Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana With a Toddler: Kids, Gluten-Free Dining and Our Family Review
Before Jackson came along, our trips looked a lot different. Once he arrived, we leaned into all-inclusive resorts for a few years, and Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic was our second trip with him, right after Turks and Caicos. He was 2, we went over Matt's birthday, and we never once left the resort. We didn't need to.
It has been a few years, so some of the little details have faded, but a few things stuck with us: the resort was fabulous, it was set up so well for kids, there was something going on every single night, and as a family where two of us eat gluten-free, we never struggled to find food. Since resorts change over time, we went back through the resort's current information so this post reflects what you'll find if you book today.
This post contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book or buy through them, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. We only recommend things we've used ourselves or would genuinely use on our own family trips, and all opinions are our own.
Our Dominican Republic Resort
Our easy, zero-planning all-inclusive with a toddler.
Best for: families with little kids and gluten-free eaters
- All ages, all-inclusive, right on Juanillo Beach
- Water park, kids club, and shows every night
- About 15 minutes from Punta Cana airport (PUJ)
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana sits right on Juanillo Beach in the gated Cap Cana community.
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana at a Glance
Where: Juanillo Beach, inside the gated Cap Cana community on the Dominican Republic's east coast
Airport: about 15 minutes from Punta Cana International (PUJ)
Who it's for: all ages. It shares grounds with Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana, which is adults-only
For kids: a kids club, a teen club, Canapolis Water Park, and live entertainment every night
Included extras: non-motorized water sports and daily classes, including beach yoga
For gluten-free travelers: the resort offers gluten-free options and asks you to let them know about dietary needs before you arrive
Reservations: the restaurants are first come, first served, which is a gift when you're dining on toddler time
Why We Chose an All-Inclusive With a Toddler
At 2, Jackson ran the show. Naps, early dinners, and the occasional meltdown meant we wanted a trip where we didn't have to plan a single meal or drive anywhere. An all-inclusive let us relax: food was always close, snacks were always available, and if dinner went sideways we could just walk back to the room. Naps were easy, too. Matt and I took turns on nap duty: one of us stayed back while the other went out and did, well, whatever they wanted. Some days that meant trying the free water sports, and other days it was just lounging on the beach with a good book and a drink. Whoever had nap duty still got a pretty good deal, since our room had a balcony to relax on.
Matt enjoying his free time during nap duty.
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana was a great fit because it's an all-ages resort built with families in mind, without feeling like a kids-only theme park. We picked it because of the reviews. We wanted somewhere newer, with great ratings and plenty of gluten-free options, and this resort checked every box.
Our 2-year-old was in heaven, and so were we.
Is Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana Good for Kids?
Yes! This resort was so kid friendly and easy, and that was with a toddler who was too little for some of the biggest perks. Here's what's there for families today.
Nightly Entertainment
This was one of our favorite parts. Every evening there was something going on, and it gave our nights a fun rhythm after a long day in the sun. The resort has an outdoor amphitheater with live shows most nights, including music and dancers in culturally inspired performances. The shows were legitimately good, too. Before many of them, staff dressed up as popular kids' characters, and Jackson loved running around with the other little kids in front of the stage before and after the shows. His favorite was Transformers night.
During the day, there are themed pool parties and beach events, too.
Jackson’s favorite night of the trip.
The Kids Club and Teen Club
The kids club, called The Lost City of Anac Pac, has supervised games, interactive tablets, and a climbing Spider Zone. Family travel reviewers report it's included in your stay for kids ages 4 to 12, and some families mention an evening drop-off program with dinner and a movie night. There's also a separate teen club for ages 13 to 17.
One honest note for toddler parents: at 2, Jackson was too young for the kids club, so plan on your little one staying with you. Babysitting is available for an extra fee. Each sitter covers up to two kids, with a two-hour minimum, so if you want a date night, contact the resort ahead of time to book one.
Even without the kids club, there was plenty for him to do. The resort hosts kids' activities throughout the day that parents can join, and one that stands out is a craft where the kids made their own caterpillars.
