Secrets Royal Beach – a comprehensive review for this Punta Cana adults-only all-inclusive resort

Secrets Royal Beach is a completely renovated and elegant adults-only all-inclusive resort right at Punta Cana’s most popular beach, Bavaro Beach. It combines the best standards of service with high-quality à-la-carte restaurants and a prime location in Punta Cana. On top, Preferred Club rooms at Secrets Royal Beach can enjoy one of the most spectacular (infinity) pools in Punta Cana, accompanied by a VIP lounge right at the beach. There is so much to explore at the hotel that it’s worth having a closer look at this comprehensive hotel review of Secrets Royal Beach, especially when you are looking for an upscale, modern and service-oriented adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. 

This is an extensive review of Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana. If you’d like to know some general information about accommodation in Punta Cana, you can continue reading all the insider tips on how to find the best all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana and my recommendation on how to save money during an all-inclusive holiday in Punta Cana.
If you are interested in other adults-only resorts in Punta Cana, you can read the extensive hotel reviews of Royalton Chic Punta Cana, Riu República, Riu Palace Macao, Catalonia Royal Bavaro, Melia Punta Cana Beach Resort, Live Aqua Punta Cana and Temptation Miches Resort.
If you’re looking for further options with swim-out suites, you can check out this list of the best resorts with swim-up rooms in Punta Cana.
And, last but not least, if you’re interested in Secrets Royal Beach’ sister resort, you can continue reading the Dreams Royal Beach review.

Completely UPDATED: September 2023

Quick link: best prices for Secrets Royal Beach

This Secrets Royal Beach review covers all of our experiences in this super-interesting adults-only resort. However, if you’re just here to find the best prices for your vacation at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, let me help you with one of the best options to find the current best deals and promotions* for this resort.

Where is Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana?

Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is located right in the center of Bavaro and directly at Bavaro Beach, one of Punta Canas’ most famous beaches. It is one of the few resorts where you can reach public shops and restaurants within walking distance in case you’d like to leave the hotel for a few hours. Beachside, you can also reach famous beach clubs such as Jellyfish or Soles in 10 to 15 minutes walking. The busy area of Corales can also be reached in less than 5 minutes when leaving the hotel at the beach.

Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is a quick 20-25-minute ride from Punta Cana International Airport. It is recommendable to prebook your airport transfer to avoid the sometimes bothersome airport taxis.

If you would like to see the exact location of Secrets Royal Beach, you can check out its location on this Bavaro map with all Punta Cana resorts, including Punta Cana Travel Blogs’ handcrafted maps.

Editor’s Choice: the best experiences 2024

Most unique experience in a small group: Authentic rum tasting* (rating 4.78/5)
Best Rated Punta Cana excursion: Isla Saona Premium in small groups* (rating 4.95/5)
Most booked through Punta Cana Travel Blog: Small-Group Snorkeling* (rating 4.91/5)
Best off-the-beaten-track excursion: Montana Redonda & Costa Esmeralda* (rating 4.79/5)
Best excursion for family fun: Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo* (rating 4.91/5)
New and trending for 2024: Evening Buggy Tour with Water Cave and Dancing*

Not the right tour for you?
Check out the 45 best Punta Cana excursions here at Punta Cana Travel Blog!

Overview of Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is a medium-sized all-inclusive resort with 641 rooms. With its approximately 1450 feet distance (450 meters) from the lobby to the beach, it is much bigger than small-sized resorts such as RIU Palace Punta Cana or Occidental Punta Cana, but much smaller than those large properties like Hard Rock Punta Cana or Melia Punta Cana Resort. However, it shall be noted that all rooms are a maximum of 950 feet or less than 300 meters away from the beach.

In 2020, Secrets Royal Beach moved to a new location, just next door, where initially Now Larimar was located. Now Larimar changed its name to Dreams Royal Beach and can now be found where Secrets Royal Beach was before.

When entering the lobby at Secrets Royal Beach, you can immediately feel that you are visiting a completely renovated all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. With its large pool, modern furniture and touches of tropical vegetation, the lobby has a welcoming appearance forcing your vacation mode to start immediately.

The lobby of adults-only all-inclusive resort Secrets Royal Beach

Next to the lobby, there is the large entertainment plaza, which is covered with a roof but is still open air. It features a large bar, the Coco Café with coffee and pastry specialties as well as the casino, a shop and 4 of the 5 à la carte restaurants at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana. 

The entertainment plaza for nightly shows at Secrets Royal Beach

When continuing the walk from the lobby, you next reach the large buffet, surrounded by a huge pool with marvelous views of the entire resort. Here is where the room section begins. The 641 rooms of Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana are allocated in two long buildings running to the beach, with two large swimmable pools in the middle. Especially the newly renovated pool between the main pool and the buffet does have a very elegant appearance, thanks to its tropical flowers and the adjoining Bali beds, which are completely free to use. This makes it a perfect option if you don’t like the area of the pool bar, its adjoining activities and the people drinking there. This second pool with the Bali beds was always super quiet.

