Cayo Levantado Resort is, without a doubt, the best hotel I have ever visited. It completely exceeded my expectations in every way. I can’t even count the number of times my husband and I looked at each other and said, “This place is beautiful,” or “This place is truly special.” This isn’t just another all-inclusive—it’s an incredible, unique, and luxurious escape in the Dominican Republic. Every dollar spent and every effort to get there was 100% worth it. In fact, this is the first resort I will happily return to without hesitation. You need to experience Cayo Levantado Resort. It was amazing, and I cannot wait to go back. Now, here’s the ultimate review of Cayo Levantado Resort—a detailed, in-depth look at everything you need to know. So keep reading for an ultimate review of Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic.
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General Information on Cayo Levantado Resort
Cayo Levantado Resort is a luxury, all inclusive and eco-conscious escape set on a private island in the Dominican Republic. It is located off Samana which is a bit more of an hidden gem then places like Punta Cana. Unlike typical all-inclusives, this resort focuses on wellness, sustainability, and culture, offering a peaceful, elevated experience. Think incredible dining, top-tier cocktails, stunning beaches, and thoughtful activities—all without the overcrowded, party-resort vibe. With gorgeous accommodations, exceptional service, and a true focus on sustainability, Cayo Levantado is worth every penny. If you’re looking for something special, this is it.
How to get to Cayo Levantado Resort?
Cayo Levantado is a private island just off the town of Samaná. The two closest airports to Cayo Levantado Resort are Santo Domingo (Las Américas International Airport – SDQ) and Samaná (El Catey International Airport – AZS). Santo Domingo is much larger, offering more flight options than Samaná, though still not as many as Punta Cana (PUJ). If you’re flying from Canada, Samaná is your best bet, as it’s the only international destination with direct flights there.
Since we were coming from a work event in Chicago, we chose to fly into Santo Domingo, which required a layover. However, if I had flown from New York, I could have taken a direct flight.
Once you land, the transfer times to the pier (where you take the boat to Cayo Levantado) vary:
- From Santo Domingo: 2.5 to 3 hours by car, cutting across the island.
- From Samaná: Just 45 minutes—a much quicker and easier option.
- From Punta Cana: While you can fly here and arrange transportation, it will take over 5 hours—and you’ll literally pass Santo Domingo on the way to the island.
If convenience matters, Samaná is the best choice if you can get a flight. Otherwise, Santo Domingo is the next best option with more flexibility.
Transportation from Santo Domingo Airport to Cayo Levantado
Getting to Cayo Levantado Resort was absolutely worth it, but let me tell you—that drive from Santo Domingo sucked. We arranged our transfer through the hotel, and honestly, given how long it was, that was the best choice. The drivers were friendly, the vehicles were clean and comfortable, and they even provided WiFi, bottled water, and offered to stop if we needed a break. But it wasn’t cheap—$300 round trip. I did some quick research, and that’s just the going rate, no matter how you book it.
Now, don’t get me wrong—parts of the drive were beautiful, especially when passing through small towns and national parks. But wow, it was so freaking long. Between traffic, chaotic driving, endless turns, stop-and-go motion, and the overall exhaustion, my stomach was not a fan. And the drive back to the airport? Felt like it took forever.
Since I’m from New England, I can confidently say I will never fly into Santo Domingo for this trip again. Next time? I’m flying to Canada just so I can get a direct flight to Samaná. Trust me, it’s the way to go!
Cayo Levantado App
I have mixed feelings about the app. Checking in 10 days prior was super easy, and it gave us access to activity schedules right away. It also says you can reserve dining 5 to 10 days in advance, but I couldn’t actually book anything until 2 days before, which was frustrating as a planner. Once on the property, though, the app worked fine and made planning our days easy.
Check-in
Check-in at Cayo Levantado was pure luxury. Your transportation drops you off at a gorgeous colonial-style building, where your bags are taken care of for you. Inside, you step into a stunning lounge with plenty of seating and a full bar, plus an outdoor area overlooking the pier. A Cayo representative welcomes you and starts the check-in process, which was super quick since I had completed everything on the app. Then? Drinks from the bar—all included, of course. We sipped, soaked up the sunshine, and just relaxed. With only one other couple there, we waited maybe 20 minutes before the boat arrived. It was absolutely perfect.
