As a seasoned travel agent exploring Punta Cana on a girl's trip, here's my unfiltered account, providing you with both the highlights and intricacies of this Caribbean gem.
Upon arrival, customs was a breeze in the newly renovated airport, though baggage retrieval took quite some time. The sea of taxi drivers outside baggage claim can be overwhelming, and my choice of Guaranteed Taxi, an organized service inside the airport, proved to be a game-changer. The booth offered not only a haven of clarity with transparent pricing but also a team of courteous drivers ready to whisk me away to my destination. For stress-free transportation and peace of mind, I wholeheartedly recommend considering Guaranteed Taxi as your trusted partner upon arrival.
Punta Cana is home to the only artificial reef in the Dominican Republic. This unique underwater ecosystem attracts a variety of marine life, offering a chance to explore a different dimension of Punta Cana's natural beauty beneath the waves.
Club Med, known for its vibrant resorts, greeted us with a sprawling layout of colorful two-story buildings. The room, albeit slightly dated, boasted a classic family layout, with a split bathroom (loved it) and giant closet. In our case, we didn't even need the closet thanks to the large sitting area/second bedroom with two futon couches for parents traveling with kids. The Euro-style light switches gave us some trouble, but once we found the master switch I have to admit they were very energy-efficient. We greatly appreciated the keyless entry, using our Club Med armbands instead.
We had a great first day at the beach after securing prime sand real estate with crystal-clear waters and perfect weather. We enjoyed watching the kite-surfers and other adrenaline seekers on the water, and next time plan to capitalize on the variety of all-included water activities. On day two we were a little late to the beach, which fills up quick, and instead headed to the adults-only serenity pool for a peaceful escape. This area definitely caters more to adults looking for a peaceful getaway, steering clear of a bustling party scene.
Club Med offered a diverse range of land activities as well, including tennis, archery, and the highlight – the classic Club Med circus school. This daily event, open to all ages, allows participants to experience the thrill of the trapeze. As an adult, I underwent a brief training session to perform daring maneuvers, including swinging down on a bar, flying upside down, and even executing a flip. I suggest participating in this on day one because it was awesome, and then you can skip the training and head straight for the trapeze every day for the rest of your trip.
For a strong start to the day, go for the made-to-order omelets, a morning delight prepared to order. When it comes to reliable snacks or appetizers, there was always an impressive array of cheese and bread.
However, as self-proclaimed food enthusiasts, my friend and I, united in our quest for gastronomic delights, found the overall offerings to be more on the satisfactory side than exceptional. The buffets, though offering a variety of choices for every palate, left us longing for a bit more culinary flair.
Another hiccup we encountered was the organization of the a la carte restaurant. For some strange reason the resort required guests to make reservations in person at 9am on the day of the reservation. Why was a complete mystery to us all and we quickly learned that in reality you had to be at the restaurant before 9am to wait in line or you probably won't make it on the list. Once successfully secured, the restaurant presented a menu with intriguing choices of acceptable quality. While my friend and I concurred on the satisfaction level, we couldn't help but wish for a smoother reservation process. Despite this, the creative menu choices made our dining experiences truly interesting and memorable.
Be sure to fill out your free electronic entry and exit form and have your confirmation ready to go before departure!