4 Nights
with Air
from
$989
- All Inclusive
Rooms starting at
$67.00
per person/night - All Inclusive
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Feel lately like you're living in a black-and-white world? Perhaps you owe yourself a vacation, in Technicolor, at Barce
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Feel lately like you're living in a black-and-white world? Perhaps you owe yourself a vacation, in Technicolor, at Barcelo Punta Cana. This beach resort, renovated in 2010, has given itself a vibrant, multi-colored, Mediterranean-style makeover. You'll be instantly uplifted by the kaleidoscopic ambience of this all inclusive resort, which features 798 guestrooms, resting beachside to the emerald swells of the Caribbean surf, on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic.
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From:Washington, DC Age:45-54 Travel:1-2 trips/year
July 31, 2010
Good Trip for the Budget Conscious
This past December, my husband and I I took our first vacation to the Dominican Republic in honor of our 11th anniversary. We made the decision to visit this tropical destination for our anniversary for one main reason: it was cheap! A 6 day/5 night all-inclusive vacation for two people at the Barcelo Punta Cana four-star resort was $500, plus airfare. We had frequent flyer tickets, but you can get a package deal with airline tickets included through Cheap Carribean, and it is still ridiculously cheap.
The Barcelo Punta Cana was nice. The rooms were typical... nothing to write home about. But the grounds were beautiful. Lots of palm trees, green lush grass, winding pools and the blue sea. The food? Pack sandwiches. Ok, ok, I know you can't get those through customs, so shove some freeze-dried food and bags of nuts in your suitcase, LOL! You think I'm kidding? Let's put it this way, poor Scott spent half his vacation in the bathroom. Amazingly, while I felt a little on the queasy side, I did not get sick. (I attribute it to the two week course of probiotics I took before the trip!) I can't speak for other all-inclusive resorts, but I have stayed in two Barcelos in two different countries, and the food was not great in either one. In all fairness, the resort does cater to a wide variety of world travelers, so I am sure it is difficult to appeal to all tastes.
Fortunately, there was a large variety worth of items to eat, so we bypassed the fish staring back at us and the mystery meat, and stuck with "safe" items, like rolls, pound cake and fruit. (Can you say "high carb"?) Even so, by the end of the week, everything tasted the same and we were SO ready to get back to good ol' American soil and get something to eat that didn't turn our stomachs. The up side is that if quantity is your gig, you are in good shape, since there is absolutely no limit on how much you eat or drink. And while I might have managed to stay away from the pina coladas, I think I did seriously O.D. on cappuccinos...which were actually quite good.
On to more important topics: the activities. If you are the type who wants to go on vacation and just sit on the beach in a lounge chair with a cold drink in your hand, this might be the place for you. The beach was very pretty, and there were plenty of places to relax. Uhm-hmm... one thing you should know, though, is ALL beaches in the Dominican Republic are public beaches, and topless sunbathing is legal. We were not aware of this minor detail, and needless to say, I wasn't too excited for my husband to discover it. Also worth noting is that Barcelo Punta Cana is on the Atlantic Ocean, not the Caribean Sea. That means that the waves were too rough for activities such as snorkeling and kayaking at the resort. And motorized watersports are illegal in the Dominican Republic. There wasn't much to do at the resort other than swim and "sight-see". And while I must admit that some of the 80-year-old "sights" were quite amusing, we decided to get-out-of-dodge and book a couple of off-site excursions through a tour company.
The first excursion was riding four-wheelers through the Dominican countryside. The tour was to take us to a popular beach, a coffee plantation and to a famous cave where we could explore and swim. As it turned out, though, every stop we made was more like another opportunity for the Dominicans to try to sell their wares to the "dumb Americans" who would pay ridiculous prices for their hand-made jewelery made from "precious native stones". Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun on the four-wheeler. I was glad we chose it, as opposed to a dune buggy, because those riders got all muddy. My husband said I hogged the four-wheeler, and I told him that's what he gets for not getting two, lol. It was a blast! We'd do it again.
