Winter Respite in Punta Cana...
/I have many clients who will tell me they want a budget-friendly, all-inclusive resort that’s not Mexico. While I still firmly believe that you get the best product, the best food and drinks, and hands-down best service in Mexico, you have essentially two other options in the all-inclusive market: Jamaica and Punta Cana (Dominican Republic). I just returned from 5 days in Punta Cana on behalf of Vacation Express, one of the premier tour operators I work with. We toured about 15 different resorts in the Punta Cana/Bavaro region, which is where most American tourists would typically stay. The weather was PERFECT, and the beaches were so picturesque- if you’re looking for a relatively affordable all-inclusive experience, Punta Cana might be just what the doctor ordered, especially since so many major airlines (Southwest, American, United, Frontier) offer non-stop flights from Chicago.
I stayed at the Royalton Bavaro, a 5-star resort that just opened on December 28, and aside from the few understandable hiccups that go with the opening of a new resort, it really was an enjoyable stay. Other favorite resorts we visited were the Majestic Mirage (great family suite and separate adults-only area) and Nickelodeon Punta Cana for the kids, especially because as a Karisma property, they’re known for top-notch food and drinks.
While Punta Cana offers attractive pricing in the all-inclusive market, I do feel there are a few caveats that need to be addressed if you are planning to visit the DR:
- If you’re expecting the same level of impeccable service that you find in the United States and Mexico, you will probably be disappointed. The complaints I hear over and over pertain to slow service at the front desk, in-room assitance, and dining. That said, I would also be quick to remind clients that they should reward good service by tipping generously. I heard from hotel management over and over that people assume “all-inclusive” also includes tips. It doesn’t. Or rather, it perhaps technically includes a nominal gratuity, but you would be well-advised to show a little love to your bartender, your room attendant, and your pool attendant. The average hotel employee in Punta Cana makes $200 a month, so a $20 bill to your bartender at the beginning of your week-long stay will work wonders in the level of attention you are given- believe me, they will remember you!
- Along the same line as service, Punta Cana has grown at an astronomical rate in the past 20 years, and in truth, the infrastructure and the labor force has struggled to keep up. Power outages are common, as are small annoyances, like no hot water (I took cold showers for 5 days…and a brand-new 5-star resort). You will also most likely encounter more of a language barrier than elsewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean. Do your best, and remember that in the end, you are the stranger in the strange land- please be courteous and keep your sense of humor.
- From a security standpoint, you are perfectly safe at your resort, however, once you leave the confines of your hotel, certain areas of the Dominican Republic become a security risk to foreigners. Plan to spend the vast majority of your time at the resort, and to that end, make sure you pop for at least a 4-star resort. A higher-end resort like that will also ensure against food-born illness, another frequent complaint I hear from clients.
Punta Cana or Mexico?
This was a frequent conversation I had with my fellow travel planners on this trip (there were 15 of us from all over the US). We all agreed the bad press to come out of Mexico last summer regarding tainted alcohol and violence against Americans was grossly sensationalized. To each his own, of course, but if pressed to make a decision, I would choose Mexico a hundred times over. (Cancun/Riviera Maya or Los Cabos in particular) Again, the Mexican all-inclusives of the 80s and 90s are dinosaurs compared to what is available today, so if your memory of Mexico was 1990 Spring Break in Puerto Vallarta, where you spent the whole week battling Montezuma’s Revenge with gecko lizards in your room, you need to move on. In the many times I’ve traveled to Mexico over the past several years, usually on my own, I have never felt that my safety has been threatened, but I also practice common sense. The level of service and the quality of resorts available in Mexico is just second to none.