We stayed at Iberostar Bavaro/Dominica/Punta Cana Resort.  All inclusive.  The beaches & resort were very nice.

We'll definitely go back.  Maybe we'll do some more exploring.  But having the freedom to travel between all three resorts and make use of all facilities, had everything we wanted and more right there and seemed like more than enough to do for our first trip.  Can't wait to return!

I recently stayed at the Riu Bambu in Punta Cana. (6/2008). It is an all-inclusive resort, that is surrounded by four other Riu Resorts. The location is great and the beach area is unbelievable. The ship wrecked Astron is in the water here, so it makes for pretty nice pictures. If you are planning to lay on the beach, may I recommend you get there early to save seats. We had a hard time finding two chairs, so we would get there early and throw our towels on two to save them. Don't get me wrong, you can trek down the beach either way towards the other Riu's to find chairs, but who really wants to do that? The beach has many topless ladies, a lot of thongs, and tons of speedos. I believe it's like that throughout Punta Cana, so if you don't want your kids to see that, steer clear. I myself can do without seeing sagging boobs in front of me while I am trying to relax. There are a lot of water activites included in the resort. They have kayaks, the wind surfing, and the little sail boats. They make for a great way to see the Astron up close. You can sign up for snorkeling and scuba, but you have to pay for them. You can also sign up for off resort excursions in the lobby of the hotel, but you have to pay. There are 2 pool areas. One is large, has a swim up bar, a jacuzzi, and tons of Palm trees around for some nice shade. The other pool is smaller, and I noticed mostly kids in it. Both pools have the palm huts you can lay under for some cool shade. The main bar for the resort is out in this area. There is also a restaurant called Mama Juana's that offers a pretty good buffet lunch. The resort also has a child play area, tennis courts, various activites and contests daily, ceramics, massages, volleyball, a clothing store, a gift shop (with souvenirs, snacks/drinks, toiletries, etc.), and a large projector screen for daily soccer games. There are nightly shows outside by the main bar with different themes every night. They start at 9:30. The shows were mostly in Spanish, I don't speak A LOT of Spanish, but it was still entertaining. The resort brings animals on the property different days for pictures with the guests. They have parrots one day, a monkey (on a leash), and an Iguana. They have a little area where they post the pictures each day, and you can buy them if you want to for $7.00 each. There is no pushiness involved. Literally, if you want your pics, you have to walk up to the area and grab yours, or else I guess they get thrown away. There is a computer room off of the lobby, but I believe you have to pay for the internet. The room areas of the hotel are stucco, and the buildings are painted pastel colors. There are tons of Palm trees, banana trees, and other unknown trees to me scattered throughout the resort, and it looks so pretty. Our room was a bit of a trek with a great banana tree on the way, but not the worst of locations. The room had tile floor. Our beds were 2 Queens that were pushed together, and they shared a head board, and they were oh so hard, with the thinnest pillows ever. My back didn't feel too great for the 1st hour after I woke up. And the overall appearance of this bed set up was a bit odd to me. The room had a safe, and a free mini bar that was stocked everyday (water and soda too), but there was no where to get ice???? We also had teeny tiny ants on our bathroom counter and the floor. I HATE bugs, so I refused to leave anything out of my suitcase the entire week, and it stayed zipped tight at all times. We wouldn't see any after our room was cleaned, but a few hours later, they were there. I hate having to deal with stuff like that on a vacation. We thoroughly discussed this with other guests, and they had the same problem. Other than the ants, the room was clean, and I don't have much more to complain about. There are 5 restaurants on the resort I believe, and the buffet. You have to make reservations for the restaurants between 7-10 am for that evening's dinner, and they have a dress code. Since we had a horrible luggage fiasco, we were unable to eat at the restaurants. We went to the buffet every night. The food wasn't bad. Some days were way better than others. I am a very picky eater, so if you are a normal, you'll enjoy the food. Overall, this resort was great. The good outweighs the bad. Would I stay here again, probably not, but only because I enjoy doing and seeing new things on vacations, no repeats.

I visited Punta Cana, Dominican Republic last July 16-21 along with my co-worker and neighbor. On our arrival at the airport, it was a very hot and humid day but filled with excitement. We were welcomed by the locals wearing their caribbean dress and we were just dancing to the beat. Frome there it took us about half an hour to reach our hotel., the Majestic Colonial Punta Cana Spa and Resort.

