Cayo Levantado Resort, Samaná
More photosPerched on a private island in Samaná Bay, Cayo Levantado Resort is a luxury wellness retreat with a cheeky history. Its name means “to rise up,” a nod to a 17th-century pirate rebellion here. Decades later, it earned global fame as “Bacardi Island” after a 1970s rum commercial put its white sands on the map.
The resort’s aesthetic is a love letter to Dominican heritage, envisioned by local architect Ramón Emilio Jiménez. You won’t find generic decor here; instead, the spaces feature vibrant murals by street artist Dovente, tables intricately carved from rare larimar stone, and delicate lamps fashioned from yagumbro leaves.
It is also a massive champion for sustainability. The island operates an advanced atmospheric water generator that whips up 6,000 liters of fresh drinking water daily from the air to eliminate single-use plastics, while a local women’s association crafts the resort’s organic coconut amenities in reusable coconut shells.
True relaxation happens at “Yubarta,” a stunning, cenote-inspired wellness sanctuary named after the Spanish word for humpback whale. This holistic core offers wild experiences like aerial sound healing, where guests are cocooned in hammocks as therapeutic musical instruments resonate directly overhead.
The location is prime for exploring. From January to March, Samaná Bay becomes a global arena for epic humpback whale watching. Adventure out to the mainland peninsula, and you’ll find dense rainforest treks, the famous El Limón waterfall, and breathtaking wild coastlines like Playa Rincón.
Expert reviews
“Few images evoke paradise like an untouched island of white-sand beaches lined with palm trees swaying in a tropical breeze and lapped by a crystal-clear sea. Cayo Levantado, in Samaná Bay in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic, is exactly that sort of place—well, except for the “untouched” part.”
“Far from the raucous crowds of Punta Cana, Cayo Levantado Resort aims to bring a tranquil wellness getaway to the Dominican Republic. It starts with location — the resort puts you on a secluded private island three miles off the coast of Samaná, a rustic fishing village.”
What guests liked
- Top location
- Beachfront
- Swimming pool
- Ocean views
- Friendly staff
- Comfortable beds
Location
Recent guest reviews
12 March 2026
Exceptional
21 August 2025
Exceptional
2 August 2025
Exceptional
26 May 2025
Exceptional
1 February 2025
Expensive and disappointing
Pool area was lovely as were parts of the hotel. Clean and well kept.
Beware that a Junior suite advertised as having a separate living room and bedroom is actually not a suite at all. It is only one room, this was incorrectly sold to us (not as advertised on booking.com) and the hotel would not move us to remedy the situation. In addition there were several a la carte restaurants on site, none of which we could eat at on any night as there were no spaces. The buffet we were given was passable but not worth what we’d paid. For the most part the staff didn’t seem that happy and the service was painfully slow most of the time, which isn’t really acceptable at an expensive all-inclusive hotel. We wanted to treat ourselves to a couple of nights of luxury but felt mislead and pretty disappointed. Perhaps it was partly to do with the time of year being busy (New Year) but overall the experience was disappointing.
28 December 2024
Exceptional
30 November 2024
Exceptional
25 November 2024
Exceptional
24 October 2024
Exceptional
1 October 2024
Totally excellent, the attention to detail and anticipating the needs of the client.
12 August 2024
Exceptional
8 August 2024
Exceptional
8 August 2024
Exceptional
12 July 2024
Exceptional
5 May 2024
Pretty much amazing
Best staff in the Dominican Republic, incredible location and loads of options for everyone
10 April 2024
Exceptional
It was beautiful and the staff was amazing!!!
24 March 2024
Exceptional
23 March 2024
Exceptional
18 March 2024
Exceptional
My ambassador Emma was thorough attentive and amazing
No Full length mirrors. Yea that’s truly my only complaint 😂
29 February 2024
Very good
The facilities, food and employees are amazing.
The program of activities should be also more inclusive for travellers aiming to meet others and join the experience from a single perspective.
A bit too quiet 🤐
19 February 2024
Fabulous
11 February 2024
Exceptional
Cayo Levantado is magical! Amazing natural surroundings, well maintained garden and private beach, excellent staff and service in every details. Our ambassadors truly helped to organize amazing programs, booked diners for us, so made our stay way more than perfect. Yubarta and other recreational programs were amazing. We had a nature walk with a biologist who showed us the ecosystem of the island, and introduced the mission of their garden program. As an all inclusive hotel, we had many delicious and sophisticated food experiences with great hospitality.
