El Portillo Reef
All-inclusive resort with a stunning, clean beach, clear turquoise waters, and a lively entertainment team. Compact and convenient.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Kids' water park fun
El Portillo Reef
Best Time
Kids' water park fun
Highlights
Must-see attractions
All-inclusive resort with a stunning, clean beach, clear turquoise waters, and a lively entertainment team. Compact and convenient.
"Amazing beach with no other hotels or resorts on its sides, warm, clear and clean water with no Seaweeds."
☀️ Beach Bliss
Enjoy the amazing, clean beach with warm, clear water. Sand is cleaned daily! :beachwithumbrella:
🎶 Entertainment Crew Rocks!
The entertainment team is fantastic, keeping energy high with fun activities and great music. :microphone:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Pristine El Portillo Beach
Resort beachfront
Miles of clean, white sand and warm, clear turquoise water with no seaweed. Perfect for long walks and relaxation.
Energetic Entertainment Team
Pools and common areas
The animators, like Rosa and Dominga, bring infectious energy with engaging activities and fun-filled shows.
Compact & Convenient Layout
Entire resort
Easily walk from your room to the beach or restaurants in minutes, thanks to the resort's manageable size.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the All-Inclusive Vibe
Room Readiness & Road Noise
Best Times
Insider Tips
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Best Dominican republic resort with clear turquoise water
☀️ Beach Bliss
Enjoy the amazing, clean beach with warm, clear water. Sand is cleaned daily! :beachwithumbrella:
🎶 Entertainment Crew Rocks!
The entertainment team is fantastic, keeping energy high with fun activities and great music. :microphone:
🚶♀️ Compact & Cozy
The resort is small, making it easy to get around quickly from rooms to beach. :walking:
🍽️ Food Variety
Main buffet offers plenty of options. Thematic restaurants try hard, but quality can vary. :forkandknife:
Tips
from all over the internet
☀️ Beach Bliss
Enjoy the amazing, clean beach with warm, clear water. Sand is cleaned daily! :beachwithumbrella:
🎶 Entertainment Crew Rocks!
The entertainment team is fantastic, keeping energy high with fun activities and great music. :microphone:
🚶♀️ Compact & Cozy
The resort is small, making it easy to get around quickly from rooms to beach. :walking:
🍽️ Food Variety
Main buffet offers plenty of options. Thematic restaurants try hard, but quality can vary. :forkandknife:
🛏️ Room Comforts
Rooms are functional but can be dated. Consider potential road noise in some locations. :zzz:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Guests generally praise Bahia Principe El Portillo for its stunning, clean beach with clear turquoise waters and the incredibly energetic and friendly entertainment team. The resort's compact size is a significant plus, making it easy to navigate. However, some visitors note that the rooms are dated and could use an upgrade, and noise from the nearby main road can be an issue in certain locations.
"We had an absolute blast staying at Bahia Principe El Portillo in Samaná, Dominican Republic! From the lush tropical surroundings to the crystal-clear waters, this resort checked all the boxes for a dreamy getaway.
What truly made our experience stand out was the incredible service and enthusiasm of the animators, Rosa and Dominga - they brought so much energy and joy to our stay! Their creativity and passion for making guests feel part of the fun were infectious, and they went out of their way to ensure we had unforgettable moments. Whether it was engaging activities, beach games, or evening entertainment, Rosa and Dominga were absolute highlights of our trip!
The resort's all-inclusive offerings were top-notch, the food was delicious, and the accommodations were comfortable and picturesque. Samaná's natural beauty paired perfectly with the warmth of the Bahia Principe El Portillo hospitality. If you're looking for a tropical paradise with fantastic people like Rosa and Dominga adding to the magic, this resort is a definite winner!
We left feeling rejuvenated and already counting down the days till our next visit. Kudos to the whole team, especially Rosa and Dominga for making our memories in the Dominican Republic so special!"
M KAD
"Nice Resort, compact in size, something that makes it very confortable with short walks from the rooms to the beach passing thru all the complex takes you no more than five minutes walking. Amazing beach with no other hotels or resorts on its sides, warm, clear and clean water with no Seaweeds. Main restaurant ( Breakfast / Lunch and Dinner buffets) Restaurante El limon with plenty of food options during seven days, waiter service is random but acceptable, nice furniture and plenty of places in and out.
Rooms are basic, even Junior Suites, bathrooms outdated with plenty of details to talk about ... but were functional for their purpose.
Swimingpool is really good but the sunshades ( big Umbrellas) are not, too small in diameter and do not protect against sun or heat.
Beach is amazing, very clean, the sand is cleaned every morning.
Unfortunately most of the guest reserve the shades before going to breakfast and the no reservation policy is a joke as no staff member takes care of it ...
Good reception and guest relations service everytime we needed.
Thematic restaurants with too cold temparatures and no big deal in food quality, they try to cause a good impression but the food quality is not on pair with the thematics ...
All in all a nice place to be.
The only reaaly bad thing are the rooms very close to the main road and the industrial facility, it is awfully noisy until at least 10:30 / 11:00 pm, no one could even use the room balcony due to the noise levels.
Edit: The entertainment team is very good, nice people, fun and welcoming."
Sandro Cadete
"The entertainment group among all staff members were incredibly great, courteous, and provided an outstanding customer service. The food was excellent each and every time.
