Punta Cana: Melia Caribe Beach + Isla Saona (7-day trip review)
Get Prepared to Travel
Before embarking on your Dominican adventure, there are some essential preparations to consider. Head over to the official Electronic Ticket portal at eticket.migracion.gob.do to check all the requirements for entering and leaving the Dominican Republic.
Don’t forget to verify if you need a yellow fever vaccine, especially if you’re arriving from certain countries like Brazil. Also, make sure to check the visa requirements for your nationality. And, of course, never forget the sunscreen – you’re going to need it in the Caribbean sun!
Choose the Hotel and Location
Choosing the right hotel and location is crucial for an enjoyable trip. Punta Cana boasts some of the most incredible beaches, and for families, Playa Bavaro is a top choice with its calm waves and ideal family-friendly atmosphere. However, you’ll find plenty of other beautiful beaches in the Punta Cana area.
Be mindful of the hurricane season, which can bring lower prices but also the risk of being stuck in your hotel or the airport. Another seasonal consideration is the sargassum season, typically in August or September, which can affect the beach experience.
As for accommodations, we opted for the Melia Caribe Beach Resort, a well-known Spanish franchise with various hotel options on the same complex, including Paradisus, Eleven, and more. We chose Melia Caribe Beach because we were traveling with family and it offered fantastic facilities for kids, including a small water park.
The resort boasts two buffet-style restaurants and five specialty restaurants serving American grill, Japanese, Mexican, Spanish, and Italian cuisine. There are also kids’ clubs, a casino, spa and wellness facilities, several pools, and 24-hour all-inclusive local drinks and food. Since the resort is quite expansive, they provide small trains to make it easy to get around, from the lobby to your rooms, the pools, and the beach.
Sightseeing and Tours
Of course, a trip to Punta Cana isn’t complete without exploring its stunning surroundings. We decided to visit Saona Island and the natural beaches, both of which you can book either from beachside sellers or through hotel operators.
If you choose beachside sellers, make sure they belong to a reputable union. To reach Saona Island, you’ll take a scenic 1-hour bus ride to Bayahibe, where you’ll board either a catamaran or a fast boat. Along the way, you’ll stop at natural beaches to see starfish and enjoy a drink on a sandbank.
The boat journey takes about 2 hours, and on Saona Island, you’ll have around 3 hours to savor a delicious meal, take stunning photos, and relax on the pristine beach before heading back the same way.
Paradise for families
Punta Cana is a paradise for all-inclusive hotel stays, catering to various budgets and preferences. Just remember to choose the right time of year and the perfect hotel for your travel needs.
Whether you’re seeking clean crystal-clear waters, powdery sands, or the incredible year-round weather, Punta Cana has it all. We hope you enjoyed this virtual trip, and if you have any questions or recommendations, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
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