Troy's Punta Cana Picks: Best All-Inclusive Resorts Near the Airport | Traveling Wahoo
Palm-lined resort pool under a blue sky in Punta Cana

Traveling Wahoo › Dominican Republic › Punta Cana Picks

Punta Cana, picked by Troy

There are dozens of all-inclusive resorts on this coast. These are the ones I recommend to my own clients, all close to the airport and sorted by the kind of trip you're planning.

Matched to your tripI pick the resort that fits you, not the one with the biggest ad budget.
Close to the airportNo 90-minute transfers. Most of these resorts are 15 to 30 minutes from Punta Cana airport.
Three options in 48 hoursTell me your dates and I'll send three resorts that fit, with real prices.
Seen it myself

What a week in Punta Cana looks like

Suites, beach cabanas, dinners worth dressing up for. Every photo in this section is from my own trips.

Bright resort suite with a king bed
The suite
Thatched beach bar on white sand under palm trees
Beach bar
Plated fish dinner with vegetables
Dinner
Frozen cocktail on a table by the beach
Afternoons
Restaurant tables with a view of the pool and palms
Lunch with a view
Leaning palm tree over turquoise water
Day trips
Zel's private beach club restaurant, with wood tables on the sand under a thatched roof and the sea beyond
Zel's private beach club, for Zel guests only
★ My top value pick

Zel Punta Cana

The most underrated resort in Punta Cana. You get more than the big names give you, for less.

  • All-inclusive, all suites. Every room is a suite, so you have space to spread out.
  • Great restaurants. The food is one of the reasons I keep sending people here.
  • A private beach club. Zel isn't on the sand, but guests get their own beach club a quick golf-cart ride away, with its own restaurant and bar. It's for Zel guests only.

"It's the one I'd book myself."

4.8 / 5 from 5,205 guest reviews on Meliá

Couples & adults-only

Just the two of you

Quiet pools, no kids' clubs, and the kind of dinners you dress up for.

Beach daybed with towels under a canopy
Large turquoise pool lined with palm trees and thatched cabanas at Meliá Punta Cana Beach Bávaro Beach

Meliá Punta Cana Beach

Adults-only and right on the beach. Relaxed, romantic and one of the best-rated resorts on Bávaro.

Adults onlyBeachfront

4.9 / 5 · 32,770 Meliá guest reviews

Curving pool with lounge chairs and thatched umbrellas at Secrets Cap Cana Cap Cana

Secrets Cap Cana

Adults-only luxury with a beautiful beach and top-notch dining.

Adults onlyLuxury
Long pool lined with white cabanas and palm trees at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Secrets Royal Beach

Adults-only and right on the beach, with a fun, social feel and great restaurants.

Adults onlySocial
Aerial view of Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, its pools and the beach Cap Cana

Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana

Adults-only luxury on a stunning beach. A true splurge for a big occasion.

Adults onlySplurge
Sanctuary Cap Cana's castle-style buildings reflected in the pool Cap Cana

Sanctuary Cap Cana

Adults-only luxury on a private peninsula. Perfect for a honeymoon or anniversary.

Adults onlyHoneymoon
Families

Bringing the kids

Room for everyone, kids' clubs that actually keep them busy, and something for every age.

Palm trees and beach umbrellas along white sand
Kids water park with slides and pools at Paradisus Grand Cana Bávaro Beach

Paradisus Grand Cana

All suites, a family concierge and a 5-star spa, so parents get a vacation too.

All suitesFamily concierge

4.8 / 5 · 8,741 Meliá guest reviews

Pool with palm islands and the beach behind at Dreams Macao Beach Macao Beach

Dreams Macao Beach

Family-friendly on a quieter stretch of beach, with a great kids' club.

Kids' clubQuieter beach
Friends, groups & easy value

Lively, upscale or both

For groups, celebrations, golfers and anyone who wants a lot going on.

Resort pool lit up at night
Turquoise pool with a thatched swim-up bar and palm trees at Meliá Caribe Beach Bávaro Beach

Meliá Caribe Beach

A big, lively beachfront resort with lots of restaurants and activities, at a great price.

Great valueGroups

4.7 / 5 · 38,182 Meliá guest reviews

White-sand beach with palm trees and a wooden beach lounge at Paradisus Palma Real Bávaro Beach

Paradisus Palma Real

Upscale and elegant on the beach, with golf, a full spa, and The Reserve for an extra-premium stay.

Golf & spaUpscale

4.8 / 5 · 24,836 Meliá guest reviews

Resort photos courtesy of each resort. Prices and availability change, so ask for a current quote.

Orange sunset over the beach in the Dominican Republic
"From start to finish this was an exceptional getaway. Dealing with Troy was a breeze."Vicky M., Schenectady, NY · Punta Cana, February 2025
Ready when you are

Get three options picked for you

  1. Tell me about your tripDates, who's coming and what you're celebrating. Two minutes on the Trip Planner, or a quick call.
  2. Get three options in 48 hoursThree resorts that fit your budget and style, with real prices and my honest take on each.
  3. Book with someone on your sideI handle the details and I'm a call away if anything changes. No 1-800 numbers.
Start my Trip Planner Book a call with Troy or call 1-833-75-WAHOO