If you’re like me, you’ve given up on your childhood dream of joining the circus. But despite being practically an adult, a recent stay at Club Med Punta Cana gave me a moment where I was able to enjoy the idea of ​​life under a big peak while strapped into a harness and tipped over 20 feet off the ground.
I defied gravity and floated into the air, laughing at myself in between cheering on my fellow circus trainees. We were able to role-play, have fun, and enjoy the thrill of trying new and challenging things, which is rare as you get older.
Club Med Punta Cana opened in 1981 as one of the region’s founding resorts, claiming to “open Punta Cana’s doors to the world.” The resort has now been on the island for nearly half a century. Meanwhile, the global brand celebrates 75 years since Belgian founder Gerard Blitz first envisioned the concept of a sporty, communal, all-inclusive vacation for post-war Europeans who rejoiced in their freedom.
Credit: 2025 Club Med Punta Cana
Flagship property Club Med Punta Cana, located just 10 minutes from the airport, is where the brand frequently tests new concepts across its portfolio and debuted an extensive renovation this year. On a recent visit, I took a close look at these improvements and how they are ushering in a new era for this property and brand. The renovations, which will affect some guest rooms, public spaces and dining venues, are the work of design firm GG&Grace International, whose client list includes Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Kempinski Hotels.
Credit: 2025 Kelsey Glennon
Club Med Punta Cana Latest Information
Candy-colored concrete complexes dot the grounds, overlooking a forest of palm trees stretching out to sea. This colorful landscape maintains the same classic, colorful, Caribbean feel from the resort’s inception.
However, within these complexes, 40 Costa del Coco deluxe rooms have been renovated. The interior design features details such as arched doorways, glass showers, palm leaf tilework and smart contours of the living spaces. The new layout brings in natural light and optimizes space for comfortable sharing of suites.
Related: 10 new and renovated hotels in the Dominican Republic you need to know about
Credit: 2025 Club Med Punta Cana
Club Med excels at cultivating the kinds of communal spaces that people love to linger, and their reimagined food hall concept is no exception. El Mundo Food Club is the company’s flagship food court concept with a grab-and-go island featuring French, Latin, Asian, Mediterranean mezze and American-style barbecue stations. The dining venue is open for afternoon snacks and dinner, making it a prime destination for large groups with a variety of appetites.
This dining hall seamlessly connects to after-dinner cocktails at Gioia Bar, another renovated space. Here, pink and teal tiles mimic the colors of the Dominican ocean and sunrise. Rattan and woven light fixtures draw the eye to large vaulted ceilings made from warm, sustainable wood. This ceiling gives the entire lounge a cozy, insulated feel while keeping it open-air and refreshing.
But the heart of Club Med Punta Cana is the Buena Vista Lounge, which guests see when they first arrive. This is perhaps the resort’s most visually striking feature. The refreshed open-air lobby features large galaxy-inspired light fixtures that cast a warm golden glow throughout the lounge. True to its name (Spanish for “good view”), the Buena Vista Lounge features an unobstructed second-floor view of the grounds that greets guests upon check-in. The lounge also features a traditional ‘casita’ with its own bar, ample seating and an excursion counter.
Directly below the Buena Vista Lounge is our newly added all-day coffee shop, serving local Dominican coffee, chocolate, snacks, juices, and smoothies. I was pleased to hear that this property is committed to eliminating single-use plastics. Here we noticed examples of initiatives such as compostable take-home coffee tops.
Credit: 2025 Club Med Punta Cana
Club Med Things to do at Club Med in Punta Cana
The activities I chose during my stay included just a few of the activities offered at Club Med Punta Cana. As an active traveler, I found myself starting my mornings with yoga by the sea. Classes are held in an outdoor palm-thatched palapa overlooking the waves. During my visit, my instructor was Jonah Kest, a Nike-certified yoga teacher and Club Med’s official yoga ambassador, known for his groove-inducing playlists and seamless, flow-based practices that are featured across Club Med’s portfolio.
Related: Review: Club Med Tignes
In the afternoon, I made sure to attend an adult circus class. Inspired by the circus performance I saw the night before, I donned a harness and learned how to do a bungee flip, then watched a group of kids graduate to a trapeze catch class.
My evening was filled with live music and dancing, as a saxophonist covered pop hits and a Club Med host taught easy-to-follow dance steps that encouraged everyone to join in. The rest of the day was filled with excitement at a traditional Dominican party with a live band, a neon glow party, and a white party where all guests and staff wore white. One evening, I gathered in the cigar cave and smoked a Dominican cigar recommended to me by a staff member.
Overall, Club Med Punta Cana’s renovations are fresh, inviting, playful and carefully designed for large families and groups. This flagship resort is dedicated to highlighting the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic. Bright and breezy lounges, colorful common spaces and indoor-outdoor living make the Caribbean appealing all year round.
