Overview
The Dominican Republic is the all-inclusive capital of the Caribbean. Most of the country's hotel rooms are in resorts where one price covers your room, meals, drinks and most activities, and the east coast around Punta Cana has more of them in one stretch than anywhere else in the region. For a lot of Americans, a week at one of these places is the first trip abroad they plan on their own, and it works well: short nonstop flights, the same plugs and voltage as home, staff who speak English, and beaches that look like the brochure.
The model is simple, but the details vary a lot from resort to resort. Two hotels side by side on Bávaro beach can price the same week and give you very different experiences: one with unlimited reservations at six à la carte restaurants and top-shelf liquor, the other with a buffet, two specialty dinners per stay and house rum. This page walks through how to read the fine print, how to choose an area and a type of resort, and the things that catch Americans out once they land. For the wider choice between resorts, hotels and villas, see Where to stay; for the Punta Cana area itself, see Punta Cana.
How it works on the ground
At check-in you hand over your passport and a credit card for incidentals, sign a registration card and get a plastic or fabric wristband. The wristband is your pass for the whole stay: bartenders, buffet hosts and security look for it, and its color often shows your room category. Keep it on, including at the beach and in the pool. Guests who take it off get stopped at the restaurant door.
Expect a deposit hold on your card, often charged in US dollars. Room charges for the spa, premium wines or excursions go on your folio and are settled at checkout. Ask for the folio a day before you leave and check it, because charges from another room landing on yours is a common mix-up.
Food: buffets and à la carte
Every resort has at least one main buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus a beach grill or snack bar. The à la carte restaurants (Italian, Japanese teppanyaki, steakhouse, Mexican, seafood, sometimes Dominican) are where the evenings happen, and they are the biggest source of disappointment when the rules surprise people.
- Reservations. Many resorts require you to book à la carte dinners, through an app, the concierge or a desk in the lobby. Popular slots go on the first day, so book the whole week at check-in.
- Limits. Some mid-range resorts cap à la carte dinners at a set number per stay (often tied to the number of nights) and send you to the buffet the rest of the time. Higher-end resorts usually offer unlimited à la carte with no reservations at some restaurants. Read the resort's own policy before you book.
- Dress codes. Most à la carte restaurants ask men for long pants and closed shoes at dinner, and no swimwear or tank tops. Pack at least one pair of slacks.
- Teppanyaki and chef's tables are sometimes a surcharge even at resorts that include everything else.
Insider tip
Download the resort's app before you fly. Many brands open restaurant bookings, spa slots and even check-in through the app, and you can grab the good dinner times while other guests are still in the lobby line.
Drinks
Beer (usually Presidente, the national lager), house wine, rum cocktails and soft drinks are included everywhere. What separates resort tiers is the liquor shelf. Budget and mid-range resorts pour national brands; upper tiers include imported premium spirits, and some keep a short list of top-shelf bottles and wines that cost extra even there. Minibars are typically restocked with water, soda and beer; a liquor dispenser or bottles in the room are a feature of higher categories. For Dominican rum, beer and mamajuana (a rum-and-wine infusion over bark and herbs), see Drinks.
Different from home
Do not drink the tap water, even at a five-star resort. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Ice at resorts is made from purified water and is generally fine. See Health.
What's included and what costs extra
Resorts publish an inclusions list, and it is worth reading line by line. The table below shows the typical pattern; your resort may differ in either direction.
