Riu Palace Bávaro review: at a glance
- What it is: RIU’s rebuilt family-friendly flagship on Arena Gorda Beach, expanded onto the old Riu Naiboa site and reopened in 2024 with 994 rooms.
- Best for: families with kids who want a waterpark, a food court and nonstop activities; couples who book the 18+ Elite Club.
- Big pluses: 24-hour all-inclusive, Splash Water World and RIU Party included, 32 food and drink points.
- Watch out for: it is very big and busy, and RIU’s figures for the pool count do not agree with each other.
- Verdict: one of the strongest family picks in Punta Cana, and the Elite Club makes it work for couples too.
Check Riu Palace Bávaro dates and prices
This Riu Palace Bávaro review looks at the resort after its 2024 rebuild, which made it far more than a facelift. RIU demolished the neighboring Riu Naiboa, folded that land into the Palace and reopened it as a 994-room resort aimed squarely at families. It has a food court, a dedicated family zone, a club for adults only and free access to the RIU complex waterpark. Below you will find what changed, how the rooms and Elite Club work, what the food really looks like, and who should (and should not) book it in 2026.
What changed at Riu Palace Bávaro after the 2024 renovation?
The old Riu Palace Bávaro was a classic RIU resort, and the 2024 project rebuilt it around a new idea. In its September 2024 announcement, RIU called it a “watershed” refurbishment. The hotel reopened in stages from August 2024 and RIU said it was fully open in early September. What matters for you as a guest:
- Size: the resort now has 994 rooms after absorbing the Riu Naiboa site. RIU says 255 of them are family and friends rooms with three beds, set in a new family area.
- A new family zone: a mini splash park, a pirate ship, a games park, a cinema, a multi-sports area and casual food spots, plus a kids’ club split into three age groups.
- A food court: RIU describes it as the first of its kind at any RIU hotel, with stations arranged around shared seating in the center.
- Elite Club: 108 rooms in an adults-only section. 60 of them have a private pool.
- New look: lighter, neutral décor with more natural light. This is the style RIU now uses for its refurbishments.
The result is a different resort from the pre-2024 Palace. If you read an older review that calls it “dated” or “quiet,” it describes a hotel that no longer exists.
Riu Palace Bávaro review: pros and cons
Pros
- Fully renovated in 2024 with a modern, bright design
- 24-hour all-inclusive, including snacks and drinks around the clock
- Splash Water World waterpark and RIU Party nights included in the rate
- Food court with pizza, tacos, wok and poke, fried chicken, ice cream and crepes, so there is no need to book or dress up
- Real family infrastructure: 255 three-bed rooms, a splash zone and a kids’ club split into three age groups
- Elite Club gives adults a private pool, bar, lounge, beach area and restaurant
Cons
- Almost 1,000 rooms means crowds, walking and busy peak hours
- RIU Party is 18+ only, so parents need a plan for the kids on party nights
- RIU’s own pages give different pool counts (nine vs eleven)
- Big-resort service: reviews about front-desk efficiency are mixed
- Arena Gorda can be affected by sargassum in the warmer months, like the rest of the coast
Rooms: standard Junior Suites, family rooms and Elite Club suites
RIU currently sells several room types. The main ones are the Junior Suite Tropical View and a Friends & Family Room. In the Elite Club you can choose a Superior Junior Suite, an ocean-view Suite or a Junior Suite Swim Up. Every room was redone in the 2024 renovation, so you will not land in an old wing. Wi-Fi is free throughout the resort.
Friends & Family Rooms are what set this resort apart from other RIUs in Punta Cana. They have three beds and sit in the new family area, close to the splash park and kids’ facilities. If you travel with two kids or with friends who want separate beds, book this type rather than squeezing into a Junior Suite.
Is the Elite Club at Riu Palace Bávaro worth it?
The Elite Club is RIU’s top service level, and at this hotel it is for guests 18 and over. You get rooms in the best spots, and 60 of the 108 have a private pool. There is also an exclusive pool with its own bar, a lounge, a private beach area with the Elite Club beach bar, and a restaurant only Elite guests can use. In the room you get a premium spirits dispenser and a minibar with snacks and wine. RIU also lists priority check-in, early check-in when available, guaranteed late check-out until 1 p.m., priority bookings at the themed restaurants and premium drinks.
Our take: if you are a couple who likes the RIU price point but not the noise of a family resort, the Elite Club is the reason to choose this hotel over the regular rooms. The private pool and beach area give you a quiet base, and you can still use the food court, waterpark and parties when you want. Families cannot use it, so it is no use to parents. For a wider comparison with other resort clubs, see our guide to Punta Cana VIP club levels, including the RIU Elite Club.
Food and drinks: food court, restaurants and 24-hour all-inclusive
RIU counts 32 food and beverage points at the rebuilt resort, and food is where the renovation shows most. The all-inclusive runs 24 hours, so you can get late-night snacks and drinks without paying extra.
- Main restaurant: buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
- Themed restaurants: RIU lists Krystal (gourmet), an Asian restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a Mexican restaurant, a steakhouse and a new American Country diner. Elite Club guests also have their own restaurant.
- Food court: a pizzeria, a wok and poke station, fried chicken, a taqueria, Pepe’s Food grill, an ice-cream parlor, a sweets station with crepes, waffles and donuts, and a bar.
- Bars: a 24-hour Sports Bar, Joe’s Bar for cocktails, a lobby bar, a theater bar, three swim-up bars and two Elite-only bars.
The food court is the feature families will use most. Kids can eat pizza while adults have poke, nobody needs a reservation, and you can eat in swimwear between pool sessions. The themed restaurants follow the usual all-inclusive rules on booking and dress code.