Boat Ride to Cayo Levantado
The boat ride to Cayo Levantado Resort is the perfect way to kick off your trip. It’s quick, easy, and scenic, taking just 10 minutes to reach the island. Along the way, you’ll sail past the stunning public beach, soaking in the turquoise waters before arriving at the resort’s private dock. The ride can be a bit bumpy—open waters, after all—but nothing too crazy. Once you arrive, a staff member will be waiting to unload your bags and whisk you up the hill to the lobby via golf cart, making the entire process effortless. A smooth start to paradise!
Lobby
The lobby is absolutely stunning, with deep greens, dark woods, and plenty of comfortable seating. Designed to reflect Santo Domingo, it has a rich, elegant feel. Inside, you’ll find the front desk, a small shop, and the Coa Bar—a fantastic spot for cocktails (more on that later).
In the evenings, a pianist often plays, making it the perfect place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink. Just outside, there’s a beautiful open-air plaza with a fountain and amazing seating overlooking the ocean. This is often the location for music in the evening. This is also where you’ll find the coffee shop (details below). The lobby is located in the same building as most of the standard rooms, making it a central hub for your stay.
Ambassadors at Cayo Levantado Resort
Cayo Levantado has a unique service system—instead of a personal butler, you get two ambassadors who act as concierges via WhatsApp. Each day, they send a message with resort activities and restaurant availability for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I’m pretty sure they tailored recommendations based on the pre-arrival survey, where I mentioned my interest in wellness activities (more on that later). You can message them in your home language, and they’ll respond accordingly. They were super helpful for answering questions and making reservations.
Our ambassadors completely blew me away. My husband casually asked a bartender if there were any fresh coconuts on the island. They didn’t have any at the time, so we thought nothing of it—until we got back to our room later that day and found two fresh coconuts waiting for us. Such a treat!
The next day, while we were lounging by the pool, they surprised us with two more coconuts—this time with the fresh coconut meat inside. And as if that wasn’t enough, they even arranged a special lunch featuring fish in a coconut sauce. Their friendliness and attention to detail were just next level.
Cayo Levantado Resort: Grounds/Property
Oh man, this is where I completely fell in love with Cayo Levantado. The grounds are beyond stunning, almost impossible to describe. Unlike most all-inclusives with manicured, overly stylized English gardens, they’ve allowed the island to become lush, wild, and rich with tropical plants. Towering palm trees, vibrant flowers, and winding garden paths make every walk so special.
The island’s somewhat hilly terrain made my early morning walks more interesting. The pools and private beach are just breathtaking, and they even have this amazing elevator that takes you down to the beach club—the views from the top are unreal.
One of the absolute best things about this island? Its sheer beauty. I know I keep saying this, but those morning walks were hands-down my favorite part of the trip. Just pure paradise.
Pro Tip: Make sure to do the biologist tour while visiting. You get to learn so much about the plants and animals on the island.
Rooms: Jr. Suite
There is a wide range of room types at Cayo Levantado from your basic Jr. Suite to a multibedroom villa. As usual, I booked the cheapest room on the property since we don’t spend much time there—but that didn’t mean it wasn’t fantastic. It was bloody amazing.
We stayed in Room 305, on the third floor of the main building where the lobby is located. The room had a huge balcony with seating, a partial ocean view, and overlooked the plaza. The decor was stunning and unique (no millennial gray here!). It was spotlessly clean, with a cozy seating area, couch, desk, and an insanely comfortable bed. We arrived to a selection of pillows, which we had pre-picked in the arrival survey.
The bathroom was massive, featuring a double vanity, a seriously great shower, and a fully enclosed toilet for privacy. They even provide locally made lotions and scrubs, which was a nice touch.
