Start with the coast and the kind of trip you want. Compare Punta Cana and Cap Cana with Bayahibe, Puerto Plata and Samaná, then use our resort shortlist and practical travel advice to narrow your choices.
- Language
- Spanish
- English at resorts
- Currency
- Dominican peso
- USD widely accepted
- Power
- 110V, Type A/B plugs
- same as the US
- Driving
- On the right
- Main airport
- Punta Cana
- PUJ
Quick facts
The top 10 Dominican Republic resorts by Palmprint score.
- Qualifying resorts
- 39
- In this table
- Top 10 of 39
- From price
- $40 to $457/pp/night
- Guest mix
- 15 adults-only, 24 family
| Rank | Resort | Area | Audience | Score | From | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa | Cap Cana, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 9.1 | From $457/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 5 bars |
| 2 | Sanctuary Cap Cana | Cap Cana, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 8.7 | From $252/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 5 pools |
| 3 | JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar | Bávaro, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 9.0 | From $292/pp/night | Swim-up suite, 3 pools, 6 bars |
| 4 | Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana | Cap Cana, Dominican Republic | Family-friendly | 9.0 | From $278/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, Waterpark |
| 5 | Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 8.9 | From $363/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 6 bars |
| 6 | Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 8.9 | From $226/pp/night | Swim-up bar, 2 pools, 11 bars |
| 7 | Excellence Punta Cana | Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 8.8 | From $182/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 4 pools |
| 8 | Excellence El Carmen | Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 8.8 | From $205/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 23 pools |
| 9 | Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana | Punta Cana, Dominican Republic | Family-friendly | 8.8 | From $255/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 2 pools |
| 10 | Live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana | Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic | Adults-only | 8.8 | From $214/pp/night | Swim-up suite, Swim-up bar, 5 pools |
Where should you stay in the Dominican Republic?
Choose your stretch of coast first, then the resort. Airport access, beach setting and the day trips you want can point you toward different areas.
Six areas to compare before choosing a resort. These are starting points, not a ranking or a complete list of destinations.
| Area | Choose it for | Biggest advantage | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bávaro & Punta CanaPictured: JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar | A beach resort with a broad choice of activities and entertainment. | A useful starting point for comparing both family and adults-only resorts along the main eastern resort strip. | A Punta Cana address covers a wide area. Check the exact beach, resort size and journey from the airport. Start with Punta Cana (PUJ). |
 Cap CanaPictured: Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa | An upscale resort stay near Juanillo Beach. | Compare adults-only and family resorts in the same area, convenient to Punta Cana airport. | Check what your specific resort includes. Beach conditions and access to nearby facilities vary. Punta Cana (PUJ); confirm your resort transfer. |
 Macao & Uvero AltoPictured: Excellence El Carmen | A resort-focused holiday farther along the eastern coast. | Options range from family water-park stays to adults-only resorts built around pools and suites. | Allow more driving from PUJ than for Cap Cana. Surf can be rough; check current swimming flags. Punta Cana (PUJ), with an arranged road transfer. |
| Bayahibe & Dominicus | A Caribbean-coast stay with snorkeling and island outings. | A base for boat trips to Saona and exploring the Bayahibe coast. | This is a different coast from Punta Cana. Compare flights and the complete transfer before booking. Compare La Romana (LRM) with PUJ and Santo Domingo (SDQ). |
| Puerto Plata | North-coast beaches, historic streets and active day trips. | Combine a resort stay with Puerto Plata's historic center and excursions such as Damajagua. | Punta Cana is on the other side of the country. Choose flights for the north coast. Start with Puerto Plata (POP). |
| Samaná Peninsula | Nature outings, coastal scenery and seasonal whale watching. | A base for Samaná Bay, El Limón and the peninsula's beaches. | Las Terrenas, Las Galeras and the bay are different bases. Check the exact hotel journey and tour departure point. Compare El Catey (AZS) and SDQ, including road transfers. |
Area links open the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism's guides. Compare the full flight-and-transfer journey using its airport guide. Confirm transfer details for your exact resort.
A starting shortlist around Punta Cana
These picks cover Bávaro, Cap Cana and Macao/Uvero Alto. They are a starting shortlist from our published resort research, not a ranking of the whole country. Open each resort for rooms, inclusions and the full review.
Grouped by area. Strengths and trade-offs come from our resort research. See every Dominican Republic resort in our guide.
