Many Canadians like indulging in winter escapes once the weather gets cool. In fact, experts estimate that roughly half of Canadians head to southern destinations during the colder months of the year.
One popular destination is the Dominican Republic. This beautiful island nation offers stunning vistas and lovely temperatures.
If you're going to visit the Dominican Republic, make sure you book a stay at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace. Here's what to know about this fantastic travel destination.
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a five-star hotel located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The hotel is all-inclusive, which means that you'll be able to enjoy all the food and drinks that you like during your stay.
There are many different kinds of rooms at the hotel, ranging from junior suites to family complexes designed for parents travelling with kids. All the rooms come with outstanding amenities such as flat-screen TVs, balconies, and in-room coffee and tea.
Punta Cana has a unique ecology, which is one of the reasons it's such a popular travel destination. The island nation is located in the Caribbean Sea and has a tropical climate.
Punta Cana gets two seasons a year, the rainy season and the dry season. The dry season runs from December to March while the wet season is from April to October. During the wet season, it's not uncommon for the island to receive hurricanes.
There are tons of amazing plants and animals in Punta Cana. You'll find mangrove forests, sandy beaches, and stunning palm trees. Plus, crocodiles, lizards, and many different species of birds call this area home.
Getting to Barcelo Bavaro Palace
Ready to board your flight and head to the Barcelo Bavaro Palace? Here's what to know about travelling to the Dominican Republic for your stay here.
Location
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace is located in the beautiful oceanside city of Punta Cana. It's situated on the shoreline, with gorgeous views of the Caribbean Sea.
Transportation
To get to the hotel, you'll want to fly into the Punta Cana Airport which is located just 11km from the hotel. You can either rent a car or take advantage of the hotel's airport transfer service.
Local Language and Culture
The Dominican culture is heavily influenced by both African and Spanish traditions. This unique mix makes for a colourful culture with a laid-back feel.
Dance is especially important in the Dominican Republic. Popular styles include merengue, salsa, and bachata.
Is it Beneficial to Know a Little Spanish?
One of the reasons Punta Cana is one of the best places to visit is that you don't need to speak Spanish to get around. On the resort and in most tourist locations people speak English just fine. But it can always come in handy to have a few basic words or phrases in your back pocket when communicating with locals!
The Atmosphere at Barcelo Bavaro Palace
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace has a modern and tropical vibe. The hotel's oceanfront location makes it feel like you're living at the height of luxury.
The facilities at the hotel are great and the staff make the experience feel friendly and welcoming. While staying at this hotel you'll feel like you're on a truly VIP vacation.
How Do People Rate the Service?
While guest services got good ratings, the hotel really shined when it came to the cleaning crew. The cleaning staff at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace make sure that your room is always tidy and that public spaces are clean.
Guests enjoyed the 24-hour guest services staff. The front desk team makes it easy to get support and assistance whenever you need it.
Hotel Amenities
One amazing benefit of the Barcelo Bavaro Palace is the wide array of amenities offered at the resort. Here are a few to know about.
Restaurants
There are eleven different restaurants at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace, some of which are a la carte while others are buffet. You can enjoy international, French, Spanish, Japanese, Mexican, Italian, or seafood at these restaurants.
If you're going to stay in Punta Cana, you should try some local cuisine. We recommend ordering a plate of Mangú!
Bars
There are twelve bars located at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace. The different types of bars include a theatre bar, four pool bars, a swim-up bar, three disco bars, a lobby bar, and a rum and cigar bar.
Keep in mind that four of the bars are adults-only. If you head to one of these bars, be sure to try a Mamajuana, the national cocktail of the Dominican Republic!
Beach and Pools
The hotel is situated on a private beach with plenty of loungers and umbrellas. Spread out your towel and enjoy soaking up some sun.
Or, you can head to one of the four pools! Enjoy the Olympic-size pool for swimming laps or hang out at the adults-only pool and order a drink from the swim-up bar.
If you have kids, you can head over to the family pool or to the kids' pool to splash around. Or, let the kids play while you soak in the hot tub.
Sports and Recreation
Wanting to work up a sweat while you're on vacation? Head over to the fitness centre! You can enjoy treadmills, exercise bikes, and free weights as well as weight machines.
If you'd rather take a class, try doing yoga or spinning at one of the on-site lessons. Or, ask reception for a list of exercise classes to join in an aerobics class or weight lifting class.
If you'd rather, you can head over to the golf course. There is an on-site golf course as well as a nearby course that you can head to for some additional fun.
The hotel offers tons of games, too. Try a round of tennis, mini-golf, ping-pong, or pool. Or, participate in volleyball, soccer, basketball, giant chess, paddleball, or aquafitness.
Spa
Do you want to treat yourself to some R&R? Head to the U-Spa onsite at the Barcelo Bavaro Palace. This spa has beauty salon services, water therapies and massages, nail care and facials, hot tubs a sauna, and a steam room. You can also rent private cabins or take advantage of the hydrotherapy circuit.
