Hotel Riu Bambu
Family-friendly resort in Punta Cana.
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(750 discussions)
Riu Bambu sits at an interesting position in the Punta Cana resort landscape: it's the value-tier entry point to one of the best beach strips in the DR while also serving as the party hub for the entire Riu complex. The location is legitimately excellent - Arena Gorda beach is wide, clean, and consistently ranked among Bavaro's best. And the access benefit is real: staying at Bambu lets you spend beach days at the more upscale Riu Palace Bavaro and Palace Punta Cana next door. The 24-hour pools are a genuine rarity in the Caribbean and earn consistent praise from guests who want to swim after dinner without getting kicked out.
The caveats are significant and honest. Food quality at Riu Bambu is among the most criticized of any Punta Cana property that gets regular travel forum discussion. The buffet gets described as poor, and illness reports are frequent enough to be a legitimate concern. The bed bug reports from 2024-2025 are another issue that anyone researching this property will encounter - these aren't isolated incidents. If you're booked here, request a room in the newest building, inspect thoroughly on arrival, and do a Google Images check of your specific room number if possible.
Riu Bambu makes sense for budget-conscious travelers who want Bavaro beach access and don't mind (or actively want) the party atmosphere. Young groups for spring break, first-time all-inclusive travelers without high food expectations, and families on a tight budget who need the waterpark complex can all find value here. Step up to Riu Palace Bavaro or Riu Palace Punta Cana if even a moderate bump in budget is feasible - the food quality gap is significant.
Pros
- +Part of the Riu Punta Cana complex - staying at Bambu gives access to Riu Palace Bavaro and Riu Palace Punta Cana for beach days and dining
- +24-hour pools that never close, a rare and appreciated feature compared to most Caribbean resorts that lock pools at 6-8pm
- +The resort complex nightclub (located at Bambu) is the hub for the entire Riu Punta Cana complex, hosting themed adult pool parties on weekends
- +Genuinely beautiful Bavaro beach - Arena Gorda is consistently rated among Punta Cana's best beach stretches
- +Family rooms available with a water park on the complex accessible to Bambu guests
- +Affordable price point makes it one of the most accessible options on the Bavaro beach strip
- +Walk-in dining with no reservation system, consistent with Riu properties across the brand
- +Good bang for the buck on the Punta Cana strip - guests who set expectations appropriately report having a great time
Cons
- −Food quality is one of the most criticized aspects - multiple travelers describe buffet food as poor, with reports of hair in food and stomach illness
- −Bed bug reports have surfaced in 2024-2025 and are mentioned frequently enough to warrant caution, particularly in older room blocks
- −Food poisoning and stomach illness reports are higher than average for this property compared to nearby competitors
- −Standard open-concept bathroom design with limited privacy between the toilet/shower and the bedroom - a deal-breaker for some
- −Chair-saving and pool chair conflicts are a known problem at this property specifically
- −High volume of spring breakers and young party-focused travelers March through April, which significantly changes the atmosphere
- −No room service, no poolside drink delivery, and no free beach umbrellas - Riu chain limitations that apply here
- −The complex is enormous - navigating between pools, restaurants, and beach areas requires significant walking
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“For the price that we paid, I have no complaints. I won't say the rooms were terrific, but decent. There were ants in the rooms and we had to be careful about not to leave food items in the open. House keeping service was not great but no complains....”
“My partner and I stayed for 4 nights and 5 days. We were assigned a room right by one of the pools. Staff was friendly , pools were clean , being right on the beach was beautiful. The buffets were exceptional. The restaurants were fairly decent, minu...”
“You get for what you pay for. Nice and clean. Food not as good. Customer service is ok. People don't listen so they cut the lines and do whatever they want. Employees get easily frustrated and I get it. They did their best. I won't be going back....”