What We Love
- No reservations needed at any of the restaurants.
- Those handy, dandy liquor dispensers in the room. Cocktails, anyone?
- World-class golfing is just a short ride away.
Things to Know
- The resort is one destination within a larger complex featuring outstanding amenities and entertainment.
- Maximize your vacay hours by checking pick-up times on scheduled transfers.
- Caribbean street is nearby for a wide variety of great shopping!
Thank you for choosing RIU Hotels & Resorts for your upcoming stay, we really appreciate your custom and your loyalty.
We would like to introduce you to our new feature designed to help you to navigate the new normal procedures with your health and safety as our primary priority.
Web Check in allows you to pre-register yourself starting 7 days and up to 48 hours before your arrival day.
By doing so, you will spend more time experiencing our hotels and resorts and less time in queues due to enhanced health and safety procedures and the new normal protocols.
We strongly recommend you to use this new service by following these easy steps!
Direct access to https://www.riu.com/checkin-online
Mandatory Pre-check in Online: https://youtu.be/E51G5ksTZcs
Contactless Menu: https://youtu.be/wS0_0DSX9Yw
Electronic Signature: https://youtu.be/CcIuxGTlzm4
Guests celebrating their honeymoon with us will receive the following amenities:
• Surprise welcome gift in their room.
• Small bottle of Rum
• King bed (subject to availability at time of check-in)
• Late check-out (subject to availability at time of departure)
• Complimentary upgrade to next available room category (subject to availability and upon request)
To receive this offer, just enter ""Honeymoon"" in the Special Service Request section during check-out or call our Customer Care Center and we will be happy to make the notation for you.
Important Information: Proof of marriage must be provided at check-in. Marriage must be within 90 days of arrival.
Guests have daytime use of the following Riu properties: Riu Palace Punta Cana, and Riu Bambu. Guests may use facilities at these resorts, including the beach, pools, and bars. Guests may also enjoy lunch at these properties. Restrictions apply and transportation is not included. Consult hotel upon arrival for more information.
Important Information: Exchange privileges are subject to change.
The All Inclusive program includes the following amenities:
• Breakfast:
- Varied buffet, live cooking stations, fruit, juices and Cava
• Lunch:
- Buffet with live cooking stations and assorted desserts.
- Food Court with different food stalls.
- "Pepe's Food" Grill, taco station and pizza.
• Dinner (main restaurant):
- Buffets and live cooking stations.
- Special evenings (three times a week)
• Various restaurants for optional à la carte dining.
• Snacks 24 hours a day.
• For additional lunches and snacks, free choice from a selection of restaurants at Riu Palace Bavaro, Riu Palace Punta Cana and
Riu Bambu
• Beverages:
- International drinks with top brands 24 hours a day
- Daily signature drink
- Drinks service at pool
- Drinks at all bars within the Riu Resort (excluding Riu Palace Macao)
- Minibar and regularly restocked liquor dispenser
• Room service 24 hours a day
• In-room safe
• Sports and activities:
- Beach-volleyball court and multipurpose sports pitch
- Group fitness activities in the RiuFit area (daily)
- Gym
- At the Riu Resort: 3 tennis courts, steam bath
- Windsurfing, kayaking, snorkelling equipment, small catamaran (maximum 2 people) and body board
- Water park "Splash Water World" (at the Riu Resort), open 6 times a week
- 1 introductory scuba diving lesson in pool
• Entertainment:
- Daytime entertainment programme for children ages 4 to 7 and ages 8 to 12 at "RiuLand" (daily)
- Daytime entertainment programme for adults (daily)
- "Riu Party", theme parties for adults, several times a week
- Riu evening programme, live music or shows (daily)
• Free entry to "Pacha" discotheque and drinks (open 6 nights a week)
• All accommodation, taxes and tips included
Important Information: All hotel guests are required to wear an "All Inclusive" wristband for identification purposes.
