Arrived at the IFA Bavaro Village on the 9th in the evening. The check out was quick and everyone was escorted to their rooms-the resort is pitch dark at night time. To my surprise, the rooms were above what i expected. They have been all renovated and are clean, modern and spacious. I have stayed in resorts that claim to be a 5 star rating, but i found these rooms much nicer. The air-conditioning worked very well-infact i was cold most of the time! The fridge was always stocked with bottled water daily, and the cleaning ladies were very friendly.
The beach is beautiful. The water is clear and warm-if you are looking for a nice beach get away-this is your destination. There are plenty of chairs on the beach. There isnt a lot of shade, but that didnt seem to bother many. The only thing i found annoying was the party boat that went by every hour with blasting music. Also, there is alot of noise from helicopters and other boats-but after a couple of days, you seem not to notice it anymore. There is a bar and place to eat during the day on the beach, so you can literally spend the whole day there.
There are three pools at this resort. The main pool by the village is large, but very noisy and busy. The other two pools are smaller but much more relaxing if that is what you seek.
The buffets were ok. There is plenty to choose from but I strongly suggest you book the restaurants in advance for a really enjoyable meal. The Caribe restaurant was delicious. I never made reservations, i just paid the hostess at the door and always got a table. The problem with reservations is that you often get a table late in the evening-often too late to eat.
There is a spa on the resort. They give great massages at a good price. You can get a 50 minute massage for 50 dollars. After, you can use the steam room which is very relaxing. They dont tell you this, but once you book a massage-the steam room is free, so take advantage of it-it was great.
There is internet on the resort which is the quickest way to communicate to those back home. They charge one dollar-and you can use it for about 20 minutes per visit. I also called collect from the hotel room twice, but the internet is the best way for sure.
The only real problem i had with this resort are the prostitutes that are walking around. They sleep and eat at the resort-so you see them in the buffet areas-quite strange. This is a family resort and they shouldnt be there-it was quite sleazy to see them talk to men to try to make deals. I wish management would keep that businness off the resort-especially because Dominican's HIV rate is out of control.
I found the staff hardworking and friendly-no issues here. Enjoy your stay at the IFA Bavaro Village-as the week comes to an end...you will wish you had longer!

Dominican Republic, Punta Cana
IFA Bavaro Village Resort & Spa
March 9 to March 16, 2008

Great place “3 in 1 Resort”

We booked our trip two weeks before the March Break. We left on Sunday March 9.
We arrived there at 11:45pm. It was pitch dark. Got confused at first if we were in the right place, because the main sign said, IFA VILLAS BAVARO RESORT & SPA.
We booked IFA BAVARO VILLAGE RESORT & SPA
Check-in and checkout was fast, 10 to 15 minutes. I give them an 8 out of 10.
Got to our room (Ocean village) and it was very dim. Our room did not have enough light or the light bulbs in our room were probably 20 watts. We met a family there. They were in the same building; there room was nice and bright.
The whole property did not have good lighting at night, especially going towards the beach and the disco.

The maids were very nice. The first morning I wrote on a piece of paper 4 Aqua (water) and i left a tip of two, one dollar bills on the pillow. The next morning I found 4 bottles of water and ever morning for the rest of the week(while giving tips). These ladies work hard and they deserve it. Some of the people that work there did not look happy.

The resort is 3 in 1. Starting from the beach looking at the resort though all the palm trees. On your left you got the beach snack bar/grill and the disco, walk about 150 yards and the Ocean village begins. They are the 3 story building with a small quiet pool. Walk another 75 to 100 yards and the village complex begins, these are the 2 story buildings. This is the main pool area, it haves the pizzeria, gift shop, mini-mart, Internet hut and photo hut. Walk through the lobby to the main driveway and walk another 100 to150 yards and the villas begin. That is where the other pool is, which is very (quiet) and located near the stage where all the shows are held at night. The shows are good, the men and the woman performers that do the show, work all day and night, but after two or 3 shows it gets boring.

The 3 a la carte restaurants you have to book one at a time 3 days in advance, so when you get there just say on Saturday afternoon, you have to book one restaurant on Sunday morning at 8:00am for Wednesday night, then Monday morning at 8:00am for Thursday night. By the time, you go to all three restaurants, it's time to go home. We went to two out of the 3 restaurants, which were, the Mexican, which was very good and the Colonial Caribe, that was good too. BUT BRING a coat, it is very very cold in there. I guess if you get a sun burn, and go into a cold surrounding, you may feel much more colder than it seems.

Try to make a phone call (collect) FORGET A BOUT IT. Get a calling card. I had my cell phone and it did not work. I had to pay $25.US for 5 minutes.

The beach was nice; it had a little bit of seaweeds along the shore and there is no huts on the beach for shade. You have to go early in the morning to find a tree that has some shade.
The flee market on the beach, don’t even bother!! Going in the resort a baseball cap was selling for $5.00us and at the flee market they were selling it for $18.00us. Just walk away.

Wherever you are there are NO CLOCKS. They should build a clock tower at all three pools, so people would know what time it is. In addition, in all the rooms, they should have Radio/alarm clocks. (which they don't have)
Overall- We are in there country. They try there best to speak English. So, don’t get mad at them.
If you have a chance to go to the shopping mall, it is a 10 to 15 minute walk from our hotel. Go straight out to the main road and go right, walk for 5 to 10 minutes and you are there. Go to the liquor and cigar shop $15.us, rather then buying Rum at the airport for $25.us. Cigars assorted one’s $40.us for 25 pc. at the airport 75.us to $100.us

Beach----- Fantastic and beautiful. They need some huts or umbrellas and another bar/grill on the west side of the beach. Bring your own towel, because if you lose there towel you will have to pay $20.00US when you check-out.
Pool-------Nice and big.
Bars-------Good.
Buffet------Very good.
3 a la carte restaurants---- Amazing very good.
Lobby---------- Could have been bigger and better looking.
Check in Check out-----------Good
Employees------------Most of them could show more enthusiasm.
Night Entertainment---------------Good and funny but could be a lot better.
Ground (property)----------------Very clean but bad set-up with the cobblestone.
Rooms----------Very well clean.
Photo shop------RIP-OFF, There will be two guys, a photographer and one with an animal, which he/she will have a Parrot, Snake, iguana etc… they will take 5 to 10 pictures. If you what to buy them, they are $8:00US FOR EACH PICTURE and they will not budge.
We went on a trip excursion to Manati Park to swim with the dolphins and they have a little zoo there that has exotic animals. We took 30 to 40 pictures with the iguana, lovebirds and Parrots. That cost me $15.00US on tips, $5.00 each guy.

Bring your own towel from home.
Lot’s of $1.00 dollar bills for tips (US). They deserve it for what they do for us.
Overall we had a wonderful and an exciting trip. We like to travel a lot and like to see different places in the world, so we would not go to the same place twice, unless it is Florida. (Walt Disney).
I hope this will help you.
If you have questions, do not hesitate email me at---> roach1505@hotmail.com

A friend and I stayed here at the IFA Bavaro Village March 3rd through March 10th 2008... and what a perfect stay it was!

This was my second trip to Punta Cana. Previously I stayed at the Barcelo Bavaro Resort, which brags a higher star rating than IFA, but I have to say that IFA was the nicest hotel I've stayed at in all my travels!

We arrived at 10pm to a speedy check-in and an escort to our room. As you can see from the attached photo, the room was gorgeous. Everything was clean and comfortable... and the shower... well it was just amazing. I had to take pictures so that I can someday have one like it in my house! It looked like our room and most of the resort was freshly updated/renovated, as the grounds were beautiful, the buffets and restaurants were clean and modern, the pools were amazing, and the washroom facilities were CLEAN at all times!!

The food at IFA was good too. We did one a la carte (Caribe), which was excellent... I recommend trying the local fish selection. The buffets were always fresh, lots of selection, and was better than I expected when visiting a carribean island. I heard a few people complaining that the meat was weird and tasted bad... But guess what? That's what beef tastes like when it's not stuffed with horomones and over processed!! If you are sensitive, then choose the chicken, it was consistant at every meal! There was always lots of fresh fruit, salads, rice, pastas, grilled meat, fish, dessert, and always attentive staff. What more can you ask for??? I am absolutely shocked at reading some reviews about the food being bad---are people just looking for something to complain about??

Bavaro Beach is absolutely amazing. If you just want to lounge in the sun and swim in crystal blue waters, it is the perfect place! Lots of loungers, with the beach buffet and bar close by so there's no need to leave the beach all day if you didn't want to! The animation crew is always up to something, either beach-side or pool-side, so if you are bored, take them up on a salsa lesson, an aerobics class, play some volleyball, get in on some water sports... it's all there.

The staff was consistantly helpful and friendly. Dominicans seem to be some of the happiest people I've met while travelling. Although many speak only limited english (while others are fluent), they appreciate your effort in ordering or asking for something in spanish (Go figure!). If you are the type of traveller who is going to get upset because you are too ignorant to learn a few simple spanish phrases beofre going to a spanish speaking country, then maybe the Dominican is not the best choice for you! Do not blame the locals for your laziness/ignorance!

I also want to mention that resort staff work extremely long hours, having tourists bark at them all day long. For example, the bartender that worked the beach bar when we got there at 11am was STILL at that bar working at 3am when the disco closed! And that was pretty much every day we were there! That is a long day, working for no tips, dealing with a multitude of personalities and nationalities... I would definately be testy after a day like that! But not this guy... just doing his job, and doing it well!

