Tropical Tots: Our First International Family Adventure in the Dominican Republic

Thanks American Airlines for showing M the cockpit on his 1st flight!

Last year, we found ourselves with an airline credit and a bunch of Hilton points that were about to expire. So, we thought—why not take our first big trip as a family of four? We wanted a destination that was a short flight from Philadelphia and had plenty of built-in activities, making it easy to navigate with two toddlers.

Why We Chose Hilton La Romana, Dominican Republic

After some research, we landed on Hilton La Romana, an all-inclusive family resort in the Dominican Republic. Safety was a top priority, and while some areas of the island have concerns, we loved that this resort had a secluded beach and tons of activities for the whole family. We booked a standard room, but if you have a little one who still naps, a swim-out room is totally worth it! It gives your child a quiet, comfy spot to nap while you can still soak up the sun right outside your door.

Panoramic view of the La Romana Beach

The Travel Hack Every Parent Needs: Car Seat Alternatives

Supportive, even if is only a lap belt available or your child is sleeping

One of my biggest concerns was how to get from the Punta Cana airport to the resort without lugging around bulky car seats. I knew I didn’t want to rely on rental options since they can be expired or have an unknown history. That’s when I discovered the Ride Safer Travel Vest at Ride Safer 4 Kids. It’s legal for use in all countries that recognize U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and has great crash safety ratings. These vests were super easy to adjust, totally secure, and even came with a carrying case that fit in the kids' backpacks!

Speaking of backpacks—always bring one for the kids! Not only does it give them a place to carry a few favorite toys for screen-free entertainment, but the act of carrying the backpack itself provides heavy work, which can help with sensory regulation in overstimulating environments. For us, this has been especially helpful with our oldest, who has struggled with eloping. Will there still be meltdowns? Of course. But fewer and less intense!

M inspired by the surrounding scenery

L had at least a slice of pizza a day!

Resort Activities & Exploring Baya Hibe

We love to explore different cultures when we travel, but since this was our first international trip with toddlers, we skipped excursions this time and took full advantage of the resort. And honestly? There was plenty to do! The resort features a large onsite water park geared toward all ages! While the kids were too short for the larger water slides, they had an absolute blast in the splash zones and floating together down the lazy river. There was also a game area complete with everything from foosball to batting cages, daily crafts from painting to macrame, live entertainment nightly from magic shows to performances, and a beautiful beachside walk into the village of Baya Hibe, where we picked up some great souvenirs!

What to Eat: Skip the Buffet, Try the Wood-Fired Pizza

Let’s talk food! The buffet was a pass (except for breakfast), but the specialty restaurants were excellent, our favorite being the French. We loved that they rotated which ones were family-friendly each night, giving us the chance to push the kids out of their comfort zones with new foods (don’t worry, picky eaters—there’s a kids’ menu at every restaurant).

Also, as someone who grew up in a New York Italian family, I’m picky about pizza. But the poolside wood-fired pizzas? Shockingly good!

A Pro Tip for Flying Home: VIP Lounge Access

If you’re flying out of Punta Cana International Airport, do yourself a favor and pay for the VIP check-in and lounge access. It lets you breeze through security and immigration (no lines!) while grabbing complimentary snacks and drinks.

Once inside, we headed to the VIP lounge (which is accessible with many credit cards—we use Amex Platinum). We’ve been in lounges from Philly to Hong Kong, and hands down, this was the best one yet. It features a dedicated kids play area with a playground, a quiet and comfortable nursing area, and even an infinity pool overlooking the runway!

Final Thoughts

This trip was the perfect way to test the waters of international travel with toddlers, and Hilton La Romana made it so much easier than we expected. If you’re looking for stress-free, family-friendly Caribbean getaway, this resort is a solid pick! We would definitely like to return when they reach the water slide height and can take more advantage of what the island has to offer! We hope this helps if you’re considering a trip—feel free to reach out with any questions!