JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar Map (Most Up-To-Date)

JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar sits at the quiet, adults-only edge of the Iberostar Bávaro complex, beside Iberostar Selection Bávaro and the mangrove buffer. The layout runs from inland lobby and lagoon, past the Galleon ship and pools, to the Arena Gorda beachfront. Key choices are suite placement, walking vs cart use, and how far to roam for shows, casino, and nightlife.

Area / Zone	Best For	Key Tip	Watch Out
JOIA Lobby & Main Building	Check in, orientation, butler handoff, evening cocktails	Use the lobby as your mental north star for finding restaurants and carts.	Can feel far from family in Waves and Selection if you walk at night.
Central Lagoon & Galleon Ship	Iconic views, surf and turf dinners, sunset photos	Cross the bridges at golden hour for photos of the lit ship and lagoon.	Bridges create small detours, add a few minutes between suites and beach.
Beachfront & Main Pool Zone	Daytime lounging, swim up bar, quick beach access	Pick loungers closest to the path if you plan to bounce between pool and sea.	Livelier vibe and music, less ideal if you want total daytime quiet.
Quiet / Garden Pool Wing	Reading, napping, low noise near garden or lake suites	Book garden or lake view if you prefer short, calm walks to these pools.	Slightly longer walk to beach and Galleon than oceanfront blocks.
Mangrove Walkway to Beach	Shaded walking, nature feel, scenic link lobby to sea	Use this shaded path in midday heat to move between lobby and beachfront.	Narrower path, can feel busy at peak arrival and show times.
Path to Selection & Waves	Access to casino, shops, DC 6 club, shared amenities	Plan one directional loop: JOIA to Selection shops to DC 6, then cart back.	Full walk to DC 6 can reach 15 to 20 minutes each way.
La Scala Theatre & Evening Hub	Dolce show, nightly performances, structured evening plans	Anchor one night around Dolce, then branch to bars or DC 6 afterward.	Show start times fix your schedule, arrive early if you want preferred seats.

2025 JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar Map + Printable PDF

2025 JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar Map Guide

Use the map by thinking in two directions at once: ocean to lobby and east to west along the shared beachfront. JOIA’s internal map helps you choose between oceanfront, lagoon side, and garden suites, then plan 3 to 5 minute walks to the beach or longer trips to the casino and DC 6. Walking suits most guests inside JOIA, while carts work best for crossing to Selection and Waves.

Where is JOIA Bávaro located within Iberostar Selection Bávaro, and how is the venue laid out inside?

JOIA Bávaro borders Iberostar Selection Bávaro at the adults only end of the complex, with a lagoon centered U shape around ship, pools, and beach.

JOIA Bávaro sits at the quiet, adults only edge of the Iberostar Bávaro complex, directly beside Iberostar Selection Bávaro along Arena Gorda Beach. Selection occupies the central stretch, JOIA occupies the neighboring beachfront closest to the mangrove buffer and golf course, and guests move between them on paved internal paths or by golf cart.

Inside JOIA, the main building with lobby and core restaurants stands slightly inland. A large lagoon wraps around it and the accommodation blocks, with bridges leading to a full scale galleon that houses El Galeón restaurant and Cala Esmeralda bar. Three story suite buildings form a U shape that opens toward the sea, with oceanfront suites nearest the sand, swim out suites on ground floors, and garden or lake view suites along the arms facing the lagoon, pools, and beach.

What is the JOIA Bávaro supper-club experience like, and how can guests get the most from it?

JOIA Bávaro builds a supper club style night around Dolce and shipboard dining, so plan sunset cocktails, show time, and butler booked dinners.

The supper club feel comes from how an evening unfolds as one continuous event. Guests typically start with sunset cocktails at Cala Esmeralda on the deck of the galleon, then move into El Galeón or another specialty restaurant for a long, courses based dinner. After dinner, movement shifts to the La Scala Theatre, where the Dolce experience or nightly show turns the night into a music forward, cabaret style event rather than a quick resort show.

To get the most from it, guests should ask their butler to align dinner times with show start times, prioritize Dolce nights for a full signature evening, and follow dress code guidelines so they can access the smartest venues without friction. Arriving a bit early at La Scala secures better seats and keeps the evening flowing smoothly from bar to table to show.

How do you get from Punta Cana International Airport to JOIA Bávaro at Iberostar Selection Bávaro?

From PUJ, reach JOIA Bávaro in 20 to 30 minutes via private transfer or taxi, using Boulevard Turístico del Este from the airport.

