Distance from Hotel to Airport, 45 minutes.

General Information
This excellent hotel is centrally located in the tourist resort of Arena Gorda (Punta Cana). Situated directly on the wonderful, kilometer-long fine sand Bavaro beach, the crystal-clear, turquoise blue sea provides a fantastic getaway from the daily routine. All of the personnel are already waiting to make you enjoy its extraordinary world of all-inclusive Iberostar. Find specialties restaurants from many parts of the globe, elegant or informal ambiences, refined or simple drinks. Feel hungry at a very late (or very early) hour? No problem, there always is something to eat. Experience first class offerings and enjoy endless details.

The expansive Iberostar Bavaro Resort complex includes Iberostar Bavaro, Iberostar Dominicana and Iberostar Punta Cana, with all facilities available to guests of each hotel. The complex consists of the main building, surrounded by 74 two-story bungalows, each with eight apartments. There is a delightful variety of specialty restaurants featuring international cuisine, including Japanese and Mediterranean and even a steakhouse, as well as numerous bars. The resort also boasts a spa, fitness center, expansive pool area with bar adjacent to the beach and entertainment center. The nearby shopping complex includes a nightclub, casino, internet cafe, pharmacy, bank and Star Rock Cafe, which serves American fare.

The resort boasts 588 elegant and spacious junior suites. A comfortable living area with fold-out sofa leads into the bedroom, which is available with one double bed or two twin beds. All guestrooms have private baths and showers, A/C, satellite TV, mini-bars, ceiling fans, hairdryers, telephones, safety deposit boxes and a balcony or terrace.

Guests can choose from a variety of activities at the resort such as aerobics, table tennis, volleyball and tennis. Snorkeling equipment, kayaks and windsurfing are also available. This resort includes a CDC PADI Gold Palm Resort Dive Center, which offers various diving courses from beginner to instructor levels. There are also Nitrox courses, local dives and night dives for those who are certified.

The state-of-the-art spa is situated near the beautiful beach and offers guests an oasis in which to completely relax. The spa boasts a Jacuzzi, steam bath and a selection of indulgent massages and beauty treatments.

The Iberostar Bavaro features access to the Iberostar Complex of resorts. Complimentary use of the facilities at Iberostar Dominicana and Iberostar Punta Cana provides unending options.

This resort wears the 'Crown ' within the Iberostar Bavaro Complex . The Golden Crown that is, with 6 jeweled apples, the top rating we award a Resort. And furthermore, one of the outstanding hotels which contributed to Iberostar's receiving the highest achievement by Apple Vacations. The Crystal Apple Award for best All inclusive Hotel Chain which Iberostar has coveted for 3 consecutive years. This hotel is nothing less than stunning, an example of Iberostar's flair for fabulous design, the art, the sculptures, the ambiance and appealing decor in all restaurants, the huge lagoon size pool -- all speaks quality and magnitude, which is the signature of Iberostar. Simply said, you can't go wrong with an Iberostar, and certainly not with this Resort, a 6 golden apple, which is based on consumer feed back.

You'll find superb, world-renowned customer service and deluxe accommodations at this upscale hotel - everything you need for a fabulous vacation!

Room Types
The rooms are individually and tastefully decorated. They consist of an en suite bathroom with shower and hairdryer, a direct dial telephone, a ceiling fan, satellite/cable TV, a minibar/fridge and a hire safe. All rooms also include a balcony or terrace with wonderful panoramic views.

Sport
The beautiful, well-maintained grounds offer guests a swimming pool, a pool bar serving cooled drinks and small snacks as well as sun loungers and parasols. Guests may like to relax in the sauna, participate in water aerobics classes or Merengue dance lessons, visit the PADI certified diving school or work out in the fitness studio. Various water sports are on offer on the beach including various water sports such as sailing. Parasols, sun loungers and snorkeling equipment are also available on the beach. There is an entertainment programmed to provide some variation.

Arrival/Departure Time:
Check-in-time: 3:00 pm Check-out-time: 12:00 pm

Early check-in and late checkout on request, and subject to availability.

Children Policy:
Children 3 and under are free of charge, when sharing room with 2 paying adults. Children ages 4-12 pay a child's rate when sharing room with 2 paying adults. Maximum 2 children per room.

Maximum Occupancy:
Junior Suite - 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 children.