| Item | Usually | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buffet and snack bars | Included | Including late-night snacks at most resorts |
| À la carte dinners | Included, with limits at some resorts | Reservations and dress code; some specialty venues carry a fee |
| Room service | Varies | Included around the clock at many upscale resorts; limited hours, a delivery fee or club-only at others |
| National drinks | Included | Beer, house wine, national rum and spirits |
| Premium and top-shelf liquor | Varies | Included at upper tiers or club level; a premium list is extra at many resorts |
| Wi-Fi | Included | Now free at nearly all resorts; speed varies by building and can be weak on the beach |
| Non-motorized water sports | Included | Kayaks, paddleboards, small sailboats, snorkel gear |
| Motorized water sports | Extra | Parasailing, banana boats, jet skis are sold by outside vendors |
| Intro scuba lesson in the pool | Often included | Open-water dives cost extra |
| Spa treatments | Extra | Hydrotherapy circuits are sometimes included at upper tiers |
| Kids' club | Included at family resorts | Check ages; babysitting is extra |
| Excursions | Extra | Sold at the tour desk; see Excursions |
| Golf | Extra | Some packages include green-fee discounts; see Golf |
| Airport transfers | Varies | Often included in flight-and-hotel packages, extra when you book the hotel alone |
| Phone calls, laundry, doctor visits, souvenir photos | Extra | The on-site doctor charges per visit |
Save money
Check whether a quoted rate includes taxes. Dominican hotel bills carry 18% ITBIS (sales tax) and a 10% service charge, so a rate quoted before taxes is 28% short of what you will pay. Most US booking sites show the all-in figure at the last step; resort websites sometimes do not. See Money.
Adults-only or family resort
Adults-only
Adults-only resorts usually set the minimum age at 18. They are quieter around the pools, have more couples and honeymooners, and tend to put more of the budget into restaurants and bars than water slides. Several big brands run adults-only lines in the DR, including Secrets, Excellence, Zoëtry, Breathless and Hyatt Zilara, and many family resorts have an adults-only section or pool. "Adults-only" does not always mean calm: some brands market themselves on parties, foam events and late-night DJs, so read the resort's own description and recent reviews for the mood you want.
Family resorts
Family resorts compete on kids' clubs, teen lounges, splash parks and family suites with two bedrooms or bunk beds. Bávaro and Uvero Alto have the most choice, from brands built around children (Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana in Uvero Alto is the best-known example) to large resort complexes where several hotels share a beach, a shopping street and a theater. Check these before you book:
- Kids' club ages and hours, and whether children under 4 can attend
- Whether cribs, high chairs and baby food are available, and whether babysitting is offered
- Distance from the family rooms to the pool and beach: some sprawling complexes run golf-cart shuttles
- How many family suites the resort has; they sell out first in school holidays
- Beach conditions: calm water matters more with small children; see Beaches
For more on traveling with children, honeymoons and accessibility, see By interest.
Club levels and preferred upgrades
Most large resorts sell a hotel-within-a-hotel: a club or preferred level with its own lounge, check-in, pool or beach area and extra perks. The names change by brand (Preferred Club, Excellence Club, The Reserve, Diamond Club, Premium Level and so on), but the package is similar.
- Private check-in and a lounge with snacks, premium drinks and a concierge
- Better liquor and wine, sometimes a stocked minibar with spirits
- Priority or unlimited à la carte reservations
- A reserved beach or pool area with waiter service
- Upgraded rooms, sometimes with butler service at the top level
- Late checkout, which helps with evening flights home
Is it worth it? It depends on the resort. At a crowded property in peak season, the club pool and guaranteed dinner reservations can transform the week. At a quiet resort in shoulder season, you may be paying for a lounge you visit twice. Compare the club price with the base price for your dates, and read what the club adds at that specific resort.
Insider tip
Upgrades are sometimes cheaper at the front desk on arrival than online, especially in slower months. Ask politely at check-in what an upgrade to club level would cost for your stay. The price is often negotiable when the resort is not full.
Choosing an area
The coast you choose shapes the trip more than the brand does. The east coast has the most resorts and the easiest flights; the south has the calmest water; the north and Samaná feel more like the rest of the country.
Bávaro and Punta Cana
The main strip: dozens of resorts along a long white beach protected by an offshore reef, so the water is usually swimmable. You can walk the beach between resorts and to the small towns of El Cortecito and Los Corales for restaurants and shops. The downside is density: big resorts, busy beaches and lots of vendors.
Cap Cana
A gated development south of the airport with a marina, golf (Punta Espada), villas and upscale resorts, most on or near Juanillo beach. It feels private and polished, with fewer outside visitors on the sand. Scape Park and Hoyo Azul are here. Prices run higher, and you need a taxi to go anywhere.
Uvero Alto
North of Bávaro on the open Atlantic, with newer, larger resorts and wide, empty beaches. The trade-off is surf: waves and currents are stronger, red flags are more common, and some resorts lean on their pools. It is isolated, so you will stay put unless you book excursions.