We visited Majestic Colonial Punta Cana last July 16-21 2008. It was my first time with the all inclusive resort. I had a lot of fun...alcohol is overflowing during breakfast, lunch, dinner and even with our excursions. Our rooms got bathtubs both inside and outside the room, with a dvd player. Unfortunately they don't offer any dvd tapes. Love to do stargazing right outside our room...Just a few steps away from the patio is the pool bar... not the best mix drinks (mojito, sex on the beach) but enough for me to get drunk and i think that's what count... well if you are still at the pool by the end of the day, it gets messy, those who are drunk are just throwing their disposable glasses by the pool!!! As we arrived our hotel, we were offered with free champagne, beers and let me tell you this, their brand of beer is excellente PRESIDENTE!! We have a daily refill of alcoholic drinks and bottled water... The hotel offers 5 international restaurants... japanese, chinese, italian, american, and culinary restaurants.. we preferred to stay where the lobster is... I just simply love it!!! Would I recommend this hotel? DEFINITELY !!!I usually recommend a hotel where there is a free flowing of alcohol!!!

Before I begin to detail our experience at the Melia Caribe Tropical in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic let me first explain that this was the honeymoon my husband and I never had the opportunity to go on. This trip was ten years in the making and something we had worked, saved and planned for. To say the trip was a disappointment would be a gross understatement. Our initial welcoming into the hotel was non existent, we got off the hotel shuttle as we watched our bags thrown on the sidewalk. After waiting several minutes for some kind of greeting, direction, explanation, and several attempts to speak to the bellhops we were pointed in the direction of the front desk and told to leave our belongings out front. We approached the front desk which had no line just masses of people bunched around the counter. When we finally were able to get someone to respond to us we were told that our room was not ready and we would have to wait another 30 minutes. Check in time was 3:00, we were told this at approximately 3:15. We waited the 30 minutes and returned to a similar scene at the front desk. The woman working the desk completely ignored us for about 10 minutes before finally telling us she would check our room. We stood there for another 30-40 minutes while she repeatedly took other customers without ever checking on our room. At one point she took the information booklet she had given us earlier containing our towel passes and with our room number written on it and crossed out the room number and gave it to another customer in line. We finally were given a room after approximately an hour and a half, and more than a full hour after check in time. Although I understand things happen and rooms are not always ready on time, it was the complete lack of concern, apology, or even common courtesy that was very upsetting. The front desk acted as if we should be grateful we got a room at all. Our next incident occurred when we went to retrieve our bags from out front, which were still sprawled on the sidewalk where they had been thrown. Obviously eager to finally get to the room, we asked the bellhop to please take them to our room. We were told they would be there in 2 hours! Not willing to wait that long, my husband had to carry them the considerable distance to our room since, we were told by several passing workers in golf carts that they could not give us a ride. We had hoped that this would be an end to the problems on our much-anticipated trip. It was not. The same unsatisfactory and many times down right rude customer service that greeted us on our arrival continued through out the trip. Dinner reservations were messed up, we were told we had none, until we physically had to point to our name on the list and show the “host” where it was. Countless times we were out right ignored while trying to take advantage of the “all inclusive” services. Simple requests like “May I have two beers?” were answered with stares if at all. Our room, which we had been so desperate to get into, was located directly above a room being renovated. Drills and saws are not part of what I consider a relaxing vacation. When we asked to be moved because of the disruption, we were told no. As a matter of fact the only thing the staff did seem ready to respond to any request was NO! The one thing we did enjoy about this trip, a snorkeling tour, not affiliated with the Meliá Caribe Tropical, was even ruined by the hotel. We ordered a DVD of the experience to share with our family. The DVD was delivered to the hotel, which lost it. Again, we were met with the same poor attitude that was the norm on this trip, “Oh well, it is not here, there is nothing we can do”. Never in my life did I think I would be counting the days until my dream vacation was over. This trip was a nightmare from start to finish. I have never written a letter like this before, but I can not in good conscience let anyone else spend their hard earned money and wasted their all too precious time with loved ones experiencing the things my husband and I dealt with while at the Meliá Caribe Tropical.

