In this review, I will honestly share with you what it’s like to stay at the RIU Republica Resort Adults-Only Resort in Punta Cana. I will briefly highlight a few key points, and offer some useful recommendations so you can determine if it’s the ideal vacation destination for your next tropical getaway.
This is not my first time staying at the RIU. If you read my reviews of the RIU in ARUBA and the RIU in the BAHAMAS, you will surmise that I am a fan. The RIU resort where I stayed in the Dominican Republic (DR) checked most of the boxes for a relaxing and fun-filled vacation. Below are a few highlights that may be of value to you.
Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section at the end of this blog, and feel free to ask me any questions.
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Where Is Punta Cana In The DR?
Punta Cana is located on the far eastern coast of the Dominican Republic, where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean.
This region, known for its long stretch of white sand beach and aqua-blue waters, is approximately a 40-minute drive from Higüey (the city and capital of La Altagracia) and a two-hour flight from Miami in the United States.
Its position in the province of La Altagracia makes it one of the country’s most popular vacation destinations, with year-round tropical weather and easy access to several beach activities, golf courses, and a vibrant nightlife.
After a 35-minute taxi ride from Punta Cana International Airport, you will arrive at the RIU Republica Resort.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
RIU Republica resort PUNTA CANA REVIEW
Staying solely at a resort, in my opinion, limits a traveller from experiencing the real, authentic culture of a country. I chose to remain only on the resort because it was my first trip to the Dominican Republic, and I had been warned about the safety risks.
Driving into the RIU Republica and walking through the resort felt like I was on a coconut tree farm. I have never seen so many coconut trees on a property before.
It makes me wonder if this plot of land was a coconut farm before the resort was built in 2016. However, they add a lot to the resort’s tropical vibe. Additionally, they also provided shade when on the beach.
RIU: The Split Between the Reserve and Party Side of The Resort
The check-in area in the center of the resort divides the property into two sections. The left side of the resort is more reserved and quiet, with its own pools, restaurants, bars, and buffet dining hall. The water slide is also on this side.
In comparison, the right half of the property is the larger, featuring multiple pools, bars, easy access to the beach, and entertainment activities, which is charged with high social energy.
The beachfront resort offers a variety of fun activities that most guests appear to enjoy. Continue reading to learn more.
Book through RIU = Free Transportation to and from the Airport.
According to one of their front desk staff, if guests book their stay through the RIU website, they will receive complimentary transportation to and from the hotel, saving them US $40.
The resort encourages guests to sign up for the RIU free class membership program, where they will earn points every time they reserve a hotel stay at any RIU in the world, regardless of which third-party company is used.
The RIU app also allows you to communicate with staff, ask questions, and make any requests or inquiries.
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What activities are at the all-inclusive RIU resort?
The RIU adult-only resorts seem to pride themselves on offering high-energy parties and a variety of entertainment options for their guests. However, this resort also provided a space within the resort where guests can enjoy a more chilled and relaxed atmosphere.
Before you travel, call the hotel to learn how you may receive tickets to one of their RIU parties. These themed pool parties are held at an exclusive venue off the resort. This activity is a time for guests to dress the part, dance, drink, and have a great time. Transportation is provided by the resort.
Beach Parties:
On most nights, beginning about 10 p.m., the resort hosts a beach party adjacent to the beach and across from the swim-up bar, where guests may enjoy limitless alcoholic beverages and a DJ who plays different genres of music. It’s time to sing, dance, and have fun on the white sand beach. Therefore, appropriate footwear is very important; nothing is wrong with showing up barefoot.
Water Slides:
If you decide to visit Hotel RIU Republica, you must include the water slide on your list of resort activities. I grew addicted to the constant adrenaline rush and immediate stress relief that came from going down each of the three distinct water slides.
RIU Live Entertainment:
On some nights, guests can attend and enjoy live musical and dance performances at the open-air theater. Grab several drinks from the bar in the area, sit, and enjoy the shows that are offered.
Game Room/Sports Bar: RIU
The game room is neither spacious nor arcade-style. It has just two pool tables. As a result, if you want to secure a pool table and play a few rounds of pool, arrive early before the sports bar opens early in the night.
The snack bar does not offer upscale snacks and drinks as one would expect from RIU. The snacks offered were underwhelmingly basic. On most days, corn chips and cheese sauce were served.
Despite their lackluster appeal, the sports bar and game room are also great spots to grab a few drinks, meet new people, and socialize.
Dance and Exercise Classes
Attend one of the resort’s classes to learn how to dance the bachata. In addition to the gym, guests can attend Pilates or pool workout classes, which are ideal for burning off some extra calories. Ask the front desk what times and days they are available during your stay.
