White sand beaches and warm, turquoise waves greet you when you arrive in Punta Cana, a cheerful town in the Dominican Republic. Family attractions don’t stop at beaches, though—there’s a chocolate museum, dolphin encounters, ecological reserves, and more to keep kids of all ages entertained. The 10 resorts on our list eagerly welcome families with plenty of great activities and adventures.
Barcelo Bavaro Palace
The rooms are beautiful, but you may not want to spend too much time indoors at this 4.5-star property next to Bavaro Beach. Barcelo Bavaro offers up a
private beach, a golf course, and a casino, and Dolphin Island is just a short walk away.
What’s included? All the food you can eat from the resort’s 11 dining venues, as well as drinks from the property’s 12 bars and lounges are included. Burn off extra calories with free dance lessons, windsurfing, or kayaking, all for free.
Why it’s great for families: Take the kids to Barcelo’s private beach or let them splash the day away at the children’s pool. The
resort also includes a kid’s club, playground, arcade, and bowling alley. It might be hard getting the little ones to leave.
Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Would you rather have a pool day, a beach day, or a day of volleyball and tennis? At Majestic Colonial, you don’t have to choose. This 4-star oceanfront hotel has it all.
What’s included? Nibble your way through the resort’s six dining venues and grab a drink at 11 bars and lounges without spending an extra dollar. Relax in a
complimentary beach cabana and make sure to check out the performances and theme parties.
Why it’s great for families: Host a family beach day or splash the day away in the children’s pool. Bring your little ones to the kids’ club or snap pics while your teens go kayaking or windsurfing. It’s all included in your stay.
Melia Caribe Tropical
Surrounded by
exotic gardens and situated right on Playa Bavaro, Melia Caribe Tropical is a gorgeous resort that lets you relax and explore to your heart’s content.
What’s included? All your food and drinks are included in your resort fee, so try all 13 dining venues and get on a first name basis with the bartender at the swim-up bar! Between meals and drinks, hit the golf course (green fees are included) or take advantage of the included non-motorized water sports.
Why it’s
great for families: With a kids’ club, children’s pool, playground, and game room, every day is a family day at Melia Caribe. If you have older kids, take language or dance lessons together or hit a few balls on the tennis courts.
Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana
Wake up in your beautiful guest room, slip on sandals, grab some fresh fruit from the breakfast buffet, and then head straight to the beach. Grand Bahia is a 4-star resort that makes every day a Caribbean dream come true.
What’s included?
Buffet meals and select a la carte meals are included, as are cocktails at seven bars, including a swim-up bar. Beach and pool loungers and umbrellas are free, plus activities like snorkeling, boogie boarding, and cycling.
Why it’s great for families: Younger ones can start the day at the Bahia Scouts Mini Club or make new friends at the children’s pool or playground. A game room and mini golf, plus included land and water activities, keep older kids entertained.
Grand Memories Splash Punta Cana
You’ll create beautiful family memories at this 4-star resort. Enjoy spacious rooms and quick access to Bavaro Beach or take advantage of the resort’s seemingly endless activities.
What’s included? All meals at the resort’s five dining venues and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the property are included. If you’d rather stay in for the day, your minibar and room service are complimentary. Activities, live performances, and theme parties are also
included.
Why it’s great for families: Two words: water park. It includes spray grounds, a wave pool, and seven thrill-inducing waterslides. There’s a children’s club and pool, and with dance, cooking, tennis, and scuba-diving lessons also included, kids of all ages will find something fun to do.
Paradisus Punta Cana Resort
At this
5-star Bavaro resort, sip tropical drinks on the private beach while you watch your kids play in the sand, or take advantage of many complimentary activities.
What’s included? Included meals at 12 dining venues and 24-hour room service make it easy to feed your crew, while beach and pool bars make it easy to quench your thirst. Your first tasting at the onsite winery is free, and golf green fees are also included.
Why it’s great for families: If you’ve got
an active family, Paradisus is for you. The resort includes a kids’ club and pool, plus a climbing wall, game room, and playground. Activities like cycling, tennis, windsurfing, kayaking, and scuba diving are all included.
The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real Resort
Dream of lounging under an umbrella on a pristine beach? Done. Prefer to get the full spa treatment? It’s worth the extra money. The Reserve is a 5-star wonderland for the whole family.
What’s included? Enjoy instant access to the beach,
pools, and 27-hole golf course, all included. Try one of the many activities, including bartending lessons and dance classes. Worked up an appetite? All your food and drinks (for both kids and cocktail-loving adults)—and 24-hour room service—are included too!
Why it’s great for families: Kids love building sandcastles on the beach or diving into the designated children’s pool. When they dry off, steer them to the kids’ club for more fun activities. Older kids will love the
resort’s climbing wall and tennis lessons.
The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana Resort
At this 5-star, family-friendly property on a private beach in the Bavaro area, you can choose between lazy days, tons of activities, and everything in between.
What’s included? Meals and drinks at three onsite restaurants, plus your in-room minibar, are included. There are beach bars, pool bars, and swim-up bars for more free drinks. Beach cabanas, golf green fees, land and water activities, and
nightclub entry are all complimentary, too.
Why it’s great for families: Let your little ones splash away at the children’s pool or see what activities the kids’ club has to offer. They’ll also love the resort’s snack bars and the family-friendly entertainment each night.
Fantasia Bahia Principe Punta Cana
This magical 4-star resort is surrounded by castles, giving you the best photo ops a family could ask for. And a great location on Bavaro Beach means there’s plenty to do in the area.
What’s included? Hit the breakfast buffet in the morning or take advantage of 24-hour room service to enjoy breakfast in bed. During the day, wander through the garden or grab drinks on the beach. It’s all included. So are the resort’s four restaurants, though some require
reservations.
Why it’s great for families: There are castles! Need we say more? There’s also a water park, children’s pool, and kids’ club with super fun activities like costume workshops and crafts. Older kids can play video games or hang out at the resort’s teen club.