Best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Punta Cana

Named after the popular children’s cable television network, Nickelodeon Punta Cana all-inclusive puts kids front and center. There’s a staff-supervised kids' club with a ball pit and toys, a host of daily activities such as Spanish lessons and dance parties, and a colorful water park with pools, waterslides, and other aquatic features. You'll also find swim-up suites, which are a family favorite. Beloved characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer sometimes roam the resort and make daily appearances at character meet-and-greet breakfasts. And while this is definitely a resort for kids, there are a few things to keep the grown-ups happy, too, from a swim-up bar with cocktails to adults-only fine-dining at Kitchen 23 by Le Chique – Cuisine D’auteur.

The gargantuan water park at Grand Memories Splash alone makes this all-inclusive resort a hit with kids — as of 2019, it was still the biggest waterpark in the Caribbean. Rooms aren’t bad, either, with free minibars and whirlpool tubs in some, and Family Suites with bunk beds make traveling with the little ones easy. The resort also offers separate clubs for kids and teens, and guests get access to some of the facilities at the Royalton Punta Cana next door.

Popular with families and destination wedding groups, Majestic Colonial Punta Cana is a wildly popular beachfront resort that’s split into separate family-friendly and adults-only sections, which helps ensure that everyone feels welcome and catered to. There’s a ton to do here for visitors of all ages, with games, concerts, and even foam parties for adults, while kids get access to a free kids' club, complete with a huge playground and a kids' pool with slides.

Although the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana definitely maintains the rock-n-roll aesthetic for which the brand is known, there’s more than just music at this mega-resort. It’s right on a white-sand beach and offers an 18-hole golf course, a huge wellness center, nearly three dozen bars and restaurants, and even one of the DR’s biggest casinos — and that’s just for adults. Hard Rock family-friendly facilities include a rock climbing wall, a children’s pool with two waterslides and a lazy river, mini-golf, and an arcade with video games. The kids’ club here is top of the line, with toys, shows, and activities such as Spanish classes and face painting.

Situated on a wide, sandy beach in Uvero Alto, Now Onyx Punta Cana offers a modern, minimalist aesthetic and a solid selection of features for families; they even offer spa treatments for kids. All seven of the restaurants here have kids' menus and there's an ice cream shop for hot-day treats. Free non-motorized watersports are available at the beach, and there are plenty of pools for swimming and cooling down, including a saltwater kids' pool. The Explorer’s Club for Kids offers activities such as arts and crafts, and a jungle gym, while the Core Zone Teen Club has air hockey, foosball, video games, and even a climbing wall. Babysitting is also available.

One of the better value family-friendly all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana, Grand Sirenis Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort offers lots of activities for families. However, the star attraction here is undoubtedly Aquagames, one of the biggest water parks in Punta Cana, and all guests of the resort get unlimited access. There's also a large pool in the main part of the hotel with shallow kid-friendly areas, plus free non-motorized watersports such as windsurfing and catamarans available right at the beach.

The Family Club at Barcelo Bavaro Palace is a resort-within-a-resort that's packed with fantastic amenities for guests of all ages. The rooms here are bright, and feature separate bedrooms for kids plus minibars stocked with milk and juice boxes. Family-friendly features include a pirate-themed water park with a replica ship and a wave pool that's accessible to guests staying anywhere on the Barcelo property plus a second water park, El Barcy, exclusive to Family Club guests. The staff-supervised Barcy Kids' Club is another highlight, with an outdoor playground featuring slides and swings plus an indoor area with a ball pit and video games. For older kids and teens, there's a second space with a bowling alley, arcade games, and laser tag plus a teen-friendly, alcohol-free nightclub.

The Reserve At Paradisus Palma Real manages to maintain a relaxed, yet upscale, ambience while simultaneously catering extensively to families. While it doesn't have the massive water parks of other resorts on this list, there's still a lot to keep families busy here. Highlights include a Kids’ Zone with a trampoline and a rock-climbing wall, and babysitting services are available for a fee. The resort also offers plenty of pool space for families to spread out in, complete with an area with a few slides. Guests of the Reserve also get access to the Paradisus Palma Real sister resort next door (also on this list), where there’s a gorgeous white-sand beach.

Spread out over 120 acres along a wide stretch of white-sand beach, Melia Caribe Tropical offers an incredible array of kid-friendly amenities, from zip-lining and a ropes course to a nature preserve complete with resident peacocks, flamingoes, and turtles. There are three kids’ clubs here, one with a Flintstones theme (complete with boulders and dinosaurs), plus kid-friendly rooms that include special bedding and amenities for children. If you're after a posh upgrade with your kid-friendly all-inclusive stay, book a room at The Level at Melia Caribe Tropical, which is one of our favorite all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana.

The gargantuan Paradisus Punta Cana Resort is the largest of Punta Cana’s four Paradisus resort, with almost 700 rooms — most with pull-out sofa beds — and sprawling grounds that extend to a white-sand beach. While it’s easy to while away your days at the beach here, there’s plenty for more active guests. The Kids’ Zone at The Reserve sister property is particularly enticing, with a climbing wall and a trampoline. Activities for adults are solid as well, with a great gym, the elegant Paradisus Punta Cana spa, all sorts of all-inclusive restaurants, and activities ranging from cooking classes to wine tasting.

