Where to Book Iberostar Costa Dorada – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic:
Booking.com
Expedia.com
Hotels.com
What’s Special About This Resort
It’s not impossible to find budget all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic, nor do you have to sacrifice quality – Iberostar Costa Dorada is a great example. This one is located in the historic northern city of Puerto Plata on a golden-sand beach.
Besides the typical lounging, relaxing, and watersports you can enjoy in the Caribbean, guests here also have easy access to centuries-old history and jungle adventures in the island’s interior. A resort spa and kids club are other perks.
All of this comes at an unbelievable, all-inclusive price that makes this kind of luxury accessible to most vacationers.
Iberostar resorts are always all-inclusive, and you’ll get all dining, snacking, and drinking included at no extra charge. One hour a day of non-motorized water sports is also free, as are daily activities and entertainment, including children’s programs.
Things we like:
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High-quality rooms, activities, dining, etc. at awesome prices
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Quick access to Puerto Plata center for history and culture, but also on a great beach
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Excellent programs for kids, including Star Camp
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Dive center on-site with trips to some of the best reefs and wrecks in the northern Dominican Republic
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Plenty of nearby opportunities to visit national parks, caves, hikes, rivers, etc.
Things we don't like:
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Slow service at check-in and restaurants when the resort is busy
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Rooms and public areas are ready for a renovation
Where to Book Iberostar Costa Dorada – Punta Cana, Dominican Republic:
Booking.com
Expedia.com
Hotels.com
What to Do
Many guests of Iberostar Costa Dorada like to make the most of the sandy, warm-water beach directly in front of the resort, with several great snorkeling spots accessible straight from the shore. There are also three swimming pools, including one at the kids club, for more space to relax and cool off.
Plus, you get one hour of non-motorized water sports each day, meaning you can take out toys like kayaks and paddleboards. Or, hop on one of the frequent guided dives organized by the on-site dive shop to stunning spots like Sosua Bay or the Zingara Wreck.
Kids can find even more fun at Star Camp, which is organized into three different groups to put various age ranges together. Each will do activities like swimming in their own pools, visits to the playground, dance discos, and much more, giving parents time to kick back with a drink at the pool or relax with a treatment at Sensations Spa.
There’s also plenty of whole-family entertainment available all day and every evening. There are bingo, board games, and pool sports matches held regularly, while after dark, you can catch performances such as magic shows, juggling performances, live music, and dancing shows. Adults can also party the night away at the Route 66 Nightclub in the resort.
What to Eat and Drink
There are five restaurants and four bars to choose from at Iberostar Costa Dorada. The main buffet is served at El Mercado, where all kinds of international dishes are put out for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Another option for all meals (although opening late and closing a bit early) is El Bohio Snack Bar, which also serves a full-day buffet of lighter bites better suited for snacking. As for drinking, swim up to the Wet Bar in the pool or grab something from El Fuente in the lobby all day long.
In the evenings, several specialty à-la-carte restaurants open up for dinner. Mare Nostrum is a casual spot for traditional Italian fare. Sakura is the place for Japanese specialties and Teppanyaki table experiences, also with a casual atmosphere. La Hacienda is one of the most popular dinner options, as its traditional Mexican cuisine is packed with flavor.
Evening drinks can be enjoyed at La Plaza while watching performances such as music, dance, and magic. There’s an even more lively party at the Route 66 Nightclub if you want to have a late night.
Room Guide
With more than 500 rooms, Iberostar Costa Dorada is a very large resort. However, there are just a few room categories to choose from, which are mainly differentiated by view. There is one larger-sized option, plus the possibility of connecting rooms.
Premium Rooms: These standard rooms come with one king or two queen-sized beds and count about 375 square feet of space. There are many different locations to choose from – Standard, Pool View, Near Beach, Ocean View, and Tropical View. The price differences between these views aren’t very dramatic, so choose the one that’s most appealing to you. Connecting rooms can turn a pair of these into a Family Suite.
Junior Suite Ocean Front: For visitors who want an upgraded, more spacious accommodation, these 441-square-foot ocean-view options are the choice. They add a separate little sitting area in front of the oceanfront balcony. In fact, this category isn’t a major addition to the cost of a room, either.
Special Experiences
Make your stay in Puerto Plata extra special by getting out of the resort and doing even more around the island. For example, take a scenic cable car ride to the mountaintops of Isabel de Torres National Park for a panoramic view of the northern Dominican coastline and take pictures of its iconic Christ statue. You can also hike the mountain if you’re up to it.
In the jungle valleys, there are also opportunities for ATV rides, ziplining, and river kayaking. In fact, there’s a park in the mountains around Sosua that offers ziplining through a local monkey habitat, and you can encounter these adorable (but mischievous) creatures up close!
Or, do something more relaxing back at the resort – try Iberostar’s Aliveness program. This is the brand’s guided experience of rejuvenation through gastronomy, spa treatments, hydrotherapy, yoga, and nature, and it keeps regulars coming back over and over again.
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