Beautiful bali beds for everyone at Secrets Royal Beach

Coming closer to the beach, you pass the main pool of Secrets Royal Beach adults-only all-inclusive resort, where you’ll find most of the sunchairs, the Olio Restaurant and the large swim-up bar Barracuda. 

Travel resources

Punta Cana Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*
Santo Domingo Airport Transfers: Info | Book It*
All-Inclusive Resorts: Info | Book It*
Apartments & Villas: Info | Book It*
Excursions: Info | Book It*
Rental Car: Info | Book It*
Road-Trips & Self-Drive Tours: Info | Plan It

From here, you can also walk over to the Preferred Club Section with its amazing two-story infinity pool and the lazy river with plenty of Bali beds. Further below in this Secrets Royal Beach review you can find more about this potentially most impressive feature of this adults-only resort in Punta Cana. 

The beach at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

For the moment, let’s continue with the beach you can access right from the main pool, the amazing Bavaro Beach, one of Punta Canas’ most popular beaches – and certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic as well. It is one of the broadest sections in Punta Cana, up to an impressive 300 feet wide, with plenty of palm trees, turquoise water and just a few occasional waves.

Bavaro Beach in Punta Cana at Secrets Royal Beach

The beach of adults-only resort Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is divided into two sections: the regular section and a Preferred Club area. Both sections feature plenty of sunbeds (those from the Preferred Club section occasionally were all occupied), waiter service and swaying palm trees. However, the regular section is much larger than the Preferred Club. 

The preferred club beach section at Secrets Royal Beach

If you want to enjoy endless beach walks in Punta Cana, Secrets Royal Beach is a perfect starting point as you can walk for more than 2 miles in the southeast direction and more than 9 miles to the northwest without leaving the beach.

In case you are wondering if there is seaweed at Secrets Royal Beach – yes, there is, at least sometimes and depending on the seaweed season in Punta Cana. However, Secrets’ beach gets cleaned daily and there is also a fence in the ocean which keeps out a majority of the seaweed. Compared to other resorts in Punta Cana, Secrets Royal Beach features still a beautiful beach during most days of the seaweed season. You can read everything about the Punta Cana sargassum here and can check out the Dreams Royal Beach review here for impressions of our 2023 visit to this beach. Dreams Royal Beach shares the beach with Secrets Punta Cana Royal Beach.

Bavaro Beach at Dreams Royal Beach, one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic

The rooms at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

All rooms at Secrets Royal Beach are exclusively for adults-only, so if you are traveling as a family to Punta Cana, you shall consider Dreams Royal Beach next door, which was completely remodeled in 2020 as well. 

All rooms of Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana are sized at least 430 ft² or more and feature upgraded furniture (compared to when it was Now Larimar before), including a furnished balcony or terrace, bathtub (some in the room, some on the balcony), air-conditioning, extensive bathroom amenities, a daily refreshed minibar, flat-screen cable TV, an electronic in-room safe, a work desk and free WiFi throughout the resort.

Our Junior Suite at Secrets Royal Beach

The rooms are of very good quality and feature a couple of interesting details, such as iconized light buttons (so you finally know which light to turn off), incense sticks or WiFi chargers right at the bed. The bathroom amenities were super extensive, the bed very comfy and the outdoor hot tub was an additional plus to enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere of Punta Cana. 

View from our junior suite at Secrets Royal Beach

The only thing which didn’t work quite well was the in-room and resort WiFi. It disconnected a lot of times and was sometimes a bit slow, but overall, for a free hotel WiFi, it was ok.

In total, Secrets Royal Beach has 641 rooms, divided into 12 categories. If you are looking to find the best room category at Secrets Royal Beach in Punta Cana, you have the choice between the following options:

  • Junior Suite Tropical View 
  • Junior Suite Pool View
  • Junior Suite Swim-Up
  • Junior Suite Partial Ocean View
  • Junior Suite Private Pool
  • Preferred Club Junior Suite Tropical View
  • Preferred Club Junior Suite Pool View
  • Preferred Club Junior Suite Partial Ocean View
  • Preferred Club Junior Suite Swim Up Pool
  • Preferred Club Junior Suite Private Pool
  • Preferred Club Master Suite Tropical View
  • Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean Front

Compared to 2021, all the Secrets Royal Beach swim-up rooms are now (as of September 2023) classified as Preferred Club rooms. In case you have other requirements, you can check out the best swim-out rooms in Punta Cana here.

The predominant room categories at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana are Junior Suite Tropical View and Junior Suite Pool View, which account for nearly half of the rooms in this adults-only all-inclusive resort.

Only around 30% of all rooms are Preferred Club rooms. The advantages of the VIP section at Secrets Royal Beach are limited to a certain number of people. Make sure to check out further below what sets the Preferred Club at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana apart from others or check out the Preferred Club prices right here*.

