**Updated July 2020**
Have you decided to have an off-resort wedding and get married at a venue in Punta Cana instead? Cheers to that!
We love outside venues like Kukua, Jellyfish, and Huracan Cafe for so many reasons!! But the top one has to be because the main focus of the day for everyone there is the wedding. From the planner to the DJ, and everyone in between, every single person is there to celebrate your wedding day. How amazing is that?!
At resorts, there are always other people around. While you are getting married, some hotel guests will be taking photos and videos of your ceremony. (Yes, people you don’t know are posting videos of you on their Instagram…) And if they don’t have their phone out, they’re staring at you, eating nachos, wearing nothing but a speedo. I’m talking from experience here. Now some people are fine with that. They may even love all that attention. But if that sounds like a nightmare to you, then an off-resort venue is probably a better fit for your wedding.
At your venue, it will be you, your fiancé, your guests, and your vendors. That’s it! Isn’t that so much more intimate?
Once you’ve made the decision to get married at a venue, you’ll still need to book a resort to stay at throughout your vacation. So where should you stay? Well, that’s what I’m here for!
Depending on where your venue is, I’ll recommend a few hotels nearby. These are just suggestions so you don’t have to stay at any of these resorts. But it will make it easier for your guests to get there – and to get back after a fun night of drinking at your wedding! (We all have those friends that can’t wait for the open bar to be open…)
Here are my top recommendations based on the venues we work with most often:
Where to Stay if You’re Getting Married at Jellyfish?
Luckily, Jellyfish Restaurant is located in the heart of Bavaro. There so many resorts in this area so almost every hotel works for you!
The main resorts nearby are:
– Melia Caribe Tropical
– Lopesan Costa Bavaro
– Paradisus Palma Real
– The Reserve at Paradisus
– The Grand Reserve at Paradisus
– Secrets Royal Beach
– Now Larimar
– Barcelo Bavaro Palace & Barcelo Bavaro Beach (Adults Only)
Jellyfish Restaurant is right in the middle of Melia Caribe Tropical and Lopesan Costa Bavaro. If you want to be 3 minutes away – walking on the beach – then these resorts are perfect!
All of the other resorts listed are within 15 minutes of walking on the beach – Or 10 minutes driving. Jellyfish makes it easy to arrange transportation, just be advised that the road to get there isn’t paved so it gets a little bumpy.
Which Resorts are Located Near Kukua Beach Club?
Kukua is in a great location (like most off-resort venues!) which helps to reduce travel times and headaches while planning your destination wedding. It’s also a great spot to visit for a site inspection if you feel like coming to Punta Cana prior to your wedding week.
Some resorts close by are:
– Royalton Punta Cana or Royalton Bavaro
– Majestic Colonial, Majestic Elegance, or Majestic Mirage
– Hard Rock Punta Cana
– Riu Palace Punta Cana or Riu Palace Macao
– Bahia Principe
The last two on the list are right next to Kukua Restaurant. They’re less than 5 minutes walking on the beach. If you don’t love the idea of having the venue within walking distance every day of your vacation, then Royalton, Majestic, or Hard Rock are great options nearby. Or if you want to stay in a completely different area, check out the resorts closer to Jellyfish & Huracan Cafe.
Where Should I Stay for a Huracan Cafe Wedding?
Huracan Cafe shares most of the same resort options as Jellyfish since they are so close to one another. Centrally located in the middle of the Bavaro area, you can decide to stay in any of the places listed below.
Let’s go with the ones closest in distance:
– Now Larimar
– Secrets Royal Beach
– Paradisus Palma Real
– Grand Palladium
– Playa Turquesa Ocean Club
The last one on the list, Playa Turquesa, is only a few steps from Huracan Cafe. If you want to be within walking distance, it’s a great option. You should know that it’s not an all-inclusive resort but more of an Apartment Rental or Airbnb style. It’s great for people who want a different experience in Punta Cana, but it’s nothing like the all-inclusive resorts on the list.
The Best Place to Stay for a Wedding at Pearl Beach Club
Pearl Beach Club is located on the beautiful beaches of Cabeza de Toro which is basically the space between Bavaro and the Punta Cana airport.
Resorts nearby are:
– Catalonia Royal Bavaro & Catalonia Bavaro Beach
– Dreams Palm Beach
– Be Live Grand & Be Live Collection Punta Cana (Adults Only)
Pearl Beach Club is right next door to the Catalonia Resorts so that’s your best option. Otherwise, Dreams Palm Beach and Be Live are both still in Cabeza de Toro if you want to stay in that same area but not be right next door. If you prefer an entirely different spot in Punta Cana, then check out the resorts closer to Jellyfish or Kukua.
Which Resorts Can I Find Close to The Palms?
Even though this venue is a little further than the other ones, it’s very close to some beautiful resorts in the Uvero Alto area. The Palms Punta Cana feels more exotic, natural, and authentic than all the other venues on the list. It’s a little bit more secluded and “not as modern” (in a good way). You would want to go there for the place and the views.
The amazing thing about The Palms is that it is a villa so you can actually stay there during the entire week! We are giving you options close to this venue in case you have a large group and want to have them close to you.
Close to The Palms, you can find:
– Royalton Chic
– Dreams Punta Cana Resort & Spa
– Now Onyx
– Excellence El Carmen
– Breathless (Adults Only)
-Zoetry
Zoetry is very secluded and is further away from most resorts. It’s not the cheapest, but it’s absolutely beautiful, and you’ll get a very natural experience staying there. Excellence Punta Cana is another great option if you don’t mind driving a little bit to this wedding venue.
Closing Thoughts for Your Off-Resort Wedding
I hope this list helps you decide which resort to stay at for your off-resort wedding and with your wedding planning over all! You can stay at any of these resorts and have an amazing off-resort wedding. If your wedding venue is not on the list don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re happy to give you other recommendations!
If you are still in the early stages of planning and haven’t decided what venue or resort to choose for your wedding check out The Top 5 Spots for Your Wedding Photos or How to Choose a Wedding Venue Without Ever Seeing it in Person.