Junior Suite, Some with ocean view. Bedding: 1 king bed or 2 double beds.

All accommodations include: sprinkler system, internet access (high speed): ($), trouser press, mini-bar, crib (on request), safe (in accommodation), heating (central), iron, air conditioning, telephone, ceiling fan, wake-up calls, non-smoking accommodations (available on request), desk, shower, housekeeping, balcony, television (remote controlled, cable), ironing board, coffee/tea maker, room service (24-hour), hairdryer and bathtub (private).

HOTEL AMENITIES
Jacuzzi (outdoor); Ping Pong
Library; Poolside Beverage Service
Meeting Room ($); Physically Challenged Accommodations
Bars; Breakfast Room
Porters; Babysitting Services ($)
Tour Desk ($); Safe Deposit Box (front desk)
Bar (swim-up); Towels (pool)
Snack Bar; Casino (onsite) ($)
Front Desk (24-hour); Coffee Shop
Ice Machines; Volleyball (beach)
Disco; Wedding Site
Fitness Center; Juice Bar ($)
Pool (children's); Massage Services ($)
Poolside Grill; Multilingual Staff
Beach (nearby); Activities Desk
Tennis Court (lighted) ($); Business Center ($)
Racquetball Court ($); Ballroom
Tours & Excursions ($); Sauna
Barber Shop ($); Spa ($)
Children's Activities; Gift Shop ($)
Umbrellas (beach); Conference Rooms
Internet Access (high-speed) ($); Watersports (non-motorized) ($)
Dive Center ($); Physician (on call) ($)
Laundry Service ($); Pool (outdoor)
Medical Services ($); Parking
Beauty Salon ($); Poolside Meal Service ($)
Aerobic Classes; Tennis Instructor ($)
Car Rental Desk ($); Restaurants
Banquet Room ($); Towels (beach) ($)
Security (24-hour); Sundries Shop
Flower Shop; Children's Playground
Golf (nearby); ($) Volleyball
Currency Exchange; Wedding Coordinator
Entertainment; Casino (nearby) (5) ($)
Billiards (2) ($)

($) Denotes a fee may be charged.

Specific bedding and/or special requests are fulfilled based on availability and cannot always be guaranteed.

Room Amenities
Private bathrooms Telephone in room
Air-conditioned rooms Satellite TV
Shower Bath
Fridge Balcony

FOOD AND BEVERAGE OUTLETS
Bars, The hotel has 8 bars: a health bar, 3 lobby bars, 1 Cigar Lounge Bar, 2 beach bars and 1 pool bar.

Buffete Higuey, buffet with show cooking. Also open for snacks from 10:45pm-7:00am

General Opening Days: Open daily.
Breakfast Hours: Open 7:00am until 10:00am.
Lunch Hours: Open 12:30pm until 3:00pm.
Dinner Hours: Open 6:30pm until 10:00pm.

El Marinero Restaurant, tropical food restaurant, Caribbean style, meat, fish and seafood.
Cuisine: Caribbean.

Hashiro Restaurant, Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi and Teppanyaki
Cuisine: Japanese.

Jambalaya Restaurant
Cuisine: Cajun.

La Coupole's Restaurant, Gourmet or French with international specialties.

La Dorada Restaurant
Cuisine: Mediterranean, Seafood.

La Hispaniola Buffette, buffet with show cooking.

General Opening Days: Open daily.
Breakfast Hours: Open 7:00am until 10:00am.
Dinner Hours: Open 6:30pm until 10:00pm.

La Pagoda
Cuisine: Chinese, Indian, Oriental, Thai, Viennese.

Los Bohios Restaurant, Steak house.

Cuisine: Steaks.

Los Haitises, buffet with show cooking. Also open for snacks 11:00pm-1:00pm.

General Opening Days: Open daily.
Breakfast Hours: Open 7:00am until 10:00am.
Lunch Hours: Open 12:30pm until 3:00pm.
Dinner Hours: Open 6:30pm until 10:00pm.

Maria Bonita
Cuisine: Mexican.

Star Rock Cafe, American style sports bar serving meat, salads, etc.

Children's Programs
Mini club for kids 4 to 12 years old

Payment Methods
American Express, MasterCard and VISA are all accepted.