Booking and Prices at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Once you have chosen the right room category, it is time to decide on where to book your Punta Cana all-inclusive stay at Secrets Royal Beach. There are dozens of websites out there that are all promising the best price, but not all of them are recommendable to book with.

Check out the advantages of the different booking websites here. Each website offers its perks, discounts and bonuses. And while big promotions are usually available throughout all the online travel agencies, selected promotions might only be bookable on certain websites. 

WebsiteYour AdvantageSecrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
AgodaHidden champion among the OTAs with (sometimes) astonishing offersCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
BookingGet up to 10% Genius discount on the already discounted ratesCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
ExpediaOnline travel agency with great deals, personal service and good reputationCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
HotelcombinedPowerful hotel search engine by KayakCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Hyatt-WebsiteBook directly with the hotel (Secrets belongs to the Hyatt Group)Check resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
JetBlue VacationsGreat package deals and interesting promotions for US travelersCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
TravalaGet 2% cashback + additional (crypto) rewardsCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Trip.comCollect reward points at flights and hotels with this NYSE listed online travel agencyCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
TripadvisorCompare prices and reviews on one siteCheck resort prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog

If you want to save even more during your holiday, make sure to check out this article with 12 tips on how to save money during your all-inclusive vacation in Punta Cana.

The main pool at adults-only all-inclusive resort Secrets Royal Beach

Usually, rooms at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana start at around 200 USD per person in double occupancy in low season and around 250-300 USD per person in double occupancy in high season. But prices vary widely and it depends on the promotions available for the time you travel, so make sure to check the prices with one of the pages linked in the table above. For example, currently, as of September 2023, I only see prices of around 400 USD per person per night for the high season 2024 (read here when it is the best time to go to Punta Cana), which seems pretty expensive to me. I’d say that if your room at Secrets Punta Cana Royal Beach costs more than 600 USD per night, you shall check out other upscale adults-only all-inclusive resorts such as Excellence El Carmen*, Sanctuary Cap Cana*, Margaritaville Island Reserve* or Live Aqua Punta Cana.

For a better overview about the prices of Secrets Royal Beach for 2024, I have compiled the following monthly price breakdown. All prices stated are per room in double occupancy.

Please note that those prices are all indicative and can vary depending on many factors (see explanation above).

Sometimes it might also be cheaper to book flight and hotel together – it always depends on your dates, the current promotions and where you are flying from. If you haven’t booked your flights yet, make sure to check the prices for Secrets Royal Beach and your flight when booked as a vacation package*.

Restaurants and bars at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Ok, let’s talk about food and drinks, maybe the strongest point of Secrets Royal Beach (along with its ever-smiling service I talk about in the next section).

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Adults-only Secrets Royal Beach in Punta Cana features a total of 7 restaurants, among them 5 à-la-carte restaurants for dinner, a newly renovated buffet restaurant and a beach grill for quick bites during your day at the pool or the beach. The restaurant distribution is as following: 

  • Barefoot Grill- Beachside Snack (open during the day)
  • Bluewater Grill – American à-la-carte restaurant (for dinner)
  • Bordeaux – French à-la-carte restaurant (for dinner)
  • El Patio – Mexican à-la-carte restaurant (for dinner)
  • Himitsu – Asian à-la-carte restaurant and Teppanyaki tables (for dinner)
  • La Riviera – buffet restaurant (for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Olio – Preferred Club breakfast and lunch restaurant and general Meditteranean à-la-carte restaurant for dinner

As you can see, Secrets Royal Beach’ restaurants offer a wide choice of different flavors.

There is also a Coco Café for freshly brewed coffee and little pastries and snacks throughout the day.

Snacks and little threats at Coco Cafe while staying at Secrets Royal Beach

As with all AM Resorts, Secrets’ main proposition is reservation-free and unlimited à-la-carte dining, which allows you to visit every restaurant at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana as much as you want and at your preferred dining time.

But it is not only the dining policy that makes Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana attractive, it is also the quality of the food and the variety of the food creations. While the menu of each à-la-carte restaurant is not exceedingly big, every plate we ordered during our adults-only all-inclusive vacation in Punta Casa was overly delicious and fulfilled or exceeded our expectations. It was definitely not the standard all-inclusive food, it was more a well-elaborated menu with several delicacies you would have to pay a lot for when dining at an ordinary restaurant.

A delicious dinner at Bluewater Grill at Secrets Royal Beach

As all our dining experiences at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Canas’ restaurants have been equally great (which is rare as there are usually ups and downs when dining at all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana), it is very hard to pick a favorite.

Obviously, as Secrets Royal Beach is an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, all restaurants are kids-free as well.

But it’s not only the à-la-carte restaurants that set Secrets Royal Beach apart but also the buffet can impress with variety, quality and an amazing location. Probably the latter one is what I have enjoyed most, as you can eat outside with a marvelous view over the pool and the entire resort.

View from the buffet at Secrets Royal Beach in Punta Cana

The food quality and quantity at the buffet were what you can expect from a high-quality 5-star adults-only resort in Punta Cana. Presentation and taste absolutely convinced us.

The buffet at all-inclusive resort Secrets Royal Beach

Last but not least I have to mention the beach grill “Barefoot Grill” as well. Usually, I never visit them as the options of quality and healthy food at resort beach snacks in Punta Cana are usually non-existent. Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana was different! Besides the typical hot dog and hamburger stuff I even don’t have a look at, I was super surprised to find fresh Greek salad, a delicious coleslaw salad and even Ceviche at “Tides”. Super tasty and a perfect light snack for during the day!

Concerning the drinks and alcohol at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, there is not that much to talk about. There are a couple of bars you can choose from, with the plaza bar for evening entertainment and the pool/beachside bar during the day being your most important places to go. Secrets has a “top-shelf spirit” policy, meaning they have plenty of choices when it comes to international premium drinks. Aperol, Absolut Vodka, Dewars Whisky and José Cuervo Tequila are just some of the choices you can have your tropical cocktails with. With regard to the rum, they had a couple of Bacardi rums as well as the renowned and popular Barcelo Anejo or Brugal Extra Viejo from the Dominican Republic – but nothing too impressive. Drink choices were pretty similar compared to neighboring Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana.

The bar selection with premium liqouors and alcohol at Secrets Royal Beach

The only negative point here was that the resort was out of mint (and therefore freshly prepared mojitos) for 3 days. So that the first Mojito we had, which was impressive and one of the best resort mojitos I have ever had, was our last one.

If you prefer even better drinks and brands, you shall consider an upgrade to the Secrets Royal Beach Preferred Club Section (see below for details).

Entertainment and Service at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Before talking about the Preferred Club section at this Secrets Royal Beach review, let’s have a look at the service and entertainment of this adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana, as this is another point that impressed me and us a lot.

While most of the resorts in Punta Cana kicked out 25-50% of all their staff due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent months of very low occupancies (usually 20-40% instead of 75-90% compared to pre-Covid-19), we felt that this just didn’t happen at Secrets Royal Beach. Other resorts are partially getting bad reviews due to long waiting times or understaffed areas, but at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana we always had the feeling that someone is serving you immediately.

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Service at the buffet was always super quick so that there was even not the chance for any queue to form. During the nightly entertainment, there were – figuratively speaking – more waitresses than guests. Also, other parts of the resort were well staffed so that we never experienced any waiting times.

Furthermore, the service was very attentive and it could be noted that the vast majority of the employers at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana was working there with pride and joy.

Overview of Secrets Royal Beach, an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

The entertainment at Secrets Royal Beach in Punta Cana is what you can expect from an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. Pool activities, fun at the beach and nightly entertainment shows are the main components. A nightclub with music from 11 pm to 2 am can be found next to the lobby area and is shared with neighboring Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana. Drinks are included here as well.

Secrets Royal Beach also has a wide array of sports, such as tennis, pool or basketball on the ground, volleyball on the beach or free non-motorized watersports like kayaks, Hobie cats or SUPs on the water. 

The beautiful Bavaro Beach, one of the best beaches in Punta Cana

Preferred Club Section (VIP Level) at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Alright, let’s continue with what I have already mentioned a couple of times in this Secrets Royal Beach hotel review and what might be one of the most impressive parts of this adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana: the Preferred Club!

The Preferred Club is the VIP tier or premium level at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana. While most all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana have such a kind of VIP level, the Preferred Club at Secrets Royal Beach is particularly impressive and one of the most valuable and spectacular premium sections you can imagine. 

The Preferred Club at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is not your typical VIP level, it is a newly built section with some very impressive features.

While many premium lounges of all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana are located somewhere within the resort, the Preferred Club lounge at Secrets Royal Beach is located right at the beach. Immediately when you are arriving for your Preferred Club check-in, you can admire the beautiful beach, the stunning pool and the turquoise ocean through the (almost) floor-to-ceiling windows of the lounge. 

The Preferred Club Lounge at Secrets Royal Beach, the VIP level of this adults-only all-inclusive resort

Second, the Preferred Club pool at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is just wow! It’s a newly built pool with views of the beach, a swim-up bar and a lazy river that leads wide into the resort. Furthermore, there is a second floor which comes with an additional infinity pool with a breathtaking view of Bavaro Beach.

Preferred Club area at Secrets Royal Beach, an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana
Infinity pool at Secrets Royal Beach, an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

The third unique feature of the Preferred Club at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is the lazy river with its adjacent bali beds. While Bali beds are scarce or at an extra cost in many resorts, you have plenty of beds along the lazy river in a very relaxing atmosphere.

