The Bareclo Bavaro Beach Resort in Beautiful Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Please to be allowing me to set the mood: You step off the plane after an unexpectedly smooth landing on a small, concrete tarmac. As you exit the plane, the climate sets the mood. The day is windy, but not always. Clouds hang and speckle the sky, but again, not always. You are in the Dominican Republic; rain is a passing shower.
Disembarking the plane, the line leads you to a thatched-roof building, and you understand the origin of the word TERMINAL. Before entering the, for lack of a better word: “building”, a few beautiful ladies grab hold of each arm and smile, speaking to you all the time in Spanish; and they are wearing blue, white and red flamenco clothes. A camera flash and you are finished, and on your way to another checkpoint in the procession.
Have your passport handy; you’re going to need it. The locals check your identification, collect your customs slips, and question your intents. Ten dollars gets you into the country, and a handful of change gets you a “gracias amigo!” from the steel drum band playing your welcome. The sun is out now, and the view is gorgeous.
Walking around the curved airport terminal, very much unlike anything in the United States, you may visit the luggage claim, the gift shop, or finish up at the end. Here you encounter a barrage of men yelling instructions and beckoning at you, all the while in Spanish. They hold up signs, showcasing names such as: TravelocityÃ?Â?, Bavaro BeachÃ?Â?, etc. You locate your driver, he loads your luggage into the bus, and you’re off.
The road is a two-lane highway, extending from the airport to the resort. You pass through small villages, with broken-down automobiles on either side; locals walk the streets in worn clothes and shoes-optional feet. This is third world to a tee. The houses are built out of plywood; boxy, open and pastel. There are no yards, only gravel and dirt. Some houses look as though they have been vacant for years.
Palm trees and other wild brush that accompany the road speckle and create the scenery. Billboards, which seem totally out of place, advertise investment housing and resorts. The shops are crude; and few.
A passing car is a rarity, but a person on a bike is more common. There are women, young and old, on either side of the road flagging down taxis, or prostituting themselves out – it is unclear which, but more likely the later option. Unlike in America, the roads seem limitless, and passing occurs haphazardly. Inching by a man on a bicycle, the van I was riding in almost ended the life of the rider.
Finally, at a distant intersection, a Shell gas station and a Burger King stick out like sore thumbs. I refer to this as a little bit of “Puntamericana.”
Making the immediate right, animals, such as chickens and goats, inhabit the land. The open fields contain grasses and shrubs on which they feast. There are no owners in sight, just more empty houses. The road continues on with much the same sites. A house here; a motel there; there’s a car rental office, and there’s a travel agency. Up ahead, you finally reach the gates, guarded with a security station. With a wave of his hand, your driver indicates to the guard that he is here on business, with passengers; and the arm of the gate lifts.
You’ve arrived at the Bavaro Beach Hotel and Resort! Welcome!!!
Check in, put down the bags and head to the beach, you’re burning daylight and tan time!
The Barcel�³ Bavaro Beach Resort encompasses 3 km of white sandy beaches, sporting the Beach, Garden, Golf and Casino resorts. Each resort has a large, open-lobbied lodging area where guests can be entertained at any time of the day. Located within, you will find bars, pools, eateries and gift shops, along with high-speed internet access, pool tables and much more. A train provides an alternate mode of transportation throughout the entire complex, so as not to overwork those tired, in much need of rest, feet of yours. However, walking is not unheard of, as the different areas are moderately spaced and within minutes of each other.
And now to the important part of the resort: The Beaches. The white sand beaches are a realistic bit of proof that one can find Heaven on this place called Earth. The water, sporting a beautiful aqua blue color, does the Atlantic Ocean proud by providing a luxurious and captivating Caribbean look. The bath-wateresq temperatures ensure that quick dips are a possibility, but lingering swims are a must. Protected by a reef, which keeps the larger seashells and waves away, the gentle lapping of waves give guests various levels of relaxation. One is able to see straight to the bottom, and the algae-matted bottoms appear in brown patches at certain intervals.
The afore-mentioned reef is very noticeable in the far off distance, It is marked by the breaking of larger waves, although with distance, they do not appear all that big. Walking out to the edge is not entirely possible due to swimming restrictions, however, the trek out is only about three feet deep, dropping deeper at points, but maintaining a relatively shallow nature over all.
On the beach, chairs are plentiful, and good spots abound. Depending on the time of day, or time of year, crowds range, but the surf is large enough to accommodate many and still appear spacious and uncrowded. Coconut palm trees provide the necessary shade to keep out of the hot sun in spots, and also enrich the aesthetic appeal of the resort. Those who seek more active vacationing will also benefit from the volleyball nets, craft shops and water-sport activities offered along the water’s edge. Bars are located every-so-often along the sand for patrons to drink the local drinks, or grab a bottle of water.