3 January 2024
Exceptional
30 December 2023
Fabulous
21 December 2023
Exceptional
6 October 2023
Wish to have more time at the place
The quiet and pleasant ambient
The care of staff I want to make a special mention about my ambassador Emmanuela and girls from the waitress staff : Ingrid, Maricarmen, Lidia, Miguelina. They will go out of their way to please you in a very professional fashion.
Since my almost yearly visit to Cayo Levantado since 2010, never felt this pleased on my stay.
Hopefully it will continue this way.
No issues every thing was just fine
10 August 2023
Exceptional
Hotel facilities
Food & Drink
- - Restaurant
- - Bar
- - Breakfast in the room
- - Special diet menus (on request)
- - Kids' meals
- - Wine/champagne
- - Fruits
- - Coffee house on site
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Barber/beauty shop
- - Family rooms
- - Safety deposit box
- - Air conditioning
- - Designated smoking area
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Private check-in/check-out
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Sauna (additional charge)
- - Fitness centre
- - Solarium
- - Spa and wellness centre (additional charge)
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Beachfront
- - Evening entertainment
- - Open-air bath
- - Beauty services
- - Spa facilities
- - Spa lounge/relaxation area
- - Spa/wellness packages
- - Back massage
- - Neck massage
- - Foot massage
- - Head massage
- - Hand massage
- - Full body massage
- - Fitness
- - Beach
- - Live music/performance
Outdoors
- - Garden
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (all year)
- - Outdoor furniture
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Trouser press (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Pool and wellness
- - Shallow end
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Sun umbrellas
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - CCTV outside property
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
Other Dominican Republic hotels
Casa de Campo, La Romana
Spread across 7,000 acres on the sun-drenched southeastern coast of La Romana, Casa de Campo is a legendary paradise that pioneered luxury tourism in the Dominican Republic. It first opened in 1974 on the sprawling grounds of a massive sugarcane mill. The resort's initial look and timeless tropical interior elegance were crafted by none other than world-famous, native Dominican fashion designer Oscar de la Renta.
Forbes + 2 more“Located in the Dominican Republic’s historic sugar mill town La Romana, Casa de Campo Resort & Villas has lured a long line of A-listers (Bill and Hillary Clinton, Julio Iglesias, Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z and Beyoncé) to its sprawling, 7,000-acre resort. Here, peace, quiet and privacy are important tenets and you’ll find a professional, discreet staff.”
Billini Hotel, Santo Domingo
Housed inside a beautifully repurposed 16th-century complex, Billini Hotel sits in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Zona Colonial—the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas. The structure originally served as a colonial guesthouse and sanctuary for the neighboring Regina Angelorum Convent. Over the centuries, it took on wildly different identities, operating as a military arsenal for Napoleon’s army during the 1804 French occupation, and later as the historic San Luis Gonzaga School in the late 1800s.
Fodors“A wonderful addition to this charmed neighborhood, this boutique hotel was created from a collection of buildings that date back to the 1700s; in its former lives, it has been an ecclesiastical library, an ammunitions depot, and a private school, but its identity as Padre Billini’s library was the inspiration for the hotel today.”
Featured as Fodor’s Choice in Dominican Republic.
Casas del XVI, Santo Domingo
Right in the heart of Santo Domingo’s Ciudad Colonia, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the Americas, Casas del XVI offers a spectacular trip back in time. Rather than a single traditional building, this ultra-chic boutique hotel is a collection of individual, beautifully preserved 16th-century manorial houses scattered across a historic two-block radius.
Lonely Planet + 2 more“A stay in one of these six impeccably restored colonial-era homes means toggling between the 16th and 21st centuries. Imagine archways, terracotta floors and courtyards evocative of a medieval monastery crossed with Sub Zero refrigerators, iPhones to contact your personal assistant and heated plunge pools.”
Zoëtry Agua, Punta Cana
Set along the untouched, palm-fringed coast of Uvero Alto, Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana is a luxury boutique sanctuary that feels worlds away from the typical mega-resorts of the Dominican Republic. The property features 96 exclusive suites designed with eco-friendly architecture that respects the environment. High cathedral ceilings, rich hardwoods, natural stone accents, and classic *palapa* (cane-thatched) roofs create a striking tribute to both Spanish Colonial history and native Taino Indian culture.
Lonely Planet + 1 more“The moment you walk into the intimate Zoetry, relaxation befalls you. Wooden accents and Balinese touches abound at this small property, with 96 suites that radiate out from the dramatic, cathedral-style lobby forged from bamboo and palm leaves.”
3 May 2026
Just amazing