The 2nd excursion, a speed boat/snorkeling tour, was not as fun. After the bus picked us up, we clunked though the Dominican countryside, stopping at resort after resort for what seemed like forever before we finally reached the beach for the excursion. We were told to put everything we brought along in a locker before heading for the water so it wouldn't get wet. The speed boats we were going to drive were about waist deep in the ocean, and we had to jump up onto the side and hoist ourselves over the edge to get into the boat! As you can imagine, that was fun. I think I made it on my twenty-third thousandth try. I imagined racing through the ocean, the wind blowing through my hair. What I did not imagine, however, was water spraying in my face so fiercely I couldn't see, never mind steer a boat!
Once we made it to the dock near the reef where we were to snorkel, we had to anchor our boats, jump out, and swim (against the waves) out to the dock. By the time I actually got to the snorkeling part, I was already tired out! As far as the quality of the snorkeling itself, we did see some tropical fish, and it was fun to watch them eat bread from our hands. But the coral was dull brown, and not the bright colors you hope to see in the Caribbean. It's the second time we have gone snorkeling and "settled" on the location, and we decided it would be worth it next time to "go all out" and take the extra time & money to travel to the best snorkeling reef your vacation area has to offer. Still, it was an experience we don't get to have everyday. It was okay, although a little warning that I should have trained for the triathalon before attempting this excursion would have been nice.
As far as other activities go, the resort had a casino and some cheesy nighttime entertainment shows if you are into that sort of thing. They also allowed street vendors to set up tables in the hotel in the evenings so that guests could buy souvenirs and jewelery. It was quite convenient. There are plenty of other places to shop, but due to the extreme poverty of the area, tourists are encouraged to take extreme caution when leaving the resort grounds. One thing is for sure... no matter where you decide to do your shopping, be prepared for extreme haggling if you even dare to take a glance in the storekeeper's direction. It goes a lot like this:
"Hey, my brother! My sister! Come over here. I have a free gift for you! Let me put it on you. Show me what you like. Put is here (on my plate), anything you like. I'm gonna give you a great price, make you special deal, just for you!" I never knew I had so many relatives, lol! It got old after awhile, but it was all part of it.
All in all, we had a great time, and we are glad we went. But we both agreed that while the Dominican Republic was an interesting place to visit, we wouldn't opt to go back. I would prefer to go back to Mexico...(or even better yet, visit one of the U.S. Virgin Islands where people speak English and we can eat typical food, albeit, for a much heftier price tag!) But if a "budget" tropical vacation fits the bill, we recommend Cancun or the Mayan Riviera to Punta Cana. We found that the locals were more pleasant, the haggling was less annoying, and the Gulf of Mexico was more appealing. And besides, while jet skiing is perfectly legal in Mexico, topless sunbathing is not. Bon Voyage!
I went to Punta Cana in February. The hotel and weather were perfect. This vacation destination spot met all my expectations. There were many food choices and I am a very picky eater. Also the bartenders and people who worked at the hotel were helpful and nice. I went during a US holiday week, though the hotel was crowded you always found a chair by the pool or the beach and had plenty of food and drinks available with no wait!
I would definately recommend this hotel and I can't wait to go back!
Overall I would say this place was average. Food was ok, not the best I've ever had, but neither of us got sick! We had one of the cheaper rooms which again, wasn't bad. Great beach and pool (and pool bar!). I will mention that this place is kinda loud. Neiher one of us is a late night person and you could hear activity up until about 2-3am.
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two questions
1- the promotion rate from sept 1 - october 31 is $649 with $100 instant savings. The dates I choose is 10/13 - 10/17. The final rate was $759. What determines the entire package to become higher than the promotion?
