This year for our annual Boondoggle trip, I traveled to the beautiful Dominican Republic. I was joined in the tropical paradise with 30 other Macaroni KID publishers from all over the United States. We stayed at the gorgeous Meliá Caribe Beach Resort in Punta Cana. As we experienced the beautiful Caribbean scenery, we learned that this is a destination that families should put on their list to visit.
When I arrived at the resort, I felt very welcome by the staff. They were helpful and friendly. The rooms at Meliá Caribe Beach Resort are incredible. Whether you are staying with friends, a significant other, or the entire family, there is a room to fit your needs with stunning pool and garden views from your terrace or balcony.
Take a walk, play, or have a meal on the gorgeous white sandy beach with beautiful turquoise-blue water. Our first night I enjoyed meeting everyone with dinner on Bávaro Beach.
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Photo credit Outdoors Photo Family
With 6 swimming pools and 13 different restaurants, you can swim, eat, drink, and repeat as much as you want. Savor the Mediterranean, Spanish, Tex-Mex, Italian, or Asian cuisine. Enjoy endless options at an international buffet. Most of the sit-down dinners do require reservations, so make sure to plan that accordingly. One of my favorites was the variety of delectable fresh fruit we enjoyed. There are pools for all ages, including a kids splash park and an adults-only pool.
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I knew we were going to explore an all-inclusive resort, but there were 3 things I did not expect to find and it really made Meliá Caribe Beach Resort an unforgettable one.
1. LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
The live entertainment throughout the resort was amazing! You could find some around almost every corner. Live music surrounds you, with musicians playing saxophone, guitar, violin, and sensational singers. Stilt performers, contortionists, acrobats, fire twirling, and much more. Live family shows on stage each night. We enjoyed the culture, dancing, and humor in the Dominican Republic show. Our last night we checked out the premiere of the Elvis show and really were captivated by the live music and aerial acts.
2. ANIMALS
As you walk around the stunning resort and immerse yourself in the gorgeous gardens, you will find some friends along the way. From my first look outside my room, I spotted a beautiful horse next to a coconut tree. Peacocks strut along the paths with pride. Striking pink flamingos stand by the pond. Throughout the resort, we discovered so many unique and interesting animals. We walked along the beach and met even more friends including Chewy the spider monkey and Juliet the macaw parrot.
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3. FAMILY FUN
Besides the live entertainment and animals, there are even more ways to keep the kids entertained at Meliá Caribe Beach Resort. Splash Island Water Park has a pool, waterfalls, slides, giant bucket, and more. They even make cotton candy fresh on-site for the kids to enjoy a sweet snack. Or try the main pool for a pool party with DJ music, dancers, and balloons. You can go on a family bike ride or have a picnic. Many different activities are planned throughout the week. End the night with dance lessons or go at your own tempo at the silent disco.
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During these ever-changing times, rest assured that you can Stay Safe with Meliá. Cleaning processes have been intensified and spaces have been modified for social distancing. All staff is vaccinated and wearing masks. Guests must also wear masks when indoors and in common areas. Gloves must be worn by all guests at the buffets. Meliá also offers free travel insurance and an antigen test that is administered by independent laboratories located right in the resort. You can learn more about the COVID protocols here.
Here are a few of our extra adventures while in the Dominican Republic:
The author was hosted at Meliá Caribe Beach Resort for purposes of a review. All opinions are her own.
#hosted #MKatMeliaCaribeBeach #SoulMatters
