Which Bahia Principe is right for you?
Comparing 3 Bahia Principe Resorts
Our family has had the opportunity to visit three Bahia Principe resorts in different parts of the Caribbean, each offering something unique. While all three provided a great vacation, we found that each location had its own strengths. If you’re trying to decide which Bahia Principe resort is right for your family, here’s what we appreciated most about each.
Everyone assigns value differently, so the first thing to clarify is what we want in an all-inclusive resort — and what we don’t.
Although we look at the entire offering, our priorities are based on how we personally use a resort. Knowing what we are looking for will help you better assess how relevant our review is.
Our review is based mostly on
- the beach
- the food, and
- the room
The three resorts we are comparing are the following:
- Bahia Principe Grand Coba (Mayan Riviera, Mexico)
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica (Runaway Bay, Jamaica)
- Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo (Samana, Dominican Republic)
Comparing the Beaches
Our preference is to spend more time at the beach than the pool. Our perfect beach has lots of natural shade from palm trees (seconded by palapas), sandy access into the water, and nearby snorkelling. We also find it frustrating if there are not enough beach chairs, or if you have to get up at 6am to secure one. We care about the clarity of the water and general cleanliness of the surrounding area. We also love a kayak if there’s one to use.
Comparing the Food
We are not foodies, but we see the value in balancing the quality of the food with the amount and availability. We find it frustrating when a resort offers “reservation-only” restaurants which have no availability until the end of your vacation. We don’t have unrealistic expectations of a buffet, and as long as we can find a seat and not have to wade through hoards of people, we are pretty happy.
Comparing Rooms
We typically don’t spend much time in our rooms. The TV, the mini-bar, and even the balcony are nice to have, but not terribly important to us. We value the functionality of the room over the style. If minimalist room design means there are no hooks to hang our wet towels and clothes at the end of the day, we are not impressed. Give us somewhere to put our toiletries. Give us hooks, shelves, drawers and hangers. We’d gladly trade an ironing board for a drying rack.
With that in mind, here is how our Bahia experiences have measured up.
Best Overall Experience:
Bahia Principe Grand Coba (Mexico)
Summary: Of the three Bahia resorts we have visited with our kids, our best experience was at the Bahia Principe Grand Coba, Mayan Riviera. This is based on two main criteria. The first has to be the level of customer service. Although they didn’t always get everything right, the staff were most capable and willing to help when needed. The other was the kids club, which was outstanding.
At the time we visited, our kids were 7 and 9 years old. This put them at the perfect age for this resort, as
The resort itself had plenty of activities and amenities and the room was comfortable. Although the snorkelling here was not as good as in Jamaica or Dominican, the beach was nice, if a little busy.
The main reason we loved this resort so much though was the kids club, ‘Bahia Scouts’. The staff were truly incredible, providing a daily set of varied and interesting activities that our children couldn’t get enough of. Since they were 7 and 9 at the time, they were at the perfect age to fully enjoy the experience, giving us time to relax by the beach. We were able to drop them off first thing in the morning, and the kids made sure they were up early as not to miss anything. They were there on time, every day. We checked in on them a few times a day asking if they wanted to come with us, or if they needed a change of pace. They had zero interest in leaving, and told us not to pick them up early. We were as thrilled as they were.
We would see them marching around the property, off to one activity or another, or chanting and singing songs on their way to lunch.
At 5:00 (and – based on our kid’s instructions – not a minute sooner) we would pick them up and get ready for dinner. After dinner, the Bahia Scouts also hosted nightly kids’ parties and movie nights, allowing adults to go and enjoy the bars and entertainment, kid-free. It was pretty outstanding.
Extra: The overall experience, from the food to the service and amenities, made it our favourite. The food, in particular, stood out—offering good variety, shorter wait times and excellent food quality when compared to the other locations.
Best Beach and Snorkeling:
Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo (Dominican Republic)
If a beautiful, natural beach is your priority, Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo in Samana, Dominican Republic is a strong contender. The location is stunning, with an expansive, sandy beach that remains remarkably clean—something that can be rare outside of resorts. One of the things we loved most was being able to take long walks along a quiet, nearly empty stretch of shoreline, free from the usual plastic litter that often washes up on beaches. It felt untouched and peaceful, making it a highlight of our trip.
For snorkeling, Grand El Portillo was by far the best. The coral in front of the resort may be bleached, but it is easily accessible right off the beach, making it convenient to explore. Despite the coral not being live, the marine life was abundant—we saw octopus, lobsters, rays, and a variety of fish, making it an exciting snorkeling spot without needing to take a boat tour. We also appreciated the way this resort blended into the local community. In the evenings, we saw locals gathering on the beach with friends and family, which added to the charm and authenticity of the experience. If you enjoy getting a small taste of local life while still staying at a resort, this might be a great option.
Best Natural Beach and Snorkeling Nearby :
Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica (Jamaica)
Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica in Runaway Bay offers a naturally beautiful setting with a lovely, expansive beach. The resort’s beach area itself was well-maintained, but what stood out most was the ability to walk along an almost empty, natural stretch of sandy shoreline, free from the plastic waste that unfortunately washes up on many beaches outside of resort areas. It was one of the cleanest natural beaches we’ve come across, which made it feel special.
For snorkeling, the waters near the resort offered some great experiences. While the waves were strong when we went out, it never felt unsafe, and we spotted porcupine fish, a spotted eel, lionfish, and flounder. There’s also a fascinating section of the beach where rocks block off an area from the open ocean, creating a calm space filled with upside-down jellyfish resting on the ocean floor—it felt otherworldly.
While the beach and snorkeling were highlights, Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica was our least favorite resort overall, primarily due to the food. While we enjoy Jamaican cuisine, the resort’s offerings were heavily deep-fried, making the selection feel repetitive. The Jerk Chicken hut on the beach was a fantastic lunchtime option, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the rest of the food experience.
Final Thoughts: Which Resort Should You Choose?
Each Bahia Principe resort we visited had something special to offer. If food, service, and an overall well-rounded experience matter most, Grand Coba in Mexico is the best pick. If you’re looking for a pristine, natural beach with good snorkeling right off the shore, Grand El Portillo in the Dominican Republic is a fantastic choice. And if you appreciate the beauty of a natural beach with good snorkeling nearby, Grand Jamaica in Runaway Bay is worth considering, though food quality may be a drawback.
No matter which one you choose, you’re in for a great trip!
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