family walking along beach palm trees; Courtesy of shevtsovy/Shutterstock
All Ages

13 Best All Inclusive Punta Cana Resorts for Families

See recent posts by Hilarey Wojtowicz

Accommodation options abound throughout Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. From beachfront resorts to upscale hotels, families can easily find kid-friendly, all-inclusive resorts that fit any budget and idea of the ultimate family vacation.

With ratings, family reviews and our own editors’ first-hand experiences in mind, we’ve chosen our favorite all-inclusive Punta Cana resorts to help you decide where to stay on your next vacation

 

Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana; Courtesy of Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts

1. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana

Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? You can! At Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana, families can live like SpongeBob SquarePants in their very own Pineapple Suite.The spacious, two-bedroom, three-bathroom suite looks like a pineapple on the outside, but has full amenities on the inside. There are also swim-up suites and personal plunge pool suites available at this Punta Cana all-inclusive resort.

The kids will go crazy for Aqua Nick, a water park and splash pad with waterslides and a tipping splash bucket; the resort also has a lazy river and several pools. There’s a kids’ club for ages 4 to 12, a sports hub, several onsite restaurants, and a spa. Be on the lookout for your favorite characters, including the pups from Paw Patrol and Dora the Explorer!

Club Med Punta Cana; Courtesy of Club Med

2. Club Med Punta Cana

We are big fans of Club Med, including Club Med Punta Cana. Head to the resort’s private beach and grab a drink or snack at the nearby bar when kids get hungry. The resort has three full-service restaurants, plus an area specifically for parents who need to prepare food for infants. The resort continues to keep little ones in mind with Baby Club Med (ages 4 to 23 months), but it also caters well to the older kids. Petit Club Med, Mini Club Med and Passworld separate children ages 2 to 17 into spaces with games and activities just for them. Be sure to visit the Circus School, where lessons in trapeze, juggling and tightrope walking are offered, or better yet, try Creactive by Cirque do Soleil.

Launched in 2015, the program allows guests to learn the techniques of all circus acts—aerialists, acrobats, jugglers, high bungee jumpers and even musicians. Family suites, babysitting services (until 1 a.m.) and multiple pools (including one just for kids) round out our favorite aspects of this all-inclusive Punta Cana resort.

Melia Caribe Beach Resort; Courtesy of Melia Caribe Beach Resort

3. Melia Caribe Beach Resort

With eight outdoor pools, an adventure area for children with zip-lining, and climbing walls, plus evening shows for adults and kids, the Melia Caribe Beach Resort in Punta Cana has it all. This all-inclusive resort has more than 1,100 guestrooms and suites of all sizes, with mini-bars, private balconies and more.

Family Junior Suites are even better, with extra amenities like PlayStation consoles, baby kits, mini-fridges and bunk beds creating an inviting space for guests of all ages. This all-inclusive resort also offers two buffet-style restaurants, 11 specialty a la carte eateries and 14 bars for adults to enjoy while kids are at the kids’ and teens’ clubs, open to children ages 8 months to 14 years.

Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana; Courtesy of Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana

4. Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana

Families with teens rejoice: the all-inclusive Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana has a Core Zone Teens Club for ages 13 to 17, open from 9 a.m. to midnight. While your teen plays games and makes new friends, parents can drop off young kids at the Explorer’s Club and head to a 5,400-square-foot spa that features more than 30 treatments. If kids want to join in on the pampering, there are services available for ages 6 to 16.

The entire family can then relax by one of the pools or on the beach in one of the dozens of lounge chairs. When kids get hungry, stop at one of the seven onsite restaurants, or order room service to your tropical view guestroom and dine al fresco on your private, furnished balcony.

The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real; Courtesy of The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real

5. The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real

The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real is a resort within a resort in Punta Cana. The larger Paradisus resort created this smaller boutique property with families specifically in mind. The Kids Zone, for ages 1 to 12, offers cribs for little ones, an adventure park with a climbing wall and bounce castle, and evening karaoke, magic and puppet shows just for them.

Additionally, families receive their own private concierge to utilize during their stay when they book one of the 80 Family Concierge Suites. With a special check-in area, Kids Kits upon arrival, connecting rooms, turndown service with snacks, 24-hour room service, in-room video game consoles and more upon request, families are really treated to paradise at this all-inclusive Punta Cana resort.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana; TripAdvisor Expert Photo

6. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana

With suites that can sleep up to 10, large and multi-generational families will find the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana an easy choice in the mix of kid-friendly hotels in Punta Cana. Plus, the expansive resort features 12 pools (one with a kids’ waterslide), a mini-golf course, the Arcade Center with games for teens, the Extreme Center with a rock climbing wall and the Little Big Club, where little ones can sing songs and play with their favorite characters, such as Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine and more.

And while the kids are busy, parents can get their own game on at the casino, with its 45,000 square feet of tables and slots. The entire family can regroup for dinner at one of the nine restaurants at the resort, topping off the evening at Ice Cone, where fresh ice cream treats are made right onsite.

Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort, Spa & Casino

7. Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort, Spa & Casino

Opened in 2019, the Lopesan Costa Bavaro Resort is the European brand’s first resort in the Caribbean. The cool, contemporary design found throughout the expansive property gives off a casual, yet luxurious vibe that’s perfect for families; kids can feel comfortable, but parents don’t have to sacrifice on stylish guestrooms. There are numerous pools throughout this beachfront resort and because the resort is located in the Costa Bavaro section of Punta Cana, the Caribbean waters are calm and ideal for the youngest of visitors.

The Lopesan offers an additional section of the resort called The Boulevard. This area is somewhat removed from the main areas of the resort, but offers a ton of activities. There’s a water park and a kids’ club for ages 4 to 12, with a small stage for performances. A larger indoor theater offers nightly entertainment the whole family will enjoy. For an extra cost, families can also enjoy the bowling alley, arcade and escape room at The Boulevard.

Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort; Courtesy of TripAdvisor Traveler/John Malone

8. Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort

This all-inclusive Punta Cana resort offers one of the largest water parks in all of the Caribbean. Perfect for all ages, the water park has a splash pad and spray jets for ages 4 to 11, and for ages 2 to 4, there are animal statues and water sprinklers in a pool area just for them. Big kids will love the four-lane speed waterslides, tube slides and free-fall twister. The Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort is perfect for LEGO-loving families, too, as there is a LEGO building zone in the kids’ club, along with plenty of arts and crafts activities.

This beachfront resort offers family suites (accommodating up to four people) with a private bedroom area for parents and a separate living room area with two sleeper sofas for the kids.

Now Larimar Punta Cana; Courtesy of Now Larimar Punta Cana

9. Now Larimar Punta Cana

Located along the Caribbean Sea, the all-inclusive Now Larimar Punta Cana offers upscale accommodations with family-friendly features. Deluxe Family Rooms have space for up to three adults and three children (or four adults and two children), with private balconies and two bathrooms. At the Explorer’s Club, kids ages 3 to 12 will enjoy arts and crafts, treasure hunts, video games, water play areas and more, with activities offered until 9:30 p.m. so parents can enjoy a romantic dinner at one of nine restaurants.

For teens ages 13 to 17, the Core Zone club is full of fun just for them, from Ping Pong, basketball and table games to a snack bar with non-alcoholic drinks and weekly bonfires on the beach.

 

Occidental Punta Cana; Courtesy of Occidental Punta Cana

10. Occidental Punta Cana

The Occidental Punta Cana is located on Punta Cana’s Playa El Cortesito beach, where families can enjoy windsurfing, water polo, scuba diving, snorkeling or kayaking, or visit one of the resort’s three pools, including a kids’ pool. There are 11 restaurants (seven of which are a la carte) included at this all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. There’s a playground area and a kids’ club for children ages 4 to 12; kids will also love the nightly kids’ show at the mini disco theater.

This all-inclusive Punta Cana resort can easily accommodate a family of five. The Family Junior Suite features two double beds or one king bed in a private bedroom, and three sleeper sofas in the separate living room area.

 

Barcelo Bavaro Palace; Courtesy of Barcelo Bavaro Palace

11. Barcelo Bavaro Palace

At the all-inclusive Barcelo Bavaro Palace, families receive VIP treatment. The Family Club features three levels of accommodations for parents and children, with mini-bars stocked with milk, juice, cereal and snacks, kids’ beach kits with essentials for time on the sand, and free admission for each person to the onsite Pirates Islands Water Park.

Additionally, the resort includes 11 restaurants; four pools, including one just for kids; the Barcy Water Park, which is included with all-inclusive rates; a nighttime nursery open from 6 p.m. to midnight; and a special nightclub just for teens.

 

Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro; Courtesy of Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro

12. Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro

Located on the tropical beach of Arena Gorda in Punta Cana, the all-inclusive Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro is as luxurious as it is kid-friendly. Room service is offered 24 hours a day in all suites; children ages 4 to 12 have their own club for arts and crafts, games and more; water sports, like windsurfing, kayaking and snorkeling are offered; and Wi-Fi is free throughout the entire resort (though we bet you won’t want to be connected to devices on this vacation!).

Children have their own pool, parents have their own spa and nightly entertainment, and the entire family will enjoy the five restaurants, plus the patisserie and ice cream parlor. Punta Cana resorts don’t cut any corners—especially this one!

 

Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa; Courtesy of Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa

13. Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa

The Royalton Bavaro Resort & Spa offers a ton of kids activities for families on a Punta Cana vacation. Teens will love the FlowRider surf simulator and the PlayStation Lounge at this all-inclusive, beachfront resort, and younger kids (ages 4 to 12) can have fun at the kids’ club, where they can play on the playground or create arts and crafts. There’s also a lazy river, mini-golf, cooking classes for little chefs and tons of water sports rentals.

The 24-hour room service option is great when you don’t feel like dining out. But when you do, there are eight restaurants, including buffets and a la carte options.

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