If you’re anything like me, you’ve let go of your childhood dream of joining the circus. But despite being a practical adult, there was a moment recently — as I was strapped into a harness and flipping 20 feet off the ground — when I got to entertain the idea of life under the big top, thanks to a stay at Club Med Punta Cana.
Defying gravity and suspended in air, I laughed at myself in between cheering on my fellow circus trainees. I got to pretend, play and enjoy the thrill of trying something new and challenging, a rarity as you get older.
Club Med Punta Cana opened in 1981 as one of the founding resorts in the region, claiming to “open the doors of Punta Cana to the world.” The resort is now nearing half a century on the island, while the global brand celebrates 75 years since its Belgian founder, Gerard Blitz, first dreamed up the concept of the sporty, communal, all-inclusive vacation for freedom-happy, post-war Europeans.
The resort has been part of the Punta Cana scene for 75 years.
Credit: 2025 Club Med Punta CanaLocated just 10 minutes from the airport, Club Med Punta Cana, a flagship property, is where the brand often tests new concepts to be rolled out across the portfolio — and this year, it debuted a major renovation. On my recent visit, I took a closer look at these improvements and how they’re ushering in new age for the property and the brand. The renovation touched select guestrooms, public spaces and dining venues and was the work of GG&Grace International, a design firm with a client list that includes Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Kempinski Hotels and more.
Structure exteriors are painted in vibrant hues.
Credit: 2025 Kelsey GlennonWhat’s New at Club Med Punta Cana
Candy-colored concrete complexes dot the property and overlook palm-tree forests that trail toward the ocean. This colorful landscape remains as classic, colorful and Caribbean as it has since the resort's beginnings.
But inside these complexes, 40 Deluxe Rooms have been renovated: the Costa Del Coco guestrooms. Inside, the design features details such as arched doorways, glass showers, palm-frond tile work and smart delineation of living spaces. The new layout invites in natural light and optimizes space for comfortable sharing of the suite.
Clients can attend yoga sessions, spend time on the pool deck or join an adult circus class.
Credit: 2025 Club Med Punta CanaClub Med excels at fostering the kind of communal spaces crowds love to linger in, and their rethinking of the food-hall concept is no exception. The El Mundo Food Club is their flagship food-court concept, featuring grab-and-go islands of French cuisine, Latin flavors, Asian dishes, Mediterranean mezzes and an American-style barbecue station. The dining venue is open for afternoon snacks and dinner, making it the primary destination for large groups with varying cravings.
This dining hall leads seamlessly to an after-dinner cocktail at another renovated space — Joia Bar. Here, pink and teal tiles mimic the colors of the Dominican sea and sunrise. Rattan and woven light fixtures draw the eye upward to the large, vaulted ceiling, made of warm, sustainably sourced timber. This ceiling gives the entire lounge a cozy, insulated vibe, while keeping the space open-air and breezy.
But the heartbeat of Club Med Punta Cana — what guests see when they first arrive — is the Buena Vista Lounge, perhaps the resort’s most visually striking feature. The refreshed open-air lobby features a large galaxy-inspired light fixture that casts the entire lounge in a warm, golden-hour glow. True to its name (“good view” in Spanish), the Buena Vista Lounge features an unobstructed second-story view of the property, greeting guests as they check in. The lounge also features its own dedicated bar, ample seating and a traditional “casita” that is home to the excursions counter.
Just below the Buena Vista Lounge is the newly added, all-day Coffee Shop, offering local Dominican-grown coffee, chocolate, light bites, juices and smoothies. I was pleased to hear the property has committed to eliminating single-use plastic and it was here that I noticed examples of these efforts, including compostable coffee to-go tops.
Bright and breezy venues allow guests to enjoy the Caribbean air.
Credit: 2025 Club Med Punta CanaWhat to Do at Club Med at Club Med Punta Cana
My choice of activities during my stay encompassed just a small slice of what's on offer at Club Med Punta Cana. As an active traveler, I found myself starting mornings with yoga by the sea. The class takes place in a palm-thatched, open-air palapa overlooking the waves. Over my visit, the instructor was Jonah Kest, a Nike-endorsed yoga teacher — and Club Med’s official Yoga Ambassador — known for a groove-inducing playlist and seamless, flow-based practice that’s being introduced throughout the Club Med portfolio.
In the afternoon, I was sure to show up for the adult circus class. Inspired by the circus performance I saw the night prior, I strapped into a harness and learned how to bungee flip, then watched as a group of kids graduated to trapeze-catch class.
My evenings were filled with live music and dancing, as saxophonists covered pop hits and Club Med hosts taught easy-to-follow dance steps that encouraged everyone to join in. Later hours had me living it up at a traditional Dominican party with a live band, a neon Glow Party and the well-attended White Party, where all guests and staff wear white. One evening, I even found myself mingling in the cigar cave, puffing on a Dominican cigar recommended by staff.
Overall, Club Med Punta Cana’s renovations are fresh, inviting, playful and mindfully designed for large families and groups. The flagship resort has doubled down on highlighting the Dominican Republic’s natural beauty — bright and breezy lounges, colorful communal spaces and the kind of indoor-outdoor living that makes the Caribbean so desirable year-round.