2- I am looking for a hotel with your promotions that has horseback riding nearby. Can you recommend a such place
Thanks
6 months ago
P
In this hotel they had a tour to ride horses for $40.00 for two hours
Age: 35 - 44
Trip Type: Family
Frequency: More than 5 times
Flaky
yes there is
morpheus
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Room Information
Surrounded by tropical gardens, Barcelo Punta Cana has 798 air-conditioned guest rooms with one king or two twin beds . All guest rooms feature a balcony, air conditioning, telephone, private bath and shower, iron and ironing board, hair dryer, tea & coffee maker, safety deposit box, mini-fridge stocked with soft drinks, beer and water, CD player, and a cable TV with international and national channels."
Recently renovated, the resort's Mediterranean-style architecture stands apart from most other resorts in this area. It also affords plenty of space to find your own little beachy corner of heaven.
What We'd Change
Necessary items, such as sunscreen, can be pretty pricey at the resort's shops. Bring plenty with you, and you'll have no problem getting oodles of pictures of your healthy and well-protected bronzed bod.
Why You Should Go
Barcelo Punta Cana Resort is ideal for families thanks to its many activities, like supervised trapeze training and a trampoline. Few other area hotels offer a more private escape to paradise.
Available Amenities
Activities/Tours Assistance
Car Rental Available
Banquet Facilities
Beach
Volleyball
Business Center ($)
Casino ($)
Child Care/Babysitting Services ($)
Children's Pool
Conference Facilities
Cribs Available on Request
Currency Exchange
Dive Shop
Fitness/Exercise Room
Gift Shop
Jacuzzi
Kayaks
Kids Club
Laundry Services ($)
Nightly Entertainment
Room Service ($)
Scuba Certification ($)
Snorkeling
Swim-Up Bar(s)
Internet Access ($)
Swimming Pool(s)
Tennis Court(s)
Windsurfing
Sailing
Aerobics
Wedding Services
Soccer
Medical Services ($)
7 Restaurants
7 Bars/Lounges
Bocce Ball
Nightclub
Shopping
Snack Bar
Theater
Elevators
Climbing Wall
Spa ($)
Beach Towels
Handicap Room Available
Golf Packages Available ($)
Honeymoon Packages $$ -- Pre-arrange directly with resort
Wireless Hi-Speed Internet Access ($)
Amenities Subject to Change, with or without notice
Tour Desk
Free Parking
Introductory Scuba Lesson
Beauty Salon ($)
Additional Fees for some amenities may be required
Lounge Chairs
Swim-Up Bar
Game Room ($)
Nearby Excursions & Attractions
Coral Reef
Ecological Park Nearby
Fishing Nearby
Golf Nearby
Hiking/Biking Trails Nearby
Kayaking
Restaurants/Bars Nearby
Shops/Shopping in Area
Map of Local Area
The Dominican Republic continues to grow as a major tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and abundance of available activities.
Barcelo Punta Cana Resort
Playa Arena Gorda, Higuey
+809 476 7777
Hotel Description
Barcelo Punta Cana: Luxury in Technicolor
Feel lately like you're living in a black-and-white world? Perhaps you owe yourself a vacation, in Technicolor, at Barcelo Punta Cana. This beach resort, renovated in 2010, has given itself a vibrant, multi-colored, Mediterranean-style makeover. You'll be instantly uplifted by the kaleidoscopic ambience of this all inclusive resort, which features 798 guestrooms, resting beachside to the emerald swells of the Caribbean surf, on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic.
No one cares if you hit an errant shot at Bavaro Golf Course, just 20 minutes from Barcelo Punta Cana. Opened in 1991, this 18-hole, par-72 was originally designed by renowned architect, Juan Manuel Gordillo. The course, with three tee sets for ladies, amateurs and professionals, was redesigned in 2010, by P. B. Dye, and features 6,710 yards of holes bordered by thick vegetation, amid a large lake that dares you to slice.
