Thanks to its reputation as one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, Bávaro has become the most developed part—and the most exclusive in many instances—of Punta Cana. The vast number of hotels; assorted dining alternatives; countless shopping, leisure and adventure activities; and lively nightlife are the perfect accessory for the more than 12 miles of stunning beaches with white sand and turquoise water.
Wake up in a fantastic room with sea views, take a pleasant walk on the beach, sign up for an exciting catamaran boat tour, try the many delicacies of Dominican and international cuisine, visit an idyllic island and a historic colonial jewel, or dive into the nightlife scene. All of this, and much more, awaits at Bávaro Beach. The perfect sun, sand and sea destination for your next vacation.
Things to do in Bávaro Beach
A wonderful vacation at Bávaro Beach will give you the chance to try all types of experiences, from a relaxing day at the beach or spa, to an unforgettable adventure at an amazing theme park, or a fun night of dancing and laughing. Simply choose your favorite!
A day at the beach
Above all, Bávaro Beach is an incredible beach. A stretch of coastline covering most of northern Punta Cana, from Cape Engaño to Arena Gorda Beach. Turquoise water, tall and lush palm trees, perfectly white sand and more. Basically, the typical snapshot of a true Caribbean paradise.
Lounge around on a sunbed, read a good book, sip on a refreshing cocktail, play in the sand, swim in the sea, etc. Whether you are staying at a luxury resort or visiting one of the virtually untouched stretches, enjoying Bávaro goes hand in hand with spending a magnificent day at the beach. Visit Punta de los Nidos and the Laguna Bávaro Wildlife Refuge to learn about the nature that exists in this part of Punta Cana. And if your body is up for it, take a long walk to explore the nearly 12 miles that connect Bávaro Beach from end to end. If you get tired, you can always stop to refuel at one of the beach clubs.
Another option is to visit the small tianguis or markets throughout Bávaro Beach, such as Guineo Maduro Market on Arena Gorda Beach, or Bibijagua Square, further south. At any of these spots, visitors can find lovely souvenirs and perfect gifts for their loved ones back home. Handicrafts, clothing, traditional products and more. But be sure to haggle!
Sports activities
Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, stand-up paddle surfing, fishing, hiking and sailing are just a few. Bávaro Beach is synonymous with relaxation, but also with action and sports. There are many sports activities available throughout the region, on land as well as in the water. Some are included as part of the packages hotels offer and others can be purchased from the many local businesses specialized in these services.
Because this is the Caribbean, one of the most sought-after activities is scuba diving, and the entire Punta Cana region, including Bávaro Beach, has stunning spots for scuba diving and snorkeling. The underwater crown jewel is made up of the coral reefs and bright marine life that can be found along the Dominican coast. An example of what awaits at Bávaro Beach is the Astron, an enormous Russian ship that ran aground 765 yards from shore, in front of Arena Gorda Beach, as it carried corn to Cuba in 1978. Resting 40 feet below water, this steel “giant” is a sight to see.
Theme parks in Bávaro Beach
For those who want an adrenaline rush, Bávaro Beach also has several theme parks where visitors can experience all types of adventures. Swim with dolphins, go on a 4×4 tour, fly above the jungle on a fun zip line, enjoy a pleasant horseback ride and so much more. The excitement is guaranteed! Here are some examples:
Dolphin Island Park
An incredible encounter with the marine life at Bávaro Beach awaits. This park—located out at sea, 550 yards from the coast—invites visitors to swim with dolphins, and snorkel with sharks and manta rays.
Bávaro Adventure Park
Zip lines, horseback rides, beach buggy tours, bungee jumping, hiking trails, a flight simulator, bike circuit, paintball, Segway tours, etc. This is the perfect place for thrill seekers.
Aqua Park
This water park is a tribute to adventure and water sports. It has three lakes for wakeboarding, waterskiing, kneeboarding and many other activities.
A helpful tip: these parks oftentimes arrange free transfers to and from the biggest hotels in Punta Cana.
Beyond the sand
Beach, nature and adventure. Bávaro Beach is all of this and more. Of the many options available at this magical destination, be sure to also experience the delicious Dominican culture. A great example is a tour of Don Lucas Cigars, the manufacturer behind one of the purest cigars in the Dominican Republic. The ChocoMuseo, also located in Bávaro, is another place worth visiting to find out everything there is to know about this irresistible product. Learn how to make chocolate, visit the factory, and discover the history and secrets of cocoa and chocolate at the museum. All in one place!
And speaking of Bávaro, it’s impossible not to mention its amazing nightlife scene. Music, dancing and laughter with the best Dominican style! Here you can find the nightclub, lounge or bar that best fits your tastes, but be sure to also visit the most renowned spots: Coco Bongo Show & Disco and Imagine nightclub, housed in an impressive set of caves!
Barceló Bávaro hotels, the best accommodations in Punta Cana
For the vacation of a lifetime in Punta Cana, be sure to stay at one of the two hotels at Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort: Barceló Bávaro Palace and Barceló Bávaro Beach – Adults Only. The rooms, the quality service, the food and drinks, the activities, the evening shows, the nightlife and the beach. Everything you need and more, without leaving the resort!
Barceló Bávaro Palace
As one of the top 5-star resorts in Punta Cana and a quality all-inclusive hotel in the Dominican Republic, Barceló Bávaro Palace is the ideal hotel for an unforgettable family vacation, a trip with friends or a romantic getaway.