The rooms could use an upgrade as they are antiquated, the beds are quite uncomfortable as well as the pillows. Room have poor lighting and the televisions way too small. The property needs a major upgrade with their air conditioner units. As none of the rooms and common areas with air conditioner were functional to endure the tremendous heat. Other than that the hotel and its location are great."
Raysa Mejia
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Most visitors arrive at Samaná El Catey International Airport (AZS). From there, pre-booked airport transfers or taxis are the most convenient options to reach Bahia Principe El Portillo, located near Los Terrenas. The drive typically takes around 45-60 minutes.
While the resort is compact, venturing out to Los Terrenas town usually requires a taxi or motoconcho (motorcycle taxi). Taxis can be arranged through the hotel reception.
Renting a car offers the most flexibility for exploring the wider Samaná Peninsula, including nearby attractions like El Limón waterfall. However, be prepared for local driving conditions. Organized tours are also a popular option.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, Bahia Principe El Portillo is an all-inclusive property. This typically covers your accommodation, meals at most restaurants, drinks, and access to many activities and entertainment.
Standard check-in time is usually around 3:00 PM, and check-out is typically by 12:00 PM. It's always best to confirm these times directly with the resort or your booking agent.
While it's all-inclusive, some premium services like spa treatments, certain excursions, or specific à la carte restaurant experiences might incur additional charges. Review your package details carefully.
For the main buffet, reservations are usually not needed. However, for the thematic à la carte restaurants, it's highly recommended to book your table in advance, especially during peak season, to secure your preferred dining times.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The resort offers a variety of activities including water sports, beach volleyball, pool games, fitness classes, and nightly entertainment. The kids' water park is a hit with younger guests.
Yes, snorkeling is possible right in front of the resort. The waters are generally clear, offering a chance to see marine life.
The beach is a major highlight, described as amazing, very clean, with fine white sand and warm, clear water. It's perfect for walking and relaxing.
Absolutely! The resort features a kids' water park and the entertainment team is very engaging, making it a great choice for families.
There are two pools. While good, some guests find the umbrellas providing shade are too small and don't offer sufficient protection from the sun.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The main buffet restaurant, El Limón, offers a wide variety of food options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with waiter service available.
Thematic restaurants aim to impress, but some reviews suggest the food quality may not always match the theme. It's worth trying them for the experience.
As an all-inclusive resort, they typically offer a range of options. It's advisable to speak with the restaurant staff about specific dietary needs to ensure they can accommodate you.
Bahia Principe El Portillo boasts 8 bars, offering a variety of drinks throughout the property.
📸 📸 Photography
The stunning El Portillo beach with its clear turquoise waters and white sand is a prime photo location. The resort's tropical landscaping and pool areas also offer great backdrops.
Yes, the beach provides beautiful opportunities for sunset photography, with the warm colors reflecting on the water.
Early mornings offer softer light and fewer people, ideal for capturing the serene beauty of the beach. Late afternoons also provide lovely golden hour light.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The resort's compact size is a huge advantage for families, meaning short walks between rooms, pools, and the beach. This reduces the hassle of navigating large properties with little ones. While rooms are functional, they might be a bit dated, but the overall family-friendly atmosphere and the abundance of activities make it a worthwhile destination for a tropical getaway.
💰 Budget Travelers
The resort's manageable size means you won't need to spend extra on transportation within the property. While some thematic restaurants might be an upcharge or require reservations, the main buffet provides ample variety. The beautiful, accessible beach means you have a fantastic free amenity right at your doorstep for relaxation and recreation.
couples
While the resort caters to families, the energetic entertainment team can add a fun dynamic to your stay, and the numerous bars provide opportunities for evening drinks. If you prefer a quieter, adults-only experience, this might not be the ideal choice, but for couples who enjoy a blend of relaxation and resort activities, it offers a convenient all-inclusive package.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The All-Inclusive Experience
While the all-inclusive nature simplifies budgeting, it's worth noting that some guests have mentioned that certain thematic restaurants, while trying to create a good impression, may not always meet high culinary expectations. Additionally, while the main buffet offers plenty of choices, the waiter service can be inconsistent. Be sure to clarify what is included in your specific package, as premium services or specific high-end beverages might incur extra charges.
The resort's entertainment team plays a significant role in the guest experience, with animators like Rosa and Dominga frequently praised for their energy and ability to engage guests in activities and shows. This focus on entertainment contributes to the lively atmosphere, particularly around the pool areas and during evening performances.
Beach and Water Activities
Snorkeling is possible directly from the shore, allowing guests to explore the underwater environment without needing to venture far. The calm nature of the water makes it suitable for various water activities. However, guests have pointed out that the sunshades on the beach, while plentiful, are often too small to provide adequate protection from the intense tropical sun, and a 'no reservation' policy for loungers is sometimes not strictly enforced, leading to early morning claims.
Beyond swimming and snorkeling, the resort offers other water-based activities, though specific details on motorized water sports or extensive equipment rental might vary. The focus remains on enjoying the natural beauty of the beach and the inviting ocean waters.
Room Comforts and Potential Drawbacks
A significant point of feedback concerns potential noise disturbances. Rooms located closer to the main road may experience noise levels that can be disruptive until late in the evening, impacting the ability to enjoy balconies or quiet relaxation. Guests sensitive to noise might want to inquire about room locations when booking or upon arrival.
Despite these points, the resort's compact layout ensures that most rooms are within a short walking distance to the beach and other amenities, which is a significant convenience for many guests. The overall cleanliness is maintained, and the rooms provide a base for enjoying the resort's other offerings.
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