Metamorphosis Spa, enlarged and expanded in 2010, includes two hydrotherapy machines, three massage cabins, two Jacuzzis and more to handle any and all your pampering needs. Enjoy a Caribbean Vitamin Cocktail, or a soothing, natural, aloe-vera body wrap, before a Shiatsu massage, or Scentao hot-stone therapy. While you're there, take advantage of Metamorphosis' salon for a French manicure and pedicure, so you're properly prepped for an unforgettable night on the town.
If you're a sun bunny, you'll find respite at the free-form, lagoon-style pool, complete with swim-up bar, while the munchkins take advantage of the adjacent kid's pool, where they'll find an in-water jungle gym, including a water-spraying palm tree and a giant frog. Or claim your spot on one of the largest swimmable beaches in the Dominican Republic, on the shores of Playa Arena Gorda.
When you get the munchies, you'll find El Marlin satisfies any cravings, including old-fashioned barbecue and seafood delicacies. Or take your cravings on an around-the-world tour of international fare at the aptly-named Roma, Tokyo, and Paris. From amenities to munchies, Barcelo Punta Cana Beach Resort offers a host of colorful ways to savor your well-deserved vacation.
Other Details
Location
25 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport.
Check-In/Check-Out
Check-in: 3pm. Check-out: noon.
A valid credit card may be required upon check-in for possible incidentals not included in your hotel reservation.
A seven-night minimum stay required for travel Apr 1-8, 2012.
Spring Break Policy
Groups of guests age 18-21 years will not be permitted at this property from Mar 1-May 1, 2012.
Dining
Upon arrival, you will receive pre-arranged invitations per room to specialty restaurants according to your length of stay. Reservations are required and the restaurant hours are subject to availability. Restrictions apply.
Three or four nights: one dinner reservation ticket
Five or six nights: two tickets
Seven or eight nights: three tickets
Nine or ten nights: four tickets
Eleven or twelve nights: five tickets
Fourteen nights: six tickets.
Subject to availability. For additional dinner, please check between 9am-4pm at the Reservation Desk.
All Inclusive
Included in the "Barcelo All Inclusive" Program:
Access to extensive on-site facilities
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at a wide array of restaurants*
Day and nighttime entertainment for adults and kids.
Diving initiation in pool
Free entrance to nightclub
Free use of beach towels and lounge chairs at pool and beach
National drinks (soft drinks, wine, beer, liquors, cocktails, hot beverages)
Snacks in bars
Two Swimming pools, new pool for kids
Mini club (ages 4-12)
Disco for children (4-12 year olds)
Teen disco for 13-17 year olds
Playroom: with table games, billiard, darts and more, open 24 hours
Fitness center: weights, training team. Open daily from 7am until 7pm.
Taxes and tips
*Restrictions apply; see dining section.
Not Included:
Phone calls to representatives
Alcoholic drinks by the bottle
Lobster dinners
Motorized water sports
Weddings
Doctor
Shops
Spa services
Beauty salon
Laundry
Internet cafe
Currency exchange
Dining
Name: Alcazar Buffet
Type: Buffet
Hours: Breakfast, Daily 7am-10:30am; Lunch, Daily 12:30pm-2:30pm; Dinner, Daily 6pm-10pm
Description: An extensive buffet is offered throughout the day. Hours subject to change.
Dress code: casual. No tank tops, shorts or beach sandals are allowed. Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.
Name: Tokio
Type: Japanese
Hours: Daily 6pm-10pm
Description: Tokio serves teppanyaki-style Japanese. Hours subject to change.
Smoking is not permitted.
Dress code: casual. No tank tops, shorts or beach sandals are allowed. Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.
Name: El Mirador
Type: International
Hours: Lunch, Daily noon-3pm; Dinner, Daily 6pm-10pm; Late Snacks, Daily 11pm-5am
Description: El Mirador offers a light lunch followed by a Tex-Mex cuisine for dinner. The restaurant reopens from 11pm-5am for late night snacks. Hours subject to change.