Iberostar Bavaro Review

This was our first time at an IB and our first time in Punta Cana. We absolutely LOVED IT! The resort was wonderful and relaxing and all of the things that other people have mentioned. I'll start from the beginning and hopefully it won't be too long..

Flights: We flew out of Washington DC to Miami then to Punta Cana. We had no problems what so ever and all of our flights were on time. We arrive in Punta Cana even a bit early. You will deplane going down the stairs to the tarmac so just be prepared for the bright warm sun and the heat. Immigration was a breeze and we were prepared with our $20 for our tourist cards. The bathrooms before immigration weren't working at that time (no water), but that is not the norm. Our baggage was out like lighting. I've never seen a baggage carousel move that fast. We booked through Apple and it was a breeze to check in at the desk and head off to our mini bus. We waited, maybe 10 minutes while the bus filled up (it was air-conditioned) and then we were off. They are working on the roads and the trip only took about 30 mins. The driving in the DR was calm to what I've experience in some other countries so I didn't think it was too bad. The IB Bavaro was the last stop and we were welcomed with open arms.

Check-in - We arrived with a group of 6 others and check in was very smooth. We received our nice cool Bahama mama drinks (non-alcoholic) and got our wrist bands. Our room was ready and off we headed to our room. Our bags arrived within 10 minutes of us arriving at our room, we hadn't even finished checking it all out when they arrived.

Rooms: WONDERFUL! The junior suites are just great. We were in 2444 which is in the second row back from the pool. Quite, peaceful and totally wonderful. I had emailed about a week before we left (thanks to the board members for the email address) and asked for a 2nd floor, king bed and that's what we got. Housekeeping was great, we left a note our first day asking for additional water as we are big beer and water drinkers, instead of soda. We left housekeeping$2-3 everyday and never had a problem. We had one issue with the hot water and it was fixed immediately when we reported it. The drying rack came in handy for drying those swim suits. Do remember to bring more than 1 - I had 5 and my husband had 3. We were far enough away from the peacocks that they didn't wake us up. I'm not sure I would be able to handle being close to the lobby where they seem to hang out during the evening.

Pool and Beach: I was a bit disappointed when we found the swim up bar was closed as they were revamping the pool area. Its my understanding that it is back and available again now. It ended up not ruining a thing as we spent more time on the beach. We usually ended up on the beach by 11am and never had a problem finding a palapa and chair 1 or 2 rows back from the front. The breeze was wonderful and the sand soooo soft. We did spend 2 days at the pool and never had a problem finding chairs or a palapa. We found one every day by the kids pool - there were no kids in it so it was quiet and you got a wonderful breeze that didn't seem to hit other parts of the pool. The pool was warm and relaxing.

Food: We had good meals the entire time we were there. We never made it to breakfast in the main buffet, so we always had breakfast at the pool buffet and a late lunch there as well. They had a little bit of everything and since we are not picky eaters we did encounter any problems. We did eat at the Gourmet, Cajun, Steakhouse and Mediterranean and the Rock Star Cafe. All of the food was delicious. My favorites were the Gourmet and Mediterranean. The paella was to die for. Our one disappointment was the service at the Cajun. It seemed that once we received our entrees they never came back, even to ask if we wanted coffee. It could have been a fluke as we had wonderful service every other time at all of the other restaurants. We did take Bubba Kegs (32-34 oz) ones. I used mine for ice water during the day as alcohol doesn't agree with me in the sun. We only used them during the day and then in the evening used whatever glasses were provided.

We were so sad to have to leave... by Tues-Wed of our week in paradise we were already talking about coming back next year we loved it so much. Check out was a breeze. We called to have them pickup our bags and they were there in less than 5 minutes. Our little bus arrived and we were off to the airport.

Leaving: The airport was a big confusing. You have to find the correct line for the city you are headed to. We flew American and they had 2 lines, one for NYC-JFK and one for Miami. Once you got into the correct line, it wasn't long to check in. I definitely recommend buying a small travel luggage scale. It was the best $10 I've ever spent at Target... we were able to weigh our bags before we left IB Bavaro and knew that they were under 50lbs. They definitely check on American and you can be hit with some big fees if they are even 3 lbs over. We did have to wait in a line to go through immigration, but it went fast. No problems with our flights home.

We didn't leave the resort at all. We were ready for a very low key vacation. My husband didn't even end up scuba diving as he was so relaxed and enjoying himself.

I would recommend this resort to anyone.