Viva Miches by Wyndham: A Family-Friendly Escape in the Dominican Republic
When you think “Caribbean all-inclusive,” your mind probably jumps to glitzy resorts with infinity pools, champagne brunches, and waiters who somehow remember your favorite cocktail after day one. Viva Miches by Wyndham isn’t quite that. Instead, it’s a more low-key, family-oriented resort in an lesser known area of the Dominican Republic.
I recently spent a few days here, and while we had a good time, I wouldn’t call it a luxury getaway. It’s more of a solid family vacation spot—especially if your priorities are keeping the kids entertained and never worrying about where your next meal is coming from. So if you’re curious about what Viva Miches is really like, here’s the honest scoop.
Table of Contents
The Location: A Bit of a Trek
First things first: getting to Viva Miches takes time. It’s about an hour and a half from Punta Cana International Airport, and the drive feels even longer if you arrive after a long flight. The hotel is tucked away in Miches, a region still being developed as a tourism hub.
Tip: Arrange transportation directly through the hotel. Do Not Take an Uber—trust me on this one. If for some reason the hotel can’t get you take a taxi not an Uber.
The upside to being far from the airport? Miches feels untouched compared to the more crowded Punta Cana area. The beach, Playa Esmeralda, is beautiful and peaceful. The tradeoff, of course, is the distance.
The Resort Vibe: Casual, Not Luxe
Viva Miches is modern. Rooms are clean, comfortable, and come in a few categories:
- Oceanfront – Only 16 of these, and if you want the best view, this is the way to go.
- Ocean View & Garden View – Decent choices if you don’t mind a more modest setup.
- Comfort Rooms – Budget-friendly, but basic.
Rooms sleep up to four people, and connecting rooms are available for families. A few quirks worth knowing:
- No Kleenex, no hair conditioner—pack your own.
- Water dispensers are everywhere, but the taste changes depending on which one you use. Bring a water bottle.
- Housekeeping comes once daily.
It’s fine, but if you’re expecting fancy bath amenities or turndown service, you won’t find that here.
Food & Drink: All-Inclusive Convenience
Like most Wyndham Viva resorts, this one is fully all-inclusive. That means you’ll never go hungry, though the dining is more about convenience than culinary magic.
- El Lago Buffet – The main hub for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The pizza is the best thing they have here.
- Snack Bar – Perfect for grabbing something quick during the day or late at night (yes, it reopens from 11 pm – 7 am).
- Specialty Restaurants – Atlantis (seafood), Latin Fusion, and Oriental add some variety, but reservations are limited. Latin Fusion was by far the best of the three we tried. Atlantis was the worst.
- Bars & Coffee – Bar Placita runs from 7 am – midnight (alcohol starts at 10 am). There’s also a coffee shop from 9 am–9 pm, which was one of my favorite spots.
Not included: the spa, cigar bar, and (at least for now) the ice cream shop. As of now, there is no room service but I believe it will be coming sometime in the future.
Pools, Beach & Splash Fun
The beach is by far the highlight here—wide, quiet, and exactly the kind of Caribbean shoreline you hope for. The main pool opens at 7 am, along with the two Jacuzzis (not heated). At the pool they have water aerobics everyday and Zumba.
Entertainment: Family-Focused
Evenings center around La Placita, with a kids’ disco and themed shows starting at 9:30 pm. Afterward, the party continues until 11:30 pm, then moves to the Shot Bar, which stays open until 2 am with games like darts and foosball.
For families, this setup works really well—kids are entertained early, and parents can sneak in some adult fun later.
Kids & Teens
This is where Viva Miches really earns its stripes.
- Kids Club (ages 4–12) runs from 9:30 am–6 pm. Parents with kids under 3 can join them inside. This water playground is located at the kid’s club. If your child is under four years old they can still play here but a parent must be with them.
- Teen Club (ages 11–17) offers hangout space and activities (parents allowed). They’ve got table games and playstations.
Basically, if your goal is to keep your kids busy while you sip coffee in peace, this place delivers.
Sports & Activities
Pickleball fans, take note: you’ll be playing on a tennis court with a temporary net. The paddles provided are wooden, so if you’re particular, bring your own gear. Archery and paddle are also available, but all activities require reservations at the front desk.
Again, casual fun, not high-end sports facilities.
They also have a decent gym with a guy on hand that will help you with the machines if you do not know what to do.
Down at the beach are kayaks, paddleboards, surfboards, and boogie boards. All of them are included in the all-inclusive and they provide life jackets. Available from 9 am–5:30 pm.
Excursions
If you want to explore outside the resort, Miches has some gems worth checking out:
- Montaña Redonda – A hilltop with panoramic views, swings, and hammocks (Instagram gold). This is the one we choose to do.
- Laguna Limón – Great for birdwatching.
- Los Haitises National Park – Stunning scenery and eco-tours.
Excursions are easy to book through the hotel.
The Spa
Not included in the all-inclusive plan, but available if you need downtime. I had an extremely relaxing massage here one afternoon. The staff was super nice.
There’s also a sauna open from 5–8 pm over in the gym. You do have to reserve the sauna in advance.
Who Is Viva Miches For?
Here’s where I’ll be honest: if you’re looking for a luxury resort with over-the-top service and endless fine dining options, this probably isn’t the right fit. The distance from the airport and the more modest amenities may not suite you.
But if you’re:
- Traveling with kids who need daily entertainment,
- Looking for a quieter, less touristy part of the Dominican Republic, or
- Happy with a casual, all-inclusive setup…
Then Viva Miches can be a good choice. Check current rates.
We had a nice time, but personally, I would have preferred something a little more upscale and closer to the airport. Still, for families who value convenience, activities, and kid-friendly vibes over luxury, it’s worth considering.
Read Next:
