Punta Cana Travel Diary: Outfits, Resort Life, and Honest Takeaways

When I asked on Instagram which blog post you wanted first, the answer was clear—our Punta Cana trip recap, complete with all my outfit details and hotel info, won by a landslide! While I shared plenty of snapshots on Instagram and LTK, I wanted to put everything together in one place for you. Whether you’re planning your own Dominican getaway or just love a good style roundup, I’ve got you covered.

Vacation Wardrobe: What I Packed and Loved

One of my favorite parts of traveling is curating outfits that are equal parts comfortable, chic, and functional. Punta Cana gave me the perfect excuse to pack light, breezy pieces that could take me from the pool to dinner. I know some of these items lean toward the splurge side, so I’ve also included lookalikes that are easier on the budget.

Travel Outfits

For travel days, I stuck with layers and comfort:

• A cotton-blend dress paired with slides, a roomy backpack, and a wide-brimmed sunhat.
• Lululemon joggers with a graphic tee, denim jacket, and my go-to sneakers. (Pro tip: these sneakers work for long airport walks and exploring resort grounds.)

Casual Looks

Once settled, I leaned into denim shorts, colorful tops, and easy sandals. A few favorites:

• Agolde Parker long jean shorts with a Free People rainbow top.
• A simple white crop top with matching shorts and a straw crossbody.
• A ruffled poplin blouse paired with jean shorts and flat slides.

Dresses & Jumpsuits

Dresses made up half my suitcase, and honestly, they made getting ready a breeze. Highlights included:

• A relaxed poplin shirt dress belted at the waist.
• A flowy Amazon maxi perfect for beach dinners.
• A bold hot pink pant set that turned heads at night.
• A mix of denim, bohemian styles, and one-shoulder numbers for variety.

Swim & Cover-Ups

Of course, no tropical trip is complete without swimsuits. I packed bikinis, one-pieces, and lightweight cover-ups that transitioned easily from the beach to lunch. Some favorites:

• A chic cutout bikini with a breezy button-down cover-up.
• A ribbed two-piece paired with oversized sunglasses.
• A crochet cover-up layered over a one-piece for extra texture.

Shoes & Accessories

I rotated between slides, cloud sandals, and a few designer favorites. Accessories like straw totes, crossbodies, and wide-brim hats tied everything together.

Where We Stayed: Paradisus Grand Cana

This wasn’t my first trip to the Dominican Republic—in fact, it was my fifth—and every time, we’ve chosen to stay at Melia properties. The resorts are designed so you never really need to leave, which works perfectly for us when traveling with kids.

This time, we stayed at Paradisus Grand Cana, one of Melia’s newest hotels in Punta Cana. My parents are Melia “members” (think timeshare perks), which gave us a few extras during our stay. The best part? If you stay at one Melia property, you still get access to the others on the same complex—meaning more restaurants, pools, and activities at your fingertips.

What We Loved About the Resort

There were plenty of highlights that made this trip memorable:

• Childcare services: Free care for kids ages one and up from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This was huge for us, especially since most resorts only offer childcare for kids over four. Miller loved the themed nightly activities, from dance parties to pajama movie nights.
• The water park: Our kids would have lived there if we let them! With areas designed for different age groups, it kept them entertained daily.
• The beach setup: Chairs were plentiful (even if not front row), and the sand was soft and cool for the kids to dig and play.
• Beach maintenance: The staff worked hard to manage the sargassum (seaweed), using tractors to keep the shoreline clear.
• Cocktails: I have to give credit here—the bartenders knew how to make a good drink!

What Could Have Been Better

Like any trip, there were a few drawbacks worth mentioning:

• Inconsistent service: While some employees were warm and friendly, others—especially at the bars—seemed less than enthusiastic.
• Food quality: It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t outstanding either. Pretty typical for an all-inclusive.
• Distance to the beach: The walk was about 15 minutes, so we often relied on resort carts. Add a stroller and beach gear to the mix, and it became a little inconvenient.
• Dining schedules: Restaurants didn’t open for dinner until 6:30, which is late for little ones. Plus, there was a food gap between breakfast (ending at 11:30) and lunch (starting at 12:30). We had to keep snacks on hand to bridge the gap.

Final Thoughts and Travel Tips

Overall, Paradisus Grand Cana was a fantastic choice for our family, especially with its childcare options and water park. Still, we’re considering trying Puerto Vallarta or Playa del Carmen next time for something closer with a similar setup. Both spots have great family resorts, though sargassum on the beaches can be an issue there too.

If you’re planning a trip like this, here are my quick tips:

• Pack snacks for kids since meal times may not align with their schedules.
• Bring comfortable walking shoes (you’ll need them).
• If you’re traveling with toddlers, double-check childcare age minimums before booking.
• Don’t forget a light jacket—Caribbean evenings can surprise you.

Punta Cana will always hold a special place in our hearts, and this trip gave us both relaxation and sweet family memories. From outfit inspo to resort recs, I hope this guide helps you plan your own tropical escape.