By the Family All-Inclusive Resorts editorial team · Updated November 7, 2026
The Short Answer
Our top pick for families in Punta Cana is Barceló Bávaro Palace on Bávaro beach, about 18 km from the airport. It has two themed water parks, a children's pool and more than 200 family rooms, and it shares the complex with the adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach.
- Babies and toddlers: Majestic Mirage provides hot water for bottles and a microwave on request, and its two Family Club buildings take all ages. See our toddler guide.
- More slides: Ocean El Faro has a water-park pool with four slides and a lazy river, and Hard Rock has the Rockaway Bay Water Park. See all our water park resorts.
- Teens on a budget: Riu Bambu has Splash Water World and the RIU4U program for teenagers. See our teens guide.
Punta Cana's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | From the airport | Our picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bávaro | Shortest transfer, water parks | 20–30 min | Barceló Bávaro Palace |
| Arena Gorda | Big family resorts side by side | 25–45 min | Majestic, Riu Bambu |
| Macao | Big all-in-one resorts | About 25 km | Hard Rock, Bahia Principe |
| El Faro | A water-park resort north of Macao | Not published | Ocean El Faro |
Times are rounded from the resorts' own figures and a route planner. Uvero Alto, farther north still, is 45 to 60 minutes away and isn't covered here.
Map of Punta Cana Family Resorts
Bávaro is at the bottom of the map; Arena Gorda, Macao and El Faro follow the coast north.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Punta Cana stays →Best Water Parks
Resorts where the slides are the main event.
Barceló Bávaro Palace
Bávaro beach, Punta Cana
Our top pick: for families whose kids want slides, with two themed water parks, a children's pool and more than 200 family rooms.
Best for: Families wanting water parks
- Two themed water parks
- More than 200 family rooms
- About 18 km from the airport
More about this hotel
The family side of the Barceló Bávaro Grand Resort, with more than 200 family rooms, two themed water parks and a children's pool. It is about 18 km from Punta Cana airport and shares the complex with the adults-only Barceló Bávaro Beach.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Manuelborrell, Public domain
Ocean El Faro
El Faro, north of Macao, Punta Cana
For slide fans, with a four-slide water-park pool and a lazy river.
Best for: Families with slide fans
- Water park with four slides
- Lazy river
- Daisy Club and Teenclub
More about this hotel
A large H10 resort on the beach north of Macao with a water-park pool of four slides and water jets, plus a gentle lazy river. Kids have the Daisy Club and teens the Teenclub, and Junior Suite Waterpark Side rooms face the slides.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Carolinarondon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Macao, Punta Cana
For families who want lots of action, with the Rockaway Bay Water Park and a casino.
Best for: Families wanting lots of action
- Rockaway Bay Water Park
- Roxity Kids Club
- At Km 28 of the Boulevard Turístico del Este
More about this hotel
A Hard Rock resort and casino at Macao with the Rockaway Bay Water Park and the Roxity Kids Club. It suits families who want plenty going on, and the music theme and casino set the tone.
Best for Babies and Young Kids
Kids' clubs and babysitting for ages 4 to 12, plus bottle help for the youngest.
Majestic Mirage Punta Cana
Arena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana
For families with babies, with bottle hot water and a microwave on request and Family Club buildings for all ages.
Best for: Families with babies
- Family Club buildings for all ages
- Kids' club and babysitting for 4–12
- Bottle hot water and microwave on request
More about this hotel
An all-suite resort where two Family Club buildings for all ages sit alongside five adults-only Mirage Club buildings. The kids' club and babysitting cover ages 4 to 12, and the hotel provides hot water for bottles and a microwave on request.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Oleg Yunakov, CC BY-SA 4.0
Majestic Elegance Punta Cana
Arena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana
For families with school-age kids, with a kids' club and babysitting for ages 4 to 12.