The Ecological Park was highly recommended in the Lonely Planet guide to DR. So we checked it out and had a pleasant experience. Even though from our hotel, the park is a $30 USD roundtrip cab ride, it was well worth it! When we came to the visitor's center, we originally wanted to go horseback riding and look around the "garden." But we found out the horseback riding is operated through the ranch seperate from the park and right next to it. We changed our plans and arranged for us to go horseback riding the next day. And since we were there, we got a guided tour around the park. It was well worth. Our tourguide, Miguel (or Miguelito) was very nice, he showed us the cave with water underground, passed through the webs of really large spiders (that he said were harmless), and showed us the freshwater lagoons. There are 11 lagoons that are freshwater and are home to turtles and fish. We got to take a dip in one of them and it was pretty amazing. Just being in the park felt like a really safe rainforest. It was great and surely the highlight of my trip.

I just got back from staying 4 nights at the IFA Bavaro Villas for the Fourth. My friends arrived 2 days earlier, so I was the addition to the room. I was happy to find out that it was only $60 USD per night, instead of the $70 I was quoted for prior to the trip. The employees working the front desk were unhappy though, that I had bypassed security for half the day and had alreay parked my luggage in the room. You really get what you pay for. Location: The hotel is right next to the beach. It's actually not a far walk, I was surprised to hear that they actually have shuttles to the beach, when it is really just behind the hotel. Food: We mainly ate at the buffet place (for breakfast, lunch, sometimes dinner). The food has a large variety, but there are a few flies here and there (bc it is an open area). While eating, there are also sometimes little chickens that venture in, but they aren't bothersome. The best things are the fresh fruit (usually watermelon, cantaloupe, pineapple, passionfruit, papaya) and oatmeal (seasoned with cinnamon?). I am a vegetarian, so I didnt' eat meat there, but it did look quite good. There are 3 restaurants that you have to make reservations for and are only available for dinner. There is Caribe (I didn't go to that one, but I heard it was mostly meat, so I'm not too disappointed), Bambu (what they call "Japanese") and a Mexican restaurant. I was surprised to discover the "japanese" restaurant to be a lot better than the "mexican" restaurant! The Mexican place was a buffet and it was pretty awful. Near the pool is a pizza/snack bar with fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza. We frequented this too often. On the beach, there is a place where they have the nightly discotheque and during the day, another snack place with burgers, fries, and pasta. Room: We had a wonderful view of the pond with ducks. It was quite beautiful. There was air-conditioning and the decor was pretty nice. I liked the sink especially. Only, our cleaning maid came at really odd hours, and refused to come back later. She was always mad, so for 3 days, we ended up not having our room cleaned (which turned it into a disgusting den of grossness) and only had our TP, water, and towels replenished. Service: The people were really nice there usually. Only the maids seemed really angry everyday. The watersports people on the beach were really nice and we became friends with them (or should I say, my friend became really close with them). So, all in all, the food was average, the room was nice, beach was beautiful, and the service really varied. I'm quite satisfied because I only paid $60 per night. So don't go to IFA expecting a whole lot, then it will surpass your expectations!

Just a relaxin' beach day! I highly suggest it more often!

So, today was our deep sea fishing day. We took off from the hotel with two other guys (so, me, my boyfriend and two other, 4 people) and drove to the boat shop.
Ok- sketchy moment, this place is like behind a resort, with really nothing there except a beam with some rope on presumably to hang your catch on.
Anyway we took a ride out to the boat and headed out, or thought we did. Clearly there was some issue and the dingy came flying after us a few minutes later and the guys all yelled at each other. I don't speak Spanish, but clearly we were not happy. Anyway, they resolved the issue and we headed out to open sea.
1 hour in- no fish, feelin' pretty good, kinda cool to see the island from so far out
2 hours in- no fish, feelin' a little queasy but ok...popped a Dramamine
2.5 hours in- no fish, quite likely going to puke...
3 hours in- caught a bird, still no fish, starting to feel better
3.5 hours in- got a fish, one of the other guys reeled it in, small Mahi Mahi (or whatever it is!), pretty, feeling better
4 hours in- no more fish, almost caught some drift wood, headed back in

SO in the end, there is a reason they call it fishing and not catching. Was it an experience? Yes. Do I need to do it again? No. Would I? Is there a guarantee I'd catch fish?

