Punta Cana is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Caribbean. With dozens of new resorts being built each year, some of the older resorts -like Iberostar Bavaro- seem to get left in the dust. It doesn’t seem quite fair, though, does it?
These resorts still have a special Caribbean charm. A sweet memory from the past. With influences from Dominican colonial times, tied in with Spanish character. Plus, you’ll still have that amazing beach that Punta Cana is famous for!
So let’s talk about Iberostar Selection Bavaro:
I’ll tell you what you need to know, including some of my own personal recommendations. And then I’ll show you some photos of Karen & Brandon’s blue and white beach wedding there.
Finally, you’ll be able to decide for yourself if this is the destination wedding venue for you!
Iberostar Selection Bavaro
Like I said before, this resort is one of those typical, Dominican-style resorts. It was built in 1996 so that alone tells you a lot about the property. They performed extensive renovations in 2019 to upgrade the rooms, the restaurants, and the overall look and feel of the resort, but you can never really take away that Dominican flare.
Iberostar Selection Bavaro is a family-friendly resort that is nice for low-maintenance couples. They won’t offer any fancy bells and whistles, but if you’re looking to relax on the beach and enjoy a simple vacation, this hotel will work nicely for you.
If you’re looking for a modern, luxurious resort, this is not the place for you. Check out Hard Rock Punta Cana or Now Onyx instead.
If you love the rustic feel, Caribbean colors, and just want a relaxing, simple vacation, then this may just be your spot.
What to Know About Iberostar Selection Bavaro
There are a lot of great things going on at this resort. Although they classify themselves as a 5-star property, I would say it’s probably closer to a 4. As long as you know that going in, you’ll be happy.
The pool is big, clean, and right next to the beach. There’s a little pirate ship water park which is great for the kids! And there’s a swim-up bar for the adults in your group. The beach is gorgeous with that soft white sand we all dream of. And there are plenty of beach chairs so you can lounge all day under the sun. (Just don’t forget the sunscreen!)
It’s a large resort so be prepared to walk quite a bit to get around. And even though it’s a big property, the bathrooms seem strangely cramped and awkward. I would recommend booking a suite in the Coral Level at Iberostar Selection Bavaro for a little nicer, more exclusive experience.
The food is better at the buffet than in any of the a la carte restaurants so I’d stick with that instead of making reservations. There are a lot of choices, but you probably won’t eat anything mind-blowing. That’s true for most resorts, though.
One of the biggest reasons to stay at this resort is for the golf course. It’s a gorgeous 18-hole course designed by the famous P.B. Dye. Definitely check out the Iberostar Golf Club if you have a chance. The golfers in your group won’t want to miss this one!
Finally, one of my absolute favorite things about this resort is its Wave of Change program.
Wave of Change
Iberostar has created a movement towards responsible tourism with its Wave of Change program. The Golf Club has eliminated single-use plastics, and they’re working to do that throughout their resorts as well.
They have set standards to ensure the fish and seafood they serve is responsibly sourced. And even more importantly, they’re respecting the lobster fishing season – which means not serving lobster between March-June. (I know this is a hard thing for tourists to accept as we want to eat lobster all year round, but this is crucial to the species’ survival.)
Along with that, Iberostar Bavaro has a Coral Laboratory to study, protect, and restore coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass. This is a huge step in the right direction! During your trip, be sure to stop by the lab to learn about how important this really is.
Iberostar Bavaro During Covid
Here’s the thing, y’all… Covid has changed the world. We all know it. Our lives are different now. And it will be a while until things return to a new normal. So if you decide to take a trip to Punta Cana during this time, please remember this:
Resorts are not functioning at their full capacity. This means that they have less staff on-site to cater to your needs. There are fewer restaurants open. They may have fewer activities at the beach or the pool. And it may take longer for your requests to be handled.
Of course, you can still enjoy a fantastic vacation! And if you’re lucky enough to travel right now (and do so in a safe way) I encourage you to do so. But please do not expect to have the same exact experience you had pre-covid.
Businesses are doing their best! We’re all trying to make it through this stressful time. Just as you and your families are back home. So please be extra patient during your trip. Smile – Even if it is behind a mask. If something goes wrong, take a deep breath and try to laugh about it instead of getting upset. (At least you’ll have a good story!)
If covid has taught us anything, it’s that life is short and should be cherished. So focus on the positive things going on around you. You’re in sunny Punta Cana, after all! If you can do that, you’ll have an amazing time no matter where you go.
Now let me tell you about a beautiful wedding and show you some photos to lighten the mood.
Karen & Brandon’s Wedding at Iberostar Bavaro
I’m so excited to tell you about these two. They are the cutest!
Brandon was born and raised in southern California. Karen was born in Taiwan. She moved to South Carolina for high school and then to San Diego for college. While working the same part-time job, they met and fell in love!
Karen and Brandon had already been together for almost 10 years before getting married. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me!
They had never been to the Caribbean before, but somehow they knew Punta Cana would be the right place to tie the knot. Together with 22 of their closest family and friends, they made it happen.
Check out photos from their blue and white wedding below:
So what do you think? Is this the resort for your destination wedding?
If you’d like to see other photos from this property, check out Evelyn & Edwin’s Couple’s Photoshoot.