Best for: Families with school-age kids
- Kids' club for ages 4–12
- Babysitting available
- About 26 km from the airport
More about this hotel
Majestic Mirage's sister resort, with a kids' club and babysitting for ages 4 to 12 and a separate adults-only Elegance Club. It is about 26 km from the airport.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Batle Group: Mar Hotels, Majestic-Resorts & Lively, CC BY-SA 2.0
Best on a Budget
Lower-tier resorts that still have a water park and a kids' club.
Hotel Riu Bambu
Arena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana
For families with teens on a budget, with Splash Water World and the RIU4U teen program.
Best for: Budget families with teens
- Splash Water World water park
- RIU Land for kids, RIU4U for teens
- Two children's pools
More about this hotel
A family Riu on Arena Gorda beach with the Splash Water World water park, the RIU Land kids' club and the RIU4U program for teenagers. It has four outdoor pools plus two children's pools, and Riu puts it about 25 km, or 30 to 45 minutes, from the airport.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Fulvio Barudoni, CC BY 3.0
Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana
Macao, Punta Cana
For large families on a budget, with suites for up to six adults and a child.
Best for: Large families on a budget
- Water park and kids' club
- Suites for up to six adults and a child
- About 25 km from the airport
More about this hotel
The former Grand Bahia Principe Punta Cana, now in Bahia Principe's Explore family line, with a water park, a kids' club and five pools. Its family suite sleeps up to six adults and one child, and the beach is close by.
Punta Cana Family Resorts at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Barceló Bávaro PalaceBávaro beach, Punta Cana · Mid-rangeFamilies wanting water parksCheck prices -
Majestic Mirage Punta CanaArena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana · Mid-rangeFamilies with babiesCheck prices -
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Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta CanaMacao, Punta Cana · SplurgeFamilies wanting lots of actionCheck prices -
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Majestic Elegance Punta CanaArena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana · Mid-rangeFamilies with school-age kidsCheck prices -
Bahia Principe Explore Punta CanaMacao, Punta Cana · BudgetLarge families on a budgetCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Barceló Bávaro Palace
Family resort
|
Bávaro beach, Punta Cana | Mid-range | Families wanting water parks | Check prices |
|
|
Majestic Mirage Punta Cana
All-suite resort
|
Arena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana | Mid-range | Families with babies | Check prices |
|
|
Ocean El Faro
Family resort
|
El Faro, north of Macao, Punta Cana | Mid-range | Families with slide fans | Check prices |
|
|
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Resort and casino
|
Macao, Punta Cana | Splurge | Families wanting lots of action | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Riu Bambu
Family resort
|
Arena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana | Budget | Budget families with teens | Check prices |
|
|
Majestic Elegance Punta Cana
All-inclusive resort
|
Arena Gorda, Bávaro, Punta Cana | Mid-range | Families with school-age kids | Check prices |
|
|
Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana
Family resort
|
Macao, Punta Cana | Budget | Large families on a budget | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 7, 2026.
When to Go to Punta Cana With Kids
- Temperature: January highs average about 83 °F with lows about 70 °F; August highs reach about 90 °F.
- Rain: March is the driest month. September, November, May and October are the wettest, in that order.
- Hurricanes: the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10.
- Seaweed: sargassum typically peaks in June or July and is lowest in winter.
- Pool hours: at the Majestic resorts the pools are open from 8 am to 6 pm, so plan pool time for the daytime.
Getting to Punta Cana's Family Resorts
- Airport: all of these resorts use Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). Barceló puts Barceló Bávaro Palace about 18 km away; Majestic puts its resorts about 26 km away; Riu gives 30 to 45 minutes for Riu Bambu; Bahia Principe gives about 25 km.
- Transfers: book a transfer or taxi in advance, and ask for car seats if you need them.
- Getting around: the beach at the Majestic resorts is about a 5-minute walk from the lobby. Barceló Bávaro Palace and Bahia Principe Explore Punta Cana are parts of larger multi-hotel complexes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.