Nightly Entertainment
At night the hotel comes to life with tons of entertainment options. Dance your heart out at one of the three discos on site. One of the discos is only for 18 and up, making it a great place for adults to hang out.
You can also sit down to live music and entertainment at the theatre. Experience cultural dances and beautiful Caribbean music all night long.
If you'd rather try your luck in the casino, you can head there for a round of Blackjack or to play the slots. The casino is only for guests 18 and up.
Escape Room
The escape room is one unique activity you won't want to miss! This 60-minute experience is designed for groups of 2-10 players. There are two different rooms filled with clues that groups will have to solve in order to get out!
Premium Level
If you want to add on to your vacation, you can opt for a premium-level package. This package gives you access to tons of extra amenities, including:
If you want to add on to your vacation, you can opt for a premium-level package. This package gives you access to tons of extra amenities, including:
Free laundry services
Aromatherapy service
A bottle of rum upon arrival
Exclusive minibar and toiletries
Pool towels in the room
Exclusive Director’s cocktail once a week
Access to the Pirate's Waterpark
Priority reservations
10% off spa services and access to the hydrotherapy area for free
VIP room service and courtesy service
Excursions
There are some fantastic excursions available to those who visit Punta Cana. Let's take a look at some of the great activities you can enjoy during your visit.
Saona Island
Years ago Cristopher Colombus discovered the beautiful Saona Island off the coast of Punta Cana. Today, this amazing destination is the perfect place to spend a day on the beach!
Take a catamaran or speed boat out to the island. Then, spend the afternoon relaxing and unwinding by the seashore.
Santo Domingo
You can't visit the Dominican Republic without checking out the capital city, Santo Domingo. This excursion will take you into the town centre and give you a chance to explore the museums, shops, and cathedral located in the city.
You'll also have a chance to learn about the rich history of the Dominican Republic. Discover who founded the city of Santo Domingo and how the culture came alive here.
Macao
Macao is another sweet town located in the Dominican Republic. On this adventure, you'll be able to explore a typical Caribbean town. At the end of your visit, head down to Playa Macao for a dip in the ocean.
La Hacienda
For those who love adventure and adrenaline, they'll have to head out to La Hacienda. This adventure park gives visitors the chance to try seven different outdoor activities for one great price.
Ride on the cable car and take in beautiful views of the mountains or view the scenery on horseback. Fly through the treetops on zip lines, drive your own ATV, go bungee jumping, or take a safari out to visit local wildlife. At the end of the day, treat yourself to food from the buffet.
Is Barcelo Bavaro Palace Kid-Friendly or Adults Only?
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a kid-friendly resort. Although it's not advertised as a family resort, there are still plenty of activities for kids to enjoy and to participate in.
Since there are little ones running around, it's not necessarily the ideal spot for a couples getaway. However, for those travelling with the whole family, the hotel offers the perfect place to stay.
Is It Safe to Travel off the Resort Alone?
The Dominican Republic is a great place for solo travel since it's considered fairly safe. When you're venturing off the resort alone you won't have to worry about your safety, even if you don't have a guide with you.
The one recommendation is to avoid walking along dark streets at night. In the small hours of the morning sexual assault has been known to happen around Punta Cana. We always recommend letting the front desk know if you're leaving the resort and when you intend to return for safety.
Are There Extra Costs to be Aware Of?
Despite the fact that the Barcelo Bavaro Palace is an all-inclusive resort, there are a few activities and add-ons that cost extra. The extras are:
Bowling
Horseback riding
Glass bottom boat tours
Banana boat rentals
Parasailing
Water skiing
Windsurfing lessons
Catamaran lessons
Motorized watersports
Babysitting
Spa services
Best Time to Visit Barcelo Bavaro Palace
The best time to head to the Barcelo Bavaro Palace is between December and March. This is the dry season on the island, so you can avoid inclement weather that could potentially throw a wrench in your plans.
The tourist crowds tend to be the biggest during December and start tapering off around February. To avoid long lines at popular attractions, it's best to book your stay in March.
Overall Reviews
The Barcelo Bavaro Palace has excellent guest reviews. Visitors gave the hotel an overall rating of 4/5 stars, saying that the hotel was an excellent place to stay while visiting Punta Cana.
Guests felt that the Barcelo Bavaro Palace had a fantastic location and was super clean. However, they felt that the value for the hotel could be slightly better, which is why it didn't get a perfect 5-star rating.
NAME
DETAILS
Star rating
4
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes
Is it safe to travel off the resort alone?
Yes
Best time to visit
December - March
What Are You Waiting For? Book Your Trip Today!
Are you ready to head south and set off for the Barcelo Bavaro Palace? Great choice! This is a vacation that will give you and your loved ones memories to last a lifetime.
Before you book your flight, make sure to take out a travel insurance policy. Get in touch with Insurdinary to get a quote for travel insurance today.
