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From137US$ /night
Check-in
03Jan2026Select date
Check-out
04Jan2026Select date
Rooms and Guests2 Guests, 1 Room
Key details

About the Hotel

Playa Arena Gorda, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
-
Close to the beach
Very good
7.6
7.1
/10
3.5
/5

Riu Bambu, a 3-star family hotel in Punta Cana with 24-hour all-inclusive service, sits directly on the Playa de Arena Gorda beach surrounded by coconut palm trees. This beachfront property features swimming pools for children and adults, free WiFi throughout, and an extensive entertainment program.

Well-Equipped Accommodations

The 1000 rooms at Riu Bambu include minibar, beverage dispensers, satellite TV, and a balcony or terrace overlooking the surroundings. Each accommodation features a living room, air conditioning, and laptop-friendly workspaces.

Diverse Dining Options

Authentic gastronomic experiences await in the Spanish, Italian, Asian, and Mexican restaurants, plus a steakhouse serving fine cuts of meat. Five bars, including two swim-up bars and one lounge, serve drinks and snacks throughout the day.

Family-Friendly Recreation

Both kids and adults have dedicated recreation spaces, with RiuLand kids club for children and RIU4U program for teenagers aged 13-17. Guests enjoy free admission to Splash Water World with numerous aquatic attractions, plus access to the Renova Spa at the nearby Hotel Riu Palace Bavaro.

Convenient Location Access

Located 30 km from Punta Cana, the hotel provides access to nearby attractions including Marinarium Marine Park, HigĂĽey sugarcane fields, and Saona Island. The property sits just 2 km from Arena Gorda Beach, 2 km from Punta Blanca Golf Club, and 1 km from Splash Water Park.

Must-do experiences

  • Visit the Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park for stunning nature trails.
  • Try a fresh ceviche at Playa Juanillo for a local seafood delight.
  • Explore Hoyo Azul, a hidden lagoon with breathtaking turquoise waters.
  • Take a day trip to Saona Island for pristine beaches and tranquility.
  • Discover local crafts at El Cortecito flea market-perfect for souvenirs.
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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals
Family Deluxe Room
2 persons
33 m² 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Coffee machine
Double Room
2 persons
28 m² 
2 Single beds
Shower
Coffee machine
Junior Suite
2 persons
47 m² 
1 King-size bed
Shower
Coffee machine
Deluxe Room
2 persons
29 m² 
2 Double beds
Shower
Coffee machine
Click button to see more rooms
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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

General

  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Parking
  • Safe deposit box
  • 24-hour reception
  • No pets allowed
  • 24-hour security
  • Luggage storage
  • Currency exchange
  • Barber shop
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Key card access

Sports & Fitness

  • Fitness centre
  • Wind surfing
  • Snorkelling
  • Tennis court
  • Billiard tables

Services

  • Housekeeping
  • Car hire
  • Laundry
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Welcome drink

Dining

  • Restaurant
  • Poolside snack bar
  • Snack bar
  • Dinner

Children

  • Children's pool
  • Water slides
  • Children's play area
  • Kids club

Spa & Leisure

  • Outdoor swimming pool
  • Beach access
  • Beach umbrellas
  • Sun loungers
  • Aqua park
  • Live entertainment
  • Garden area
  • Leisure/ TV room
  • Spa & wellness centre
  • Steam room
  • Beauty treatment
  • Massage
  • Public Bath
  • Shallow end

Room features

  • Air conditioning
  • Mini-bar
  • Sitting area
  • Garden furniture
  • Ironing facilities

Media

  • Flat-screen TV
  • AM/FM alarm clock
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Location