Preferred Club area at Secrets Royal Beach, an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

Besides those jaw-dropping Preferred Club amenities at Secrets Royal Beach, you can enjoy plenty of other additional services, such as a personalized check-in in the Preferred Club lounge, a personal butler service, an upgraded drink menu with additional beer and liquor brands and a separate Preferred Club à-la-carte restaurant for breakfast and lunch called Olio. 

Preferred Club bar at Secrets Royal Beach, an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

While we didn’t use the butler services, the upgraded drink menu was a nice plus (even Secrets is serving premium spirits for all guests) and the lunch at Olio was extremely delicious and top-notch (the breakfast, however, was nothing to write home about). 

Interested in the Prefered Club at Secrets Royal Beach? Here is the full list of additional services and amenities you can expect, as I have just mentioned the most important and impressive ones above:

  • Personalized check-in and check-out with concierge service
    Personal concierge service throughout the stay at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana
  • Preferred status and amenities
  • Preferred Club suites in premium locations
  • Upgraded mini-bar
  • Upgraded bath amenities
  • Pillow menu
  • Complimentary newspaper in room every day by request
  • Preferred Club Lounge
    Complimentary computer access
  • Daily continental breakfast in the lounge
  • Afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres, exquisite desserts and fine liquors in the lounge
  • Seaside Grill open for breakfast and lunch for Preferred Club guests only
  • Preferred Club pool with lazy river and infinity pool
  • Preferred Club dedicated beach area

Interested? You can check out the current prices for the Preferred Club at Secrets Royal Beach in Punta Cana here*.

Preferred Club area at Secrets Royal Beach, an adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

Interchanging facilities between Dreams Royal Beach and Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

If that’s all not enough for you and you are looking for further options concerning restaurants, bars, pool and activities, you have also full access to neighboring Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana, which got upgraded in 2020 as well.

Dreams Royal Beach All Inclusive is generally one tier lower than Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana. This being said, you usually won’t find any spectacular features at Dreams you don’t have at Secrets, but certain add-ons make for a pleasant change, especially when staying longer at Secrets Royal Beach.

For example, if you’d like to have lunch right at the beach, but the beach bar at Secrets offers too little choice for you (and you are not a Preferred Club member), you can head next door to Dreams, where you have a full buffet right at the beach. For breakfast, this option is even better as the breakfast buffet is superior compared to the lunch buffet. Read more about the details in our Dreams Royal Beach review.

Furthermore, Dreams Royal Beach has one of the longest pools of all resorts in Punta Cana, so if you enjoy the idea of floating around in a lazy river the entire day, just head over to Dreams Royal Beach.

The lazy river and one of the longest pools in Punta Cana at Dreams Royal Beach

If you are craving for some Italian dining, a night out at Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana is also recommended as they have the only Italian à-la-carte restaurant of both neighboring resorts.

Access to Dreams Royal Beach Resort is included for all guests of Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana. You can walk over whenever you want, there is no registration or separate check-in needed. 

For further information, please read the Dreams Royal Beach review here on Punta Cana Travel Blog.

A wonderful tropical pool at Dreams Royal Beach in the Dominican Republic

Excursions from Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana

Are you already excited to spend your all-inclusive vacation at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana? Great! But don’t forget to explore some of the exciting activities the area has to offer, because there are so many amazing things to do in Punta Cana – it doesn’t matter if you are looking for exciting road trips, adventurous activities or guided Punta Cana excursions

TOP 12 Punta Cana Excursions

Isla Saona: Saona Info | Book it*
Private Saona Island Tour: Private Tour Info | Book it*
Dune buggy and ATV excursion: Buggy Info | Book it*
Punta Cana Ziplining: Zipline Info | Book it*
Party boat & booze cruise: Party Boat Info | Book it*
Best Nightlife Show: Coco Bongo Info | Book it*
Scape Park Cap Cana & Blue Lagoon: Blue Lagoon Info | Book it*
Los Haitises National Park: Los Haitises Info | Book it*
Santo Domingo: Santo Domingo Info | Book it*
Samaná (Salto El Limón & Cayo Levantado): Samaná Info | Book it*
Helicopter & airplane tours: Helicopter Info | Book it*
Whale watching (Jan-Mar only): Whale watching Info | Book it*

Looking for more inspiration? Check out the 40+ best Punta Cana tours!

As mentioned at the beginning of this comprehensive hotel review of Secrets Royal Beach, this Punta Cana adults-only resort is located in the heart of Bavaro, so a few things are even possible if you just walk out of your resort, either at the beach or along the road. The vibrant Corales area right at Bavaro Beach with its many restaurants and bars is just 10-15 minutes walking away. 

When it comes to excursions from Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, you shouldn’t miss a tour to Isla Saona. It is the most beautiful island in the Dominican Republic, featuring gorgeous beaches, turquoise water and a paradise setting which is hard to imagine. Have a look at the photos here and you know what I am talking about. Private excursions to Isla Saona are available as well, which is perfect for a more personal experience and to guarantee social distancing.