Since our priority was the beach, we only did one excursion, and that was a trip to Saona Island. It was a great day that started with a bus ride throught the city of Higuey so that you can see a little bit of real dominican life, and drops us at the shore to catch our Catamaran that sailed us an hour and a half up the coast. The tour guides on this trip were amazing... lots of fun, lots of dancing, lots of Rum... all leading to the most beautiful, pristine beach of Saona Island. I have never imagined water that colour!! Absolutely amazing. We spent the afternoon there, with plenty of food and drinks, then took a speedboat back to the mainland, with a stop at a natural swimming pool in the middle of the see. It was a great day, and totally worth the $90 we spent.
If you are looking to experience more culture, you will definately have to venture off of the resort, either in an excursion or on your own, as the resort doesn't really give you a taste of real Dominican life.

Being in our early 30's and looking for a long over-due vacation, my friend and I were looking forward to relaxing on the beach, having a few cocktails (oh, let's face it... more than a few!), and having a good time... This trip definately delivered! One last comment on safety and interacting with the locals... At NO TIME did I feel threatened, unsafe, or even 'creeped out' when meeting locals. Dominican men absolutely love and appreciate women, so their compliments and charm are pretty constant... but ALWAYS respectful. My friend is actually married and was traveling without her husband--as soon as the locals asked if she was married, they would back off immediately. Serously though, who needs a face lift or a boob job when you can go on Vacation and feel like a princess the whole time--Does wonders for your self esteem--if that's what you need ;-)

Note that the beach disco is open until 3 am and can be loud. If you are the type to go to bed early, then I would choose a resort without a beach disco!!

All in all, a fantastic trip. Huge compliments to IFA Bavaro and all their staff! Thank-you for a much needed dream vacation!

We stayed at the IFA Bavaro Village from February 14-28/08. We had a fantastic time there!

The hotel has been completely remodelled. Our room (#3418) was very nice, central to everything, on the second floor and everything worked well (air-conditioning, hot water, water pressure, comfortable beds). The maid kept the room very clean but she never left us any towel art or flowers. We were a bit disappointed that the rooms do not have balconies. The rooms just have a large window with a sliding door and a railing. Pillows were very lumpy. The sound-proofing in the room was excellent because we rarely heard our neighbors. There was a charge of $3.00/day for the safety deposit box. We had a fridge which was always filled with water and we had a coffee maker with complimentary coffee.

The buffet restaurants offer lots of variety and we found many items which were excellent. Sometimes the food was not as hot as I would have liked but it was always tasty. The pizza at Pikalos is fantastic! We tried all three a la carte restaurants and enjoyed them all. They offer a very nice change to the buffets. Cocktail drinks were quite sweet so we stuck with beers or rum & cokes. Orange or apple juice for breakfast was so sweet that we started to add 1/2 glass of water to the juice to water it down. Cappuccinos at Cafe Dominicana were really good!

The beach is beautiful, lots of tall palm trees, soft sand and clear ocean water. You can walk the beach in either direction for miles. We snorkeled in front of the resort and saw some interesting creatures: various fish, lobster, puffer fish and a huge star fish. There was hardly any coral but mainly just sand, seaweed and rocks.

The beach restaurant is nice for lunch because the view is beautiful and the food is really good too: burgers, hot dogs, fried chicken, french fries, pasta, veggies and fruit. In the evening this restaurant is a disco. We enjoyed the disco mainly to stop by for a minute to pick up drinks (music was very loud) and then take a walk on the beach which is nicely lit up in the evening.

The grounds of the resort are very well kept. There is a lagoon that was near our room which was great for bird watching. We enjoyed feeding the ducks and birds. There are also quite a few peacocks in the Villa section of the resort.

There are three pools at this resort. The closest one to the ocean is small, quiet and lots of shade. The middle pool is very busy and also very loud. They crank the music (techno-rap) up way too loud at this pool. The villa pool is large, beautiful, quiet and has the margarita bar in the middle.

Entertainment at night was just okay. It was either audience participation or singing and dancing. We only watched a few of the shows.

We walked to the Palma Real shopping centre which was about a 20 minute walk. This is a good place to buy cigars and rum. There is a flea market on the beach, beside the hotel where you can buy the usual t-shirts, paintings, jewellery.

We went on two excursions. The first one was the Caribbean Festival which is a boat trip that takes you to a reef for snorkeling and to an enclosure to swim with nurse sharks and sting rays. You also get to hold a sting ray which was interesting. This tour was very well-organized. The second excursion was Jurassic Boogie which is a dune-buggy tour. It was a really good way to see the country-side and to drive through small towns and see the real Dominican Republic. We stopped at a beautiful beach on this tour but unfortunately did not have time to go for a swim. This tour was not very organized though.

We travel every year and this resort was rated as a 3 1/2 star. It is definitely a 3 1/2 - 4 star resort! Previous reviews had me quite nervous before we left on our holidays but we were both very happy with the resort. I would recommend this resort. Punta Cana is a great destination for rest and relaxation. If you enjoy swimming in the ocean, walking the beach, lots of food and drinks, beautiful scenery - you would definitely enjoy this resort!