Occidental Punta CanaBávaro · 35 minFamilyFront row on one of the best beaches in Bávaro for half what the neighbours charge. It is a four-star experience.from $1,218 all-inExample stay · Nov 12–17
Bávaro · 30 min from PUJ
whala!bávaro
6.9/ 10
The budget all-inclusive in Bávaro that delivers if you go with realistic expectations . It's not luxury, but for what you pay it offers more than you'd expect.
- Zone
- Bávaro
- From PUJ
- 30 min
- Adults
- Adults section
- 30 min
- From the airport
Photos of this resort
Our verdict
For you if
- You're on a limited budget and looking for an all-inclusive in Bávaro.
- You put pools and good food first, for little money.
- You're a group of friends who want a cheap base for cocktails, the pool and going out at night.
Skip it if
- You expect 5-star service , or friendliness as the thing that sets the hotel apart.
- Mixed adults and families
- 30 min from the airport
- We stayed here, and we paid for itNo free nights, no invitations. Ever.
- One total, nothing added laterTaxes and fees are inside the price above.
- Refundable rates cancel freeThe deadline is on the rate you pick, next to Book.
- Same price as the resort, or lowerThe resort pays us a commission; you never pay more.
Scorecard
- Cleanliness7.5
- Bed6.0
- Bathroom5.5
- Room size — not scored: no number for it on the rating sheet from our stay—
- Breakfast7.0
- Buffet — not scored: no number for it on the rating sheet from our stay—
- Lunch à la carte7.0
- Dinner à la carte7.5
- All-inclusive, really7.0
- Pools8.0
- Adult facilities7.0
- Kids facilities6.0
- Staff6.5
- Beach7.0
Not scored: room size, buffet — the stay did not rate them. Value for money is never a number here: it is the verdict above, argued with the price we paid.
Pros
- Good food for a cheap resort. The buffet surprised me: I went back for seconds, and that's after a month traveling from resort to resort trying to look after myself.
- Three pools: a chill-out one that is very pretty and quiet, a main one with a jacuzzi at the far end (photo), and a smaller one at the entrance where there's almost nobody.
- Decent rooms: comfortable mattress, lousy pillow, and generally better than I expected for the price.
- Solid value for money if you go with realistic expectations.
- A good entertainer: for me, the best employee in the hotel. He makes people feel comfortable and explains the activities like he means it.
- Normal staff. Average for Punta Cana, bearing in mind that friendliness is not their strong point. If you want friendliness, take a look at the resorts we've visited in Cancún. That is 10-out-of-10 service.
Cons
- Uncomfortable pillows (they need changing).
- The water comes out warm-to-hot, not properly hot.
- Some areas need better maintenance.
- Long lines at the cocktail bar.
- You have to book the restaurants, even though nobody tells you at reception.
Rooms you can book
The categories this resort actually sells, with how many people each sleeps.
- Standard Double RoomSleeps 4
- Double
Full review
Alex's Spanish review of this stay, translated in full. Nothing has been shortened, and nothing has been added — he has not read the English version yet.
If you're looking for a cheap all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana that does the job without high prices , whala!bávaro is a very decent option. It's not a luxury hotel, but for what you pay it offers more than you'd expect.
The honest “low cost”
And if we're talking cheap, we have to talk about whala!bávaro. Here a night can come to around €90 . It's a 3-star, and I want to be very clear: don't expect luxury.
The pillows are uncomfortable, the water comes out warm and there are lines for the cocktails. BUT… for what you pay, it delivers.
The food surprised me in a good way (I went back for a second plate at the buffet), it has a chill-out pool on the roof that's really nice, and the location is good.
If you're on a backpacker budget, or you just want sun and a pool and don't care about the details, it's an honest option.
Why I recommend it
- Good food for a cheap resort. The buffet surprised me: I went back for seconds, and that's after a month traveling from resort to resort trying to look after myself.
- Three pools: a chill-out one that is very pretty and quiet, a main one with a jacuzzi at the far end (photo), and a smaller one at the entrance where there's almost nobody.
- Decent rooms: comfortable mattress, lousy pillow, and generally better than I expected for the price.
- Solid value for money if you go with realistic expectations.
- A good entertainer: for me, the best employee in the hotel. He makes people feel comfortable and explains the activities like he means it.
- Normal staff. Average for Punta Cana, bearing in mind that friendliness is not their strong point. If you want friendliness, take a look at the resorts we've visited in Cancún. That is 10-out-of-10 service.
Things to improve
- Uncomfortable pillows (they need changing).
- The water comes out warm-to-hot, not properly hot.
- Some areas need better maintenance.
- Long lines at the cocktail bar.
- You have to book the restaurants, even though nobody tells you at reception.
The kind of vibe
- Cheap, simple, and neither quiet nor full-on party.
- Nice common areas, especially the chill-out pool.
- Ideal for anyone who wants a decent all-inclusive without paying for a 5-star.
Who I recommend it for
- Travelers on a limited budget looking for an all-inclusive in Bávaro.
- People who put pools and good food first, for little money.
- Friends who want a cheap all-inclusive to enjoy the cocktails, the pools and going out at night to Coco Bongo.
Conclusion
whala!bávaro is a cheap hotel that does the job if you travel with realistic expectations. The food surprises you, the pools are pleasant and the vibe is quiet.
It has things that could be better, but for the price it offers a good experience. Yes, I do recom [the Spanish source document is cut off mid-word here]
Compare with
Or put any two of our stays side by side on the compare page.
Nearby resorts we slept in
- 8.8out of 10, our score
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Meliá Punta Cana Beach Wellness InclusiveBávaro · 25 minAdults-onlyThe quietest adults-only we have slept in, and the best food. Come to read.from $2,100 all-inExample stay · Nov 12–17 - 8.8out of 10, our score
ZEL Punta Cana by Meliá & Rafa NadalBávaro · 25 minMixed190 rooms, so it feels like a boutique hotel. The only resort in our database with two tens in the room.from $1,880 all-inExample stay · Nov 12–17
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Members' rate for whala!bávaro
Written by Alex, stayed with Javi
We paid €122 a night ourselves, October 2025. No free nights, no invitations.
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