The one and only Isla Saona, the most popular excursion in Punta Cana and the Dominican Republic

Further popular Punta Cana excursions from Secrets Royal Beach include ziplining adventures, dune buggy tours, catamaran cruises, whale-watching or a trip to Santo Domingo or Los Haitises National Park. Theme parks in Punta Cana such as Bavaro Adventure Park, Scape Park Cap Cana, Katmandu Park or La Hacienda Park are also great options.

Ziplining Adventure in Punta Cana in the Anamuya Mountains

If you enjoy the water, you can also visit one of the several waterfalls in the area of Punta Cana or enjoy the famous Blue Lagoon, a Mexican-style cenote with a color too good to be true.

The Hoyo Azul at Scape Park Cap Cana, a crystal-clear freshwater lagoon

As you can see, there are a lot of things to do in Punta Cana. Make sure to read a few of the articles linked in this section, so you won’t miss any of the top attractions in Punta Cana. Feel free to write a comment if you are not sure what excursion is the best for you.

 Besides those tours explained, you can also pick your Secrets Royal Beach excursion according to the best-rated tours and activities – check the following table. Particularly considering that thousands of reviews from verified travelers are determining those ratings, you can be pretty sure that you will have an excellent time when picking one of the following options. Most of them are suitable for adults and are therefore a perfect addition to your stay at Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana.

 It is recommendable to prebook your Secrets Royal Beach excursion to make sure you won’t lose any time during your holiday and to guarantee your spot with these highly-rated tours and activities. Have a look at the following tour options from Secrets for a close to 100% satisfaction guarantee.

The best Punta Cana ExcursionReview Score (as of February 2024)DurationPrice (as of February 2024)Further information
Isla Saona Premium Tour*4.95/5.09 hours165 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Private Boat Snorkeling & Catamaran*4.93/5.04 hours800 USD (per group)Check excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Small Group Snorkeling & Catamaran*4.91/5.04 hours89 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Jungle Buggies + Zipline Combo*4.91/5.06 hours184 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Lux Coral Nursery Snorkeling*4.91/5.04 hours109 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
4×4 Dominican Experience*4.88/5.04 hours64 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Punta Cana Ziplining*4.84/5.05 hours90 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
ATV & Snorkeling Combo*4.81/5.08 hours129 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Montana Redonda + Playa Esmeralda*4.79/5.04 hours95 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog
Snorkeling Cruise + Dune Buggy Adventure*4.75/5.08 hours129 USDCheck excursion prices at Punta Cana Travel Blog

Secrets Royal Beach compared with other Punta Cana resorts

 In case you’re wondering if Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is the right choice for you, you can compare this adults-only hotel in Punta Cana with other resorts in the area.

Secrets Cap Cana vs. Secrets Royal Beach

 The most popular question asked about two resorts is the one about Secrets Cap Cana vs. Secrets Royal Beach. This also makes much sense as both hotels belong to the Secrets brand, both are adults-only resorts in Punta Cana and both are upscale all-inclusive hotels with a focus on couples, groups and honeymooners.

 When talking about the similarities between Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana and Secrets Cap Cana, one has to mention the quality of the resort in general (food, service, rooms, etc.), the no-reservation policy for à-la-carte dinners, the alcohol selection as well as the entertainment program. You can’t go wrong if deciding on either one of those adults-only all-inclusive resorts.

 Still, there are a few differences when comparing Secrets Cap Cana vs. Secrets Royal Beach. The beach might be the most important one, as Secrets Royal Beach’ location right at Bavaro Beach is perfect for long beach walks, swimming and photos, while the beach of Secrets Cap Cana is one of the whitest and most picturesque beaches in Punta Cana, but not necessarily ideal for swimming (the water is very shallow hence it is perfect for mingling and floating in the ocean) or mile-long beach walks.

 You can also check the Punta Cana resort map article to see more about the location of Secrets Cap Cana and Secrets Royal Beach.

 On the other side, Secrets Cap Cana is slightly more modern (the resort was only built around 2016/2017) and a tad more luxurious. It is definitely among the most upscale resorts in Punta Cana, even though the new Secrets Royal Beach Preferred Club lounge and pool can more than compete with Secrets Cap Cana. The latter one also features slightly better à-la-carte restaurants. 

Secrets Cap Cana, a fantastic all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana

Dreams Royal Beach vs. Secrets Royal Beach

 A typical comparison of resorts is also the one of Dreams Royal Beach vs. Secrets Royal Beach. This makes a lot of sense as well, as they’re located next to each other and guests of Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana have full access to Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana.

 If you’re interested in this resort, you should definitely read our extensive Dreams Royal Beach review.

 When comparing both resorts one has to say, that Secrets Royal Beach is more upscale than Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana. This advantage is also reflected in the pricing structure, as Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana usually is around 20-35% more expensive than Dreams Royal Beach.