Wonderful resort on the sea, services at the top, everything exceptional

Not gonna lie, today was about doing absolutly NOTHING! And it was wonderful! We did venture over to the little nature path at our resort. I don't think anyone else really knew about it so it was very quite and peaceful. We fed the birds and the fish and battled the peacock...no, I'm not kidding! This dang bird did not want to let us down the path so we had to strategically find a way around him and then not really realizing the path made a big giant circle again try and battle him to get out! Stupid bird...

While looking for a resort in Punta Cana, it's important to know what you want. We were looking for a fabulous, all inclusive, clean, adults only, quiet resort and found it! Many of the resorts, we found out, "butt up" to each other, not Excellence, it's set far out of town and away from the more family friendly resorts. Excellence has a very "European" feel to it. Meals are generally taken later, it's quiet and comfortable and was not very crowded. Because it's adults only don't be surprised if you see a few women venturing the beach topless or men in itty bitty bathing suits. The pools were clean, cool and relaxing. There were several restaurants to choose from and although not all of them are always open every night there are several choices. Don't forget to stop by and see the birds! Colorful parrots, flamingos and peacocks can be seen on the grounds as well as several flowers, other birds, turtles and fish (including a coy pond!). Drinks, food, room service, and several activities are included but don't forge to tip, bring lots of small bills! Don't be surprised if it looks like your driver is taking you away, the resort is not close to any others- and it's wonderful!

So, today I woke up, went to the beach and then woke up again! ;) I spent the morning lounging on the beach, it was wonderful, nice little breeze coming off the ocean beautiful sun!
This afternoon however was not so relaxing but totally fun! We rented a little 12 ft. speedboat and you drive but follow a guide (so you don't hit the reef). I think the guide was thinking we were going to go slow and be scared and I think he was pleasently surprised when he took off and so did we! We bounced around for about 30-45 minutes and then we were able to get out and go snorkling. It was cool, there were just a lot of people at the snorkling site. Saw some fish, they're definitly NOT scared of people.

So, today was a very long day of nothing but traveling...we started off leaving the house at 3:45 this morning to make it to our 6am flight to Charlotte, NC to catch another flight to Punta Cana. Finally made it to Punta Cana about 3 in the afternoon, tired and a little weary! It was a little confusing to try to find our ride to the hotel, and everyone was willing to help for a few bucks...whatever! So, finally found our bus to the hotel, and took off!
Two hours later, even more tired, bumped and weary we made it to out hotel! Let me just explain- our hotel, well, resort really, was WAY out away from all the others (a very good thing) and we had to make other stops at other hotels to drop off people, fine, but the roads are not so hot...we complain about the potholes in Chicago- NEVER AGAIN! My booty and back hurt from being tossed around!
Finally arrived to check in, the resort is beautiful and they know exactly what you need when you check in- a nice glass of cool champagne!

My friend and I went to Punta Cana for a week.  We stayed at the Riu Bambu, an all inclusive resort.  We were so excited to arrive in PC.  We were waiting for our bags, and they never came.  After a lot of aggravation, my bag finally arrived our second day there.  My friend Jess still hasn't got her bag, and we got back home yesterday.  They have no idea where it is.  The last few times I have flown through Charlotte, NC, my bags have gotten lost.  The one time they lost mine and my husband's both.  I don't recommend you flying through that airport. 

The weather was unbelievable the entire week.  The weatherchannel.com, said it was supposed to rain everyday, and let's just say we only saw clouds in the sky two of the days. 

No matter where on the island we traveled to, there weren't many Americans, let alone anyone that spoke English.  There were a lot of Europeans and South Americans. 

We took a day trip called the Tropical Storm.  That was our only trip due mainly to the fact that my friend had no bag, which means, no clothes, etc. etc., so our activities were limited.

The beaches are unbelievable, they are densely populated with tall palm trees.  The water was warm and clear, though not as clear as Jamaica's, and there were small waves.  Nothing like the waves we have here in the states, but still a little annoying. 

We had a great time.