La Romana and Bayahíbe
Calm, clear Caribbean water, the closest departure point for Saona and Catalina islands, good snorkeling and diving, and Casa de Campo with its golf and Altos de Chavón. Resorts cluster around Dominicus and Bayahíbe. See La Romana and Bayahíbe.
Puerto Plata
The original resort coast, with Playa Dorada and Costa Dorada, often cheaper than Punta Cana. The Atlantic is livelier, the scenery greener and mountains rise behind town. It is a good base for real Dominican life, the old town and the 27 Waterfalls (the cable car is closed for a rebuild until about 2028). See Puerto Plata.
Samaná
Fewer resorts, lusher landscape and some of the country's prettiest beaches, plus whale watching from January to March. Resorts sit near Samaná town, Las Terrenas and Las Galeras. Flights into El Catey are limited, so many people fly to Santo Domingo and drive. See Samaná.
Miches
The newest resort area, on Playa Esmeralda and the Costa Esmeralda, with a few upscale resorts such as Club Med Michès Playa Esmeralda and Zemi Miches and more planned. It is quiet and far from crowds, with little outside the resorts yet. See Miches.
Juan Dolio and Boca Chica
Budget-friendly resorts near the capital, popular with Dominican families on weekends. Good for combining a beach stay with Santo Domingo. See Juan Dolio and Boca Chica.
Watch out
From late spring through early fall, the east coast is the part of the country most exposed to sargassum seaweed. Resorts rake beaches every morning, but on bad days the water near shore turns brown. If you travel between roughly May and September, ask the resort how it handles sargassum and see Beaches and When to go.
How to choose the right resort
- Pick the coast first, using the cards above and your flight options from Flights.
- Decide on the mood: adults-only, family, party or quiet. Brand websites describe their intended guest honestly enough.
- Read the restaurant rules: how many à la carte restaurants, whether they need reservations, whether there are limits per stay.
- Check the beach in recent photos, not the brochure. Look for whether the resort's stretch is swimmable or mostly red-flag surf, and whether it has a reef or rocks at the waterline.
- Check the size. Resorts with 1,000-plus rooms have more choice but long walks and busy pools. Smaller resorts feel calmer but have fewer restaurants.
- Look at the age of the property or its last renovation. Many east-coast resorts opened in the 2000s; renovated ones are often noticeably better value.
- Compare the all-in price for your exact dates, including taxes, transfers and any club level you want.
Save money
Prices peak at Christmas and New Year, in February and March, and around Easter (Semana Santa). Late April to June and November, outside US holiday weeks, often bring much lower rates with good weather. Hurricane season runs June to November; see When to go and buy travel insurance that covers storms.
Timeshare and vacation club pitches
Many resorts, especially large brand complexes, run a vacation club sales operation. The pitch usually starts gently: a welcome briefing on your first morning, an invitation to a "VIP breakfast", an offer of a free excursion, spa credit or a room upgrade if you attend a tour of the club facilities. The tour is a sales presentation, often promised at 90 minutes and frequently longer.
- You do not have to attend the welcome meeting or any presentation. Your vacation is already paid for.
- If you go for the free gift, set a firm end time and say at the start that you will not buy today.
- Never sign anything or give a card for a deposit during the trip. Take the paperwork home, read it, and have someone you trust look at it.
- Membership contracts are often governed by Dominican law, which makes disputes and cancellations harder from the US.
- Back home, ignore calls and emails offering to buy or "transfer" your timeshare for an upfront fee. Resale scams target people who bought on vacation.
The State Department's country page warns that property title problems are common and enforcement of property rights is uneven, and it recommends a reputable attorney before signing anything involving real estate. If you are serious about buying property, see Long stays.
Different from home
US state cooling-off laws for timeshare sales do not protect you on a contract signed in the Dominican Republic. Treat a vacation signing as final.
Tipping at an all-inclusive
Dominican bills include a 10% service charge (the propina legal, legal tip), and the same is built into all-inclusive rates. That money is pooled and shared among staff, and wages are low by US standards. A small cash tip on top is customary and makes a real difference to the person who receives it. Some brands advertise that tipping is not required; staff still appreciate it.
