Did you know that roughly half of Canadians head south to warmer climates when the weather cools down? Rather than stick around in sub-zero temperatures, they head down to places where they can stay warm.
One popular destination is the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is a beautiful island nation with a vibrant culture and laid-back lifestyle.
If you're going to visit the Dominican Republic, you simply have to stay at the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda! Here's what to know about spending your vacation at this hot spot.
The Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda is a five-star, all-inclusive resort. The resort is a family resort that's designed for individuals travelling with kids of all ages.
The hotel offers suites, family suites, and connecting suites. That way, guests can choose the perfect type of room for their vacation.
One reason why Punta Cana is one of the best places to visit is because of the unique ecology of the area. Punta Cana has mostly coastal plains, low forests, and mangrove lagoons.
The island nation experiences just two seasons a year - the wet season and the dry season. The wet season is characterized by high levels of humidity and lots of rain. The dry season has cooler temperatures and lots of sunshine.
There isn't a lot of variation in the temperatures on the island throughout the year. The hottest month of the year is June when temperatures climb to about 28ºC. The coldest month of the year is January when the temperatures drop to about 25ºC.
There are plenty of unique plants and animals in the area as well. The Dominican Republic has exotic animals like the hutia and the solenodon as well as more common animals like crocodiles, lizards, and parrots.
In terms of plant life, you'll find plenty of types of palms in the area. The Dominican Republic is famous for its beautiful national rose.
Getting to Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda
Are you ready to head to the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda? Here's what you need to know about getting to this vacation spot!
Location
The Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda is located in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The resort is situated on the beach and has beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.
Transportation
The nearest airport is the Punta Cana Airport, which is located just 19km from the hotel. You'll need to book a rental car or take a taxi to reach the hotel, which should take you about 20 minutes.
Local Language and Culture
The Dominican Republic has a bright and vibrant culture. Music, dance, and art are all powerful parts of the Dominican lifestyle and are incorporated into much of what the people do here.
Dominican culture has African and Spanish influences. You'll see this reflected in their art and traditional attire.
Is It Beneficial to Know a Little Spanish?
The national language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish. The good news is that in the resort and in popular tourist areas, you won't need to speak any Spanish.
If you're planning to venture off the beaten path, however, you might want to learn a few quick phrases to help you get around.
The Atmosphere at Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda
The atmosphere at the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda is extremely lively. It's a place where there is always something going on and where you'll never feel bored.
It's also extremely family-friendly. There are tons of kids running around and lots of families visiting on a group getaway. If you're looking for an exciting vacation filled with great socializing activities, the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda is the right place for you.
How Do People Rate the Service?
Guests applaud the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda for its fantastic service. Overall, guests felt that the service is excellent, with the guest services team being attentive and helpful with any questions or concerns.
The cleaning staff do a great job ensuring that your room is spic and span and offer daily cleaning services. Plus, they keep the public and common areas looking clean, too.
Hotel Amenities
There are tons of amenities at the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda, which is one of the reasons so many people stay there. Here are a few of the top amenities to be aware of.
Restaurants
There are 13 restaurants on-site at the resort. You can enjoy dining in one of the beachfront restaurants or sitting down in restaurants that are located further inland.
There's just about every type of cuisine you could hope for here, including Mexican, Mediterranean, Indian, Brazilian, seafood, Asian, and Italian. Plus, you can check out the buffets if a la carte dining isn't your style.
Bars
Aside from the restaurants, the hotel has eight different bars to check out. Sit down at the sports and karaoke bar for a beer, treat yourself to a cocktail at one of the two swim-up bars, or grab a coffee at the coffee bar.
There are also four bars serving up local drinks, one of which is on the beach. We recommend ordering a Mamajuana, the national drink of the Dominican Republic!
Beach and Pools
There are two pools at the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda, both of which have kids pools and swim-up bars for the adults. You can also enjoy settling into the jacuzzi for some rest and relaxation.
Sports and Recreation
If you want to get a workout in while you're on vacation, be sure to check out the hotel's fitness centre. The centre is packed with both cardio and strength machines and the hotel also offers dance lessons and aerobics classes.
Apart from the fitness centre, you can head to the golf course and spend time on the putting green. There are two different Par-72 golf courses located near the hotel which are great places to spend the afternoon.
Want to play some games? Try a game of petanque, tennis, darts, soccer, basketball, volleyball, ping-pong, or pool. Or, take a bike out and go for a spin!
Spa
One of the best things to do on vacation is to relax. At the spa, you can do just that by enjoying the facials, body treatments, massages, and the spa circuit of pools and hot tubs. Enjoy lavish treatments while the kids go off and play, after all, you deserve to treat yourself this vacation!