Enjoy a perfect stay in any of its rooms (80% have sea views), ranging from junior suites and family rooms with two bedrooms, to the magnificent master suite overlooking the sea, among many other options. All are fitted with the best technology and everything needed for state-of-the-art wellness.
Spend an incredible day doing all types of water sports: scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, etc., as well as activities on land! There are tennis, padel and volleyball courts; a professional football field; a semi-professional baseball field; spinning and aerobic classes; ping pong tables; billiards and more. Stay in shape at the fully equipped gym. Play on its impressive 18-hole golf course, The Lake, or have fun with a round of mini-golf (also 18 holes). Relax for a while by any of the swimming pools and wrap up an active day by treating yourself to the spa.
Featuring a casino, two nightclubs and multiple evening shows, Barceló Bávaro Palace is also the perfect place to experience the Dominican Republic’s incomparable nightlife. Would you prefer something quieter? Then stop by the bowling alley and arcade with all types of video games, or sign up for the fun Escape Room. And if you’re looking for a special gift, then head over to the shopping mall located right in the hotel.
As far as food and drinks, Barceló Bávaro Palace is a gourmet haven that serves everything from the best Dominican food to the most popular dishes from around the world. Which is why this incredible resort has 8 à la carte restaurants, 3 buffets, 14 bars and 2 private wine cellars.
The main dining establishments are:
- El Coral Seafood: Fish and seafood
- La Dolce Vita: Italian
- México Lindo: Mexican
- Kyoto: Japanese
- La Fuente: Spanish
- La Comedie: French
- Santa Fe Steak House: Meat
- Hoyo 19 Golf Bar and Strikers Sports Bar: American style
Barceló Bávaro Beach – Adults only
The spectacular Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort also includes Barceló Bávaro Beach, the perfect adults-only hotel for a romantic getaway or a fun vacation with friends.
All the rooms at this magnificent 5-star hotel are right on the beach, and 80% have front or side sea views. In addition to high-end materials, each room is equipped with everything to guarantee an exceptional stay.
Aside from the exclusive activities and facilities, including a swimming pool and spa, guests at Barceló Bávaro Beach – Adults Only may also use the facilities at Barceló Bávaro Palace. And to make your vacation even more amazing, try our Barceló Premium Level concept, a set of exclusive services and facilities, available inside and outside the hotel.
The dining alternatives at Barceló Bávaro Beach – Adults Only fall within the exquisite Barceló All-Inclusive program, another of its strong appeals. Caribe buffet restaurant and two specialty restaurants, Chez Gourmet (international food) and La Brisa (Mediterranean cuisine), along with Mamey bar and Bohío chill-out lounge, are in addition to all the dining establishments at the adjacent Barceló Bávaro Palace and offer guests a truly unique culinary experience.
Tours from Bávaro Beach
Bávaro Beach has everything you need for an unforgettable vacation, but to take your experience to the next level, be sure to go on one of the many incredible tours available from Punta Cana.
Saona Island, a Caribbean paradise
Sign up for the most popular tour in all of Punta Cana. Saona Island is a Caribbean paradise located in Cotubanamá National Park. Its untouched beaches are known as some of the best in the Caribbean and the top nesting spot for turtles in the Dominican Republic. Catamaran or speedboat tours to visit this nearly uninhabited island usually depart from the port of Bayahíbe, although many businesses pick guests up at the hotel where they are staying in Bávaro Beach. Spend an unforgettable day on Saona enjoying its wonderful beaches, the picturesque fishing village of Mano Juan and everything this stunning paradise has to offer.
Altos de Chavón: art, culture and plenty of charm
Would you like to visit a 16th-century Mediterranean town without leaving the Dominican Republic? Just one hour by car from Bávaro Beach, in the La Romana region, Altos de Chavón is an incredibly detailed recreation of a Mediterranean village. With magnificent views overlooking the Chavón River, this special place is home to numerous bars, restaurants, art galleries, workshops and stores, in addition to the Church of St. Stanislaus and a large Greek amphitheater where artists along the lines of Sting, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli, Gloria Estefan, Alejandro Fernández and Julio Iglesias have performed. To learn about the region’s rich history, you can visit the archeology museum in Altos de Chavón, which has more than 3,000 precolonial pieces.
Los Haitises National Park, mountains that emerge from the sea
As a key element of the Dominican Republic’s nature conservation system, Los Haitises National Park is a priceless natural treasure that everyone should visit. Located in the northeastern part of the country, this incredible landscape is inhabited by enormous mogotes (limestone rock formations) covered in vegetation that seem to float in the sea, and cays blanketed with mangroves, which are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. Also, many of the park’s caves, created by water erosion, contain pictographs and petroglyphs made by ancient Tainos. This setting is nothing short of amazing.
Higüey, discover a historic
About one hour inland from Bávaro Beach, the city of Higüey is an extraordinary witness of the Dominican Republic’s history. From the ancient Tainos to present day, passing through the Spanish colonial era, the city has many tourist attractions for learning about the country’s rich past. In addition to houses and buildings with Victorian and contemporary styles, the Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of Altagracia, patroness of the nation, and the 16th-century Church of San Dionisio are just two of the landmarks worth seeing in Higüey. The Museum of Altagracia next to the cathedral is also a great place to learn about Dominican history and cultural expressions. Don’t miss out!
