Trip Report of Iberostar Costa Dorada In Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Iberostar Costa Dorada In Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, is a beautiful five-star resort on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. The complex is surrounded by tropical gardens where you may see a flamingo wandering around. The pool is a massive reform pool that also surrounds a lot of the property. It features live entertainment throughout the day, so it’s a little more active than other resorts I've been to, but for a girls' trip, it was perfect. A kids' pool includes a waterpark, and the staff has games and other activities to entertain them. I wasn’t traveling with kids, but from what I saw and the activities and amenities I observed, it seems like a great resort for families with children. There was even a little mini-club for teens.

One thing that stood out was the quality and options for food. There are three specialty restaurants, one buffet, and even a cigar bar, which I thought was unique. One of the restaurants was Japanese, and I had fresh sushi and sashimi, which was terrific. The quality of meat and fish at the property was better than most other resorts I’ve been to. They, of course, had a lot of locally inspired food. One thing to note is there was no room service at this resort, which I didn’t know before traveling there. I think this is one thing the resort should add since sometimes you don’t want to leave your room.

There are a lot of different choices for entertainment here. There are nightly shows and also theme nights. During the day, they have volleyball tournaments, ping-pong, and a lot of live music. It’s more of an upbeat crowd during the day, so I wouldn’t particularly recommend this resort for people who are trying to nap and sit quietly by the pool.

This is the perfect resort for large groups and families who are looking for an all exclusive option that isn’t going to break the bank. You get amazing service with a wonderful beach and fun activities. I do think the resort could use a little bit of a facelift, but once that happens, this resort will be perfect! Reach out to me if you’re interested in an amazing trip to the Dominican Republic.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to the Dominican Republic. In need of further inspiration? Check out Lindsay Vaughn-Hintz’s trip report, Sun-kissed Serenity & Dominican Delights: Your Sunscape Puerto Plata Escape.