My August Trip to the Dominican Republic: The Real, Raw, and Relaxing
This past August, I traveled to the Dominican Republic with a few friends and stayed at an all-inclusive resort called Barceló Bávaro Palace. Due to booking issues, however, we had to switch accommodations mid-trip and ended up at the Meliá Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort — a blessing in disguise, honestly. I’ll drop both Expedia links at the end for anyone curious.
First Impressions: Bávaro Palace
Bávaro Palace is visually stunning — picture perfect, truly. From the moment we arrived, the vibes were on point. The grounds were immaculate, and the resort looked like something straight out of a travel ad.
Unfortunately, the front desk staff were not welcoming. In fact, they were outright rude. There were moments that felt racially charged, and although racism isn’t new to me — living in the U.S. as a Black traveler — it doesn’t get any easier to brush off. It’s subtle, but noticeable. Colorism is a known issue in the Dominican Republic, largely due to its history and relationship with neighboring Haiti, and it showed here in small but disappointing ways.
Day One: A Warm Welcome and a Good Buffet
Our flight landed around 3 PM, so by the time we arrived at the resort and checked in, we didn’t have much time to explore. The pools closed at 7 PM (which felt super early for a resort), but we were able to enjoy the buffet — and yes, the food was good! I’ll be sharing pics of my repeat plates because some dishes definitely became my go-tos.
The bartenders were friendly and fun. One drink that surprised us all was the “mini beer.” We thought it was a shot of beer, but it turned out to be more like a creamy whiskey milkshake — unexpected, but it became a group favorite.
Day Two: Coffee, Buggies, and Exhaustion
The next morning, I planned to do sunrise yoga… as I did every morning, actually. Spoiler alert: It never happened.
Instead, we kicked off the day with breakfast, where I fell in love with Dominican coffee. Rich, bold, and robust — it honestly might have ruined American coffee for me.
We booked a dune buggy excursion that took us through local shopping areas, a cenote, and a beach. The experience was adventurous and fun, but hot. Like, strip-down-and-run-into-the-ocean hot. After cooling off and chilling in our room, I did a little photo shoot — and yes, the pictures came out fire 🔥. We wrapped the day at the swim-up bar in the pool, followed by dinner at the resort steakhouse, which was also a win.
Day Three: The Hip-Hop Boat Party
The Hip Hop Boat Party was the highlight of the trip. The vibes were unmatched — music, dancing, drinks, and people who just wanted to have a good time. I vividly remember doing the “Tamia dance” and swag surfing on deck. At one point, a random parrot perched on my head during a stop at a seaside party spot. Wild, right?
Surprisingly, they served lobster plates and other Caribbean dishes on the boat. I wasn’t expecting that level of quality, but I wasn’t mad about it either.
Hotel Switch: From Bávaro to Bliss
After the boat day, we transferred to Meliá Punta Cana Beach Wellness Resort, and it was a complete shift in energy. The staff was warm, helpful, and even greeted us with drinks at check-in. That alone was a much-needed refresh.
Turns out, I’m allergic to strawberries (fun fact I learned the hard way). Our room was located right next to the beach — ideal for my imaginary sunrise yoga sessions.
Dinner was healthy and delicious — fresh, hot, and flavorful. I enjoyed every bite. Breakfast the next morning didn’t disappoint either — mimosas, fresh fruit juice, and a relaxing ambiance. We also heard there was a club on the resort, but by the time we finished dinner and drinks, it was nearly 1 AM. We took a few more pictures and called it a night.
Departure Day: The Final Dash
On our last morning, I tried to squeeze in every last moment of peace. We walked by a morning meditation group I reallywanted to join but couldn’t — we were running behind schedule. Still, we made time for a quick dip in the pool, which smelled amazing (like they were pumping perfume into the air), and soaked in the beauty of the resort one last time.
Breakfast was another win, but we completely lost track of time. Our flight was at 11 AM, and we barely made it to the airport. No time for souvenir shopping. Just a mad dash to catch the flight.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’d give the trip a 6/10. The resorts themselves were gorgeous, the food and drinks were solid, and we made some great memories. But the inconsistent customer service, especially at Bávaro Palace, really dulled the experience. The heat was intense, and transportation felt a bit sketchy — though Uber was available and helpful.
If I return to the DR, I’d probably choose Meliá Punta Cana Beach from the start and skip Bávaro altogether. Despite the ups and downs, I’m grateful for the experience and the laughs with my crew. But yeah…next time, I’m packing lighter, booking smarter, and actually doing sunrise yoga.
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