Nightly Entertainment
Get ready to party the night away with the resort's nightly entertainment. Head to the disco for some fun dancing or sit down at one of the bars to hear some locals perform live music.
Kids can get in the groove at the mini-disco, a nightly event organized just for the little ones!
Children’s Waterpark
One of the biggest draws of the hotel is the on-site waterpark designed especially for kids. The waterpark has sprinklers and a splash zone as well as three small slides for children to enjoy. Your kids will be so excited to spend the day splashing around at the park!
Other Services
Apart from these amenities, there are several extras you can take advantage of. Enjoy fun activities and amenities all around the resort no matter what type of vacation you want to have. These include:
Kids' Club
Scuba diving center
PADI certification
Snorkelling
Waterpolo
Catamaran
Kayaking
Sailing
Non-motorized watersports
Karaoke
Spanish lessons
Mini golf
Excursions
The many excursions are one of the reasons this hotel is a top travel destination. Here's what you can enjoy doing outside the resort.
Santo Domingo
One great excursion from the hotel is a half-day trip to Santo Domingo. This trip takes you out to the capital of the island to learn about the history of the country.
On your visit, you'll get to walk through the streets and learn about the founders of the city. You'll also have the chance to visit unique museums and check out the beautiful cathedral.
Splash Water Park
Splash Water Park is a nearby attraction located at the Riu resort. This water park features free-fall water slides, water chutes, and rows of slides for racing.
There is also a splash zone where little ones can get their feet wet. The loungers along the side of the pool are the perfect place for adults to relax while they supervise.
Bavaro Beach
Bavaro Beach is a great place to go for adults who want a break from the kids. This adults-only beach is the perfect place to grab a drink, party, and unwind in the water.
There are gorgeous ocean views, bars, and lounge chairs for you to relax on when you visit this beach.
Rock Spa
Anyone wanting to pamper themselves will love taking a trip to the Rock Spa. This spa is located in the Hardrock Hotel, just a few minutes' drive from the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda.
At the spa, you can enjoy a relaxing massage, facials, salon services, nail care, waxing, dry and wet lounges, pools, and hot tubs. It's the perfect place to spend an afternoon relaxing.
Is Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda Kid-Friendly or Adults Only?
Families will love staying at the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda thanks to its kid-friendly atmosphere. This resort is designed not only for adults but for kids as well.
There are plenty of activities for children to participate in during their stay as well as a Kids' Club for them to hang out in. They'll also love the waterpark at the hotel!
Apart from the activities, there are plenty of kid-friendly meal options at the restaurants. You'll easily be able to find something that the little ones love when sitting down to dinner.
Is It Safe to Travel off the Resort Alone?
Anyone wanting to try solo travel in the Dominican Republic will be pleased to know that it's safe to do so in this country. You can venture off the resort on your own without too much worry.
It's not recommended to be out alone at night, however, as sexual assault does happen in Punta Cana. Travel with a buddy and avoid dark streets and alleys when out during the evening hours.
Are There Extra Costs to Be Aware Of?
Although the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda is an all-inclusive resort, there are additional costs to be aware of. These costs are optional add-ons that you can take advantage of as part of your trip.
Available activities and extras for additional costs include:
Parasailing
Windsurfing lessons
Deep-sea fishing or fishing
Banana boat rentals
Catamaran lessons
Motorized watersports
Spa services
Golf
Horseback riding
Scuba diving
Night tennis
Casino
Best Time to Visit Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda
You can visit the Dominican Republic any time you like and have a good time, but the best time to visit is between April and May. The high tourist season has ended by this time so you can avoid big crowds and long lines at attractions.
On top of that, these months are before the hurricane season sets in. You'll be able to enjoy sunny and clear skies and warm temperatures without worrying about torrential downpours rolling in.
Overall Reviews
The Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda has an excellent rating. Guests gave it 4.5/5 stars, stating that the grounds are beautiful and the facilities are up-to-date.
Guests give extra praise for the hotel's cleanliness and staff. The hotel rooms were comfortable and spacious, with the staff making sure they were well-stocked at all times.
NAME
DETAILS
Star rating
4.5
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes
Is it safe to travel off the resort alone?
Yes
Best time to visit
April - May
What Are You Waiting For? Book Your Trip Today!
A stay at the Bahia Principe Luxury Esmeralda is like no other. It's the ultimate vacation experience and the perfect way to treat yourself after working day in and day out throughout the rest of the year.
If you're ready to head south to this resort, make sure you get a travel insurance policy first. Get in touch with Insurdinary and we'll get you a quote for travel insurance.
