My wife and I are schedule to fly out in a few weeks for our 15 year anniversary trip. We have booked an all-inclusive package at The Level (Melia property) in Punta Cana. We are not experienced travelers and I could use some advice. We don’t plan on doing much off of the resort property unless it is with an arranged “excursion” through the hotel.

- should we carry US currency, Dominican currency, or both?
- I assume it is customary to tip servers? If we just have US dollars what is a good tipping rate?
- will our cell phones work (Xfinity iPhones)? I don’t anticipate having to really make phone calls but texting with family/kids would be good
- should I prebook transportation from the airport to our resort? Lots of options online but who knows who is legit or not

Any useful info for these non-travelers would be sorely appreciated. The airline (American) canceled our original flights and the replacement suck… it created a 12 layover in Miami and we won’t arrive until late in the day, but not much to do about that, I guess.

Tip the same as if you were in the states. The house keeper, servers, bell hops, etc.

I would arrange transportation from the airport to resort in advance.

All inclusive resorts tend to have average food. There are great restaurants outside of the resorts and i would absolutely recommend trying some of them.

Call your cell provider and ask about the rates if you were to make calls to the mainland and locally in Punta Cana.

Be sure to get up early and watch the sun rise. You are on the eastern tip!

We Went in Feburary of 2019 to the Melia Caribe beach resort. It was A Blast .I like to tell people all we had to worry about is 3 things Getting our pool Chairs Reserved in the Morning Where we were going to Eat and is it to early to put rum in those froozen drinks. The servers do Appreciate tips . and a little gratitude goes a long way with most of the Servers. and you will get better service with both. We Have reservations again at a Melia Resort coming up

yes do pre book Transportation to the resort. i suggest private transfer . If you dont you might be the last resort to get dropped off 4 hours later. Our son and Daughter in-law spent several hours on a transfer van waiting to get to thier resort.