I booked a trip to Punta Cana the last week of July. Staying at Excellence El Carmen but having second thoughts as from what I can tell the beach there is underwhelming. Does anyone have a recommendation for an all inclusive with a great beach and clear water that I may switch too?

I don't recall ever hearing complaints about that beach. I don't think I have photos from previous clients.

With that said, Secrets Cap Cana is on an amazing beach.

Check Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana. I'll be there next month and can see about posting some beach pics. Overall the resort gets very good reviews including the beach.

In May last year I toured 5 different resorts in Punta Cana and surrounding areas. If you want help finding a resort that is known for beaches my contact info is in my bio. Would love to help you plan

We stayed at Sanctuary Cap Cana last year and had no complaints. I'd also recommend chartering a private boat for a day to go to Saona island.

Suggestion on a resort with a 10-year-old?

WorthAg95 said:

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Suggestion on a resort with a 10-year-old?

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Hyatt Ziva is on a great beach and my clients love it.

My most popular seller is Dreams Macao and Dreams Onyx. I didn't care for the Hard Rock but they did just put in a waterpark in. Massive resort.

Happy to help if you need any quotes.

At first glance, the Hard Rock seemed like a winner... but the size gives me anxiety.

It is very large. We would walk 12-18k steps a day. I think they have golf carts that take you around but we didn't do it. I know some rented golf carts too. Nice to see you posting. I remember you back from the 2003-2004 time frame - I think we hung out with groups a few times. But I had a different username back then too

I've been here a loooooong time.

For adults-only, the most booked for me are Secrets Cap Cana and Sanctuary Cap Cana. Excellence El Carmen is good too, the beach isn't as nice as Cap Cana and the food was meh compared to the others. I will say I felt the food was lacking overall in DR, just wasn't anything write home about.

For family friendly, Dreams Macao, Hyatt Ziva, and Hard Rock are the most popular.

I always like to mention Casa de Campo as well -- it's so unique for both adults and kids!

Hyatt Zilara was great last summer.

breezecustomtravel said:

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I always like to mention Casa de Campo as well -- it's so unique for both adults and kids!

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Just back from five nights at Casa de Campo. Very cool place, golf carts included, and they have three golf courses!

Interesting.

Had a great time with the wife and littles @ Ziva,

In a few weeks we are heading to Club Med Michs Playa Esmeralda. My wife is a fitness professional and therefore will be the yoga teacher for a week. We pay a meager fee to the company that matches instructors to resorts, and then get to stay at the resort essentially for free with our 2 teenage daughters (she just has to teach 2 classes a day). Airfare is the only real cost. Anyway, I've read really good things about this resort but has anyone been there firsthand?

Side question - my wife is also a certified yoga teacher. Mind sharing details around the matching program?

I cannot speak to this particular one, except that its newer and I think a good ways from the airport.

Club Med's in general are way different than regular all-inclusive resorts. Their focus is sports and activty, over rest and relaxation. I don't think they have pool/beach service (meaning you go get your own drinks). Far fewer restaurants onsite than a regular AI.

There was one for many many years in Florida, it changed owners in the past 2ish years or so. I had been twice. Huge buffet that was really good, one snack bar type place, and one dinner place (besides buffet). 2 walk-up bars. This particular one students would come stay from all over the world for months at a time to focus on sports (and also get educated). Alcohol is not high end.

I've had clients stay at the one in Florida and Cancun and loved it. There is always something to do. I had clietns stay at the CM Punta Cana last month, a few days before a weddding I booked. I didn't book the CM part though. They said they had a good time.

CM's have a large European following.

1939 said:

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I booked a trip to Punta Cana the last week of July. Staying at Excellence El Carmen but having second thoughts as from what I can tell the beach there is underwhelming. Does anyone have a recommendation for an all inclusive with a great beach and clear water that I may switch too?

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Hyatt Zilara and Ziva Cap Cana beach pics here since they are side by side. Huge beach with a great shallow area that goes out hundreds of yards so you can paddle board, just float, kayak, or hobie cat in water that is about waist to chest deep. Very calm and no big waves so it was great. They do a good job of clearing up what sargassum comes in but even when there is some you can easily go past it and you have hundreds of yards of nice water. Beach drink service at Zilara was great too.

Donald, let me get the details and I will post again here. We did Cabo in 2019 and said it would become a yearly thing. Then covid hit. Just now trying again.

So...sterile...looking.

DonaldFDraper said:

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Side question - my wife is also a certified yoga teacher. Mind sharing details around the matching program?

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Donald, the group to look into is fitnessprotravel.com. There are different levels of membership which dictate how early you can book (first dibs on resorts/specific weeks, etc) and other benefits. Each resort then has their own rules/requirements about what type of classes, how many and when during the day they want you to teach. St our Cabo resort it was extremely relaxed - just had to be 2 per day, any format. Resorts also ask you to bring a gift/donation for their activity group, but this will differ per resort. I believe the resort is 100% comping the room, so this gift is all they see. Your cost is the membership and travel expenses to get there.

Specifically for Club Med, my wife had to provide proof of her yoga certification (300 hour) and proof of all the classes she teaches to show that she is an active, experienced instructor. It was a bit of a pain, but thankfully she was able to give them what they wanted.