Resort Details
- 24 hours Sports Bar
- AgaveMexican a-la-carte restaurant with starters buffet. Dinner only.
- American CountryA-la-carte restaurant serving All-American favorites.Open for lunch, dinner and in-between snacks.
- CandyIce cream parlor
- CapuchinoPatisserie
- Daiquiri Lobby Bar
- Elite Club Lounge exclusively for Elite Club guest
- Elite Club poolside and swim-up barExclusively for Elite Club guests
- Elite Club RestaurantA-la-carte restaurant exclusively for Elite Club guests. Dinner only.
- Food Court
Variety of choices: Wok-Pokes, Taco Station, Fried Chicken, Pizza, "Pepe's Food" grill, Ice Cream Parlor, Creperie, bar "Bacano".
- Joe`s Bar Cocktail Bar
- Krystal
A-la-carte restaurant serving fusion cuisine. Dinner only.
- La BambolaItalian a-la-carte restaurant with starters buffet. Dinner only.
- La Fiesta Lounge Bar
- La Plaza Bar
- La Yola and Naiboa poolside bars with swim-up bar
- Melao poolside bar
- Pepe´s Food GrillSnacks. Lunch only.
- TainoMain Buffet restaurant with live cooking stations, serving international cuisine. Breakfast, lunch and Dinner.
- The BakeryPatisserie
- The SteakhouseA-la-carte restaurant. Dinner only.
- ZenA-la-carte restaurant serving Asian cuisine. Dinner only.
- 24-hour front desk
- 24-hour room service
- Accessible facilities
- Bell staff/porter
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- Children's play area
- Concierge desk
- Elevators
- Exercise gym
- 24-hour front desk
- 24-hour room service
- Bell staff/porter
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- Children's play area
- Concierge desk
- Elevators
- Exercise gym
- Free high speed internet connection
- Free parking
- Golf, Offsite†
- Housekeeping - daily
- Lounges/bars
- Meal Plan Type: All Inclusive
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Safe deposit box
- Spa†
- Tennis court
- Water sports†
† Fees may apply
- Children's poolOne children`s pool with pirate ship, slides and splash pad.
- Children's program, onsiteRiuLand Kids Club with open air playground and cinema
- Direct access to a beach
- Fitness center on-site
- GeneralSplash Water World acuatic park including children`s pool with slides.
- Riu FIT activities
- Multipurpose court
- Ping Pong
- Volleyball
Entertainment:
- Daytime entertainment programm for adults
- Live music, shows and RIU entertainment
- RIU Party - 4 weekly themed parties with Drinks Included
- "Pacha" Nightclub with drinks included (open 6 nights a week)
- Non-Motorized Water Sports
- PoolThere are 9 pools on-site. This property has swim-up bars.
- Spa †
- Steam bathSteam bath at the SPA
- Tennis court3 tennis courts in the resort
- Golf †There is a golf course located within a mile of the property.
† Fees may apply
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
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Really nice hotel. Good experience for couple bug families would also be happy.
