It’s All Inclusive
Head to head

Bahia Principe Explore AkumalvsDreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal
Bahia Principe Explore Akumal
Five-Star·★ 4.7
Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
through Carretera Bávaro, Camino a Costa Esmeralda, 24000, Dominican Republic
Five-Star·★ 4.3

Scores at a Glance

Bahia Principe Explore AkumalDreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
Overall
8.5
8.6
Beach
8.4
9.0
Food
8.3
8.2
Service
8.5
8.0
Rooms
8.3
8.8
Luxury
·
8.5
Value
8.1
8.0
Romance
·
8.2
Scores out of 10 · higher is better

Quick Stats

Bahia Principe Explore AkumalMeasureDreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
8.5Overall Score8.6 (better)
5-starStar Rating5-star
(better)4.7 (25,997)Google Rating4.3 (455)
(better)From $108Price / Night (pp)From $172
NoAdults OnlyNo
YesKids' ClubYes
Near coastBeachfrontOceanfront
Mid-sizeResort SizeGrand
(better)75 minAirport Transfer90 min

Bahia Principe Explore Akumal

Highlights

  • 3 pools
  • 15 places to eat
  • Full-service spa
  • Swim-up suites
  • 75 min from CUN

Why choose it

  • Excellent family infrastructure and water-park access.
  • Large pool and dining variety for a resort-complex vacation.
  • Strong review mass and consistent all-inclusive verification.

Keep in mind

  • Large scale can feel impersonal or logistically tiring.
  • Restaurant reservations can be a recurring frustration.
  • Beach conditions are seasonally variable.

Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa

Highlights

  • Guests 18 and over get free access to the neighboring Secrets Playa Esmeralda, which adds adult-only dining and bars

Why choose it

  • New rooms
  • Water park and kids/teen clubs
  • Strong beach

Keep in mind

  • Long airport transfer
  • Dreams beach can be choppy
  • Service still uneven

All Scores

Bahia Principe Explore AkumalMeasureDreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
8.4Beach9.0 (better)
(better)8.3Food8.2
(better)8.5Service8.0
8.3Rooms8.8 (better)
(better)8.7Pools8.5
–Luxury8.5
(better)8.1Value8.0
(better)9.0Family8.8
–Romance8.2
7.5Nightlife–
–Quiet8.2
(better)8.3Adventure8.0
(better)8.3Wellness8.2
–Remote work7.0

Of the 13 measures we call, Bahia Principe Explore Akumal leads on 10 and Dreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa leads on 3.

Vibes

Bahia Principe Explore AkumalMeasureDreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
YesLively–
YesAdventure–
–RomanceYes
–QuietYes

Activities

Bahia Principe Explore AkumalMeasureDreams Playa Esmeralda Resort & Spa
YesSpaYes
YesGolf–
YesWater sportsYes
YesNightlifeYes
YesKidsYes
–DivingYes
Keep exploring

Similar resorts

Not these two?

Run another comparison