Tech-wise, the room was impressive—you can control climate and lighting from the TV or your phone, and cast your favorite shows to the TV. No musty smell or humidity issues, just fresh and comfortable. The mini-bar had rum, soft drinks, water, and granola bars—a surprisingly healthy selection—but it’s not refilled automatically; you have to request it from your ambassador. Oh, and they provided a nice beach bag, that we used the entire trip! Overall, this room was just perfect—cozy, comfortable, and somewhere I’d happily stay again.
Warning: This room is just above the plaza, while I did love it, it got very loud whenever there were outdoor bands or music. This always stopped around 10:30. We were usually out and about so it wasn’t an issue but it could be if you are an early-to-bed kinda person.
Food/Restaurants
You will eat well at Cayo Levantado—not just the usual fried all-inclusive fare, but actual, high-quality food. Think steak, sushi, avocado toast—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. More than once, I caught myself saying, “I can’t believe this is an all-inclusive.” The food isn’t overly Americanized or unhealthy; instead, it reflects the resort’s wellness focus, meaning top-notch ingredients and incredible quality in every meal.
Now, that doesn’t mean you won’t have a dud meal here or there—it happens—but honestly, it didn’t happen often. One thing to note: when the resort is quiet, they don’t open the buffet restaurant, which I actually appreciate since it cuts down on food waste. Plus, I much prefer freshly prepared food then something that is just sitting around. They also limit how many restaurants are open each night, usually offering two dining options plus room service.
Pro tip: Make your reservations as early as possible to get the times you want. It wasn’t an issue for us since the resort was quiet, but I can imagine it might be during busier seasons. This can be done on the app before you arrive or with your ambassador.
- Carey: Located right next to the beach, Carey offers stellar views and was open daily for breakfast and lunch, plus a few nights a week for dinner. This was my favorite spot for breakfast and lunch. Mornings here were perfect—overlooking the water while enjoying fresh fruit, avocado toast, and poached eggs. And you must try the Dominican breakfast—so good! For lunch, the sushi was surprisingly fresh and delicious, the burgers were solid, and the pizza was decent—not the best you’ll ever have, but the house-made crust was a nice touch. Do not skip the tropical Greek salad—SO good! Dinner was also a win. The poached lobster, ceviche, crispy rice, and bao buns were standout dishes. Skip the pastas, though—not great. Overall, Carey is a fantastic spot any time of day. Between the good food and ocean waves, you really can’t go wrong.
- Manaya: This is the resort’s steakhouse, open for dinner only a few nights a week. The vibe? High-end Miami steakhouse—absolutely gorgeous inside. They start you off with a welcome drink, and it was so good. Some premium cuts of meat come at an extra cost, but the two prime ribeye options included in the all-inclusive were just plain wonderful. This is a fantastic spot for dinner. Other standouts? The giant shrimp, fondue, and beef tartare—all excellent. Skip the foie gras, though—just meh.
- Santa Yuca: This is the resort’s slow-cooking, wellness-focused restaurant, specializing in healthy, fresh foods. It’s open daily for breakfast and lunch, plus a few nights for dinner. We really enjoyed breakfast here—the smoothies, coffee, freshly squeezed juices, and keto pancakes were all fantastic (I’m obsessed with those!). Make sure to try some of the smoothies from the four paths. They come in fun cups and are delicious! My favorite was renew! The corn pancake and filo pastry were also great. Lunch and dinner? Not our favorite. The only standout was the garlic shrimp, which was delicious, but overall, we preferred other spots—especially for lunch. Just didn’t love the choices and preferred staying at the beach.
- Senda: Now, this is something special. Senda is a one-of-a-kind dining experience for an all-inclusive. The evening starts outdoors with a welcome cocktail, then you move through a five-course tasting menu, each dish celebrating the unique flavors of the Dominican Republic. The setting is beautiful, and the food is incredible—both in presentation and taste. The bar at Senda is just as unique. Instead of a set menu, you simply tell the bartender what you’re in the mood for, and they create something on the spot. For dessert, they bring you back outside to a small buffet of Dominican sweets—such a cool and memorable way to end the night. This is a must-do.
- Note: The menu didn’t change while we were there so you will be eating the same food twice. This, I found, to be a bit of a bummer. Would love to see them come up with different courses.
