All-Inclusive Resort Steps from Bávaro Beach
You could go an entire vacation without stepping foot outside IFA Villas Bávaro Resort & Spa, located in the seaside Dominican town of Punta Cana. The sprawling complex feels like a small city, but with palm trees instead of street posts, bars that you can swim up to, and a white-sand Caribbean beach just steps away. In addition to three pools, there are seven bars (you'll get unlimited drinks) and nine restaurants serving everything from pizza to Japanese cuisine. A supermarket, two tennis courts, and a discotheque add incentives to stay here and relax.
A paved stone path lined with swaying palm trees leads the way to each guest room. With blond-wood furnishings and a large granite-tile bathroom, the spacious rooms are simple but stylish. In the morning, you can head down to the restaurant Colibri for breakfast and then mosey barefoot to the beach, where complimentary kayaks and windsurfing equipment await. In the evening, reservations will land you a table at Caribe, the hotel's gourmet restaurant, before the nightly entertainment kicks off at the theater and in the dance club.
In addition to the all-inclusive plan, this deal gets you free ground transport to and from the airport. Contact Blue Travel Services at least 72 hours in advance to set up your transfers.
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: Miles of White-Sand Beaches
When Christopher Columbus landed on the Dominican Republic more than five centuries ago, he described it as "a beautiful island paradise." Punta Cana, located on the island's easternmost tip, lays legitimate claim to that description. The coast stretches for more than 20 miles and is dotted with coconut palms, chaise lounges, and laid-back bars. Glitzy resorts feature prominently along the shoreline, but Playa El Cortecito, a short drive up the coast, harks back to earlier times. Brightly colored, thatched-roof shacks line the beach, and local fishermen bring their boats to shore each afternoon with the day's catch.
Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.