What Bávaro is like

Punta Cana's longest beach and its biggest cluster of all-inclusive resorts. Nearby is El Cortecito, the closest thing to a walkable area, with shops, restaurants and bars. The beach faces east, so it gets sargassum in season.
In Arena Gorda, north of Bávaro, you'll find the six Bahia Principe hotels, with new names since 2026. We compare them in our Bahia Principe guide.
Still deciding on an area? Compare all six in where to stay in Punta Cana.
Family-friendly and all ages
Lopesan Costa Bávaro
BávaroAll ages
A large resort on Bávaro Beach, with its own casino and “The Boulevard,” a dining and entertainment area inside the hotel. It has an adults-only section, “Unique by Lopesan.”
- All-inclusive
- Casino inside the hotel
- “The Boulevard”: restaurants, bars and bowling (extra charge)
- Adults-only “Unique by Lopesan” section
Barceló Bávaro Palace
BávaroDesigned for families · Water park
Built for families: two themed water parks, an on-site golf course and a casino open 24 hours.
- All-inclusive
- Two themed water parks
- The Lakes golf course, by P. B. Dye, on the resort grounds
- Casino open 24 hours
Paradisus Palma Real
BávaroAll ages
An upscale all-inclusive on Bávaro Beach, with swim-up suites, a kids' club and “The Reserve,” its adults-only section.
- All-inclusive
- Adults-only “The Reserve” section (18+)
- Swim-up suites
- The Kidsdom kids' club
Meliá Caribe Beach Resort
BávaroDesigned for families · Water park
The area's family-friendly Meliá: Splash Island water park, a kids' club and access to the Cocotal golf course.
- All-inclusive
- Splash Island water park
- The Kidsdom kids' club
- YHI Spa
Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites
BávaroDesigned for families · Water park
A family classic on Bávaro Beach: Aquafun water park, the Star Camp kids' program and an 18-hole golf course on the property.
- All-inclusive
- Aquafun water park
- Star Camp kids' program
- Iberostar Bávaro Golf Club, 18 holes by P. B. Dye
Majestic Elegance Punta Cana
BávaroAll ages
It welcomes families and has an adults-only section, the “Elegance Club.” Its river-style pool is about 300 meters long and has a swim-up bar.
- All-inclusive
- Adults-only “Elegance Club” section (18+)
- River-style pool of about 300 m, with a bar
- Casino
Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana
BávaroDesigned for families · Water park
Family-friendly, on Bávaro Beach, with a seven-slide water park and separate kids' and teens' clubs.
- All-inclusive
- Water park with seven slides and a splash area
- Explorer’s Club for kids ages 3 to 12
- Core Zone for teens 13 to 17
Bahia Principe Explore Legend
Arena Gorda, BávaroDesigned for families · Water park
Formerly Bahia Principe Fantasia. A themed resort for families with young children: three castles housing the kids' club, a restaurant and a bar, a show projected onto the main castle, and a water park.
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- Water park and Kids Club
- Teen club “The Loft”
- Oneiro Dinner Show included on stays of 4 nights or more
Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda
Arena Gorda, BávaroAll ages · Water park
Formerly Luxury Esmeralda. The chain's top-tier option for traveling with kids: 7 restaurants, 6 bars, a water park, a Kids Club and suites with direct pool access. Guests can use the other hotels in the complex.
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- 7 restaurants and 6 bars
- Water park and Kids Club
- Some suites with direct pool access
Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana
Arena Gorda, BávaroDesigned for families · Water park
Formerly Grand Punta Cana. Right on the beach, with 5 pools, 7 restaurants, 8 bars, a water park and “La Isla,” the complex's new dining and entertainment hub, home to the Kids Club.
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- 5 pools, 7 restaurants and 8 bars
- Water park and Kids Club
- Teen space
Bahia Principe Explore Turquesa
Arena Gorda, BávaroDesigned for families
Formerly Grand Turquesa. The lowest starting price of the six, with spacious gardens and short walking distances. It has a Kids Club and access to Explore Punta Cana's facilities.
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- 3 restaurants and 5 bars
- Kids Club
- 3 à la carte dinners per week
Adults only
Meliá Punta Cana Beach
BávaroAdults only (18+)
Adults-only, with a concept the chain calls “Wellness Inclusive”: quiet spaces, a spa and a 24-hour gym, on Bávaro Beach.