- Room Service: Wowww. Room service here was next level—so much incredible food. We half-jokingly asked for lobsters, and sure enough, they delivered two amazing lobsters along with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and desserts. The quality was outstanding, way beyond typical room service standards. Honestly, this might be the best room service experience I’ve ever had.
Drinks
The drinks at this resort completely blew me away. Nothing was watered down, everything was customizable, and fresh fruit was used throughout the property—these were quality cocktails. They offer a wine menu for purchase, but honestly, the house wines (included) were fantastic. Far better than what I’ve had at other resorts. Each bar has its own specialized cocktail list plus a fully stocked bar, so there’s no shortage of options. And for those skipping alcohol, there are plenty of mocktails, including freshly squeezed juices and smoothies.
Note: Some bartenders were better than others, which led to some consistency issues—especially with drinks like espresso martinis, even at the same bars.
- Coa: This lobby bar is easily one of the best on the property. Their signature cocktails are fantastic, often served in unique and creative ways. The Espresso Martini, Café del Luna, and Negroni were all top-notch. It’s the perfect spot for a pre-dinner drink on the outdoor patio or to sip a cocktail while enjoying live music. An absolute must!
- Jaiba: This is the beach bar, offering wonderful service and great cocktails. Their Caipirinha was a favorite for us. While the drinks were solid, I personally preferred other spots on the property for cocktails. I loved that they brought out fresh fruit in morning and snacks in the late afternoon.
- Savia: This was by far my favorite bar on the property. The bartender was amazing, and we LOVED the Samana cocktail—so freaking good. She also made strawberry caipirinhas with fresh fruit, and OMG, they were incredible. Located next to Santa Yuca and the quiet pool, this bar has covered seating areas with swings, perfect for when it starts raining. It’s also a great spot for mocktails, thanks to the abundance of fresh fruit from Santa Yuca nearby. Absolute favorite!.
Coffee
Oh my goodness, this coffee! The coffee shop, La Molienda, serves some of the best coffee I’ve ever had. Period. Full stop. Just fantastic. They serve only Dominican coffee, and unlike most all-inclusive resorts where the coffee is kinda meh (and I have to spend days figuring out my order), everything here was incredible from the start. Espressos, lattes, iced Americanos—all perfect. And they even use coffee ice cubes in their iced drinks.
Even as I’m writing this, I still can’t believe how good it was. Oh, and the pastries? Amazing. Plus, they sell cigars and souvenirs to take home. Absolute must-visit.
Barcadi Beach
One part of the island is dedicated to a public beach, with only one entrance and exit to the resort, monitored by a security guard. As resort guests, we could visit anytime, but the public can’t access the resort. Tour groups come in and out between 8am and 6pm.
This beach is world-famous, more commonly known as Bacardi Beach, and it’s incredibly popular. We saw boats coming and going all day long. We only visited once during a morning walk while it was still empty, and honestly, it’s gorgeous—I can see why locals and tourists love it.
HOWEVER, it wasn’t the cleanest. There was noticeable trash left on lounge chairs and in the sand, giving it more of an excursion spot vibe. Between the crowds and the mess, I never felt the urge to go back.
Resort Beach
The resort beach at Cayo Levantado was hands down my favorite place to relax. It’s gorgeous, peaceful, and quiet, with stunning turquoise waters perfect for swimming. There are plenty of loungers, couches, and chairs, plus natural shade from beautiful trees and a few umbrellas.
From your lounger, you get a picture-perfect view of two small islands while sipping a drink from the beach bar. The beach was immaculately clean, free of seaweed, and though it’s on the smaller side, taking a stroll along the shore was always enjoyable.
Most days, the water was calm, making it perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, or kayaking. On windier days, it got a little too choppy for me. One thing I loved? No loud music until the end of the day, so it truly felt like a serene escape.
The bartenders were fantastic—they came around in the morning with fresh fruit and in the evening with a small snack. Each lounger even had a bell to call them over for food or drinks, which was such a nice touch.
