8 days in Punta Cana with @hadleyogarro

If you’re after a holiday that mixes beach days with big nights out and unforgettable excursions, the Dominican Republic might just be your perfect match. Think rum cocktails, reggaeton beats and tropical heat, all wrapped up in one. I spent eight days exploring Punta Cana and here’s exactly what I got up to…

Day 1 – Flying to Punta Cana and first impressions

My trip started with a flight from London Gatwick to Punta Cana. The extra legroom and upgraded service made the long-haul journey far more comfortable, especially knowing a week in the Caribbean was waiting on the other side.

After arriving in Punta Cana, I checked into Royalton Bavaro and stayed in the Diamond Club section of the resort. The Diamond Club offers access to private areas – including an exclusive beach section, lounge and pool area – which made the resort feel a little more secluded despite its size. After settling into my room and taking some time to recover from the flight, I headed to Gourmet Marché for dinner – the resort’s main buffet restaurant. The buffet offers a huge variety of international dishes, making it a good option on arrival day when you’re still finding your bearings around the resort.

Although it had already been a long day of travelling, the night wasn’t over yet. We headed to Coco Bongo – one of Punta Cana’s most famous nightlife experiences. Known for its high-energy entertainment, acrobatics, live performances and party atmosphere – it was an exciting introduction to the Dominican Republic, and a reminder that Punta Cana isn’t just about beaches and resorts.

Day 2 – Beach day, poolside relaxation and steakhouse

I woke up early to take a quiet stroll around the resort before most guests had started their day. One of the things I enjoy most when travelling is seeing destinations before they get busy, and it gave me a chance to appreciate the size of the property and the beautiful surroundings.

Breakfast was at Gourmet Marché. The standout for me was the fruit selection – the pineapple and watermelon were some of the freshest and sweetest I’ve had anywhere in the Caribbean, and it became a staple of my breakfasts throughout the trip. After breakfast, I spent some time browsing the resort’s gift shop, picking up a few souvenirs and snacks before stopping at Scoops Gelato for a coffee. The rest of the day was spent enjoying Bavaro Beach and relaxing around the pool. One of the perks of staying at an All Inclusive resort is having poolside drinks service, making it easy to spend an afternoon doing very little other than soaking up the Caribbean sunshine.

For lunch, I grabbed a chicken burger and fries from the resort’s food truck. It was a simple meal but perfect for a pool day when you don’t want to leave your sun lounger for too long. Later in the afternoon, I headed to the Diamond Club Lounge, which quickly became one of my favourite spots in the resort, thanks to its elevated views overlooking the beach and quieter atmosphere. For dinner we went to Hunter Steakhouse – one of Royalton Bavaro’s most popular à la carte restaurants. I ordered the Hunter’s Onion Soup to start, followed by the Chicken Brochette served alongside mac and cheese and creamed spinach. Then for dessert, I chose the New York cheesecake. The evening entertainment included a spectacular fire show which naturally evolved into a lively party atmosphere at Martini Mix – there was a DJ keeping guests entertained late into the night. We then rounded off the evening with a visit to The Genesis Casino, before calling it a night.

Day 3 – Foam parties and teppanyaki

As someone who enjoys staying active while travelling, I started the morning in the hotel gym before heading to the Diamond Club Lounge for lunch. The food here was good and ended up being one of my favourite casual dining spots within the resort. Highlights included: the buffalo chicken – which was probably the best dish I ate there all week – a steak burger as well as fish and chips. We also had a few cocktails to complete the meal.

That afternoon, the atmosphere around the pool shifted up a gear thanks to a foam party, which brought together guests from all over the resort. It was one of those fun holiday moments where everyone gets involved regardless of age. In the evening, we headed to Zen Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar for dinner. The teppanyaki experience was entertaining from start to finish, with chefs cooking directly in front of us, while performing tricks and interacting with the table. It felt more like dinner and a show rolled into one and was one of the most memorable meals of the trip. The evening ended with a Michael Jackson tribute performance, another example of the variety of entertainment available each night at the resort.

Day 4 – Spa day and taking it easy

Not every holiday day needs a packed itinerary, and day four was all about slowing down. The morning started at The Royal Spa, where I treated myself to a pedicure – after several busy days of travelling, excursions and late nights, it was a welcome opportunity to relax. The weather wasn’t ideal, with rain arriving throughout much of the day, so it naturally became more of a rest day. Sometimes that’s part of the Caribbean experience too, and it gave us a chance to recharge indoors.

