Sports Illustrated Resorts Marina & Villas Cap Cana
TAN Resorts Marina Cap Cana, known until late 2025 as Sports Illustrated Resorts Marina & Villas Cap Cana, occupies one of the more distinctive settings of any all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic: a Mediterranean-style condominium complex called the Fishing Lodge in Downtown Cap Cana, the gated luxury enclave about 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport. The private marina, where serious sportfishing boats come and go, sits just steps away, and the blue marlin fishing off Cap Cana is consistently ranked among the best in the Caribbean. One reality check: recent guests describe the surrounding village as quiet, with some storefronts closed or under renovation, so do not expect a bustling promenade outside your door.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Located inside Cap Cana's private marina village, a Mediterranean-style development in Downtown Cap Cana where the marina, shops and a string of independent restaurants are a short walk from your door
- +Every room has a kitchen: the Junior Suite (861 sq ft) has a kitchenette, while the One-Bedroom Residence (1,184 sq ft) and Two-Bedroom Residence (2,002 sq ft, sleeps up to six) have fully equipped kitchens, separate living areas and furnished terraces, so families get apartment-style space rather than a hotel room
- +Complimentary shuttle to Juanillo Beach runs hourly from 10 AM to 5 PM, with a guest menu at the Juanillo Grill & Beach Club; Juanillo is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic
- +Pets are genuinely allowed: the resort's own FAQ sets a $25 fee per pet with a two-pet maximum, which is exceptionally rare for a Caribbean all-inclusive
- +Sportfishing at Marina Cap Cana is under half a mile away, and inshore and offshore fishing trips, horseback riding, golf, tennis lessons and Scape Park tickets can all be added when you book
- +Dining spans an Italian trattoria (Bambino's), Cuban-Caribbean fusion (Don Germán), a Mexican-Brazilian rodízio (Don Mario Miranda), The Yacht Club, The Docks Buffet and a poolside bar and grill, plus the Blitz Bar, with premium-brand cocktails and in-room dining included
- +Taxes and gratuities are built into the all-inclusive rate and guest parking is free, which matters here because many guests rent a car to explore Cap Cana's golf and beaches
Cons
- −The resort sits on a marina rather than a beachfront, so guests expecting to walk out onto sand will rely on the shuttle to Juanillo Beach, and the last run is in the late afternoon
- −There is no kids club and no babysitting on the resort's published program; children's fun comes from a single daily activity grid (mini golf, ping pong, volleyball, bingo, pool fitness) shared by couples, teens and families
- −The marina village around the resort can feel much quieter than the marketing suggests; recent guests on traveler forums have described few people around and storefronts closed or under renovation
- −The published activity schedule wraps up with a dance class around 5:30 PM, so evenings are low-key and guests coming from big-resort show programs may find little after dinner
- −Food reviews are uneven: guests like the variety across the à la carte venues but find execution inconsistent, particularly at the buffet
- −The add-ons that make the area special (fishing charters, horseback riding, golf, Scape Park, spa) all cost extra, as do airport transfers
- −The late-2025 rebrand from Sports Illustrated Resorts to TAN Resorts left some of the operator's own pages still describing the old venue names and room types, so confirm current inclusions directly before booking
The rooms are the real differentiator. There are three types, a Junior Suite with a kitchenette and two Residences with full kitchens, separate living and dining space and furnished terraces, which makes the place work for families or friends sharing. Dining runs across Bambino's Italian Trattoria, Don Germán's Cuban-Caribbean fusion, the Don Mario Miranda Mexican-Brazilian rodízio, The Yacht Club, The Docks Buffet and a poolside bar and grill, with the Blitz Bar for drinks, and guests split on how consistent the execution is. The resort has outdoor pools, a spa and a gym, and a daily activity grid of yoga, nature walks, mini golf, pool fitness, volleyball, pickleball, bingo and late-afternoon dance classes, but there is no kids club or babysitting. This is not a beachfront resort; the free hourly shuttle to Juanillo Beach is how you get serious sand time, and Juanillo is worth it.
This resort suits families and groups who value a kitchen and space over a kids club, anglers and golfers who want to be in the middle of Cap Cana, and pet owners, since dogs are allowed for a modest fee. Fishing trips, horseback riding, golf, tennis lessons and Scape Park can be added at booking at extra cost. If your priority is waking up to waves and spending every hour on a lounger twenty feet from the water, Punta Cana's beachfront all-inclusives are a better fit. For a marina-village stay with apartment-style rooms and a short ride to one of the country's best beaches, it is one of the more unusual options in the market.
Common Questions
Is this the same resort as Sports Illustrated Resorts Cap Cana?
Is there a kids club?
How does getting to Juanillo Beach work?
Can I bring my dog?
Can I go sportfishing or horseback riding from the resort?
What is not included in the all-inclusive rate?
Restaurants (4)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | The Docks Buffet |
| Mexican | Don Mario Miranda Mexican-Rodízio Restaurant |
| Italian | Bambino's Italian Trattoria |
| Caribbean & local | Don Germán Cuban-Caribbean Fusion Restaurant |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Bávaro Beach30 min drive · 14 mi
Macao Beach40 min drive · 25 mi
Cap Cana Marina7 min drive · 1.5 mi
20 min drive · 6.0 mi
More things to do (25)
- Playa Blanca · beach13 min drive · 5.6 mi
- Juanillo Beach · beach7 min drive · 1.6 mi
- Scape Park · adventure park15 min drive · 6.2 mi
- Punta Espada Golf Club · golf12 min drive · 5.6 mi
- Higüey · town50 min drive · 33 mi
- Arena Gorda Beach · beach35 min drive · 18 mi
- Cabeza de Toro Beach · beach55 min drive · 17 mi
- Marinarium snorkel cruise · excursion55 min drive · 17 mi
- Laguna Bávaro · nature60 min drive · 17 mi
- Los Corales · town30 min drive · 15 mi
- Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park · nature4 min drive · 0.7 mi
- Deep-sea fishing charter · excursion7 min drive · 1.5 mi
- Catalonia Caribe Golf Club · golf20 min drive · 11 mi
- Dolphin Explorer · adventure park25 min drive · 13 mi
- Cocotal Golf & Country Club · golf25 min drive · 15 mi
- Vista Cana Golf Club · golf30 min drive · 15 mi
- White Sands Golf Course · golf30 min drive · 18 mi
- Iberostar Bávaro Golf Club · golf30 min drive · 18 mi
- Barceló Bávaro Golf · golf30 min drive · 14 mi
- Cana Bay Golf Club · golf35 min drive · 20 mi
- Hoyo Claro · cenote35 min drive · 14 mi
- Dolphin Island Park · adventure park40 min drive · 15 mi
- Cabo Engaño Beach · beach50 min drive · 15 mi
- Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, Higüey · historic site50 min drive · 33 mi
- Juan Ponce de León Fort Museum · museum60 min drive · 38 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Seaweed & sargassum
Punta Cana gets sargassum, typically worst May through August.See the month-by-month guide →Google Reviews★ 4.2 · 1,833 reviews
“We had a fabulous experience at the resort last week and it hurts me to have to give a 4 star rating rather than 5 star, but if you've stayed at a large chain resort like Dreams or Sandos or The Villa Group you'll find this resort just doesn't have t...”