The best part? It was never crowded, so finding the perfect spot was effortless. I’m completely obsessed with this beach and can’t wait to be back, lounging by its waters again.
Pools
There are two amazing and wonderfully clean and maintained pools on the property. Both are close to bars and restaurants that serve lunch. The first is the Beach Club pool(Ola), located right by the ocean. It offers stunning views, plenty of space to swim, and tons of seating. However, it was pretty windy during our visit, and I much preferred sitting directly on the beach, so I only swam here a few times.
BUT, the pool in front of Santa Yuca? Absolute perfection. It winds beautifully through the area, surrounded by stunning landscaping. The lounger cushions here were way more comfortable than the ones at the beach, making it the perfect place to relax.
This was the quiet pool—no music, just peace and tranquility. The nearby bar was one of the best on the island, with staff constantly coming around to take drink orders. It became my afternoon retreat, and I absolutely loved unwinding here later in the day.
Note: The water temperature at both pools could be a bit chilly. It wasn’t an issue for me but just something to keep in mind.
Loungers and Seating
There are plenty of places to relax at the resort. Both pools and the beach have tons of loungers, and I loved that they offered different types of seating—it was nice to switch things up from just sun loungers. Seating is scattered all over the property, giving you endless ways to soak in the island’s beauty and unwind. We never had trouble finding a great spot to relax, whether in the sun or shade.
Note: It was very slow when we visited, so this might be different during major holidays!
Activities at the Resort
I loved the activities at Cayo Levantado—they felt so much more elevated than your standard all-inclusive. You won’t find loud pool games, foam parties, or cheesy, soul-crushing big-production shows here. Instead, everything revolves around the resort’s three pillars: wellness, culture, and sustainability. The activities are thoughtfully designed, making the experience feel enriching and intentional, rather than just filler entertainment.
Wellness
As part of their wellness focus, Cayo Levantado offers four different wellness paths: Renew, Relax, Refresh, and Restore. Each path comes with curated activities, meals, and even small details—like specially crafted cookies at the coffee shop! You don’t have to commit to just one; you can mix and match, which is exactly what we did.
Pro tip: Fill out your pre-arrival survey to customize your experience and get recommendations tailored to your wellness journey.
Fitness: They offer a small but attractive indoor gym and a large outdoor workout space, giving you plenty of options to stay active. Classes run throughout the day, covering everything from stretching to core workouts, with something for all fitness levels. It is always staffed by trainer. Plus, it was almost always empty, making it feel like you had a personal trainer—without the extra cost. I especially loved the stretching classes!
Nutrition: They offered classes on the nutritional benefits of local ingredients like tea, coffee, cassava, and herbs from their garden. So interesting!
Yubarta: In the heart of the island, surrounded by dense vegetation, you’ll find Yubarta, a breathtaking wellness space. It features multiple bodies of water, a small pool, and large open-air thatched rooms—just stunning and incredibly peaceful. They host wellness activities here like sound healing, yoga, and journaling. I absolutely loved my sound healing session—it was deeply relaxing, and since it happened during a downpour, it felt even more magical.
Pro tip: Try something new! You never know what experience might surprise you.
Spa: The resort also has a spa, and while we didn’t book any treatments, we did enjoy the hydrotherapy circuit—which I absolutely loved. The space is small but incredibly relaxing, featuring a sauna, steam room, cold plunge, and pool. The heated chairs and hot tub loungers were a definite highlight. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy afternoon and unwind in total comfort.
Culture
They offered several amazing activities focused on Dominican culture, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciated that. It’s always baffled me how some resorts, like Excellence, barely incorporate local culture and even have a Mexican restaurant instead of a Dominican one (but I digress).
Here, you could join a Dominican rum tasting, make bracelets on the beach, or weave palm hats—all simple but meaningful ways to connect with the culture.
Their focus on music really stood out. Instead of watered-down, Americanized Broadway-style performances, they brought in local bands playing Dominican music, bachata, and more. It felt authentic, vibrant, and so refreshing.