For lunch, I grabbed a pizza from the takeaway hatch at Grazie Italian Trattoria, before returning later that evening for dinner. I ordered the Alfredo pasta, which made for a comforting meal after a slower day. We finished the evening playing cards at Martini Mix before heading to bed.

Day 5 – Pearl Beach Club and Brazilian grill

Day five was one of the highlights of the entire trip. We left the resort and headed to Pearl Beach Club – a beachfront venue located along the coastline of Punta Cana. If you’re looking to experience somewhere beyond your hotel during your stay, I’d highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. Entry is free, but you may want to book a cabana if you’re planning to spend the day there. Having your own shaded space overlooking the beach makes the experience even better.

The setting was stunning, with white sand, turquoise water and a more laidback atmosphere than the resort. I spent most of the afternoon moving between the beach and the club, enjoying the sunshine and sea. The food was excellent – we ordered sushi, BBQ chicken wings, onion rings, potato wedges and strawberry cheesecake. Every dish was enjoyable and the food quality exceeded expectations. We also stayed into the evening for dinner and shisha before heading back to the hotel.

Back at the resort, I visited Rio Brazilian Grill. This restaurant offers a traditional rodizio-style dining experience where servers continuously bring different cuts of grilled meat directly to your table. There was beef, pork, chicken, turkey and grilled pineapple, alongside a huge salad bar. The service was exceptional throughout the evening and made it one of the standout dining experiences at the resort.

Day 6 – Shopping and party cruises

Wanting to explore more of Punta Cana outside the resort bubble, we spent part of the day visiting BlueMall Punta Cana. The mall has a mix of international and local brands, including shops like Zara.. It was interesting to see a different side of Punta Cana, away from the beaches and All Inclusive resorts. For lunch, we ate at Market inside the shopping centre – I ordered a chicken sandwich which genuinely ended up being one of the best meals I ate during the entire trip. Sometimes it’s the unexpected meals that leave the biggest impression.

The afternoon was dedicated to one of the best excursions of the week – the Hip Hop Cruise Party. This adults-only experience combines music, dancing, unlimited drinks and a lively party atmosphere on a boat cruising along the Dominican coastline. From the moment we stepped onboard, the energy was high – DJs kept the music flowing, drinks were constantly available and everyone quickly got into holiday mode. If you’re looking for a quieter excursion, this probably isn’t the one for you. But, if you’re travelling with friends and want a few hours of pure fun, it’s easy to see why it’s become such a popular activity. After returning to the resort, I headed back to Hunter Steakhouse for dinner, before spending a relaxed evening around the hotel.

Day 7 – Saona Island

If there’s one excursion I’d tell every visitor to Punta Cana to book, it’s the Saona Island boat tour booked through First Choice Experiences. Yes, the day starts early – we were up at around 6am – but once you see the water for the first time, you’ll completely forget about the alarm clock. The excursion began with a speedboat ride to a famous sandbank located in the middle of the ocean. The water here was unlike anything I’d seen before – crystal clear, bright turquoise and incredibly shallow despite being surrounded by open sea. It felt almost surreal standing in water that almost looked photoshopped.

From there, we continued to Saona Island itself. The island is everything people imagine when they picture a Caribbean paradise – white-sand beaches lined with palm trees, crystal-clear water and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it very difficult to leave. We spent several hours enjoying the beach, swimming in the sea and making the most of the unlimited drinks that were included as part of the experience. It felt like a real bucket-list destination. One thing worth noting is that temperatures can become extremely hot during peak season, so suncream, a hat and plenty of water are essential.

The return journey was a party in itself – with music blasting, guests dancing and drinks flowing throughout the ride back to the mainland. Back at Royalton Bavaro, I ended the trip with a private dinner at the Diamond Club Bar, featuring a three-course menu with a surf and turf main.

Day 8 – Heading home

After a week of beaches, excursions, nightlife and plenty of food, it was time to check out of Royalton Bavaro and make the journey back to Punta Cana Airport for my flight home. Looking back on the trip, the standout experiences were undoubtedly Saona Island and Pearl Beach Club – they both gave me an opportunity to experience more of the Dominican Republic beyond the resort, and showcased why Punta Cana remains one of the Caribbean’s most popular destinations. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing All Inclusive break, vibrant nightlife, exciting excursions or picture-perfect beaches – Punta Cana offers a little bit of everything.

If @hadleyogarro’s trip sounds like a bit of you, have a look at our Dominican Republic holidays and you can find all his picks on our Insiders Hub.       