Playa Arena Gorda, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Map view
Playa Arena Gorda, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Nearby
Av. Estados Unidos
Splash Water Park
900 m
Restaurants
Restaurant Garden Grill
1.5 km
Carretera El Macao - Arena Gorda Grand Baya Principe
Explore Punta Cana
Nearby Activities and Dining
Top Attractions
Activities
Dining
Entertainment
Splash Water Park
Splash Water Park
11 minutes walking
Splash Water Park features thrilling water slides and wave pools, perfect for a family day of fun.
Plaza Punta Cana
10 minutes walking
Plaza Punta Cana is a vibrant shopping center with boutiques, restaurants, and entertainment options, ideal for a leisurely outing.
Cave Oleg Bat House
Cave Oleg Bat House
7 minutes driving
Cave Oleg Bat House offers an intriguing glimpse into nature. Guided tours reveal the unique ecosystem of the caves.
Punta Blanca Golf Club
5 minutes driving
Punta Blanca Golf Club features an 18-hole championship course crafted by Nicklaus Design, ideal for golf enthusiasts.
Water Sports
19 minutes walking
Various water sports, including snorkeling and kayaking, are available at Arena Gorda Beach for adventure seekers.
Yoga Classes
10 minutes driving
Relaxing yoga classes near the beach provide tranquility amidst the tropical surroundings, perfect for rejuvenation.
Garden Grill
5 minutes driving
Garden Grill offers a cozy atmosphere with farm-to-table dishes, specializing in grilled meats and fresh salads.
La Mascarita
15 minutes walking
La Mascarita serves authentic Dominican cuisine with a warm atmosphere. Don't miss their mofongo and local seafood dishes.
Pasha
9 minutes walking
Pasha is a lively nightclub featuring themed nights and renowned DJs, perfect for party lovers looking for late-night fun.
Tropicana theatre
10 minutes walking
Tropicana theatre hosts vibrant shows and live performances, providing engaging entertainment for guests of all ages.
Getting around
City Centre
Punta Cana31 min  ·  20.3 km
Airports
Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ)41 min  ·  27.1 km
La Romana International Airport (LRM)136 min  ·  90.4 km

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.
Guest reviews
5.0/10
based on 5 reviews
7.6
7.6/10 based on 176 reviews
Oliver
United States, March  2025
7.0/10

I had a mixed experience at Riu Bambu. The beach was fantastic, with plenty of clean spots under palm trees, but the service and dining left much to be desired. The rooms seemed outdated and poorly maintained, and the overall atmosphere felt more like a budget resort than a premium experience.

Rooms
5.0
The rooms were nice and spacious, but my shower drain was blocked and I struggled with standing water every day. It felt like the maintenance could be improved significantly.
Service
5.0
Most of the staff were friendly and hardworking, but there were times when it felt like we were ignored, especially in the specialty restaurants, which was quite disappointing.
Location
7.0
The hotel is located on a lovely palm-lined beach, which was definitely a highlight. However, the gated complex setup meant I couldn't easily explore beyond the hotel grounds.
Dining
5.0
The dining options were hit or miss. While the Colonial restaurant offered decent food, many other eateries felt repetitive and at times I felt restricted by restaurant policies concerning food taken from them.
Facilities
6.0
Facilities like the pools were great, but I noted that there was no visible security or lifeguard presence, which made me feel a bit uneasy about safety at the beach.
Alan
United States, March  2025
7.4/10

I had a great time at Riu Bambu, where the staff was welcoming and attentive. However, there were some issues with disorganization at meal times, and my room could have used a better view. Overall, I'd recommend it especially for families! 🌴🍹

Rooms
6.0
My Deluxe room was comfortable but had a balcony that overlooked the adjacent hotel, which wasn't ideal. The shower was nice, but the layout with the basins in the bedroom felt a little odd. It could improve on privacy aspects.
Service
9.0
The staff were friendly and always willing to help. I particularly appreciated the breakfast team, especially Fraser, who really made an effort to make our mornings enjoyable.
Location
10.0
The setting of the hotel was stunning, positioned beautifully on a long palm-lined beach. It felt safe at all times, and exploring the area was a delight.
Dining
6.0
While there was a large variety of food, I felt that the dining experience could have been better organized. Food often ran out, and slow refills were a common issue. However, I always found something to eat.
Facilities
7.0
The pools were clean and enjoyable with ample space, though the noise could be a bit overwhelming if you wanted quiet relaxation. I didn't use the shops much, as I found them overpriced.
Jeff
United States, March  2025
7.4/10

I recently spent two weeks at Riu Bambu, and honestly, it was pretty disappointing. While I appreciated some friendly staff and a few decent meals at the specialty restaurants, the overall experience wasn't up to par. The room situation and cleanliness really let things down, and the food options were often lackluster.