Travel from Punta Cana International Airport to JOIA is straightforward, with three main options.

• Private transfer: The resort sits about 16 miles, roughly 25 km, from PUJ, and a pre booked private transfer takes around 20 to 30 minutes via Boulevard Turístico del Este.
• Iberostar booked transfer: Stays booked on Iberostar.com often include complimentary private transfers if you register flight details at least 5 days before arrival.
• Taxi: Airport taxis typically charge about 20 to 30 USD one way. Confirm the fare at the stand before getting in to avoid any surprise markups.
• Shared shuttle: Shared vans cost less, around 10 to 15 USD, but they stop at multiple resorts, which can turn a 25 minute ride into a much longer journey, so they are not ideal for JOIA guests.

How does JOIA Bávaro compare with other Iberostar Selection Bávaro restaurants and nearby nightlife like Coco Bongo?

JOIA focuses on refined, adults only dining and theater style nights, while Selection venues feel busier and Coco Bongo delivers loud, Vegas scale spectacle.

JOIA’s evenings sit between relaxed resort dining and full blown nightlife, so it helps to compare your options side by side.

Option	Relation on map	Core experience	Atmosphere	Best for
JOIA dinner plus Dolce	In JOIA, adults only, short walk lobby to theater	Butler coordinated a la carte dining, then La Scala show or Dolce	Elegant, seated, conversation friendly	Couples and small groups wanting one polished “big night” in resort
Selection Bávaro a la cartes	Next door, reached by paved paths or cart	High volume Italian, steakhouse, and themed venues	Livelier, more families, quicker pacing	Variety seekers and mixed age groups who want flexible, casual dinners
DC 6 nightclub	Within Waves wing, 15 to 20 minute walk or cart	Airplane themed disco with DJ and dancing	Fun, colorful, classic resort club	Late nights after JOIA shows without leaving resort grounds
Coco Bongo	Off site, about 15 to 20 minutes by taxi	Standing room show with acrobats, impersonators, party crowd	Loud, high energy, confetti and effects	Travelers who want one off property, Vegas style blowout night

In practice, JOIA works as your refined home base, Selection expands your restaurant count, DC 6 covers casual dancing, and Coco Bongo is the splurge for maximum noise and spectacle.

What do reviews say about the dinner and show experience at JOIA Bávaro?

Reviews highlight polished service, refined shows like Dolce, strong food quality, and a calm adults only vibe that feels worth the premium.

Most reports describe evenings at JOIA as structured, high quality nights out rather than casual buffet stops. Guests consistently praise the Dolce experience at La Scala as a full theatrical production, with blindfolded tastings, professional singers and dancers, and staging that feels more like a cabaret than a typical resort show. The shipboard El Galeón and gourmet Le Tourbillon earn compliments for plated presentation and premium ingredients.

Feedback also notes that the adults only setting and quieter, classical atmosphere create a relaxed supper club tone instead of a party scene. Some guests flag the higher nightly rates and firm dress code, but many consider the butler service, elevated food, and access to broader Iberostar amenities a fair trade for the price.

How can guests make a reservation for JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar?

Reserve JOIA by booking your stay on Iberostar.com, then let your butler handle restaurant times and Dolce or Hashira reservations.

You book JOIA like a stay first, then layer on the special evenings.

• Room reservation: Booking through Iberostar.com is key, since some stays booked direct include complimentary private transfers once flights are registered.
• Pre arrival notes: Add preferences through the booking portal, then share any specifics with your butler on arrival.
• A la carte dinners: Most specialty restaurants work without reservations, but your butler can still secure preferred times and tables.
• Hashira and Dolce: Hashira requires reservations, and your butler coordinates seats and Dolce timing as part of your evening plan.

What are JOIA Bávaro’s menu prices, and is the experience included in Iberostar’s all-inclusive package?

JOIA Bávaro runs as an adults only all inclusive, so à la carte dining and Dolce are included for guests, with paid passes for others.

JOIA Bávaro operates on a premium all inclusive model, so guests do not pay per dish for El Galeón, Le Tourbillon, or most other specialty dinners. The Dolce experience at La Scala is treated as an included privilege for JOIA guests, while visitors from sister resorts can buy a night pass, reported around 122 USD.

Selection or Waves guests who want full JOIA access typically purchase a separate day pass near 136 USD. Room rates at JOIA usually sit in the roughly 440 to 600 plus USD per night range, which effectively bundles the dining and show experience into the stay rather than using individual menu pricing.

What should travelers know about the Bávaro/Punta Cana area, including key activities, basic history, and practical packing tips?

