The 1,402-room, upscale Palace Deluxe is the main all-inclusive resort at the family-friendly Barcelo Bavaro Palace, located on a lovely beach a 25-minute drive from the airport. It has tons of on-site features including an attractive spa, a 24-hour casino, four swimming pools – one for adults only and another for kids – and 11 restaurants. But aside from lines at the front desk, the guest capacity of the resort rarely shows: visitors do not have to search for spots at the pools and beach, and reservation requirements keep restaurants well-organized. Couples, families, and partiers all mingle seamlessly at the property. Though the adults-only sister property has a slightly more romantic vibe, plenty of couples opt to stay here as it’s where most of the features are located. Contemporary rooms feature free minibars, rainfall showers, and outdoor spaces – plus most have whirlpool tubs and ocean views. For a more intimate family-friendly vibe, consider The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real.

BlueBay Villas Doradas is an adult-only, upper-middle-range, all-inclusive resort with lots of entertainment options. Whether its pool aerobics, nightly theater performances, mini-golf, or beachfront massages, there’s always something to do at BlueBay. White shag rugs, back-lit headboards, and sleek tile bathrooms give the 244 guest rooms a modern feel -- but dingy tile floors and worn bedding look less upscale. Food is mediocre throughout the hotel (if better than at some nearby all-inclusive resorts) and drinks are made with bottom-shelf liquor. Annoyingly, the hotel charges for things like beach towels, Wi-Fi, and room service. Guests looking for something a little more laid-back might prefer the nearby Blue JackTar, which is not an all-inclusive but has better food and nicer rooms.

The 356-room Hilton La Romana, An All-Inclusive Adult Resort (formerly Dreams La Romana) is an upscale property along Bayahibe Beach, next to its sister property Hilton La Romana, an All-Inclusive Family Resort and a 50-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport. Renovations in 2019 brought a chic, modern style to the spacious rooms, all of which have flat-screen TVs, free minibars, and rainfall showers. All units have furnished terraces with either pool, ocean, or garden views, and some are swim-out. Swish features include an ocean-view infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a quieter outdoor pool for Premium-level guests, a full-service spa, beach with ample loungers, a bar, and water sports, a gym, and nightly entertainment. A casino, gym, and disco are shared with the family resort. All-inclusive rates cover meals and drinks at a buffet restaurant and a la carte eateries serving Asian, Mediterranean, and Caribbean cuisines, plus a 24-hour coffee shop. Overall, this property offers a relaxed getaway for couples, but for something more centrally located in Punta Cana, consider Sanctuary Cap Cana.

The beachfront, 96-room Zoetry Agua Punta Cana is one of the most luxurious and tranquil all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic. The rustic ambience and zen energy are on the opposite end up the spectrum from what you'll find at the booze-fueled all-inclusives around Bavaro. Instead, Zoetry offers an uncrowded white-sand beach, 96 spacious suites with butler service, a long pristine swimming pool, and one of the area's best spas. The resort prides itself on offering Endless Privileges, which includes no formal check-in/check-out times, limitless top-shelf liquor, and free laundry service on top of four gourmet a la carte restaurants (no buffets), a cafe, and three bars (one swim-up). Guests also get a free 20-minute massage and free horseback riding on the beach. It's a 45-minute drive from the airport, about as far as you can get in Punta Cana. Couples wanting to be closer to the airport may prefer the swish Sanctuary Cap Cana, while families should consider Majestic Colonial Punta Cana, which has a kid-friendly side and adults-only section.

While not as flashy as Punta Cana’s newer or larger alternatives, the upscale Majestic Elegance Punta Cana is a solid all-inclusive resort choice for all types of travelers, with a family section and an adults-only Elegance Club area. The list of amenities ticks all the right boxes for a proper oceanfront vacation: a beautiful beach, two massive pools, tons of restaurants and bars, and an elegant spa. Entertainment includes foam parties, and the staff organize games by the pool and beach. All 598 suites are spacious and traditionally decorated, equipped with free Wi-Fi and minibar items, hot tubs, and private (optionally swim-up) terraces. The beach can be overcrowded, and the property is starting to show its age, but it’s still a good value among comparable area all-inclusives. The Majestic Mirage Punta Cana -- the newer neighboring sister property -- offers a more sophisticated, adults-centric vibe and nicer rooms for slightly higher rates.

The oldest of the four resorts that make up the 2,000-plus-room Palladium mega-resort in Bavaro, the upscale, 537-room Palladium Punta Cana is also the most affordable, attracting an active and party-friendly crowd of younger, mostly North American adults. Every room has a big jetted tub, and the main draws are the clean white-sand beach, access to four free-form pools, and eight reservation-free restaurants with some of the D.R.'s best all-inclusive fare -- a good value, if you don't mind the impersonal size and lines at dinner. Those who like the variety but want a place that feels less crowded and rowdy might look at the Melia Caribe Tropical.

This 708-room upscale resort a 10-minute drive from downtown Bavaro aims to appeal to guests of all ages. The focal points here are the large, music-filled pool area and the mock town center -- not the small strip of beach. The rooms are spacious, but not as stylish as one might expect from this category, and not many have ocean views. There are plenty of dining options and lots of activities for kids and teens, and prices are among Punta Cana's most affordable for an upscale resort. Majestic Colonial Punta Cana has a better beach, so it may be worth comparing rates.

Dreams Dominicus La Romana is a four-pearl oceanfront all-inclusive along laid-back Dominicus Beach. The resort’s 392 air-conditioned rooms have modern interiors with huge flat-screen TVs, daily restocked minibars, and balconies -- some with plunge pools or ocean views. The white-marble bathrooms are sophisticated and sleek, but have poorly designed stand-up showers that inevitably flood the floor. Dreams’ seven restaurants include French, Asian, Italian, and a buffet spot that are open late, but often have waits for seating. Amenities include a beautiful beach, three freshwater pools, a spa, and separate kids' and teen clubs. For a nearby oceanfront alternative with a gorgeous sunset-view beach, multiple restaurants, and lots of sports activities, it's also worth checking into nearby Catalonia Gran Dominicus.

Club Med Punta Cana is a four-pearl, oceanfront all-inclusive resort that's popular with families and 10 minutes from Punta Cana’s international airport. The resort’s 630 rooms have modern interiors with tan daybeds, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and balconies or terraces. Some rooms have mini-fridges, but none include alcohol. The resort's stunning long, sandy beach is lined with lounge chairs and a beachfront Cirque du Soleil circus school. The three restaurants are delicious and even the table wine is tasty. Other amenities include two outdoor pools, free non-motorized water sports, a full-service spa, modern gym, and huge kids' club. Upgraded Tiara packages are available with swisher rooms, a private lounge, infinity pool, and bar. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts is another family-friendly all-inclusive with more exciting water features and a pineapple-shaped villa.