Rooms
5.0
The rooms were initially disappointing. I had to switch rooms due to a mouldy mattress, and the cleanliness was lacking overall, with mildew painted over in my room.
Service
5.0
Some staff were friendly, especially at the steakhouse and the bar, but there was a lack of attentiveness in the dining areas. I felt frustrated with how inconsistent the service could be.
Location
6.0
The resort has a nice location, with easy beach access and a good variety of specialty restaurants. However, the overall quality didn't meet the five-star expectations I had.
Dining
5.0
The food overall was hit or miss. While the steakhouse was excellent, other dining options didn't impress. The buffet felt subpar with frequent issues like questionable freshness of food.
Facilities
5.0
Facilities were adequate but not luxurious. I also found the entertainment lacking, and general cleanliness around the resort left much to be desired.
Colin
United States, February  2025
5.4/10

I had a fun time at Riu Bambu, especially with the entertainment and family activities. The room was nice, but there were some issues with service and dining that detracted a bit from my experience. Overall, it was a solid trip for a family vacation, but it didn't fully live up to the five-star expectations.

Rooms
6.0
The room was lovely, especially since I had paid for a deluxe option, but it was located quite far from the amenities. It would have been great if they could have accommodated my request for a closer room due to mobility issues.
Service
5.0
The check-in was smooth, but I missed a warm welcome drink. Some staff, especially during breakfast and lunch, could be quite rude, while others were really good, particularly in the steakhouse.
Location
7.0
The resort is set on a beautiful beach, perfect for long walks and relaxation, but the lack of bellboys to help with transportation across the massive grounds was a bit inconvenient.
Dining
5.0
Dining options were plentiful with many specialty restaurants, but there was a lack of labeling for vegetarian options, which made choosing meals tricky for me as a vegetarian.
Facilities
6.0
The resort had a variety of fun facilities, including a water park for kids, but I found some areas, like the pool, could have been cleaner, and there weren't enough shaded spots on the beach.
Jesse
United States, November  2024
5.0/10

I just returned from a week at Riu Bambu, and my experience was mixed. While I loved the beautiful beach and enjoyed some friendly staff interactions, I faced several issues that impacted my stay. The dining experience was particularly challenging, especially with the chaos caused by weekend locals. Overall, it was a decent trip, but not one I'd rush to repeat.

Rooms
5.0
The room was away from the restaurant and beach, which made it quiet, but it suffered from cleanliness issues like a blocked shower drain. Unfortunately, despite reporting it daily, nothing was fixed.
Service
5.0
Check-in was smooth and the main restaurant staff were attentive. However, I felt that the overall greeting and luggage assistance could be improved, given the hotel's rating.
Location
6.0
The hotel's location was nice, but I encountered cleanliness issues, including mould in some areas. The beautiful beach was a highlight, but the main pool area felt crowded.
Dining
5.0
The food was hit or miss; there were highlights like the steakhouse, but overall, it felt repetitive and sometimes poorly managed, especially on weekends when locals overpopulated the dining halls.
Facilities
5.0
The amenities were decent, but the cleaning of the pools was quite lacking. I often noticed debris floating around, which was disappointing for what's advertised as a luxury resort.
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
until 12 pm
Internet
is available in for free.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Number of rooms:
6
FAQs
About Riu Bambu
What is the check-in and check-out policy at Riu Bambu?
Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is at 12:00.
How far is Riu Bambu from Punta Cana International Airport?
The hotel is located 24 km from Punta Cana International Airport, approximately a 26-minute drive.
Does Riu Bambu provide access to a beach?
The hotel has direct access to Arena Gorda Beach, which features fine white sand and turquoise water.
What types of cuisines are served at Riu Bambu's on-site restaurants?
The hotel offers a variety of cuisines including gourmet, Spanish, Italian, Asian, and Mexican in its five specialty restaurants.
What amenities are available in the rooms at Riu Bambu?
Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a minibar, a flat-screen TV, a coffee machine, a balcony or terrace, and a safety deposit box.
What recreational facilities does Riu Bambu offer?
Guests can enjoy multiple outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, and a spa offering a variety of relaxation treatments.
Is there a kids' club available at Riu Bambu?
Riu Bambu features a kids' club, as well as a separate children's pool and playground.
Are there any nearby attractions to visit from Riu Bambu?
Nearby attractions include Marinarium Marine Park (5 km), Altos de ChavĂłn (30 km), and Saona Island excursions.
Does Riu Bambu offer free Wi-Fi?
The hotel provides free Wi-Fi throughout the property.
What dining options are available at Riu Bambu?
In addition to specialty restaurants, Riu Bambu features buffet breakfast options and multiple bars including swim-up bars.
What are Riu Bambu's policies on pets?
The hotel does not allow pets.
What are the key highlights of Riu Bambu?
Key highlights include all-inclusive service, free admission to Splash Water World, entertainment programs, and a beachfront location.
Does Riu Bambu provide parking facilities?
The hotel offers free private parking on-site, no reservation necessary.

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