Punta Cana grew from remote coast to major hub, with Bávaro’s reef backed beaches, signature excursions, seaweed season, and real dress code constraints.

The wider Bávaro and Punta Cana setting mixes resort city scale with a few standout nature and adventure day trips.

• History and layout: Development accelerated after PUJ opened in 1984, and Bávaro became the dense resort strip along Arena Gorda and nearby beaches.
• Signature excursions: Isla Saona, Scape Park in Cap Cana, and Macao Beach stand out for protected waters, adventure activities, and a more local surf scene.
• Seaweed reality: Sargassum can hit beaches, especially in summer, but Iberostar crews and nets work daily to clean and manage the shoreline.
• Sustainability angle: Wave of Change drives coral nursery projects, plastic reduction, and mangrove preservation visible in walkways and operations.
• Packing for dress codes: Plan resort casual for day, then smart casual at night, with men bringing collared shirts, long pants, and closed toe shoes.
• Extra clothing detail: Men are safest with at least two lightweight chinos or linen trousers to avoid being turned away at top JOIA restaurants.

How does Iberostar Selection Bávaro compare with Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana, including typical costs for a 5-night stay?

Iberostar Selection Bávaro is a central all suite hub, Secrets Royal Beach is livelier adults only, with 5 nights at Secrets roughly 1,750 to 2,750 USD.

Both properties sit on the same Punta Cana coastline but deliver different layouts and atmospheres, and the clearest verified pricing in the research is for Secrets Royal Beach.

Resort	Map position and layout	Atmosphere and guests	Service and access	Price notes
Iberostar Selection Bávaro	Large all suite property in the central zone of the Iberostar complex, set in bungalow style villas	Upscale feel within a sprawling multi resort setting, integrated with JOIA and Waves areas	Guests use shared paths and facilities across the wider Iberostar complex, but cannot freely enter JOIA without a paid pass	Specific nightly or 5 night price ranges were not documented in the research for Selection
Secrets Royal Beach Punta Cana	Separate resort on the same general coast, with denser, more linear grounds	Modern, South Beach style, generally livelier with a younger, more party forward crowd	Butler style service tied to Preferred Club level rather than every room	Typical nightly range in the research is about 350 to 550 USD, so 5 nights runs roughly 1,750 to 2,750 USD before flights

In practice, Selection suits travelers who want an all suite base inside a huge complex, while Secrets appeals to adults seeking a standalone, high energy environment, with costable figures currently clearest for Secrets rather than Selection.

Where are the best photo spots around Iberostar Selection Bávaro and its beach?

Top photo spots cluster at the JOIA galleon, lagoon bridges, wide Arena Gorda beach, Selection flamingo ponds, and DC 6 airplane club.

For standout photos, focus on a few anchor locations that frame the complex and beach clearly.

• Galleon ship at JOIA: Capture the full scale replica in the lagoon, especially at sunset when it is illuminated.
• Lagoon bridges: Use the curved walkways over water for leading line shots toward suites or the ship.
• Arena Gorda beachfront: Take wide angle beach shots showing the broad sand, palapas, and reef protected sea.
• Mangrove walkway: Frame the raised wooden path with greenery for a sustainability focused angle.
• Selection flamingo ponds: Shoot the birds with surrounding gardens as a soft, tropical backdrop.
• DC 6 nightclub exterior: Photograph the decommissioned airplane structure for a quirky, nighttime landmark.

What are JOIA Bávaro’s current show times and operating schedule?

Most JOIA shows start around 21:30 nightly, with pools and restaurants running on an 08:00-18:00 and 18:30-22:00 schedule.

Daily schedules at JOIA cluster around daytime pool hours, early evening dinners, and late theater shows, with nightclub hours extending past midnight.

• Pools: Main pools operate roughly 08:00-18:00, matching official lifeguard coverage.
• Dinner: A la carte restaurants usually serve from about 18:30-22:00, so 19:30 seatings pair well with shows.
• Main theater: The central La Scala show, including most signature productions, starts near 21:30.
• Dolce nights: Dolce typically runs Friday and Sunday, stretching from early evening around 18:00 into the night, often until about 02:00.
• DC 6 nightclub: The DC 6 club in the Waves area usually opens around 23:00 and can run until about 03:00.

What is the dress code for attending JOIA Bávaro?

Evenings at JOIA follow smart casual rules, with men in collared shirts and long pants, women in dressy outfits, and no flip flops.