Massage/SPA
Plan and book a spa day at the RIU Renova Spa. Most RIU resorts feature this spa company. I did not make a reservation at this resort. Therefore, I can only speak from personal experience at the RIU Renova in the Bahamas. The staff there was professional, and the deep tissue massage was rejuvenating.
How is the food at
riu republica
punta cana?
Based on my previous stays at RIU in the Bahamas and Aruba, I was impressed with their dining offerings and expected the same level of service here in Punta Cana. Buffet service is the primary dining style, with options for breakfast, lunch, and supper.
The hotel did a wonderful job providing a range of meal options. Although the resort served a few cultural dishes and food items, I believe the hotel should supply more traditional dishes or cultural foods.
I understand that the hotel strives to accommodate guests from all backgrounds. However, some of the dishes lacked flavor. More importantly, the meals served at the buffet were repeatedly served daily for all three meals.
Limited Drink Menu
The drink menu was very limited. The few drinks offered were similar to orange and fruit punch Kool-Aid drink mixes. I probably had one of the best-tasting cappuccinos I have had in a long time. Make sure you try their coffee when you visit.
Friendly Dining Staff
The dining staff was very friendly and attentive, even though the majority of them spoke very little English. This is where Google Translate will come in handy.
I will encourage everyone to leave your servers a tip. They work very hard for relatively little pay. One of the servers shared that she left her children in her hometown for two weeks to travel for work at the hotel.
Let’s Talk About The RIU Bars
I rarely drink alcoholic beverages. However, I do indulge in a few alcoholic beverages when on vacation. Unfortunately, the few beverages I drank at the RIU Republica were terrible. I am astonished that bartenders can botch up cocktails.
It appears that the staff scheduled to work at the bars had no prior experience in making drinks. Furthermore, the drinks were watered down.
The Mint Attack
The mojitos had more than half of the cup crammed with fresh mint, making them taste like mint tea with an overpowering mint flavor.
The piña colada was the worst. The non-alcoholic piña colada was blended and poured into the cup first, followed by the alcohol. This altered the flavor, and the slush melted even faster as I attempted to stir it with the paper straw.
What restaurants are at the RIU Republica?
In addition to the 2 buffet dining halls (La Altagracia and Mangu), Hotel RIU Republica offers a mix of a la carte dining with multiple themed restaurants and specialty options such as Kulinarium (gourmet style), Kaiori (Asian), Tarentalla (Italian), Ole’ (Spanish), Steakhouse, and American Country (American).
Do I Need A Reservation?
Except for the steakhouse, no reservations were required during my visit. Arrive early to prevent lengthy wait times. Furthermore, the restaurants close early. The Kulinarium restaurant provided comparable meals to the buffet, but sadly, it was served buffet style.
Kaiori offered a few Asian-inspired dishes and food items, like sushi and dumplings. Burgers, quesadillas, and French fries were among the traditional American dishes served at American Country Restaurant.
The Steakhouse
At the steakhouse, I ordered their BBQ ribs meal. I was very disappointed. The ribs were loaded with a thick layer of brown sauce that made it very unappealing. Moreover, the flavor was not there. The potato wedges and veggies were the only plated items that were worth consuming.
The restaurants I visited were ok for grabbing an evening bite with a different dining atmosphere. But the menu or dishes served did not have any wow factor.
The Jerk Center “Jerk Chicken”
I am going to provide a biased review only because I am from Jamaica, arguably the home of the best jerk chicken. The resort should change the name from “Jerk Chicken” to Grill Chicken.
To be honest, there was nothing “jerk” about the chicken that was being served. I had some of the best jerk chicken during my lifetime. In addition, I have made the jerk marinade at home on several occasions.
If you would like to learn how to make an authentic Jamaican Jerk Marinade Sauce, see the recipe HERE.
Jerk Chicken Needs a Revamp
Maybe it’s not fair, but I can’t help but compare my experiences eating and preparing good jerk chicken to the resort’s grilled chicken. Furthermore, the texture of the “BBQ sauce” they served with the chicken was like Colgate toothpaste: thick and pasty.
Although the Jerk Center at RIU Bahamas did not provide authentic jerk chicken, they did a great job of incorporating some level of jerk seasoning into their chicken.
This review is not to dissuade you from trying the grilled chicken. I will say give it a try with an open mind. You may end up liking it.
Learn To Make Jamaican Jerk Marinade
How was the hotel room at Adults-Only RIU REPUBLICA?
The room that was assigned to me was not the room I had paid for. Unfortunately, I had to change rooms, and it was a long process.
The room was spacious and clean, and I believe all the rooms in the resort come with a balcony.
After settling in the new room, I realized that there was no hot water and the TV did not work. There were visible signs of black mold around the door frame of the bathroom, but not enough to cause concern. Moreover, I was not looking to move again. After waiting a few hours, the TV and hot water were fixed by maintenance.
