All inclusive recommendations in the Samana or Puerto Plata area.

There are only two all-inclusives in Las Terrenas. Viva Wyndham Samana (small resorts, adults only, on beautiful Playa Coson) and Bahia Principe El Portillo. I've not been to El Portillo, but I had some local friends that stayed there a few nights recently and really enjoyed it. They've just reopened post-COVID closure, and much of the resort has been remodeled/renewed. We stayed at the Viva Wyndham for part of our first stay in Las Terrenas. It was not crowded, which was really nice! It only has 100+ rooms, compared to the 600 or more in some of the big resorts in Punta Cana.

There are also a couple of Bahia Principe resorts in Samana, including one on Cayo Levantando, but it looks like those are still closed.

Flying into Santiago makes Samana a long shot. A long awkward drive.

Look at the resorts in Playa Dorado but dont expect the choice or quality you can find on the East Coast unless things have changed recently.

Casa Colonial is not AI but perhaps the best resort to stay imo near POP.

The North Coast is a different scene imo from the East as is Samana. But worth exploring to see if it is to your taste.

Thank you for your wonderful detailed information.  I greatly enjoy interacting with the group.

I was at the Be Live recently near Puerto Plata.  It's decent and about a 3 star. Pool is fabulous, food is good but not a lot of variety weekdays due to low occupancy.  Iberostar is a good resort always.

Resorts in playa dorada I can't say as I did not visit. I am told hodelpa is open and doing well.

Be warned almost all resorts are full on weekends wherever you go. Weekdays are wonderfully quiet if you want that!

Thanks!  I will check this out.