Daytime across JOIA is resort casual, so swimwear is fine at pools but must be covered in any restaurant or indoor venue. Evening expectations are noticeably stricter to preserve the upscale, adults only atmosphere. Men are expected to wear collared shirts, either polo or button down, paired with long pants or formal Bermuda style shorts, plus closed toe shoes. Sleeveless shirts and flip flops are not accepted in key venues.

Women typically wear dresses, skirts, or dressy trousers with smart sandals or closed shoes. For smoother access to Le Tourbillon, El Galeón, and Dolce nights, men should pack at least one or two pairs of lightweight chinos or linen pants to avoid being turned away at the door.

Where are Iberostar’s resorts located in the Dominican Republic, and what restaurants are at Iberostar Grand Bávaro?

Research confirms Iberostar’s Bávaro complex and several JOIA restaurants, but not a full Dominican list or complete Grand Bávaro lineup.

The available information focuses on the Bávaro mega complex and the renamed JOIA Bávaro, not every Iberostar in the country.

• Bávaro complex location: Iberostar Waves Dominicana, Iberostar Waves Punta Cana, Iberostar Selection Bávaro Suites, and JOIA Bávaro sit together along Arena Gorda Beach in the Bávaro area of Punta Cana.
• Other Dominican resorts: The research does not provide a complete inventory or map of Iberostar properties elsewhere in the Dominican Republic, so additional locations cannot be listed with confidence.
• Core JOIA / former Grand Bávaro restaurants: Confirmed venues include El Galeón surf and turf inside the ship, Cala Esmeralda bar on the deck, Le Tourbillon French gourmet, Hashira Japanese teppanyaki, La Tentazione Italian, and Casa de la Playa Mediterranean by the sea.

What accessibility features do JOIA Bávaro and Iberostar Selection Bávaro offer for guests with mobility challenges?

JOIA and Selection Bávaro use flat paths, ramps, elevators, carts and beach wheelchairs to support guests with limited mobility.

Both JOIA and Iberostar Selection Bávaro are designed so guests with mobility challenges can move between key areas with support.

• Flat terrain: The overall complex is mostly flat, which reduces strain on guests using wheelchairs, scooters, or canes.
• Paved, wide paths: Main routes between lobbies, pools, and shared facilities are paved and wheelchair accessible.
• Ramps and step free routes: Ramps connect lobby areas, restaurants, and many ground floor suites, limiting the need for stairs.
• Elevators at JOIA: The main JOIA buildings include elevators, a key advantage over some villa style blocks in Selection that lack lifts.
• Golf cart transport: JOIA guests can rely on butler arranged golf carts to reduce walking distance to Selection, Waves, or DC 6.
• Beach access: Wooden boardwalks extend toward the sand, and beach wheelchairs with balloon tires are available on request for soft sand.

What family-friendly activities and facilities are available at Iberostar Selection Bávaro?

Selection Bávaro families use wide pools, calm Arena Gorda beach, gardens, flamingo ponds, and complex wide shows and excursions from the resort.

Families at Iberostar Selection Bávaro tap into the whole Bávaro complex, not just one hotel.

• Pools and beach time: Use the large pool network and the broad Arena Gorda beachfront for easy, low stress family days in shallow, reef protected water.
• Garden wandering: Walk the tropical gardens and interior paths, which are flat and stroller friendly.
• Flamingo ponds: Visit the flamingo ponds in the Selection zone for short, repeatable kid friendly photo and viewing stops.
• Shared entertainment: Join complex wide evening entertainment and musical shows that pull guests from the Iberostar resorts together.
• Off site excursions: Book family suitable outings like Isla Saona, Scape Park, or Macao Beach through on site desks for day long adventures beyond the pool.

How long does it take to walk from Iberostar suites and rooms to JOIA Bávaro?

Within JOIA, suites sit 3–5 minutes from the beach, while walks from Selection and Waves areas to JOIA typically range from 10–20 minutes.

Inside JOIA, the layout is compact, so most suites sit about a 3 to 5 minute walk from the lobby, lagoon, main pool, and Arena Gorda beach. Guests move along flat, paved paths that cross small bridges around the central lagoon.

From neighboring Iberostar Selection Bávaro, walks to the JOIA zone usually take about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on starting building and pace. From the far Waves and DC 6 nightclub area, one way walks can reach 15 to 20 minutes, so many guests request golf cart transfers through their butler.

Archive JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar Maps

Below are all official map versions released for JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar between 2019 and 2008.

2019 JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar

2009 JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar

2008 JOIA Bávaro by Iberostar