Once known as the Iberostar Bavaro Suites, the labyrinthine Iberostar Selection Bavaro all-inclusive is ideal for guests of all ages. Activities and features here are numerous, including a spa and a fitness center, as well as tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, and even a casino. For families with younger kids, there's a daytime kids' club for those ages four to 12, a children's pool area with water park features and slides, and evening babysitting services. You'll also find stand-out dining options featuring everything from a French bistro to an extensive buffet with themed dinners at the resort.

Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana offers a ton for kids and teens, including a kids’ club with roomy indoor and outdoor areas, sports and dances for teenagers, and special educational programs aimed at younger kids. Childcare is also available. Families also love the Dreams Punta Cana swim-up suites, which provide quick access to the pool (always a kid favorite). However, it’s not just kids that get the star treatment here; there’s plenty for older guests, from aerobics and dance classes to a variety of great dining options, with an all-inclusive rate that includes top-shelf minibar liquor and DIY mimosas and bloody Marys for breakfast.

One of three resorts that share spacious grounds, the all-inclusive Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort & Spa is a great choice for families, with plenty to keep guests of all ages entertained. The rooms are pleasant, with whirlpool tubs in the bathrooms, and some even have swim-up pool access. Features include a kids’ club housed in a mini-castle, four pools, and a variety of activities ranging from mini-golf to archery. There's also a separate clubhouse just for teens. For the more adventurous, Grand Palladium also offers free windsurfing and snorkeling at the beach.

Families after a luxe experience would do well to check out Eden Roc at Cap Cana. The property is laid-back and exclusive, including a swish oceanfront beach club in Punta Cana’s posh Cap Cana enclave. You'll find bright villas and Family Suites here — either are great for families as there are separate rooms for adults and kids, plus kitchens and the option of hiring a private chef. They also come packed with amenities. This is not an all-inclusive property, though you will find a handful of delicious dining options on-site. For kids, there's a tranquil beach, two kids' clubs, and two amazing pools. This is the kind of place for families to unwind together, rather than run around from activity to activity — so if that's you're vacation style the Eden Roc is for you.

The Paradisus Palma Real all-inclusive — one of four Paradisus properties in the area — offers tons for guests of all stripes. For families, the Kids’ Zone area at The Reserve next door offers a climbing wall and a trampoline, while guests across ages are likely to enjoy the lovely white-sand beach. Other highlights include arts and crafts and cooking classes as well as a variety of excellent restaurants. Paradisus Palma Real rooms are great for families, too, with up to two bedrooms — some even come with kitchenettes.

This huge hotel on a sandy stretch of beach is well-equipped with family-friendly features, and all Grand Bahia Principe Bavaro rooms offer pull-out sofa beds for families traveling with kids. The atmosphere here is quite Punta Cana — read: high energy — meaning kids and their families are sure to feel welcome (and are the most frequent guests at this property). Kid-friendly perks include mini-golf, a go-cart track, and even a water park, with tennis and basketball courts for older kids and adults. Poolside animation keeps travelers of all ages engaged.

Just outside of downtown Bavaro, the Ocean Blue & Sand all-inclusive is set on a small white-sand beach is a great choice for families. It's a relatively laid-back property with large rooms, a variety of dining options, and lots of activities. At the heart of the resort is a pool with regular DJ entertainment, and there’s an entertainment center for teens with a blowing alley, a kids’ club for younger guests, water sports, and even a climbing wall right by the sea.

The pricier sister of the Paradisus Punta Cana, The Reserve has a lot to like for families who want access to the hustle and bustle of a large resort, with a quieter place to retreat at the end of the day. It's also home to the entire property's best kid-friendly amenities. You'll find the Kids' Zone at The Reserve at Paradisus Punta Cana, which provides a range of activities for children aged 4 months and older. You'll also find a kid-friendly pool with slides at The Reserve. Of course, while the kids are busy enjoying the kids' club, it's definitely worth stopping at the Paradisus Punta Cana spa for a massage — after all, you're on vacation, too!

Part of the massive Bahia Principe complex, the Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda all-inclusive is a more private part of the resort that has plenty to do for kids and families. There are two pools, one for adults and the other for families, though many guests prefer to head straight to the beach where they can get free and unlimited use of non-motorized water sports equipment, including kayaks. A playground near the lobby is available for kids, though the waterpark at the neighboring sister property is also a hit. Best of all? Every room has a sofa bed so that parents and kids can sleep comfortably together in one room.

If family fun is what you're after, Iberostar Dominicana Hotel, one of four resorts on the sprawling Iberostar property, is a great choice, with connecting rooms and plenty of amenities geared toward families. Highlights include a chemical-free saltwater pool that gets regular visits from the roving Star Friends animation team plus five a la carte restaurants and two buffets with lots of options for kids. Guests also get use of the neighboring Bavaro water park and there's a kids' club and babysitting available for parents who need a little alone time.