Punta Cana: Travel Guide

 

Travel : airplane, airport, car service, & travel look

We wanted to make sure we kept the cost of our flights reasonable. We went on a hunt for the cheapest option, we flew Delta to the Dominican, and then flew Southwest home. We flew out around 6am, and got to the hotel by 4pm. On the way home, we flew out around 12pm, and made it home around 12am. The overall travel day is long to get from Dallas to the Dominican but totally worth it.

We decided to book transportation through the hotel with the company Seasons Tours from the airport to the hotel because we felt it was the safest, and easiest option. Once you land, you’ll go through customs, grab your bags, and head outside. You will be quickly welcomed by dozens of local taxi drivers, walk past them, and continue forward until you see the sign for “Seasons Tours”, you will give them your name and wait for your driver. The 45 minute car ride is air conditioned, very clean, and they even offer you a drink.

  • SUV Deluxe Private Transfer (1 - 2 passengers) One way $119 / Round trip $238

It’s no secret that I’m a summer baby, so even though it’s fall, we decided to keep summer in the air by taking a last minute trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. I have only been to Punta Cana one time before on a modeling trip in 2020, so I was excited to get to do my first travel partnership, and teamed up Excellence Punta Cana to experience and show y'all what the all-inclusive resort has to offer.

Shop My Travel Look

Shop My Travel Essentials

3 Things You Can Travel To Punta Cana Without:

ROOM : Accommodations, club suites, etc.

The name of the room we stayed in was the EXCELLENCE CLUB JUNIOR SUITE OCEAN VIEW, our specific room was $453 a night. Three perks of Excellence Club;

  1. You have a separate air conditioned seated area check in when you arrive at the hotel, and they talk you through the Excellence app (map, restaurant menus, pools, excursions, etc.)

  2. Private key access restaurant & bar only for club room members (which was a nice touch)

  3. Private pool & bar only for club rooms

Below are a couple of the fun features of our Excellence Club suite:

  • Jetted whirl pool bathtub right by the balcony so you can see the ocean

  • A service box, huh? I had never seen this before and thought it was so cool. Essentially it is a separate locked area by your door for you to put all dirty towels & dirty food dishes that can be accessed through the outside for hotel services to take off your hands.

  • Stocked mini bar & fridge part of the all inclusive

  • A pillow menu… yup you read that right, you can choose from a menu of options for your pillow liking!

  • Bath robes & slippers

  • All the usual: In-suite safe, steamer, alarm clocks, TV, free wifi, etc.

Outfits : Beach & pool looks, evening attire, accessories, etc.

For me, planning outfits is the hardest park of any vacation; not only because I want to look cute but also keeping things realistic without having to pack 10 pairs of shoes and purses. I’m breaking down all of my looks to hopefully help you snag affordable and/or fabulous looks and items!

Beach/Pool Attire:

Athleisure/Walks/Workout Looks:

Evening Attire:

Dinner Spots:

  • Magna:

    • APPETIZER- Sautéed calamari and cabbage spring roll

    • DINNER: Beef osso bucco ravioli AND Steamed fish filet, in red vermouth reduction, grapefruit gastrique and buttered pumpkin purée

The Lobster House: (far right photo)

  • APPETIZER-Charcoal grilled octopus or Lobster Bisque

  • MEAL- Grilled lobster

Breakfast & Coffee:

  • The Kitchen Table:

    • ORDER: All you can eat buffet; Devin would suggest the omelette, I suggest the Nutella & Peanut Butter crepe

  • Aroma:

    • COFFEE & BAKED GOODS-This is a croissant & coffee shop. We came here every single morning and ordered: Americanos with dash of steamed almond milk

    • GELATO-They also have gelato; we loved the cookies n cream & vanilla flavors, we also LOVED the croissant with chocolate inside.

Pool/Beach Eats:

  • Las Olas: We got the pizza, and nachos everyday by the beach and/or pool; they were delicious!

  • Pool & Beach Service: You can order any of the day bites and drinks to your cabana anywhere at the resort. We often got strawberry margs, coco locos, and Pina Coladas.

Hotel Views

If these incredible views below aren’t enough, the customer service was like no experience I had ever had before. Devin and I both found ourselves raving about the employees time and time again. No matter what time of day, every employee said Hola with a HUGE smile on their face and genuine pep in their step.

TIP: While this is an all-inclusive resort, make sure you bring lots of cash or get money out at the ATM, we found ourselves tipping every employee because of how wonderful they made the experience.

Spa Experience

Our time at the Mile Spa was one of our unexpected favorite parts of the hotel experience. We went into the spa with no expectation because it was complementary with the upgrade we did for the club suite. We were given the couples Hydro Therapy, it took us about 1 hour to go through the entire 7 step therapy relaxing treatment. The spa was very relaxing and calming and I highly suggest going!

janelle brandom