Riu Republica

The short version

Friends traveling together and couples who like a lively resort should put Riu Republica on the list. The whole property is adults-only, with eight pools, three of them with swim-up bars, its own Splash Water World water park on site and RIU Party events. Eleven restaurants and ten bars, including a jerk station on the beach, give you a wide spread of places to eat and drink. There is also a nightclub and the Renova Spa.

Best for Friends getaways Nightlife Couples Big-resort variety

Good to know

• RIU's official page describes the resort as entirely adults-only.
• RIU's FAQ counts 11 restaurants and 10 bars, among them two buffets, an Asian restaurant, a steakhouse and a jerk station on the beach.
• Eight pools in total: five outdoor pools plus three with swim-up bars.
• The resort has its own Splash Water World water park on site and hosts RIU Party events.
• About 28 km from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), roughly 30 to 40 minutes.

Before you book

• Riu Republica is on RIU's adults-only list, and RIU's general minimum age for those hotels is 18.
• The diving school is not part of the all-inclusive plan. It is an added extra.