Sustainability
I LOVE everything Cayo Levantado is doing to become more sustainable. I learned so much from their tours, and I cannot recommend the biologist tour enough. They offer it in both English and Spanish, and a hotel biologist walks you through the property, explaining their efforts to restore native plants, protect island wildlife, and even revive a coral reef. It was so worth the walk, and I loved it so much that I signed up for their sustainability tour too. That one was extra special—they take you behind the scenes to see how the resort operates sustainably, from harvesting humidity to create drinking water to turning organic food waste into biofuel.
This is an absolute must when visiting the resort. Seriously, don’t skip it!
Just for Fun
There are plenty of just-for-fun activities at Cayo Levantado! The Sip & Paint on Monday nights is a must—live music, plenty of drinks, and a relaxed vibe while you paint. Most nights, there’s a disco on the public beach, which I love because they keep the loud music away from the hotel rooms. They also host silent discos, live piano performances, and even a DJ on the beach to celebrate the sunset. While this isn’t a party resort, there are definitely a few chances to dance and let loose—just the right balance!
Service
Just wow. The service here was exceptional—everyone was friendly, engaging, and incredibly accommodating. They went above and beyond to make every meal special, always willing to help with a smile. Housekeeping was excellent. They cleaned during the day and evening. It was always spotless when we got back to the room. I loved how they organized our toiletries and charger cables. My absolute favorite part was they would leave small locally crafted gifts each night that helped teach you about the Dominican! I was truly blown away by the amazing people who work here.
Note: There were two small service hiccups, but nothing major. We were celebrating our birthdays and anniversary, and for our anniversary, they gave us a bottle of champagne and chocolates—such a lovely touch! At check-in, they also offered to send a birthday cake on the first Wednesday of our visit, but that never happened. Not a big deal, just a small miss. The second issue was with our departure meal. Since our journey home was long, they offered to pack us a lunch, which I confirmed the night before and the morning of. But somewhere along the way, the request got lost, and we had to leave without it. A little disappointing, but definitely not a dealbreaker—I’d still go back in a heartbeat!
Price
Listen, this is not a cheap resort, but for what you’re getting, it’s bloody fantastic. We stayed 9 nights, including paid airport transfers, and spent just over $6,000—and that was with a Black Friday deal.
Yes, it’s expensive, but you’re getting so much value, not to mention the fact that you’re staying on a private island! If you’re considering spending that kind of money at a place like Excellence, skip it—this is so much better. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Child Friendly
This is not an adults-only resort, and we did see a few children during our stay—and honestly, they were so quiet, we barely noticed them! There’s no playground, playroom, or kid-focused amenities, though they do offer a few activities for children. That said, if you have very active kids, this might not be the best fit.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to fill out the prearrival survey! This helped have our room filled with different pillows and they highlighted different activities they thought we would be interested in.
- Check for sales! We got a great deal with a Black Friday special.
- Bring bug spray! I learned the hard way after my first night—got plenty of bites because I didn’t use any.
- No need to overpack sunscreen. They have sunscreen stations throughout the resort, which is super convenient.
- Traveling during peak season? Book your dining reservations before you arrive to secure the best times.
- Don’t skip the biologist and sustainability tours! They’re so fascinating and worth your time.
- Take a walk around the island. It’s incredibly peaceful and a great way to soak in the natural beauty.
- Learn some basic Spanish. Most employees speak English, but there were a few times when basic Spanish was helpful. Plus, you’re in a Spanish-speaking country—just do it!
- Don’t worry about adaptors. Your US chargers etc. will work just fine in the Dominican.
Important Information and Links
- Official Website: Cayo Levantado Resort
- TripAdvisor for Reviews/Prices: Cayo Levantado Resort
- E-Ticket for Dominican Republic
- Looking for more options? Check out Excellence El Carmen
- Another great review: Voyager Guru
Final Thoughts
This was the very long but ultimate review of Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic. My final thoughts are just to visit this amazing and special resort. It is just so unique and relaxing. I loved my time there and actually miss it.
Your Thoughts
What your thoughts on Cayo Levantado Resort? Do you have plans on visiting there? Do you have any questions? Leave your comments below!
