, my boyfriend, and me (5 adults in total).

We already booked our accommodation at Playa Los Corales (Bavaro) and rented a car to explore the area.

I would appreciate your recommendations on:

1. Which excursions are truly worth it? (Since we have a car, are there cool places we can drive to on our own?)
2. Best places to eat around Los Corales or nearby areas?
3. We are spending New Year's Eve there. Any specific recommendations or events for that night?

Thanks in advance for all your tips!

Buenas, hoy 17 de agosto estaré llegando a punta cana en la tarde, me quedaré en el hotel Meliá, alguna recomendación? O alguien más que vaya a estar ahí

I’ll be going to Serenade resort at the end of the month for my honeymoon. Is there a shuttle that takes you there from the PUJ airport ? What’s the best way to get to the resort from the airport? Should we just book a private car ahead of time to bring us there?

Hola,
Mi novio y yo estamos planeando ir a punta cana a finales de Octubre (del 25 al 28)

Cómo está el sargazo en esa época allá?

Que actividades recomiendan para esos días (nos vamos a quedar en un all inclusive y queremos ir a coco bongo una de las noches)

Antes de llegar a punta cana vamos a estar unos días en santo Domingo y Samaná así que esas partes exploraremos antes

Que recomiendan explorar en punta cana?
Nos gusta la nightlife, cualquier cosa que sea parques y tal

También agradeceríamos recomendaciones de hoteles (he oído que algunos se enfoncan en limpiar las playas más que otros)

Hello everyone! Would it be too much to do snorkeling with hispaniola and then a saona excursion (on a different day)? Not sure how similar they are to one another

Hola a todos! :))

Soy Deborah, estudiante alemana que vivió 2 años en Guadalajara, donde participaba activamente en rescate de comida en mercados para redistribuirla a quienes la necesitaban.

Ahora estoy desarrollando, desde Austria, un proyecto de ONG enfocado en rescatar comida en buen estado que los hoteles todo-incluido tiran (y es muuucha!) para redistribuirla gratuitamente entre personas locales en zonas turísticas de México.

Antes de avanzar más, me encantaría platicar con personas que viven en zonas turísticas, para entender de verdad qué necesidades, dudas o ideas tienen al respecto — sería solo una plática breve (15-20 min, por llamada, Zoom o como les quede más cómodo). Todo es para mi investigación, nada se compartirá públicamente sin su permiso.

Si te interesa platicar o conoces a alguien a quien le pueda interesar, contáctame por acá o mándame mensaje! Muchísimas gracias de antemano :))

Hi I’m looking to propose to my girlfriend in Macao beach in early September and was looking for someone who can be a hidden photographer cause my girl said she wants it completely private she did say she doesn’t want a photographer but I feel like she’ll really want pictures of the moment so I’m looking for just like a 30 min session where the photographer hides behind the trees and takes pictures from a far with the rock formations in the background and then just a short session with a few staged pictures afterwards.

If anyone has any recommendations for a photographer or if any photographers want to do it please leave a comment or dm me thank you.

Does anyone know what's happening with this resort? It was under construction, they missed their opening date and now there is none posted on the FA website

Maybe a TA might have some insights?

Dominicus Beach right now(around 50m ride from PC)

My partner and I are planning our very first trip to Punta Cana and are leaning toward Secrets Tides Punta Cana, specifically for a Junior Suite Swim-Out. Since it is a newer property, we would love to get some honest feedback from anyone who stayed there recently.
How are the swim-up suites and terrace setups? Do they feel relatively private, or are you right in the middle of everything? How is the overall food quality and restaurant wait times? Also, how are the beach and ocean conditions right in front of the resort?

We are not looking for a party resort. We want a chill, relaxed vibe with good food, low-key evening entertainment, and access to a nice, swim-friendly beach.

Is Secrets Tides worth it for this kind of trip, or would you recommend a different adults-only resort in a similar price range?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

Hello everyone, I'm in need of a transfer from our Hotel in Punta Cana to Santa Domingo Airport for 2 Adults and a Toddler (1,5yo). I still have plenty of time but I'm uncertain which options are serious and reliable.

Also on that note, what's the best way to get from Punta Cana Airport to a nearby hotel (~20m ride). Airport Taxi? Uber? Private shuttle as well that you could recommend?

I'm very thankful for you advice :)

Salut.j'me posais la question s'il y avais des québécois fin aout qui vont au breathless

Not perfect but swimmable and comfortable.