| Resort | Who it suits | Why choose it | Keep in mind | Your quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOIA Bávaro by IberostarPalmPrint Score9.0/10Bávaro & Punta CanaAdults only | Adults wanting a Bávaro beach stay with butler service | Butler on every suite | Seasonal sargassum can affect the beach. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Barceló Bávaro PalacePalmPrint Score8.3/10Bávaro & Punta CanaAll ages | Families wanting a large resort with beach, pools and activities | Excellent Bávaro Beach setting with calm, reef-protected water. | Service is a recurring complaint across guest sources. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Secrets Cap Cana Resort & SpaPalmPrint Score9.1/10Cap CanaAdults only | Couples wanting an adults-only stay on Juanillo Beach | High-end adults-only all-inclusive with strong service reputation. | Seasonal sargassum can affect the beach. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Hyatt Ziva Cap CanaPalmPrint Score9.0/10Cap CanaAll ages | Families who prioritize a water park and lazy river | Excellent family infrastructure with water park, lazy river, kids club and teen lounge. | Can be expensive for families during school-break periods. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Excellence El CarmenPalmPrint Score8.8/10Macao & Uvero AltoAdults only | Adults wanting pools and a choice of suite types | Large pool network and swim-up categories. | Food quality is not universally praised despite strong official dining breadth. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
| Dreams Macao Beach Punta CanaPalmPrint Score8.4/10Macao & Uvero AltoAll ages | Families who put water-park and pool time first | Excellent family waterpark and lazy river setup. | Macao Beach can be rough. | View on Expedia (opens in a new tab) |
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Where the Dominican Republic resorts are
39 resorts mapped stars are five-star properties
When to visit Dominican Republic
Climate normals for Punta Cana, and our verdict on each month.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 84°F29°C | 84°F29°C | 85°F29°C | 86°F30°C | 87°F31°C | 88°F31°C | 89°F32°C | 89°F32°C | 88°F31°C | 87°F31°C | 86°F30°C | 84°F29°C |
| Rainfall | 2″ | 1.7″ | 1.7″ | 2.5″ | 4.5″ | 3″ | 2.5″ | 3.5″ | 3.5″ | 4.5″ | 3.5″ | 2.5″ |
| Verdict | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Off-peak | Shoulder | Good | Shoulder | Shoulder | Off-peak | Shoulder | Prime |
December through early March generally brings cooler conditions; summer is warmer and more humid. Weather varies by coast, so use the monthly chart as planning guidance rather than a forecast for every resort.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November. Check forecasts, airline and resort updates, and cancellation terms. For Samaná whale watching, look at January through March and confirm the season and departure with the operator.
Sargassum. East-facing Punta Cana beaches see seasonal sargassum, typically heaviest April–August; north-coast Puerto Plata and the sheltered southwest are usually lighter.
Figures are long-term climate normals for Punta Cana, good for planning. They are not a forecast.
Do you need a passport, visa, or E-Ticket?
U.S. and Canadian tourists generally do not need a visa for a short vacation. Passport-validity requirements depend on nationality and travel dates, and temporary exceptions can expire. Check the official requirements and confirm with your airline before booking and again before departure.
Commercial-flight passengers must complete the free e-ticket for entry and exit before airline check-in. Fill it out once your flights are known and save the arrival and departure QR codes.
Have your return-flight details and accommodation address available. Longer stays, dual nationality and travel with children can involve additional requirements.
Is Punta Cana safe? And is it safe to leave the resort?
Read the current U.S. travel advisory before booking and before departure. Crime, including violent crime, is a concern in the Dominican Republic. Tourist police and resort security do not eliminate the risk, and incidents can occur at hotels and resorts.
Arrange transport through your hotel or an established operator. Avoid isolated places, especially at night, keep valuables discreet and do not leave drinks unattended. For excursions, check the operator, transport and activity conditions before committing.
Review medical and evacuation coverage before travel. Follow local instructions and your country's current travel advice.
U.S. travel advisory for the Dominican Republic
Guidance checked .
Currency, U.S. dollars, and tipping
The Dominican peso (RD$) is the local currency. If paying in U.S. dollars, confirm acceptance, the exchange rate and the currency of your change before paying. Keep small amounts of local cash for purchases outside the resort.
Restaurant bills commonly include a 10% service charge and 18% ITBIS tax. Check the bill before adding a tip. An all-inclusive package is different: check its gratuity policy rather than applying a restaurant percentage to your stay. Secrets Cap Cana, for example, lists tips and taxes as included.
Getting there & around
Choose the airport for your exact resort. Start with Punta Cana (PUJ) for Bávaro, Cap Cana and Uvero Alto; compare La Romana (LRM) for Bayahibe; Puerto Plata (POP) for the north coast; and El Catey (AZS) for the Samaná Peninsula. Santo Domingo (SDQ) can be an alternative, but compare the full road journey.
Before paying, confirm whether transfers are included, shared or private, where to meet the driver, and how flight delays are handled. Ask about child seats and accessibility if needed. A low airfare can lose its appeal after a long transfer; allow time for traffic and other hotel stops.
Official Dominican Republic airport guide
Guidance checked .
What to do beyond the resort
Day-trip to Saona Island for postcard sandbars, swim the turquoise Hoyo Azul cenote at Cap Cana, wander the Mediterranean-style artists' village of Altos de Chavón, or zip-line through the hills. History buffs should see Santo Domingo's Colonial Zone, the oldest European city in the Americas, and winter visitors can whale-watch in Samaná.
Good to know
Power & plugs: 110V, the same flat plugs as the U.S. Language: Spanish, with English common at resorts. Water: stick to bottled off-resort. Sunscreen: pack reef-safe for the cenotes and reefs. Dress: beach-casual by day, smart-casual for specialty restaurants at night.