Dress code: casual. No tank tops, shorts or beach sandals are allowed. Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.
Name: Paris
Type: French
Hours: Daily 6pm-10pm
Description: Offering French specialties. Hours subject to change.
Smoking is not permitted.
Dress code: casual. No tank tops, shorts or beach sandals are allowed. Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.
Name: Roma
Type: Italian
Hours: Daily 6pm-10pm
Description: Roma offers Italian cuisine. Hours subject to change.
Smoking is not permitted.
Dress code: casual. No tank tops, shorts or beach sandals are allowed. Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.
Name: El Marlin
Type: International
Hours: Breakfast, Daily 5:30am-7am; Brunch, Daily 8am-noon; Lunch, Daily Noon-5pm; Dinner, Daily 6pm-10pm; Late Snacks, Daily 11pm-5am
Description: Serving an early continental breakfast, a buffet brunch with champagne is served until noon, another buffet is offered through the afternoon, and dinner is a la carte. The restaurant reopens after dinner for snacks until just before breakfast is served again. Hours subject to change.
Dress code: casual. No tank tops, shorts or beach sandals are allowed. Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.
Name: El Conuco
Type: Dominican
Hours: Daily, 6pm-10pm
Description: El Conuco features authentic Dominican cuisine. Hours subject to change.
Smoking is not permitted.
Dress code: casual. No tank tops, shorts or beach sandals are allowed. Men are not permitted to wear sleeveless shirts.
Bars
Alhambra
Lobby bar. Daily 8:30am-1am.
Marien
Lobby bar. Daily 10am-1am.
Disco Bar
Open 10:30pm-2am.
El Marlin Bar
Located in the El Marlin Restaurant. Daily 10am-11pm.
El Mirador Bar
Located in the El Mirador Restaurant. Daily 10am-6pm.
Swim-Up Bar
Daily 10am-6pm.
Sports Bar
Adults only. Open 4pm-5am.
All hours subject to change.
Beach
Barcelo Punta Cana Resort is set directly on the long sandy beach of the Playa Arena Gorda in the beautiful Dominican Republic. It has one of the largest swimmable beaches in the area.
Pools
Barcelo Punta Cana boasts two large pools and a smaller children's pool and a swim-up bar. The second large swimming pool is new and doubles the resort's pool capacity and deck area. The children's pool features mini-slides and obstacles.
Water activities
With two sunken ships nearby, rich flora and fauna, long stretches of coral reef and a whole spectrum of colors and shapes, this is one of the most coveted diving* spots in the world.
Also available at Barcelo Punta Cana:
Kayaking
Catamaran (with guide only)
Water volleyball
Water basketball
Windsurfing
Sailing course*
Water polo
All activities are subject to availability and weather conditions.
*Extra charges apply.
Sports
Including:
Three tennis courts
Beach volleyball
Bocce ball
Climbing wall
Aerobics
Circus trapeze
"Ice"-skating rink
Ping pong
Child Care
The mini-club is available for children ages 4-12 with numerous activities, including:
Trapeze and jumping area
Outside and inside activities
Computer and board games
Arts and crafts
Lunch buffet
The Nightclub Disco welcomes children ages 4-12, and the Teen Club is for 13-17 year olds.
Spa Services
"Metamorphosis," the spa, has been enlarged to include two hydrotherapy machines, two Jacuzzis, three massage cabins, a special "Vichy" shower, two saunas and facilities for special therapies.
The beauty salon offers special hand, foot and hair therapies, Caribbean braiding, waxing and make-up.
Golf
Nearby golf courses include the Bavaro Golf Course, an 18-hole par-72 course designed by Juan Manuel Gordilla; only 20 minutes from the hotel.
Night Life
Enjoy colorful nightly entertainment that is filled with passion in a theater that holds up to 800 people with the best in high-tech lighting and sound equipment. In addition, the theater location creates a soundproof barrier between the theater and the guestrooms.