 A big difference when comparing Dreams Royal Beach vs. Secrets Royal Beach is the type of guests. While Dreams Royal Beach is open to all kinds of visitors and can in some instances even be seen as a family resort in Punta Cana, Secrets Punta Cana Royal Beach is an adults-only resort in the Dominican Republic and therefore only available for guests of 18 years and older.

 Still, on our last visit to Dreams Royal Beach, we found that the difference in quality between Secrets Royal Beach and Dreams Royal Beach is not that big (except for the buffet and the Preferred Club Lounge maybe), hence if you’re tight on your budget and are looking for a more affordable resort in Punta Cana, Dreams Royal Beach is also a more than recommendable option.

 For further information, check out the Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana review.

Wonderful tropical setting at Dreams Royal Beach Resort Punta Cana

Excellence Punta Cana vs. Secrets Royal Beach

 If deciding between Excellence Punta Cana and Secrets Royal Beach, you can’t go wrong with either one. I would also rate them quality-wise pretty similar, particularly when it comes to service, food, rooms and amenities. Drinks might be slightly better at Excellence Punta Cana.

 When comparing Excellence Punta Cana vs. Secrets Royal Beach, you’re comparing two resorts on a top level. Both are also adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana

 The major difference between both hotels is the location. Secrets Royal Beach is located at Playa Bavaro, without a doubt one of the best beaches in Punta Cana and even one of the top beaches in the Dominican Republic. Excellence Punta Cana is located in Uvero Alto. It probably has the best location in Uvero Alto as it is the only resort on this particularly virgin stretch of beach, but still, Uvero Alto is not Bavaro. 😉

The beach in Uvero Alto at Excellence Punta Cana

Breathless Punta Cana vs. Secrets Royal Beach

 The last comparison in our Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana review is an easy one: Breathless Punta Cana vs. Secrets Royal Beach. Even though both hotels are adults-only all-inclusives’ in Punta Cana, Secrets Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic is a pretty laid-back and elegant hotel, while Breathless Punta Cana is a very social option and belongs to the best party hotels in Punta Cana.

 Furthermore, Secrets Royal Beach also offers much better quality compared to Breathless Punta Cana. 

 In other words: if you’re looking for parties, entertainment and social activities, definitely pick breathless Punta Cana – Secrets Royal Beach will get you bored in this case. For a laid-back honeymoon or an elegant couples holiday, Secrets Punta Cana Royal Beach is your better choice.

Breathless Punta Cana, an All-Inclusive Resort in the Dominican Republic

Summary

Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana is the perfect choice for you if you are looking for an elegant and high-quality adults-only all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. The level of service and the selection of food is impressive and adequate for a 5-star resort. There won’t be much you will miss here. Secrets Royal Beach does not belong to the very high-end selection of hotels in Punta Cana (as long as you book a regular room – the Preferred Club is already coming close to high-end), but it is a perfect option if you are looking for affordable luxury where you don’t have to worry about anything – even though the rates for the peak season 2024 seem to be pretty high at the moment. It is particularly recommendable if you prefer accommodation which is not too far away from everything, as there are – unlike other all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana – several spots in the nearby area you can reach walking. Furthermore, Secrets Royal Beach is located at one of the best beaches in Punta Cana, Bavaro Beach.

In case you have some extra dollars to spare, I can highly recommend you consider the Preferred Club. While not all VIP levels in Punta Cana are worth their money, the Preferred Club section at Secrets Royal Beach is an awe-inspiring creation consisting of a very welcoming and attractive Preferred Club Lounge, a stunning infinity pool, a super charming lazy river and a Preferred Club restaurant at the beach with delicious lunch options. 

But also if you just book a regular room at Secrets Royal Beach in Punta Cana without Preferred Club status, you can expect a highly comfortable, well-maintained and newly renovated adults-only all-inclusive resort with very friendly staff and creative food options. It is perfect to spend your all-inclusive vacations in Punta Cana in style without paying the price of the most expensive resorts in Punta Cana. With the money you save you can explore the surroundings, head on some of the fantastic Secrets Royal Beach excursions and therefore complete your perfect holiday in Punta Cana.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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The face behind Punta Cana Travel Blog: Chris

CHRIS

Author, Travel Coach & Punta Cana based digital nomad

Hey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean Soul. Since 2011 I have been living in the Caribbean, among them 5 years in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and I’d love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana.

22 thoughts on “Secrets Royal Beach – a comprehensive review for this Punta Cana adults-only all-inclusive resort”

  1. Thank you for the information. My family and I are strongly considering the Dreams Royal Beach next door this coming November. It sounds like it might be worth checking out.

  2. Chelsi Frankforther

    Thank you for this in-depth review of Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana. My husband and I had been looking for an all-inclusive resort to celebrate our 7-year wedding anniversary next June and we booked this one. There was one traveler video on YouTube that made the decision for us to choose this resort and your review tells us we made definitely made the right choice. We will be staying in a Preferred Club room and we are so excited!