- All-inclusive (“Wellness Inclusive”)
- Adults only (18+)
- YHI Spa
- 24-hour gym
JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar
BávaroAdults only (18+)
Iberostar's adults-only resort on Bávaro Beach, formerly Iberostar Grand Bávaro. Butler service in some suites and access to the property's golf course.
- All-inclusive
- Adults only (18+)
- Butler service in some suites
- SPA Sensations
Riu Republica
Arena Gorda, BávaroAdults-only · Water park
Adults-only, on Arena Gorda beach, with the Splash Water World water park and pools with swim-up bars. 24-hour all-inclusive.
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- Adults only
- Splash Water World water park
- Pools with swim-up bars
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
BávaroAdults only
The adults-only neighbor of Dreams Royal Beach. It has a lazy river, a spa and pools reserved for its Preferred Club category.
- All-inclusive
- Adults only
- Lazy river
- Secrets Spa
Bahia Principe Escape Ambar
Arena Gorda, BávaroAdults only (18+)
Formerly Luxury Ambar. Adults 18 and over only, with 5 restaurants, 5 bars, swim-up suites and 24-hour room service. Guests can use the restaurants and bars in the rest of the resort complex.
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- Adults only (18+)
- Swim-up suites
- 24-hour room service
Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine
Arena Gorda, BávaroAdults only (18+)
Formerly Grand Aquamarine. Adults only and geared to couples and groups of friends looking for a lively scene: a pool with a bar, live shows, a nightclub and access to Las Olas Beach Club.
- 24-hour all-inclusive
- Adults only (18+)
- 3 restaurants and 3 bars
- Nightclub and live shows
Comparison
| Hotel | Area | Best for | Water park | Vibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lopesan Costa Bávaro | Bávaro | All ages | No | Lively |
| Barceló Bávaro Palace | Bávaro | Designed for families | Yes | Lively |
| Paradisus Palma Real | Bávaro | All ages | No | Beach and pool |
| Meliá Caribe Beach Resort | Bávaro | Designed for families | Yes | Beach and pool |
| Meliá Punta Cana Beach | Bávaro | Adults only (18+) | No | Laid-back |
| Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites | Bávaro | Designed for families | Yes | Beach and pool |
| JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar | Bávaro | Adults only (18+) | No | Laid-back |
| Majestic Elegance Punta Cana | Bávaro | All ages | No | Beach and pool |
| Riu Republica | Arena Gorda, Bávaro | Adults only | Yes | Lively |
| Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana | Bávaro | Designed for families | Yes | Beach and pool |
| Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana | Bávaro | Adults only | No | Beach and pool |
| Bahia Principe Explore Legend | Arena Gorda, Bávaro | Designed for families | Yes | Lively |
| Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda | Arena Gorda, Bávaro | All ages | Yes | Beach and pool |
| Bahia Principe Escape Ambar | Arena Gorda, Bávaro | Adults only (18+) | No | Laid-back |
| Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine | Arena Gorda, Bávaro | Adults only (18+) | No | Lively |
| Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana | Arena Gorda, Bávaro | Designed for families | Yes | Lively |
| Bahia Principe Explore Turquesa | Arena Gorda, Bávaro | Designed for families | No | Laid-back |
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FAQ
How many hotels are there in Bávaro?
Our selection includes 17 resorts in Bávaro, compared using data from their official websites.
Which Bávaro hotels are adults-only?
Meliá Punta Cana Beach, JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar, Riu Republica, Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, Bahia Principe Escape Ambar, Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine.
Which Bávaro hotels have a water park?
Barceló Bávaro Palace, Meliá Caribe Beach Resort, Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites, Riu Republica, Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana, Bahia Principe Explore Legend, Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda, Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana.
How far is Bávaro from the airport?
The transfer takes about 15 to 30 min by car, depending on the hotel and traffic.
The “See prices” buttons open Klook or Booking.com in a new tab.
- Lopesan Costa Bávaro, official website
- Barceló Bávaro Palace, official website
- Paradisus Palma Real, official website
- Meliá Caribe Beach Resort, official website
- Meliá Punta Cana Beach, official website
- Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites, official website
- JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar, official website
- Majestic Elegance Punta Cana, official website
- Riu Republica, official website
- Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana, official website
- Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, official website
- Bahia Principe Explore Legend, official website
- Bahia Principe Explore Esmeralda, official website
- Bahia Principe Escape Ambar, official website
- Bahia Principe Escape Aquamarine, official website
- Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana, official website
- Bahia Principe Explore Turquesa, official website









