Decameron Baru - All Inclusive

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

5169 reviews

• 

  Good place for a relaxing vacation

  Hard to rate as the unexpected rain kind of took a toll on our vacation but the food was decent at the buffet. Excellent at the a la cartes. As an English speaker with only a little Spanish the staff was great at helping and not getting overly frustrated with us. The beach is very nice. The hotel is a little dated but we'll maintained. We had a broken safe and a few things missing during the week that were quickly resolved. Its a nice hotel. We will likely come back in the future.

  Feb 07, 2026
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  Not worth the price. Major issues with charges, service, and transparency

  We chose Decameron Barú based on reviews and photos, but the experience was deeply frustrating and not relaxing, especially given the cost. The most serious issue happened at check-in. We prepaid our entire stay through Expedia, including an extra guest, totaling close to $10,000. Despite showing the hotel our Expedia receipts confirming all guests were already paid for, we were told they would not honor the prepaid extra guest and were required to pay an additional $1,277 on the spot or we would not be allowed to check in. The resort is about two hours from the airport, and we were already on site with family and luggage, leaving no realistic alternative. We paid under pressure simply to avoid being denied lodging we had already paid for. To make matters worse, the hotel issued a non-itemized receipt under another person’s name. When we asked for it to be corrected, they refused. This immediately created distrust and set the tone for the entire stay. Getting to the resort itself should have been disclosed upfront. The final ~20 minutes of the drive is on an unpaved dirt and gravel road, which feels completely inconsistent with how this property is marketed. The resort grounds and pools are nice, but operations feel outdated. Pools open at 10am and close around 7pm, and the beach closes at 6pm, which is surprisingly restrictive. There is no poolside drink service, cocktails are not available at the buffet, and drinks are mostly premixed and poorly executed. Classic cocktails are generally not possible. Food was mixed. The buffet was okay, but the à la carte restaurants were disappointing. The Italian restaurant served pizza made on what was essentially a cracker crust from a wood-fired oven, which was genuinely bad. Playa Puntilla access was another point of confusion. We were told different things by different staff: first that it was included, then that it was not, and then that access required sitting through a sales presentation and providing passports. The inconsistency felt uncomfortable and unprofessional. Our room had a missing security latch and getting towels depended on tipping the cleaning people. Phone in room to call front desk did not work. There are no activities after 7pm, and since pools are closed, after dinner there is literally nothing to do. The beach looks sandy, but the water entry is very rocky, making swimming unpleasant without water shoes. The staff themselves are mostly kind and friendly, and this review is not about individual employees. The problem is the system: unclear policies, inconsistent information, surprise charges, and a lack of guest-focused problem solving. Even basic requests seemed to depend on tipping rather than standard service. Overall, this resort may work for travelers with low expectations or those who prioritize quiet scenery over service. However, if you are used to modern all-inclusive resorts, this will feel like a significant downgrade. Between the unexpected charges, poor transparency, and constant friction, we were unable to relax and would not return.

  Feb 02, 2026
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  Almost perfect

  The resort is quite spectacular. The location, rooms, the pools, the beach, and the restaurants. It was inexpensive for us to upgrade to VIP for larger room, unlimited access to specialty restaurants etc. Throughout the resort, the food was exceptional, and we are foodies. Only complaint is the unnecessary very loud music and events at the central pool and in the mornings at the beach. Also patrons the blasting music on their speakers. This has to be virtually eliminated or toned down. Completely unacceptable. Otherwise, we loved our experience here and the exploring of the area and the islands

  Jan 15, 2026
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  Terrible experience

  Terrible experience. There is no WIFI at the rooms, broken TV service, no room service, no drinks at the minibar. We also had a medical issue that could have been addressed easily at the First Aid Service, but they do not count with the minimal tools to help their guests, so we were taken to Cartagena. Just don’t go!!

  Jan 10, 2026
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  Buen

  It’s been a great experience. Everyone has been so nice, and everyone has been super sweet to our group. Thank you for being so cool and nice.

  Dec 30, 2025