In 2018, I planned a special getaway to celebrate my husband’s 30th birthday. We chose the sun-soaked paradise of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, for five days of relaxation and adventure. Our flight brought us to the Catalonia Bavaro Resort, where we were welcomed by the warm island breeze and the vibrant colors of our spacious room. The décor was a perfect blend of local charm, making us feel instantly immersed in the island’s culture.
Day 1: Poolside Relaxation and Birthday Cheers
As is our tradition, the first day was all about unwinding. We spent the evening lounging by the pool, with refreshing drinks in hand from the swim-up bar, letting the day melt away into the tranquil sounds of the resort. The sun was generous here I will admit, and the atmosphere was perfect for celebrating a milestone birthday—until I realized we’d forgotten to reapply sunscreen. A slight burn was a small price to pay for such a relaxing start, but it was a reminder to stay vigilant.
We were also given an important heads-up: all water consumed at the resort had to be bottled. The local tap water wasn’t safe for drinking, which included brushing our teeth, a detail that would later come back to haunt us.
We walked around to explore the immediately surroundings to get our bearings of what we can do. We came across a casino and decided to stay for a while and see if we could get lucky like we did in Aruba. In Aruba we solely did the slots and come out up, but here we decided to try our hand at some Roulette since we’ve never done a tabletop gamble. Unfortunately this casino was not forgiving and we left empty handed but still had a good time.
Day 2: Beachside Bliss and a New Favorite Drink
The second day was dedicated to exploring the beautiful beach just steps away from our resort. The soft, white sand felt like a warm embrace, and the crystal-clear water was inviting. We found a few beachside restaurants where we could sit, relax, and enjoy a meal with our toes in the sand. The Bahama Mama slushee quickly became my go-to drink—its icy sweetness was the perfect antidote to the tropical heat.
Mindful of our sun exposure, we didn’t stay out too long, choosing instead to turn in early and relax in our room, soaking in the peaceful atmosphere of the resort. The resort called us when we were in our room and brought him a birthday cake! It was so thoughtful the man that brought it to our room even took pictures and sung to him. The cake was also delicious we had to eat it fast since it was so hot.
Day 3: A Wild Ride on the Party Boat
Day three was all about adventure. We embarked on a lively excursion aboard a party boat, and from the moment we stepped on, it was clear we were in for a wild time. The crew wasted no time in handing out shots—whatever was in them made me feel like Wonder Woman! The boat eventually anchored in a shallow area, and the crew rolled out a floating mat, challenging us to see who could run across and flip off the end.
With the encouragement of the other passengers, my husband volunteered the both of us. His turn he could barely make it on the mat before he immediately fell back off it and gave up. The drinks coursing through my veins and the adrenaline pumping as the crowd cheered encouragement. I somehow made it on top of the mat and I ran across, determined to nail a front flip. But as I took off, I realized I had misjudged my timing and ended up flipping right off the side, landing upside down in the water with a less-than-graceful splash. The groans from the crowd were almost as memorable as the water rushing up my nose, if only someone had captured that moment on video! But maybe it’s also a good thing no one did lol! By the way it was the one and only time I ever did a front flip in my life, in my head I was successful even if I didn’t stick the landing.
Intermittently Hubby did mention his stomach hurt but we didn’t think anything of it until we realized he was brushing his teeth with the sink water and some of it he may had ingested and his was starting to feel pretty sick. He did power through it since it was our final days but it slow him down a bit as time went on.
Day 4: Snorkeling and Vacation Friends
The fourth day brought more excitement as we went on a snorkeling and helmet diving excursion. While I couldn’t quite overcome my anxiety to fully dive in, my husband took the plunge and even snapped a picture with a submerged mermaid statue.
We also went on a pirate-themed excursion that day. The bus ride to the activity was quite an experience. It was something I didn’t see in Aruba which made me pause. The bus we were on was heavily barricaded, almost like a mobile fortress, with citizens walking around with guns slung across their backs. It was an unsettling sight, but we understood the island was different from our home. I would just note this island is the type where you should definitely stay on resort or with your excursion staff closely, you may not want to wander around.
We went on a Pirate Ship and the entire pier leading up to the ship had pirate information and a little boot camp area.
We stayed with our excursion group under a canopy and we waited till our tour guide picked us up there was staff also dressed up like pirates so it was all on theme, there’s also some shops nearby so there’s a way you can kill some time if you don’t want to stay under the canopy.
However on the bus we met a lovely woman and her mother, where we were chatting and they were funny and got along so well. We stayed together and even hung out when we got back to the resort. They stayed at the bar late into the night taking shots, and I tapped out. Not much of a drinker, anymore but they had a blast swapping stories of our travels. We’re even Facebook friends now. Vacation homies for life!
Day 5: A Bittersweet Farewell
On our final day, we indulged in one last breakfast at the buffet, making sure to visit the omelette bar for a perfect start to the day. As we packed up, we reflected on the trip. The only downside was that my husband had fallen ill after accidentally using tap water to brush his teeth before we were warned about the dangers. It dampened his experience a bit, but we tried to make the most of it.
Despite these challenges, the trip was an 9 out of 10—an experience filled with unforgettable memories and a few valuable lessons. Punta Cana was a beautiful destination, and we left with a desire to return, knowing exactly how to navigate it better next time.
Stay information:
Resort: Catalonia Bavaro Punta Cana
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