Pools, Splash Water World and RIU Party
RIU’s numbers for the pools vary. The 2024 press release says nine pools, plus the Elite Club pool. The current hotel page lists 11 pools, two of them adults-only. Either way, there is far more pool space than most Bávaro resorts offer. RIU’s Spanish blog lists two adult pools with swim-up bars, a children’s pool with slides and a baby pool.
Splash Water World is the waterpark inside the RIU complex in Punta Cana, and it is included for Riu Palace Bávaro guests. Older kids will probably spend most of their time there, while the family area’s mini splash park suits toddlers. If waterparks are the top priority, compare it with the other options in our best Punta Cana family resorts with waterparks guide.
RIU Party is RIU’s outdoor party event in the complex, with themed nights several times a week (RIU said four per week at reopening) and access for guests 18 and over. It is included in the rate. Couples and groups of friends will enjoy it, but parents should not count on going together unless they arrange childcare.
The beach and location on Arena Gorda
The hotel sits on Arena Gorda, the long northern stretch of the Bávaro coast, inside the RIU complex it shares with Riu Palace Macao, Riu Republica, Riu Bambu and Riu Palace Punta Cana. The sand is wide and white, and Elite Club guests get their own reserved beach area. The beach is shared, though, so on busy weeks you will see guests from the other RIU hotels and vendors walking the shoreline.
Arena Gorda is quieter than the beach around El Cortecito. If you are unsure about the area, our Bávaro Beach, El Cortecito and Arena Gorda guide explains the differences. Like every Atlantic-facing beach in Punta Cana, it can get sargassum seaweed in the warmer months. Our sargassum guide covers when it peaks and how resorts handle it.
The drive from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) usually takes about half an hour. Booking a shared shuttle or private transfer in advance is easier than negotiating on arrival, and our PUJ transfers and e-ticket guide covers the options and the free entry form.
Kids’ club, spa, gym and other facilities
- RIU Land kids’ club: daily activities for ages 4 to 12. RIU says the kids’ program is split into three age groups, with a recreation room and a cupcake-decorating station at RIU Art.
- Renova Spa: the spa center. Treatments cost extra, as at most all-inclusives.
- 24-hour gym: included, along with RIU Fit sessions and sports activities.
- Non-motorized water sports: included in the all-inclusive.
- Check-in and check-out: 3 p.m. and 12 p.m. Elite Club guests get a guaranteed 1 p.m. check-out.
How it compares with Riu Palace Macao and Riu Republica
The three RIUs on Arena Gorda appeal to three different travelers. Riu Palace Bávaro is now the family choice, with an Elite Club for adults who want it. Riu Palace Macao is an adults-only Palace, quieter and more classic. Riu Republica is the adults-only party hotel. Our side-by-side Riu Palace Bávaro vs Riu Palace Macao vs Riu Republica comparison sets out the trade-offs, and we also have a full Riu Palace Macao review.
Adults-only alternative
Hotel Riu Palace Macao - Adults Only
- Completely gutted and rebuilt/renovated in late 2023 with sleek modern interiors
- Debuted Elite Club by RIU (premium branded liquor, private beach area, dedicated restaurant & late checkout)
- Free admission to Splash Water World waterpark & famous Riu Get Together Parties (White/Neon/Jungle/Pink)
- Cappuccino patisserie, 8 bars & 6+ dining venues with no reservations required
If you are traveling without kids and want the RIU complex without the family crowds, the neighboring Riu Palace Macao is the calmer choice.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Who should book Riu Palace Bávaro, and who should not
Book it if you are a family with kids aged roughly 3 to 14 who will use the waterpark, splash zone and kids’ club, and you like casual food you do not have to reserve. It also suits multigenerational groups who need three-bed rooms, and couples who want the Elite Club’s private pool and beach at a lower price than the luxury brands.
Skip it if you want a small, quiet or boutique resort, do not like long walks or crowds, or care more about fine dining than variety. If you want adults only without paying for a club level, Riu Palace Macao next door is the better choice. Budget for extras such as the spa, excursions and tips: our guide to taxes, tipping and hidden costs covers what is not included in an all-inclusive rate.
Our verdict on Riu Palace Bávaro
The 2024 rebuild turned Riu Palace Bávaro into one of the most complete family all-inclusives in Punta Cana. It has three-bed rooms, a real family zone, an included waterpark, a food court and a 24-hour all-inclusive. Its size is both its strength and its weakness, so expect crowds. Couples who book the 18+ Elite Club get a quiet section with a private pool, beach area and restaurant at a price that is still good value.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riu Palace Bávaro good for families?
Yes. Since the 2024 renovation it has been RIU’s most family-focused hotel in Punta Cana. It has 255 three-bed family rooms, a family area with a mini splash park and pirate ship, a kids’ club for ages 4 to 12 and free access to Splash Water World. Only the Elite Club section and RIU Party are restricted to guests 18 and over.
Is Riu Palace Bávaro adults only?
No. The resort welcomes all ages. Only its Elite Club section is adults-only (18+). If you want a fully adults-only RIU in the same complex, look at Riu Palace Macao or Riu Republica.
When did Riu Palace Bávaro reopen after the renovation?
The hotel reopened in stages from August 2024, and RIU announced the completed refurbishment in early September 2024. The project absorbed the neighboring Riu Naiboa site and left the hotel with 994 rooms.
Is Splash Water World included at Riu Palace Bávaro?
Yes. RIU lists access to Splash Water World, the waterpark in the RIU complex, as part of the all-inclusive for Riu Palace Bávaro guests. Check opening hours at the front desk or in the RIU app during your stay.
Is the Riu Palace Bávaro all-inclusive 24 hours?
Yes. RIU describes it as a 24-hour all-inclusive covering meals, snacks and drinks, and the Sports Bar is open around the clock. Spa treatments and some extras still cost more.
