My recent trip to the Dominican Republic was a much-needed escape filled with sunshine, refreshing cocktails, and plenty of relaxation. While I love exploring diverse destinations, sometimes a truly chilled holiday is exactly what you need. This particular break felt similar to a past trip to Mexico, but what struck me most was the inherent friendliness of the Dominican people. They seem to naturally possess a welcoming spirit, making you feel genuinely appreciated as a visitor.
Is It Safe for LGBTQ+ Travelers
Before booking any holiday, I always take a moment to research the LGBTQ+ rights of the destination. It’s disheartening that this is still a necessary step in 2023, but crucial for ensuring a comfortable and safe trip. In the Dominican Republic, same-sex sexual relations are legal. While same-sex marriages are not legally recognized, the vast majority of hotels welcome LGBTQ+ customers. My own experience, and that of friends I’ve spoken to, confirms that the country is a very welcoming place for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Our All-Inclusive Resort Experience
We chose to stay at the Royalton Splash Punta Cana, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort, part of the All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy group. Having enjoyed a previous stay at a Royalton property, we were eager to experience this one, especially with its on-site water park – a big hit with my husband who appreciates keeping active. The resort is conveniently connected to the Royalton Punta Cana, which is located right on the beach, allowing guests to access amenities across both properties. We were fortunate enough to receive a Diamond Club upgrade, which granted us access to all pools and every restaurant across both resorts, plus a personal butler. Initially, having a butler felt a little unusual for us, but our butler, Edwin, was exceptional. He was invaluable for anything we needed, from arranging dinner reservations for our preferred times to offering insights into Dominican history. I absolutely believe the Diamond Club upgrade is worth the investment; you can utilize the butler service as much or as little as you like, and they can even help secure good deals on activities.
Dining Delights
The resort boasts an impressive array of dining options, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate. Over our 10-day stay, we couldn’t even sample everything. The choices range from Italian, Mexican, seafood, and steakhouse fare to Chinese fusion and teppanyaki. This extensive variety is particularly beneficial for an all-inclusive where you might not venture off-site. Even for fussy eaters, the buffet options are plentiful and of high quality. My personal recommendations include the steakhouse for a delicious meal and the teppanyaki for an entertaining dining experience. The seafront buffet offered a superior selection, and Grazie proved to be an excellent spot for lunch.
Exploring the Grounds
The resort complex is quite expansive. While a convenient trolley service, resembling a larger golf cart, is available for getting around, I highly recommend walking, especially between the two main sites. This allowed us to spot plenty of turtles and lizards. For those who enjoy a livelier atmosphere, there’s a swim-up bar and a variety of pool activities throughout the day. A small tip for your drinks: be specific about the brand you prefer to avoid receiving the local house pour, as premium brands are generally included.
Exciting Excursions Available
While the all-inclusive experience offers ample relaxation, we also wanted to incorporate a few excursions to experience more of the Dominican Republic. Our priorities were Scape Park for an adrenaline-filled adventure and Saona Island for a relaxing boat trip to pristine white sandy beaches.
We booked both trips through Amstar, an agency I highly recommend. They were easy to communicate with, offered clear, non-pressured sales, and had fixed pricing, which I always appreciate. Amstar representatives were available daily at the Royalton Punta Cana’s tourism office, but you can also explore all their offerings online.
Soana Island VIP Experience
Our Soana Island trip began with an early 7 am pickup. The journey to the harbor took about an hour, involving a transfer from a minibus to a larger coach. Thankfully, our tour guide was incredibly engaging and informative, making the travel time fly by. The excursion is divided into three parts: a visit to a natural pool teeming with starfish, time on Soana Island itself for lunch and relaxation, followed by a catamaran trip back to the harbor. Although our booking indicated a catamaran journey out and a speed boat return, our trip followed the reverse order. The “speed boat” was more of a faster vessel than a high-speed chase experience, but it was enjoyable.
We were provided with soft drinks on the speed boat and entertained by the crew. The natural pool is a vast, shallow section of the sea, about four feet deep, where we spotted numerous starfish. We enjoyed drinks and snacks here for about 45 minutes before heading to Soana Island. Words can hardly describe the beauty of Soana Island; it’s a place best experienced visually. We were treated to a delicious lunch and several hours of pure relaxation with an open bar, which we certainly made the most of. The leisurely catamaran ride back also featured an open bar, though it did run a bit dry towards the end – perhaps we were just too enthusiastic!
Adrenaline at Scape Park
Scape Park promised a full day of action, and it certainly delivered. The park features impressive ziplines, some stretching high between points and others plunging directly into water. There are also numerous spots to simply relax, explore fascinating caves, and swim in stunning natural pools. While lunch wasn’t included, we purchased a decent meal on-site. Visiting slightly off-season meant the park was relatively quiet. Be prepared for a fair amount of walking and climbing; water shoes are highly recommended for this excursion. Despite my personal aversion to heights, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the experience, particularly the “drop ziplines” where you descend into a pool below. My husband learned the hard way to remove his sunglasses before the drop, requiring a dive from one of the staff to retrieve them from nearly 12 feet underwater!
If you’re seeking adventure on your holiday, Scape Park is a must-do. We spent the entire day there, including a couple of hours to wind down at the end. We didn’t experience any significant waiting times for the ziplines, likely due to the quieter season. It’s worth noting that this might differ during peak times, and we also observed fewer children present.
An Evening at Coco Bongo
Many who have visited Cancun will be familiar with Coco Bongo, and the Punta Cana location offers a similarly wild experience. It’s about a $40 taxi ride from the resort, though transport is often included if you book through a tour operator. Trying to precisely describe Coco Bongo is difficult; it’s a dynamic blend of shows, music, dancing, and drinks, all wrapped up in an incredibly fun atmosphere. The music selection spanned various genres and eras, catering to a wide audience, and the shows featured impressive impersonations, acrobatics, and elaborate performances. The venue gets extremely busy, and my top tip is to pay extra for a table. Standing room can become very crowded, and the bar area often closes during shows as it transforms into part of the stage. Doors open at 8 pm, with shows commencing at 9 pm. We arrived around 8:30 pm and it was already buzzing. The open bar is included until 1 am, and we departed after the final show, around 12:30 am. Whether you visit the Punta Cana venue or another location, I wholeheartedly recommend it. The audience demographic was diverse, with people in their 50s and beyond clearly enjoying themselves.
Final Thoughts on Visiting
Tipping is always a topic of discussion for travelers, particularly for those accustomed to different customs. For me, providing tips for excellent service is a given. We tipped the staff who brought us drinks by the pool and those who served us in the restaurants. While service might be slightly enhanced when you tip, we never felt unwelcome or looked down upon when we didn’t. We also tipped our housekeeper and our butler. Ensuring you have plenty of $1 bills for tipping is a good idea.
If you’re seeking a wonderfully relaxing all-inclusive holiday with opportunities for engaging activities, complemented by sandy beaches, genuinely friendly people, and, of course, the all-important perfect weather, then I wholeheartedly recommend adding the Dominican Republic to your travel list for 2026.
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