Bavaro, Punta Cana 23000 Dominican Republic, Bavaro, Curaçao | (937) 315-4602
Smaller and quieter compared to its neighbor; good for families
Long, beautiful beach with good swimming conditions
Large two-bedroom room types are available
Three decent restaurant options to choose from
Use of all seven bars both here and at Caribe Club
Access to two pools for adults and children
Evening entertainment at Caribe Club
Tennis, mini-golf, bikes, and non-motorized water sports included
Nearby spa and fitness center with sauna
Access to amenities at other Princess properties like the casino
Le Creperie, and a great beach snack bar
Rooms are basic and show some wear and tear
Minor maintenance issues are common, though usually fixed quickly
There’s an extra fee to use Caribe Club’s restaurants
A tram ride or decent walk required to get to the lobby
Don’t expect reliable Wi-Fi
Guests may be approached by time-share sales people
No coffeemakers in rooms
This 310-room colorful but basic resort is the lowest-priced of the four Princess-brand properties in Punta Cana. This family-friendly offering (with two pools and separate kids’ clubs for different age brackets) is situated next door to the more party-friendly Caribe Club. Both of these properties share certain amenities such as the lobby, nightly entertainment, tennis courts, and unreliable Wi-Fi; it can take a 10-minute walk or tram ride through the mangrove trees to get from one area to the next. Tropical’s rooms tend to be pretty outdated (the larger “Familiar” option is a better bet), but for those looking for a great beach location for a low price, this is the place. Guests have access to three restaurants and seven bars (there is a fee to use the restaurants at Caribe Club) and a nice spa.
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Scene
A quieter, more family-friendly atmosphere than at the party-hearty Caribe next door
Tropical guests enter a long driveway and go past the disco, two tennis courts, and bike rental rack before reaching an open-air lobby with an authentic palapa-style roof. After check-in is complete (be wary of time-share offers), the tram service transports guests past a chapel and bright row of shops, and through mangrove trees dotted with peacocks, to reach the rooms. They are housed a series of colorful buildings that are pretty accessible to the pools and beach.
While Caribe Club is the larger resort, the Tropical comes with a quieter and more family-friendly vibe. Though the Tropical shares many features with its bigger and louder sister resort next door, it does lack access to the Caribe's restaurant selection; the limited restaurants here include Dominican and Brazilian options. But the Tropical does have a chill beach buffet and snack area, which offers outdoor seating with direct views of the ocean and parasailers taking off and landing right in front. For nightlife, Tropical guests can use any of the bars here or at the Caribe Club.
Location
A great beach location is the draw here.
Thirty minutes from Punta Cana Airport, Tropical Club -– like the other Princess properties –- enjoys a prime location along a swimmer-friendly area of Bavaro Beach. Though Tropical arguably has a slightly more crowded stretch of sand than its neighbors, guests here have on-site access to the beach snack bar. The resort, like all resorts in Punta Cana, faces east for spectacular sunrises. Tropical's rooms are easy walking distance to the beach, though the lobby is longer walk or tram ride.
Rooms
Outdated decor is common, given the low price.
Smallish in feel compared to the other Princess properties, the Tropical's 310 rooms come in two main types, starting with the Superior Tropical Rooms (either two double beds or one king bed). These budget-friendly rooms tend to have outdated decor with patterned bedspreads. The Familiar Rooms, which are larger family-friendly options with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, often have more updated decor, but maintenance problems aren't completely uncommon in either category (just call the front desk and they will send someone for repairs). All Tropical rooms have minibars with water and soda, which are stocked daily, small patios, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, and tub/shower combos. Coffeemakers, however, are not included.
Features
Kid-friendly activities, and a great pool and beach
As at all Princess properties, the beautiful beach location is the stand-out feature. This long sandy stretch is a walker's paradise and has great waves for swimming. As for dining, guests have access to a main buffet, a Creperie for sweet treats, a beach snack bar overlooking the ocean, as well as Dominican and Brazilian cuisine. If food boredom starts to ensue, guests have the option to make reservations next door, but it will require an additional fee. Bars however, are accessible at both properties and service is pretty consistent and prompt. As for sporting facilities, guests and their little ones have access to a range of kids clubs, tennis courts, non-motorized water sports, bikes, mini-golf (next to the pool), archery, and a fitness center, and spa.
