TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

I very much liked the u shaped configuration of the resort, spacious but more compact than some of the other sprawling resorts where some buildings are not very walk friendly, We opted for an ocean view room with butler service. That was the best decision ever. Eduardo was amazing and very much present and accommodating during our nine day stay. His service was gracious and excellente! As we do not typically eat lunch, we made it a point to enjoy the wide selection of breakfast cuisine daily. The breakfast staff was very friendly and professional and made us feel welcome to begin our day. A second shout out goes to Manuel who is in charge of the cabanas and towel distribution. He, too, made the beginning of our days special with his service and great sense of humor. It’s a good idea to read reviews ahead of making your all important decision on where to stay. Once you’ve decided it’s still good to educate yourself as it gives you a better idea of what to expect as well as giving you some ideas of what you may want to do while you’re in Punta Cana. It’s well worth doing the room upgrade to get then butler service. Eduardo quickly became our favorite go to person. Not only did we see him several times a day when making his rounds but he was quick and responsive with his messaging. We spent about 60% of time on beach/in ocean and 40% at or in pool. Hope to return to this resort in 2027. This was my 5th trip to Punta Cana and only the first at Joia Bavaro. Its worth mentioning that upon leaving Punta Cana, when you arrive before your flight you should get a luggage guy to handle your baggage and ask him to walk your group all the way through the line to check baggage. By doing this you can ensure he will smooth through any glitches that are encountered. I feel as though it was well worth the $30 we gave him to do this. You have to make sure your passport gets stamped before you are cleared to board, Last year when I went to leave they’d not stamped from mine from 2024. That was a 15 minute delay while I emphasized that I wasn’t to blame!! Can’t wait to revisit JB, Eduardo and Manuel! All for now.

My wife and I had a wonderful week at Joia Bávaro. The rooms and other facilities were fantastic. Our butlers, Jesus and Armando, made us feel like family and took away any possible worry. The fitness instructor, Nataly, was so very upbeat and fun when we did Pilates, yoga, and water aerobics making mornings fun and energizing. Jonathan picked the best wine and Tobias made the best cocktails. The beach was nice but watch out for the seaweed in May. The cleaners were working overtime. Fantastic choice for an all inclusive resort!!

Wife surprised me with this trip. This place has everything you need and I will def be going back. We had a shuttle from the airport arranged through the resort. It worked out great both ways. We arrived to amazing/helpful staff. Especially because our luggage was lost till the next day. The place has three pools. One with a swim up bar. The bar has name brand alcohol and the bartenders were on point. Jacito, Ery, Dionis, were all amazing. Ery has so much positive energy. i don’t know how he does it everyday. The other two pools are smaller and quieter. There are a few restaurants and the buffet. The hibachi and surf and turf were straight up horrible. However the Italian restaurant was good and we went twice. The buffet is always available and is decent. Coffee shop was fantastic and Leonel always on point. The place is easy to walk, shaped like a U. There is shows every night and a theater. They have a great cigar bar and they had some great cocktails. Our room was one of the best rooms we’ve ever had. Bed and shower were great. Balcony was perfect. Any time we needed something we Just made a call and they were there in no time. We didn’t have air one night and they moved us immediately to a diff room. They even checked on us the next day. The pools were run by Camilo and he’s the captain of the ship. He always had control of the pool situation. Another fantastic part of this resort is all the lounge chairs were padded. They also have cabanas with beds. All of these are first come first serve. You can get almost whatever you want if you get down at 7am. It amazed me they didn’t cost any extra. I’ve never had such comfortable chairs and beds at any resort I’ve been too. These type of things usually cost more. last but not least, Raphael working the front desk went above and beyond to take care of anything we needed and can’t thank him enough. Bring tips for the staff at this resort because they are all amazing. I will be back

Our family returned to JOIA Bavaro by Iberostar May 2026 because we enjoyed it so much last year. The property is beautiful. Impeccably landscaped. Once you get off the main street and enter the property you’re immediately in a relaxed state of mind. If you get a chance on your visit check out the Sanctuary just outside the hotel lobby. Beautiful peacocks are ready to show off their colors. We had a suite with a butler. Ours was Reynaldo that greeted us like family on our last two visits. I will definitely request him again on future trips. He provided a birthday surprise for my son in law. Nice touch! He’s very professional and hospitable. The entire staff makes it their priority to assist you any way they can to make your stay comfortable. Ana and Noemi were so attentive to us at a couple of the restaurants. They remembered me from a past visit and I was greeted like a favorite family member. Javier “Chocolate” and “Smiley” also shared their enthusiasm at our return visit. I wish I could bottle up some of their energy. They work hard to make you feel welcomed. The nightly entertainment is worth attending in the theatre. It’s usually very uplifting and colorful. Let go of your inhibitions and dance at the lobby entertainment nightly. Each night is differently themed. The food is very good and a mixed variety of cuisines. The buffet restaurant has something for everyone and is very clean. Gala Night is worth going to the buffet if you get a chance. Don’t forget to check out the Dominican restaurant for a taste of their traditional cuisine. Yummo! That restaurant is closest to the beach. We visited the other area properties of the resort. There’s a lot to see over there also. If you like Escape Rooms, theirs is very good. My advise, respect their culture, their history and the people. You will leave having learned something. We took Spanish lessons and made Mamajuana rum. There is so much to do there. Although there are many excursions available, we decided this trip to enjoy everything the resort has to offer and grateful we didn’t go anywhere else on this trip. We tipped everyone that served us including housekeeping. Not mandatory, but it’s a nice show of appreciation. I will definitely return to this resort. For me there’s no reason to go elsewhere.

????? “Home Away From Home — We Keep Coming Back for a Reason!” As returning guests, we always say JOIA Bávaro raises the bar a little higher each visit — and this trip was no exception. From the moment you turn down that grand drive and the resort comes into view, you’re reminded why you booked again. The property is simply breathtaking. The Greco-Roman architecture, the lush gardens, the iconic sailboat bar on the lake — it all feels as magnificent as the first time, yet somehow even better maintained. Immaculate grounds, pristine pools, and a beach that never disappoints. Iberostar clearly takes great pride in upkeep, and it shows in every corner. The dining this trip was exceptional. The variety and quality across the restaurants continues to impress — the specialty restaurants are worth every reservation, and the buffet remains one of the finest we’ve experienced at any all-inclusive. Creative, fresh, and presented beautifully. We never once left a meal feeling anything less than thoroughly satisfied. Now, the heart of JOIA — the staff. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: the people here make this place truly special. This trip we were fortunate to have Cesar and Eduardo as our butlers, and their attentiveness, warmth, and quiet professionalism made every day feel effortless. They anticipated needs before we even knew we had them — a true testament to what butler service should be. We’d also be remiss not to mention a few others who went out of their way to make us smile: Yaritza, whose warmth and genuine care for guests is infectious; Tomas; Brando, Tobias, Eliezer, Cheater…..oops Snoop Dog,Bruno and Hamlet. Thanks for your amazing service and friendship, you all helped to make our visit extra special. We are so grateful to every single member of the JOIA team, named and unnamed. These individuals are representative of an extraordinary staff culture, and we hope management knows what gems they have. To anyone on the fence about JOIA Bávaro — book it. And if you’re a returning guest reading this, you already know. We’ll see you again soon. ??