A common pattern among American guests, which you can adjust to your budget:
| Who | Typical tip |
|---|---|
| Bartender or pool waiter | $1–2 a round, or $5–10 at the start for someone you will see all week |
| Housekeeping | $2–5 a day, left daily with a note (staff rotate) |
| À la carte dinner server | $5–10 per dinner for two |
| Bellhop | $1–2 per bag |
| Butler or club concierge | $20 or more for the stay, depending on how much you use them |
| Transfer driver | $5–10 per trip for a family |
| Excursion guide | $5–10 per person for a full day |
US dollars are fine at resorts. Bring a stack of $1 and $5 bills, because change is hard to get. Pesos work too: RD$100 is about $1.60. For tipping outside the resort, see Money and Etiquette.
Safety at resorts
The State Department rates the Dominican Republic at Level 2, "Exercise Increased Caution", because of crime. It notes that resort areas are better policed than cities, with a dedicated tourist police force. Resorts are generally safe places, and most guests have no trouble at all. The problems that do happen tend to follow predictable patterns. See Safety for the full picture.
Drinks and alcohol
Free-flowing alcohol in the heat is the most common cause of resort trouble. Pace yourself and drink water between rounds. Watch your drink being made, do not leave it unattended, and do not accept drinks from people you just met. The State Department reports cases of sexual assault involving drugged or intoxicated victims, including incidents where employees isolated guests. Report any unwanted attention to resort management, and contact POLITUR or the US Embassy if something happens.
Your room and valuables
- Use the in-room safe for passports, cash and electronics
- Lock balcony and patio doors, especially on the ground floor
- Do not open the door to unexpected staff; call the front desk to check
- Keep your phone and wallet off the beach lounger while you swim
Water safety
Many beaches have no lifeguards, and Atlantic-facing resorts, especially in Uvero Alto, can have strong currents. Respect red flags, and do not swim after drinking or at night. See Beaches for rip currents and flags.
Leaving the resort
Use a taxi from the resort's taxi stand or a transfer your hotel recommends, with the price agreed first. Book excursions from licensed operators, see Excursions. Do not buy anything from strangers off the beach, and never buy drugs: penalties are severe and the US Embassy cannot get you out of jail.
Medical care
Resorts have an on-site doctor who charges per visit. The Punta Cana area has private hospitals with English-speaking staff, but care can be expensive and they often want payment or a guarantee up front. Medicare does not cover care abroad, so buy travel medical insurance. See Health.
Watch out
The emergency number is 911, which has covered Punta Cana and the rest of La Altagracia province since 2018, but operators may speak only Spanish. Save POLITUR, the tourist police, at 809-200-3500 before you leave home, and know your resort's front desk extension. POLITUR also has a smartphone app.
Arrival, transfers and leaving the resort
Fill in the free e-Ticket online before you fly; it covers entry and exit and you will be asked for its code. The tourist card fee is already in most airfares. See Entry.
At Punta Cana airport, transfer reps for package travel wait outside arrivals with signs. If you booked the hotel alone, pre-book a private transfer or use the official taxi line, where prices to each resort zone are set. Expect men offering to "help" with bags on the way out; politely decline unless you want to tip them. See Flights for transfer prices and timing.
Resort life is easy to fall into, but the country is more than the strip. Even one day out (a Dominican lunch in a comedor, simple local restaurant; a baseball game in winter; the colonial city in Santo Domingo) changes how you see the place. See Food, Baseball and Excursions.
Before you book: a checklist
- Coast chosen with flights, beach conditions and sargassum season in mind
- Restaurant rules read: number of à la carte venues, reservations, limits
- Drinks policy read: national or premium liquor, minibar contents
- Adults-only or family set-up confirmed, with kids' club ages
- Quoted price confirmed to include the 18% ITBIS and 10% service charge
- Airport transfers arranged, or the taxi plan known
- Travel insurance with medical cover and hurricane cancellation
- Small US bills packed for tipping
- Long pants and closed shoes for dinner
- e-Ticket completed before departure
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