Bring Mosquito Spray
Even though the resort’s grounds are sprayed to get rid of the mosquitoes every day at 5 a.m., they somehow find their way inside my room through the mesh sliding door.
Fortunately, mosquitoes do not bother me much. I believe they are turned off by either my blood type or my body chemistry. I recommend that you bring insect and mosquito repellent for your trip.
Check the Drinks For Expiration Dates
The rooms come with unlimited alcoholic beverages, water, and drinks. It was not until near the end of my stay that I realized that the soft drinks in the refrigerator were more than 3 to 6 months expired. I brought it to the front desk staff’s attention, but he had a nonchalant attitude. Maybe it was the language barrier.
I will encourage you to report issues early so that they may be resolved promptly on the same day.
If you want a restful night’s sleep, contact the resort before your vacation and request a room that is not close to the noisy entertainment hub area.
HOW IS THE BEACH AT RIU REPUBLICA?
The highlight of the beach is the powdery white sand that is very easy on the feet. The resorts provided an adequate number of beach chairs. No beach umbrellas were available.
However, many coconut trees alongside the beach provided ample shade from the sun. If you want to get a good spot on the beach under a coconut tree with the best views, get there early morning after breakfast.
Beach Towel Shortage
Please ask for a beach towel card when you check in. If you want to secure a beach towel, you must arrive early in the morning. After 12 p.m., you will likely be advised to return in 2 hours or that there are no towels available.
Red Flag At The Beach
The beach reminded me of the ones in Puerto Rico. The beach water was not as clear as I expected. At the time of the visit, the beach was fairly rough with high waves.
It would be uncomfortable for someone who does not know how to swim. The waves did not stop me from having a great time swimming.
There’s something magical about relaxing on the beach, soaking up the sun, and watching the waves crash onto the shoreline.
I usually recommend beachgoers to cover their feet with these Beach Shoes I ordered on Amazon. They provide foot protection while also being lightweight. and comfortable.
More importantly, please apply sunscreen on your face and body. I learned the hard way and got burned on my face. I recommend the Hawaiian Tropic Sunscreen SPF 70 lotion and Keihl’s SPF 30 sun protection face cream.
A waterproof and sandproof Beach Blanket and polarized UV400 protection Sunglasses are essential on a beach day.
Hydration is key when you spend a long time on the beach. Make sure you carry a thermal water bottle like this 64-ounce stainless steel thermal water bottle from Amazon.
To protect your phone while in the water and to make sure you capture memorable moments, you must get this waterproof phone pouch like this one HERE.
The Nothing Noise Cancellation Headphone is probably one of the best headphones I have ever owned. One great selling point is that it comes with a 3.5 mm audio cable that can be used on the aircraft to listen to music or watch movies. You no longer have to use the flimsy one provided by the airline.
What is THE OVERALL thought about RIU DOMINICAN REPUBLIC?
Hotel Riu República is a budget-friendly, adults-only, all-inclusive resort that offers nice amenities, exciting activities, and beach access for guests to enjoy.
It does not give perfection as it relates to accommodations, food, and customer service. If you have high expectations for luxury, you may be disappointed. However, if you approach your trip with an understanding of the benefits and drawbacks I presented in this blog, you can have an interesting and memorable vacation.
The resort is not perfectly luxurious, but for many travelers, the positives may overshadow the negatives, especially if you love entertainment, people, and the energy resort life provides.
Will I Revisit RIU Republica?
Will I come back here? Probably not, only because I would prefer to experience a different RIU resort in another part of Punta Cana. I more than likely will not stay at a resort. I would probably book a boutique hotel that will give me the freedom to explore the streets of Punta Cana.
Leave a Comment
I hope my blog review was helpful in you making a decision to vacation at RIU Republica or inspired you to visit Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Leave a comment and/or a question in the comment section. I will respond to you as soon as possible.
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PUNTA CANA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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After reading this Im ready to pack my bags! I love this awesome part of the world! Thanks for sharing!
Appreciate you visiting, Lauren. I hope you get to visit Punta Cana, DR.
Love the honesty in the comment- Jerk Chicken needs a revamp. I would expect that from a Food King like you! Thanks for your honest feedback.
Thank you, JRC.
Looks awesome. Have been to DR a few times and will check it out. Went to RUI in Aruba and it was fabulous. Years ago went to one in Cabo as well. Great place to stay, delicious food and service.
Thank you for visiting and sharing your travel exploration.
Thanks for sharing such a comprehensive review.
Thank you for visiting. Chloe.
It’s getting cold where I live, and it’s nice to imagine traveling to some place warm.
I love how comprehensive a guide this is. Everyone needs to read an honest review before they travel to know what to expect… as well as what’s worth checking out and what’s worth avoiding. Or what to be aware of.
Thank you for visiting, Katherine. I am happy my review is useful. Hope you get to visit warm Punta Cana, DR someday.