melia caribe wonderful, just returned wonderful 7 day trip melia caribe punta cana, reference wife late twenties thirties age group respectively hyatt melia aruba costa rica grand cayman plus resorts bahamas maldives cairns past 5 years, not trip tropical beach resorts, hope following info helpful time seasoned tropics vacationers.it time d.r, booked vacation reading reviews good bad having stayed melia hotels times carribean/central america not really sure expect headed airport 8 days ago, negative reviews did worried, end turned surprisingly great break downs airport simple tropical feel rancho like ceilings, open design, medium size duty free shops bar fast food outlets, 3 usd bottle coke 3 usd slice pizza, smoke building.when arrive 2 young female staff dressed traditional dress welcoming picture taken right entrance just immgration, ladies prepared photo shoot, wife n't, purchase picture 4 6 inches size 5 usd airport depart.about 20 miniutes melia caribe.hotel check no problems, room key cards/towel cards/map usuals ready desk arrived, make sure ask want ask room hotel check, help plan stay better, friendly staff answer pleasure no need rush, vibe quite laid fine us.we id'ed luggage bell boy went dinner mexican buffet restaurant, luggage room finish dinner.room rooms suites spacious room high ceiling balcony living room area coffee table 2 club chairs single seat sofa typical melia style, room clean working order, ceiling fan tends shake bit normal type no worries unless does not work, ac fine, iron umbrella, bottle water pop mini fridge, requested pool room got right pool/club house 2nd floor.we no problems clean towels, bed sheet case fresh, hotel complex just magnificent, bring lots film memory cards cameras/camcorders.it large hotel, try orient site map day, lobby room usually took hotel train train-on wheels type cart picks guests various stops complex, plenty lush vegetations ponds beautiful gardens around.the lobby quite nice open design high ceiling lots wood wrought iron furnitures flowing water ponds romantic lightings night lots photo op's.they house photgrapher taking pictures guests daily, choose purchase photo day breakfast.pool pretty free form pool swim bar center island sun bath hang young crowd surrounded palm trees gardens just steps beach, showers washrooms close by.beach excellent, fine white sand think baby beach/ aruba rum point/grand cayman resorts maldives mean white not sugar brown sand, melia caribe/tropical situated bavaro beach long curved, lined plenty palm trees just miles miles like romantic beach stroll, warm sea breeze great sun tanning there.the ocean clear crystal light green colour shallow area chest depth walk 2 3 feet shore line.the sand soft fine ocean rocks.there sea weed not problem, not slimey long type ones floating surface occasionally usually 2 inches long tooth pick straight plastic like does not stick skin, want zip minimal sea weed head melia tropical beach beach volley ball area beach market.the best time swim experience 1 3 o'clock afternoon, sun strong time water calmest oh crystal clear clean beach staffs comb everyday.topless sun bathing, bet, ladies just feel free want, nobody bother, contrast local small tour activities marketers push business friendly way pool area, restaurants food great fresh ingredients lots varieties pastas local various stew dishes fresh fish sea food, insist hot dogs hambourgers fries available lunch everyday not strong point, wife tend focus local spanish cousine excellent, went enjoy experience new things culture, strict n. american cousine daily miss lot vegas maui better place visit, favorite buffet dinner restaurants mexican spanish ones, bring food room, packed breakfast day excursion restaurant staff helpful, la carte restaurants ones reserve french japanese fine nothing spectacular try, interior deisgns nice bring camera, smoking area, did not try capri sea food restaurant.for la carte restaurants booking rules follow book 3 la carte restaurants weekly stay, tend booked quickly, book soon lobby bar booking table guy laptop, n't reserved time just lose table, just try restaurants instead try night want.also understand service style general quite laid, staffs met quite friendly reason takes drinks water table dinning, restaurant, just remember try patient, dress code la carte restaurants smart casual fine men, peak hours dinner lots guests waiting train car, room far restaurants reservations better walk room 10 20 minutes nice stroll, rains little umbrella room bring restaurants.in house activities fun nightly entertainment starts 10pm, friendly staffs way entertain, not pushy audience participations.day time activities plenty, check club house pool daily beach towels.try 4 pm beach merengue lesson great fun great way burn unwanted calories, merengue national dance not learn there.we no problem getting beach towels everyday.yes usual casino right lobby discotheques usually fellow young travellers drink lobby bar pub head disco bars neighbouring hotels, lot younger crowds expensive resorts just fact.ask bar staff entertainment staff info, locals know good time happy you.shopping souvenir shop lobby usual variety merchandise course bit pricier, head beach turn right located right melia tropical beach beach market consisting souvenir shops, look n't money, bit skinned sellers pushy aggressive times, just say no not ready buy remember, say yes feel comfortable ready make purchase.now rough idea offer hotel lobby taxi share guests head bavaro plaza close melia souvenir shops, bargain want, usually bargain 50 70 list price join local shopping tour shop melia guests, check tour operators located desks check lobby car rental, help advise lovely mari lisa sunquest tour great local excursion paid fairprice shopping, thanks mari lisa.remember no ones wants ripped try not rush buying, shop ask bargain, shop owners sellers reasonable ultra pushy aggressive mad attitude like shop owner encountered, just ignore walk away feeling pressured, willing business.excursions various local excursions available book tour operator desk desk, range day tour half day 75 18 usd, took day saona island/chavon river tour great time sun tanning site seeing swimming, theatre replica village chavon nice lots pohto op, getting different parts country just resort refreshing, lunch drinks included, aslo monster 8x8 jeep safari tour kontiki party raft boat cruise fellow travellers took enjoyed, quite choose from.there local tour sellers hang pool area promote horseback riding tour not, friendly approach, wo n't pressure, there.hotel crowd great variety mainly couples ages young family kids singles typical caribbean resorts guests germany spain italy belgium france usa canada mexico argentina, lot guests spoke spanish well.water advised tour operator day got not drink tap water, bottle water pop room mini fridge bottle water bar melia, water ice restaurants fine treated take.we used bottle water brush/rinse teeth experienced no sickness stay know guests gotten got sick dr, cautious.tipping n't staffs n't push nor expect just dollar meal long way, usually tip waitress 1 meal remember time sees different restaurant, surely drinks faster, freindly hard working people, really appreciate tip, disgression, conclusion no doubt great time, bring sun block sun strong, spf 30 higly advised, bring insect repellant skin wear shorts tank evening, ladies spray ankles night wear dress dinner, normal mosquito lush natural setting, perfectly normal rain short occasional showers, evening ones stay did n't cause problem.try learn dr climate book trip, couples trip complained hot humid weather, understand way hot not way l.a. nyc toronto, knowing just sunny hot not prepare good caribbean trip.ask travel agent climate info dr. best know rain season hurricane season, temperatures humidity change slightly year make difference.be prepared great relaxing romantic time melia craibe, hope enjoy melia punta cana did,