Barcelo Punta Cana All-Inclusive Resort, Higuey Punta Cana

Went the first week in august, stayed at the palace. Beach and water was amazing. So warm. We did the banana boat ride, fun! Also did the outback excursion where they tak you to a local home and show you how the coffee and cocca are harvested and dried, processed. 70 bucks for 1/2 a day, I'm glad we did it, because it was the only time we left the resort, and I like to see the rest of the area. But a very bumpy ride and I would probably not reccomend it. Food only ok at the resort, but lots to choose from. There was a steakhouse right on the beach that you could choose what you wanted, and they cooked it for you. VERY GOOD. Disappointed in the seafood restaurant, and at the palace, the buffet only ok. There was another across from the casino that was good. Fuentes at the casino was good, but men have to wear pants to get in. And it was so hot. Weather was hot, hot, hot. Same temp day and night. HIGH humidy. Nice trolley to take you to the other hotels, we ate/drank at them all. Some really nice bars, and at the palace, you could drink all premium liquors, top shelf everything. Not a lot of choices with your fruity blended drinks. The rooms were large, bathrooms a little outdated, but not bad. They kept your fridge well stocked with coke products and beer and plenty of water. DONT" DRINK THE WATER. Don't even brush your teeth with it. 10 of us went, 6 were sick, and we didn't drink the water, so not sure what it was from? thank goodness we thought ahead and took our immodium and pepto. We used it all. Like I said, it was very hot, maybe that was part of it. Nothing but your room and casino were air conditioned. Take your bug spray, little no seeums everywhere that would bite your ankles. Nice pool, and beach chairs, lots of chairs on the beach too. I would suggest staying at block 4, that is closest to the pool and lounge, restaruant. And lots of high sunscreen. I usually wear a 4, and was burning even with a 15 or 30. Sun was hot, hot. I swear in a week I sweat more than I have in all of the rest of my life. Would I go back? No, I don't think so. It was nice, and we had a great time, but for sure most spoke spanish, even most of the guests. There weren't 5% of american's there. Very poor country. The food was different, but I expected that. I certainly didn't starve, and right by the pool there is a restaraunt that serves pizza. It was very good, and they are open until midnight. I know I kind of jumped around a bit, but when I researched this place, I only got bad reviews. It for sure is not bad. You get what you pay for. We ate a lot of good meals, and for sure happy hour (or hours in our case) were so much fun. We took floats and they worked great in the pool. The rooms were clean, and we had an awesome maid that I left a dollar on my pillow with some small gifts I brought from home, and she even folded my dirty clothes each day, left me extra towels, and did an exceptional job. These people work for nearly nothing, and small things that are imported (nearly everything) cost so much money there. I brought things like bandaids, hair clips, twizzers, tampons, ect. Hope this helps, I've been to 3 all inclusives and this was pretty much the same as the others we went to in St. maartin, and one in the bahamas. Only difference really was the bahamas you could travel all over the island, it was beautiful, and safe with beautiful homes, and everyone spoke english! Oh yes, I almost forgot, it has the most beautiful landscaping. The coolest trees and plants ever.