Punta Cana or Aruba??

We are looking at Aruba as well! My aunt has been there and she loved it! They have a flamingo beach at the renaissance hotel where you hang out with them, I've seen snorkeling, shopping, great food, etc!

We heard that Punta Cana is one of the more affordable places to go, so that's what we chose. We're excited to have an upgraded room too, and can't wait. I heard the food is only mediocre at the resort we're going to, but that's not something that we're too concerned about.

I have been to both, and it depends what you're prioritizing out of those things.

I prefer Aruba. The beaches are gorgeous in Aruba, and there is plenty to do adventure-wise. One of my most favorite things to do in Aruba is off-roading up near the lighthouse. But I will say besides casinos I don't think there's a ton to do nightlife wise. There are some bars but if you're going for a "club" atmosphere there isn't a ton of that. Especially at the resorts.

Aruba is definitely nice and safe. Take a jeep out for the day, there is tons to do. Baby Beach, or any beach tbh but I love that one. The water is so shallow you can walk so far out and just sit down in the water and chill. The snorkeling isn't bad there either. The Natural Pool, the Natural Bridge (I think it's like a "baby bridge" now because of erosion). Butterfly farm, there is a minigolf place, you can go to the Balashi (beer) brewery, aloe factory. De Palm Island. Downtown one of the hotels has like gondola rides lol I think it's the Renaissance? Lots of shopping in that area. Tons of tours.

Idk if you're looking into all-inclusives or the high rises towards the northern tip of the island but, the all-inclusive we stay at tends to run a Black Friday-type sale at the end of the year that might cut the price down for you.

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Where do you usually stay?

Yeah, we aren't looking for club atmosphere, but we also want a crowd that is sort of similar to ours. We don't want it to be idk how to put this "older crowd". We are both in our mid twenties.

We want an all inclusive resort, probably adult only -isn't a deal breaker though.

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The Divi / Tamarijn All Inclusives.

Divi is the more "adult" side, Tamarijn seems to be for a younger crowd. But if you stay at either you can use the facilities at either side. They are just down the beach from each other. You can walk or use a little tram that goes back and forth. Same tram also takes you to a casino and there's a few shops and a Dunkin Donuts over there as well.

Would like to add that the Tam has literal beachfront rooms whereas Divi does not. If you get a ground floor room you can literally walk off of the patio and you'll be in sand. A few steps farther and you're in the water. I would choose the Tam solely for this. We stayed in one of these the last time I was there and omg. Just awesome.

They also have another sister property across the road called the Divi Links I believe. A golf course and they have a restaurant too. It costs a little extra but I've heard it's amazing. This one does not have direct beach access. You'd have to cross the street for that.

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How is the atmosphere at both of these places? Do they serve good food and drinks? How is the service & the rooms?

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Atmosphere is verrrrry laid back (island time, after all) but there is plenty to do during the day too. They have activities by the pool like at most places, you can take out bikes, snorkel, they have mats you can take into the ocean, ping pong, pool tables, Tam has rock climbing. At night it picks up a little bit. They have live music, sometimes they have performances of some kind, and sometimes they have local artisans come in to showcase/sell their crafts (not pushy at all, you can walk right past them if you want they won't harass you).

I believe the food and drinks are very good. So many options. I know that many of the restaurants have been re-done recently. Red Parrot is very good at Divi. There is a pizza bar at the Divi right by the lobby - it is our traditional first stop of the vacation. Pizzas are amazing as are the drinks. Buffets have lots of variety and the food themes change daily. I think there are something like 6 or 7 restaurants between them so you don't even have to do the buffets at all for dinner if you'd want to try all the specialty restaurants. I really like Ginger (Asian), and they also have an Italian place. Bars are good! Sort of strange on one trip we kept trying to get banana coladas and they didn't have bananas? Just that one trip, it was weird. Besides that, if you tip (not required but is nice) the bartenders remember you and will "take care" of you. The staff in general is very friendly and personable. Many people vacation in Aruba yearly once they start going, and the staff remembers them year after year.

The rooms have been re-done recently as well. I believe they're well-appointed.

Honestly I don't think you can go wrong. I sort of wish I had some kind of negative to tell you to make all of this believable and not like I work for the Divi resorts but I've really never had a bad experience. There is a reason so many people go back year after year and buy timeshares there.

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much!

As far as all inclusive resorts go, check out the Chic Punta Cana, it’s on the pricier side, but it has the “younger” vibe to it and TONS of things to do! I don’t know specifically what there is to do nearby the resort or even how far away from nightlife it is, but our party enjoyed staying on the resort and never felt bored. Worth looking into I think! Also second the tipping tip (lol), even if it’s a buck here and there, in an all inclusive environment where no one carries cash and this rarely tips, those who do get white glove service!

DR is a top spot in the Caribbean for nightlife!