Getting to Dominican Republic
Indicative round-trip fares into Punta Cana (PUJ) from the major US gateways, cheapest first. Tap through for live prices and dates.
| From | Airport | Round trip |
|---|---|---|
| Newark | EWR | $357Cheapest |
| Miami | MIA | $367 |
| New York | JFK | $450 |
| Atlanta | ATL | $452 |
| Boston | BOS | $477 |
| Chicago | ORD | $481 |
| Dallas | DFW | $482 |
| Los Angeles | LAX | $595 |
Flying into Punta Cana?
Before paying for a ride from Punta Cana Airport (PUJ), check whether your resort booking includes one and what conditions apply. Choose your resort to see researched hotel transfer details, then compare a current private-car quote for your dates and group if you need a separate ride.
Check your resort’s Punta Cana transfer options
This guide covers PUJ arrivals. If you are flying into another Dominican Republic airport, confirm your route with the resort or booking provider.
The best all-inclusive resorts in Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic properties we would actually book. For the full numbered ranking, see the best all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic.
Our pickOur pick
Where to stay in Dominican Republic
The resort areas we cover, and which properties sit in each.
From our sister site, It’s All Cruises
Would you rather be at sea?
Cruise ships call at four ports in Dominican Republic. If you are torn between a week at a resort and a cruise, our port guides show what a day ashore here really looks like.
Resort chains in Dominican Republic
The brands operating here. The ones we rank in full link through to the chain, what its plan really covers, and every resort of theirs we track.
Where these companies came from
Almost nobody in this category publishes it. Read oldest first and the list is a short history of how Dominican Republic came to look the way it does.
Dominican Republic, head to head
Price, flights, sand, food and safety, compared honestly.
Dominican Republic vs Jamaica
price, beaches, flights, safety, food, and vibe compared honestly with real resort data.
CompareDominican Republic vs Mexico
price, beaches, sargassum, excursions, and food compared with real data.
CompareDominican Republic vs JamaicaMexicoMaldivesGreeceSpainTurks & CaicosArubaBarbadosSt. LuciaItalyPortugalTurkeyAntiguaCuraçaoBrazilCosta RicaPhilippinesFrench PolynesiaMoroccoEgyptSouth AfricaMauritiusKenyaTanzaniaMozambiqueThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaCancúnRiviera MayaLos CabosPuerto VallartaMontego BayNegrilOcho RiosGuanacasteCreteBahiaBora BoraMalé AtollsRodney BayBarbados South CoastBarbados West CoastViti LevuVanua LevuCanary IslandsBalearic IslandsCosta del SolSharm el-SheikhHurghada & the Red Sea CoastBelekRhodesLara & AntalyaMaldives Outer AtollsCorfuHalkidikiKosSoufrière & South St. LuciaZanzibarGrenadaFijiCroatiaU.S. Virgin IslandsSri LankaSeychellesBahamasChileArgentinaUnited States
Best-of lists for Dominican Republic
Reading on Dominican Republic
- GuideHyatt Ziva vs. Dreams: Which Family All-Inclusive Brand Is Better?Hyatt Ziva and Dreams compared side by side: both sit inside Hyatt's Inclusive Collection and earn World of Hyatt points, with Hyatt Ziva leading on pool and beach scores and Dreams starting at a lower nightly From price.Oct 27, 2026 · 2 min read
- GuideSandals vs. Secrets: Which Adults-Only All-Inclusive Should You Choose?Sandals and Secrets compared across 30 open adults-only resorts: couples-only Caribbean islands with diving, transfers, and tips included versus Mexico and Punta Cana suites that earn World of Hyatt points.Oct 27, 2026 · 2 min read
- FeatureBest All-Inclusive Resorts With Swim-Up Suites (2026)Ninety-six open all-inclusive resorts record a swim-up suite: 42 adults-only and 54 that welcome families, compared here by room score, pool score, meal plan, and nightly From price per person.Oct 27, 2026 · 2 min read
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a passport for the Dominican Republic?
Yes. Check official passport-validity and visa requirements for your nationality and travel dates, including temporary exceptions, and confirm with your airline. Have return-flight and accommodation details available.
What is the Dominican Republic E-Ticket?
Commercial-flight passengers must complete the free e-ticket for entry and exit before airline check-in. Fill it out once your flights are known and save the arrival and departure QR codes.
Is Punta Cana safe?
Crime remains a concern, including at resorts. Read the current travel advisory, arrange transport with an established operator, avoid isolated areas at night and do not leave drinks unattended.
Can I use U.S. dollars in the DR?
Confirm acceptance and the exchange rate before paying in U.S. dollars. The local currency is the Dominican peso; keep small amounts for purchases outside the resort.
Do you tip at all-inclusive resorts in the DR?
Check your resort's gratuity policy and package inclusions. Some packages include tips. Restaurant service charges outside the resort are a separate matter; read the bill before adding a tip.
Which airport should I fly into?
PUJ for the Punta Cana area; compare LRM for Bayahibe, POP for Puerto Plata and AZS for Samaná. Compare any SDQ alternative using the full flight-and-transfer journey to your exact resort.