  3. Hello CHRIS , amazing in depth review!! One question came up , How is the nightlife in the hotel ? Is it active , music , dancing , late night bar, lounge ? We are looking a place to go , and this is one of the options, we are looking at the preferred section .

    1. Hi Joe,
      great that you like this Secrets Royal Beach review.
      Nightlife at the resort is average I would say. It is obviously not the most social resort (such as breathless or Hard Rock), but there is always something going on, either a nightly show or live music or both. Most of the happening takes place at the central plaza, so everyone is mingling around there in evening, as the restaurants are located there as well. The pools and the beach are usually quiet at night, so is the Preferred Club Lounge.
      Cheers from Punta Cana
      Chris

  4. 👋 Hi , CHRIS ., again ,, forgot to ask about the GYM too, besides the nightlife and if there is any and until what time , how is the GYM facilities ? We like to exercise at least an hour a day ,, to bring down the drinks and food !!! Lol!!
    Thanks 👍

    1. Hi Joe,
      the gym at Secrets Royal Beach is good … it is divided into two sections and has a beautiful tropical view.
      The Secrets gym goes in line with the upscale approach of this all-inclusive resort and is definitely above average, even though not top-notch. So don’t expect the gyms and fitness clubs you have at home in your city. 😉
      Let me know if you have further questions.
      Best regards from Punta Cana
      Chris

    1. Hi Marie,
      officially, Secrets Royal Beach only distinguishs between the Bavaro building and the Punta Cana building. The distance from the beach is equal from both buildings and can vary between 150 and 800 feet. In the end, it depends on the category you book. The best views you will have in the Preferred Club Master Suite Ocean Front and the Presidential Suite. You can check the prices of both room categories here: https://www.puntacanatravelblog.com/recommendation/accommodation-secrets-royal-beach/
      Cheers from Punta Cana
      Chris

  5. Hey!

    My wife and I are trying to decide between the swim up suite and the private pool. Can you share any information you might have about the two options? Also does drink service come to both room types?
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Matt,
      both suites at Secrets Royal Beach are more or less equally equipped, the main difference is the pool. The swim up suites have a pool which is connected with other suites, hence it offers less privacy, but a much bigger pool – perfect if you want to swim or float around. The private pool suites have a smaller pool, which is exclusively for you.
      As for drink service at Secrets Royal Beach, it depends IMHO a bit on the location of your room, but if you book the Preferred Club room, you can always let your butler know if you need anything.
      Cheers, Chris

  6. If you book a Preferred room, does that give reserved bali beds, palapas or cabanas of some kind ? Maybe just at the Preferred pool or preferred beach area? I hate getting up early and playing the towel game when on vacation.

    Some resorts fully reserve a spot for you with their premium/preferred service and others it is still first come first served, just in an area only for those guests, with dedicated staff, etc.

    1. Hi PJ,
      it is still first come first serve, but in an area exclusively for Preferred Club guests. They have quite a good amount of bali beds at the beach and the pool, hence I guess you shall be able to find one. I didn’t realize a lot of “towel games” when I stayed at Secrets Royal Beach.
      Cheers from Punta Cana
      Chris

  7. the real reason behind why Dreams Royal Beach guests are prohibited on Secrets Royal Beach side , while SRB guests can waltz over to eat and drink at DRB side ?

    I get One is Adults only and the Other is Family-oriented
    and that’s okay with me. Or is it because SRB is high-class than DRB . Seems to me , both resorts should feel welcome on either sides to guests both ways

    1. Hi PJ,
      is it because Secrets Royal Beach is more premium than Dreams Royal Beach. It wouldn’t be fair to allow guests from Dreams Royal Beach who pay considerably less to take advantage of the much better drinks, food and amenities at Secrets Royal Beach. This is the reason for the policy.
      Chris

  8. Hi Chris! I wanted to ask how good are the cocktails at the resort in general? And do the bars for non-preferred club guests offer cocktails as well?

    1. Hi Kath,
      I usually don’t drink cocktails (because they are too sweet for me), only longdrinks (which are fine). I’d recommend letting them always know what ingredients and what kind of alcohol you want in your drink, then you’ll shall be fine with your cocktails. And yes, all the bars at Secrets Royal Beach, it doesn’t matter if Preferred Club or not, offer cocktails and longdrinks, the difference is usually just the kind of alcohol brand (for example Tanqueray Gin vs. Beefeater Gin).
      I hope this helps.
      Cheers from Punta Cana
      Chris

    1. Hi Michelle,
      usually, the dress codes at all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana including Secrets Royal Beach are pretty flexible. Obviously, you shouldn’t wear flip-flops and swimming shorts in a restaurant where casual elegant is requested.
      I hope this helps.
      Cheers from Punta Cana
      Chris

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