As a quick interlude, remember to keep yourself hydrated. The heat is no laughing matter! Bottled water, as opposed to the bacteria-laden local water, is provided by all areas from the bars to the restaurants. Vacationers should limit the amount of unbottled water consumed, due to various intestinal parasites that might be present in the water. However, they are none too harmful, and easily treated and ridden from the body, so please don’t fret! Now, back to paradisio!
You may choose to lie back with a good book to gain your tan, participate in a previously-mentioned activity, or walk the water’s edge to either side of the beach, where you will find hammocks to the right, and the Flea Market to the left. As is custom in Punta Cana, there are no set prices, so be ready to barter with the local vendors.
At the market, don’t be surprised when Juan Chipichipi, or John Wayne (both true vendors) offers you a shot of Mamajuana, the native island liquor. Mamajuana is a supposed aphrodisiac and island cure-all. The drink is made from a special blend of tree stems, rum, wine, honey, molasses and lemon juice. Make-it-yourself kits are available for purchase, but the ready-made liquor is your best introduction. Locals love to tempt potential customers with this ever-popular drink, so be forewarned! Other sellers take a different approach, such as giving free necklaces to bonita senoritas as they pass.
When the sun goes down on Bavaro Beach, don’t expect a Cancun-like nightlife. Not to say there is nothing to do; the local casino, located right on the resort, is open 24 hours a day. For those who wish not to tempt their luck, nightly stage shows occur in the lobbies of the different resorts. These shows range from burlesque, to world-music showcases, to variety hours, and lip-syncing routines. The mature crowd will appreciate all these Vegas-style productions have to offer.
The bars on the complex remain open until 1:00 am, when all the power is turned off, and the taps stop pumping out the local beer, El Presidente. A long list of local drinks is available, and the waiters and waitresses are more than happy to accommodate your every libationary need. However, past 1 am, everything shuts down, and you may finish your drinks in the dark, or go elsewhere. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.
Nightly, there is a discotheque located on the premises. This 80’s Americana throwback doesn’t get started until the wee hours of the morning, and then isn’t all that great either, only adding to the relatively poor nightlife of the resort. Those who endeavor to leave the grounds, highly UNRECOMMENDED by travel sources as well as local employees, will find a whole other world of nightlife. Venturing off of BarcelÃ?³ Bavaro property is risky, and again highly unrecommended.
The resort boasts a beautiful Golf course, which is not included in the stay. Green fees must be paid, as well a cart fees, but the course is exquisitely kept, and the weather normally cooperative for a day out on the links. Call ahead for reservations and tee times!
Meals, which include local and foreign cuisines, are served throughout the day at various restaurants included in the resort packages. One may chose from various options:
The Ambar Restaurant is the local Buffet. Cuisine varies by day, and drinks are included. A grill is also included, where diners may order special meats, fishes and pasta plates cooked in front of them.
El Coral Beach represents a more Western American dining experience. It is the only steak house in Punta Cana, and can be easily identified by its Saloon-style doors and Cowhide adored walls.
El Mexico Lindo, the Mexican restaurant, provides a menu filled with Mexican gourmet. The buffet/salad bar boasts guacamole, a grille for hot fare, and tacos.
La Fuente Restaurant, the eatery of the Casino, is not included in the package. However, guests are welcome to dine any time.
A tiny pizza window is also present, where guests hungry for an afternoon snack can order pizzas with various vegetable, meat and cheese toppings. However, with these extras, watch out for the waterfall of grease that is a byproduct of toppings and cheese alike.
Finally, the rooms provide a not-so-quiet area of lodging. Although spacious, the rooms are not well insulated, and hallway noise may be sleep disturbing. Each room contains a mini-fridge, stocked with sodas, beer and bottled water. The brick-like beds provide an area to sleep on, but don’t flop down too hard, or you might wake up with a bruise. Color televisions have satellite cable connections, and offer channels in both Spanish and English. Reception, however, is something to be desired. But, in its defense, you don’t go away to watch TV, and may work out as a benefit when children are involved.
Above all, the Barcel�³ Bavaro Beach Resort is a little slice of Heaven. Surrounded by beautiful beaches, the resort amounts to a quality vacation for young and old, family and friends alike. Around $1000 US, this all-inclusive getaway is affordable and well worth it. Your only regret will be leaving at the end of your vacation. Enjoy!
