Family Vacation in Dominican Republic
It had been almost 18 months since our last family vacation, because COVID, and our first vacation as a family of five in Dominican Republic was everything we needed. Not just for us but also for the kids! Check out Tips For Traveling With Kids And Baby for what helps makes the whole experience a smoother one for me.
We knew we needed some days of pure relaxation and with covid still going on we decided to stick to Bahia Principe Punta Cana which we had been to before and loved. Booked 8 days at the resort with my parents and god-sister and then we spent another week in my parents house in the campo of Villa Altagracia, which I’ll get into further down.
Super family-friendly, the kids will have as much of a good time as you. Two colorful waterparks for the little ones with numerous slides which Achilles, as soon as he walked into, excitedly said “Gracias mami & papi! Best vacation ever!”
Punta Cana’s beaches, which are usually crystal clear, were still full of seaweed during June. It’s actually beneficial for the ocean but being used to the clear Caribbean water, we’re not fans so we didn’t spend much time on the beach which I wasn't too worried about because it’s not as much fun with an 8-month-old baby.
I know some people stress over the idea of traveling with a baby, and young kids, but I actually love it and so do they! We obviously don’t have the freedom to “just do us” but since we’ve been traveling with our babies as young as 2-months-old, it’s gotten a lot easier. Here’s a look into my Baby Vacation: Must-Haves. At eight months, for example, Axel loved the pool. Just taking in everything around him and the food. Oh, how he enjoyed all the new foods he got to try out.
Hanging around in the lake style pools with its gorgeous views out into the beach, seeing the kids so happy to be with mamita and abuelito, savoring the amazing food, sipping’ on poolside drinks and soaking in our chill family nights after dinner was complete bliss for a whole eight days.
As always, when we go to Dominican Republic, we spent the second half of our vacation in my parents house in the campo. The kids not only love seeing family and the friends they’ve made but they are all about the freedom that comes with campo life. Running around on my parents land, going to the river, sometimes even before lunch, playing with their friends and even getting a motorcycle ride. Below are some of my favorite moments in the campo.
La Vega, which was home for a few years while I was abroad in college, we only got to enjoy for a day. Still great though because I got to show the kids our old home, we had lunch at Macao Grill (across the street from La Catedral), walked around the town a bit and even played in the park while we waited for our negative covid results.
Without a doubt, 2021 was our best family vacation ever! I say that after every single family getaway and it’s always true.
You may also enjoy: Tips For Traveling With Kids and Baby Vacation: Must-haves.