This is a very nice hotel. It is clean and well looked after with a good choice of dining options and pools. We stayed on the standard package rather than the elite club, but from seeing the elite club dining areas and private pool we do not feel we missed out. The adults only pool and bar feels exclusive anyway and there was never a problem getting beds. We stayed in a villa. As other guests have said this meant no lift but we are fairly fit and active so it wasn’t a problem for us. Our room was large, equipped with its own mini bar and the bathroom was to a high standard. Our balcony view wasn’t great but hadn’t paid extra for a view so couldn’t complain about that. Breakfast was plentiful every day and we also found it easy to find nice seating. We had lunch in the American bar and the pool bar mainly. And again lots of choices and good quality food. For evening meals we liked the Mexican and the Asian restaurant best. The steak house was difficult to get into but having gone early to book one night we were actually a bit disappointed compared to the other restaurants. The gym in the hotel itself is small but you could use other gyms on the complex and I found it safe to run around the complex. The beach is nice and not too busy at the time we stayed tho the RIU section is a bit crowded with sun beds and we preferred the pool. But we walked a mile each way a couple of times and never felt aggressively sold to by beach traders. The hotel is on the Atlantic coast and despite advertising hobie cats and kayaks they could not be used any day we were here as the yellow flag flew every day. That said we are competent swimmers and were fine in the sea but it is worth considering that of those activities are important to you. The pool bar staff were attentive and helpful, we did struggle with a couple of staff not speaking English but this meant we learnt basic Spanish quite quickly. The coffee shop opens at 8 which meant you could not get a coffee before trips which was a bit of a shame. The sports bar is very basic and the staff did not have a clue what sport was on what channel but they haded over the remote and let you search. The Super Bowl was on while we stayed which was shown on the main stage and there was a great atmosphere. The rock show was in our view the best evening entertainment, a couple of the duets were a bit samey and the quiz was the same quiz each time it was on. There was some pool entertainment in the day but it wasn’t over the top. We did not go to the RIU party of casino but there is a free bus and they are not a big walk anyway. There is a small waterpark suitable for adults and teenagers and a pirate ship for little kids We did trips to Saona island and the scape park from the hotel which were both really good. It is definitely a four rather than five star hotel but that’s exactly what is advertised, we were very happy here and would return with kids or stay at another RIU facility. A clean well equipeee resort with a lot to do.
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Classy and Comfortable Week in Punta Cana
This was our first visit to Punta Cana and our first time in a Riu hotel and this definitely exceeded my expectations! It’s a beautiful resort with an amazing beach, perfect for long walks and enjoying time in the water too. There are lots of lounge chairs on the beach so no need to head down early to save a chair. Palm trees line the beach in front of the Riu so it’s possible to sit in the sun or the shade. The pools were also great, again lots of chairs and choices both sun and shade, quiet or lively. It’s a large resort but easy to get around. Because it is so big, it doesn’t feel like there is tons of people, even though they said the hotel was 85% full during our stay. The restaurants were all good, both buffet and a la cartes (we did the Italian, Mexican, Asian, American and Steakhouse as well as the buffet). I liked not having to prebook our restaurants. We also had tasty food from the food court and the sports bar. It’s nice to have so many choices. We had fun at the mixology cart in the lobby most evenings, and also enjoyed the lobby bar and cappuccino bar. We really thought the staff were wonderful- very friendly, helpful, and gave excellent service. A lot of staff spoke limited English, and yet they made every effort to understand and communicate with us. The rooms were updated and very nice. The overall impression of the resort is classy, clean and cared for. We would stay here again! As an aside - We don’t have young kids but this is a good resort for young families with water slides, splash and spray pool, and a play area for little ones. It was also all one level (other than accommodations) making it accessible for people with strollers, wheelchairs, scooters, etc.
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Recent Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro visit
We just returned from Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro in Punta Cana. On the whole, we had a great trip. However, I would like to point out a few pluses and minuses for the resort. On the plus side--the staff is amazing, always smiling, helpful and kind. The new fabric wrist bands are so great--not uncomfortable like the plastic ones. The beach and grounds are full of amazing vegetation--truly a tropical paradise. All the bars were very clean and efficient. The two adult pools are clean and relaxing. Some of the food was super, but there was a lot that was not so great. The new food court is great for families, but not many choices there for healthy eaters. The Elite Club, steakhouse, coffee bar, and Italian restaurants were extremely good with many delicious choices. Asian and Mexican restaurants were pretty good, but not great. The Krystal Restaurant had some problems--especially the Tiramisu which was not edible and the short ribs that were mush. As someone who avoids gluten, the buffet restaurant was a big disappointment. There is signage telling people that allergens are listed on each food item. This was not the case. Most of the signs visible were clearly incorrect or missing. Doesn't anyone check this before the buffet opens? Luckily, I did not have any major issues, but someone with a severe allergy would have problems there. The staff was no help when questioned about ingredients. They did offer me a package of dry, tasteless gluten free bread which was terrible. Compared to Dreams which offers a gluten free section of breads, rolls, and desserts at every meal, this Riu was sorely lacking. Here are some other items that have gone downhill since our last visit (this was our third.) The entertainment choices were boring at best. Even the Circus Show was a snore. There were no washcloths available when requested. The hotel buildings all allow smoking and we were very much bothered by the constant smoke on our balcony from other rooms. Tips are included in the cost of a stay, and we always tip for good service. However, we don't feel that any service locations should be displaying a tip jar. Almost every counter had one on display--including the beach towel hut. Although we did have a nice week at this resort, we will look around for another resort next time in Punta Cana.
