The Dominican Republic has an incredible array of accommodation options, with everything from adults-only resorts for couples seeking romance to family-friendly properties with activities for every age. Punta Cana, in particular, is known for its beautiful white sand beaches, some of the best on the island, all framed by crystal-clear, azure warm waters. Choose one of these kid-friendly resorts and look forward to an especially unforgettable family vacation.
Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort
A luxury all-inclusive, the Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort offers lots to do for parents and children. Adults can enjoy yoga, snorkeling, dance classes, cocktail workshops and music after dark, including live shows, jazz fusion and lounge nightclubs with resident DJs. The kids, ages five through 12, get their own Mini Club, complete with a games room that includes Xbox 360, Wii and PlayStations. There’s also a bouncy adventure park along with lessons in painting, cooking, swimming and tennis. Everyone will appreciate access to the vast stretch of shoreline along the Caribbean as well as the sprawling pool. Food and drinks are especially impressive here, most notably the international buffets and the 4-Diamond AAA-awarded “Passion by Martín Berasategui” Restaurant, run by one of the world’s top chefs.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana is massive, featuring nearly 1,800 rooms and the largest casino on the entire island. Its impressive offerings include nine restaurants, 23 bars, 13 pools, a large spa and fitness center, an 18-hole Nicklaus-designed golf course, mini-golf and an arcade center with a wide selection of games. The property’s long list of amenities practically guarantees that no one in the family will ever be bored here. Add in the top-notch luxury rooms that include two-bedroom family suites with dining rooms, minibars, kids’ beach toys, Xboxes on request, and furnished balconies with the unspoiled beaches, you know you’re going to find paradise.
Catalonia Bavaro Beach, Golf & Casino Resort
This all-inclusive resort offers practically an endless list of amenities that include lots of kids’ activities. There’s a kids’ club for ages four through 12 years old with supervised activities and a teen club with table games, video games, computers with internet access and flat-screen TVs. Babysitting service is available too. The property also features a postcard-perfect beach, a happening swim-up bar, golf courses and a variety of classes. Take a diving course in the swimming pool, a dance lesson, intro golf course or native painting class. The property features a wide range of bars and restaurants, including a 24-hour pizzeria. Enjoy complimentary non-motorized water sports, soccer, tennis, archery and access to a fitness center. After dark, an open-air theater hosts evening entertainment, and there’s a disco and casino on site.
Eden Roc at Cap Cana
The Eden Roc at Cap Cana is part of a 30,000-acre luxury resort and hosts fabulous two-bedroom family suites that sleep up to five. They’re equipped with a private pool, gazebo, bathrooms with coral tubs and marble Jacuzzis, Bose/iPad entertainment systems and garden or lagoon views as well as private kitchens with chef service on request. Its Koko Kid’s Club features all sorts of activities for younger guests aged four through 12. It sits on an artificial lagoon and includes a mini spa, video gaming area and central area for play and storytelling. Organized scavenger hunts, arts & crafts, contests and other activities can be enjoyed as well. The beautiful, rarely crowded private beach is a great place to hang out as are the two infinity pools, one with a walk-up bar.
Ocean Blue and Sand
This upscale resort is popular with guests of all ages, kids in particular. It offers a Kids Club for children ages four to 12 and a Teens Club, live theater, a climbing wall on the beach and a teen-oriented game building. There’s an on-site casino and large, music-filled pool area with a mock town center that serves as the focal point. Enjoy poolside activities like pool DJs and massage huts, Jacuzzis, a diving center and motorized water sports as well as nightly entertainment. Spacious rooms come with free Wi-Fi and mini-fridges.
Jewel Punta Cana All-Inclusive Beach Resort
Expect a more family-friendly atmosphere without the typical raucous spring break crowd at Jewel Punta Cana. Instead, you’ll find one of the largest pools in the country along with a host of activities for all ages, from daily entertainment to arts and crafts, dance lessons and aerobics classes. There are organized sporting events for teens, as well as camping experiences, a water park and a picturesque, uncrowded beach with a lifeguard and an extensive list of complimentary non-motorized water sports.
Majestic Colonial Resort
This all-inclusive resort on Bavaro Beach is family-friendly, boasts a spectacular setting, a compact layout and affordable prices. A kids’ club offers a variety of supervised activities and a separate pool with slides and a playground, though hanging out on the beach, which runs along the entire property, is the most popular thing to do here. Non-motorized water sports are included in the rates, and there are seven all-inclusive restaurants from sushi and buffet-style to Caribbean options along with a late night snack bar. Rooms include marble bathrooms with indoor or outdoor jetted tubs – some are swim-up suites.
Grand Bavaro Princess
This sprawling, maze-like resort sits on a fabulous stretch of one of the less-crowded beaches in the Bavaro area, with condo-style units. Large suites include balconies and jetted tubs. The kids’ club on the beach has a spacious area with a swimming pool, slides, a pirate boat and a clubhouse with games. Kids can also enjoy dances and handicrafts like drawing, painting and coloring. There are multiple bars, restaurants, swimming pools, tennis courts, archery, water sports, a variety of classes and an onsite eco-park with trails.