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Bad experience this year
Stayed from Jan 31, 2025 to Feb 4,2025. Four family members celebrating two birthdays. We booked the Riu Palace Bavaro, when we arrived we were told we were getting upgraded to the adults only Riu Macao next door. We kept asking why since we wanted to stay at the Bavaro and finally were told they were over booked and needed the rooms for famlies. We asked what view we were getting and were told we would have a better view and a nicer room if we agreed to move. We did agree and they said they were calling us a taxi to get us over there, when the taxi arrived he wanted us to pay for it, finally after some debate the hotel agred to pay since they were moving us. When we finally checked in and arrived at our rooms the view was af an access road and the side of another building. We went back down to the desk to complain and we were told that was the best they could do. We just wanted to start our stay so again we moved on. The next afternoon we went back to our room after lunch and were locked out of our room and found a note on the door telling us they were moving us back to the other hotel. Back to the front desk again and after a long debate wasting more of our vacation explaing we were never told we had to move back they finally said we could stay. There were a few other couples we talk to that stated they did the same thing to them by over booking and moving them around. I will say we stayed at the Bavaro one year before this and had no issues, we dont know what changed but totally different this time. Very bad experience this time, even filled a complaint with the Riu. lets see where that goes.
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Riu Bravaro
beautiful resort, beautiful beach, most staff very friendly and helpful, some staff rude, buffet food temperature needs to be improved, michael jackson performer was not good, overall 8/10 for me
- AdvisoryStudent Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.
- Check In: 3:00 PM
- Check Out: 12:00 PM
- Minimum Check-In Age: 18
- General Policies:
Check-in Policy - Deposits or credit/debit card hold authorizations are not requested at check-in. Minimum age of 18 is required for check-in, an ID/Passport will be requested upon arrival.
Convention Policy : Groups traveling together can book this property for their stay taking advantage of group benefits such as 6th or 11th complimentary guest, Group dinner reservation, One complimentary cocktail hour with a selection of appetizers, One complimentary massage for the group leader, Complimentary room upgrades to the next category, Fruit plate and bottle of wine for the VIP, Private check-in when arriving together, Welcome sign. Applicable with Wedding Collections and Social Packages. Consult terms & conditions.
Hotel Spring Break Policies: Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any RIU property, at any time during the year. RIU Hotels & Resorts, reserves the right to withhold admission to any Spring Breaker. The hotel reserves the right of admission and may request clients to show passport or official ID to prove full identification. Guests can and will be removed from the property at their own expense in case of any disturbance or complaint from other guests or hotel staff. Parties in rooms are not allowed. Spring break groups or unruly behavior is not allowed all year round at any property.
The connecting Junior Suites has a minimum occupancy of 4 in each room booked.
Transfer Policy - A price may display when children stay free, if your vacation includes transfer to your hotel.
General Information - Room taxes and service fees are included in vacation price.
Minimum night stay restrictions may apply.
Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel. - Pet Policy : Pets Not Allowed
- Early Departure Policy
- Early Departure Penalty:1 NightApplies: Sunday - Saturday 04Jul24 - 23Dec26
- Early Departure Penalty:2 NightsApplies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec25 - 30Apr26