Canapolis Water Park
The resort's water park has a lazy river with a grotto waterfall, water cannons, and five slides. Keep in mind the slides have a minimum height of 3.94 feet (about 47 inches), so younger kids won't ride them yet. The good news for little ones is the toddler splash area, which is shallow enough for small kids and still deep enough for parents to sit down and cool off. There's also a food truck at the water park serving burgers, nachos, and hot dogs.
At the time of our visit, one of the slides let us ride down with Jackson on our laps. He LOVED it, and we did it over and over. Rules like this can change, so ask the water park staff what's allowed for little ones.
The splash area was perfect for little legs.
Kids Menus Everywhere
Every restaurant at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana has a children's menu, so you're never stuck hunting for something your kid will eat. Once you arrive, you can browse the menus for each restaurant through the resort's digital concierge.
Gluten-Free at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
Matt and I both eat gluten-free, and this resort made it easy. We had lots of options at every meal and never felt like we were stuck eating plain chicken and rice all week.
The resort offers gluten-free and vegetarian options and will help with other special dietary needs, as long as you tell them ahead of time. Other gluten-free travelers have shared similar experiences. One reviewer who eats strictly gluten-free mentioned staff at the El Mercado buffet going out of their way to help her find gluten-free food each morning, and another posted photos of gluten-free waffles and pancakes.
A quick note: we eat gluten-free, but we don't have celiac disease. If you do, please talk directly with the resort and the chefs about cross-contact before you book, and every time you order.
Eating Gluten-Free in the Dominican Republic?
Build a personalized dietary card to show your server, so the kitchen knows exactly what you can't eat. Always double-check ingredients too.
Our Tips for Eating Gluten-Free at an All-Inclusive
Tell the resort before you arrive. Add it to your reservation and email the resort too, so it's on file when you check in.
Say it again at every meal. Remind your server each time, even if it's on your reservation.
Ask the chef at the buffet. At El Mercado, ask a chef or staff member to point out gluten-free dishes instead of guessing from the labels.
Use the digital concierge. Look over menus ahead of time so you know what to ask about before you sit down.
Bring a dietary card. A card that explains your needs in Spanish takes the pressure off when there's a language barrier.
Where to Eat at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
One thing we loved: no reservations needed at the restaurants. Everything is first come, first served, so we could eat whenever we were hungry. The resort rotates openings and hours, so check the weekly schedule with the concierge when you arrive. Here's the current lineup:
El Mercado: the main buffet, set up like a Caribbean market with different stations. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Noodle & Thread: Italian dinners in a fun old-school tailor shop setting.
Tempest Table: Asian fusion dinners with a Mongolian grill and teppan tables.
Navigator Grill: Caribbean grilled dishes by the pool at dinner.
The Chinola: a beachside spot focused on fresh, simple food. Dinner is open to everyone; breakfast and lunch are for Club Level guests.
Coffee Republic: coffee drinks on one side, popsicles and ice cream on the other.
Prontoz and La Zizi: quick snacks by the pool and a food truck at the water park.
24-hour room service: included, and a lifesaver on nights your toddler is done by 6.
Two things to know: The Blind Butcher is an extra-charge dinner experience for guests 13 and up, and adults staying at the Ziva can also eat at the adults-only Hyatt Zilara restaurants next door (so that one's for a babysitter night). Dinner restaurants also have a smart casual dress code, which means no flip-flops, so pack a pair of real shoes for everyone.
No reservations meant dinner happened on toddler time.
Free Water Sports and Beach Yoga
One of the best parts of this resort is how much is included. Non-motorized water sports come with your stay, including kayaks, paddle boards, catamarans, and small sailboats, and there's even an introductory diving lesson. On our nap-duty swaps, we both took advantage of them. There are also free classes throughout the day, from dance and language lessons to aqua fitness and yoga on the beach. One morning, Jackson even joined in on beach yoga. Offerings change, so check the daily schedule in the resort's digital concierge when you arrive.
If you like to stay active on vacation, there's also a fitness center open around the clock with spin and functional fitness rooms, plus Pilates and water fitness classes in the pool.
Even Jackson tried yoga on the beach.
Celebrating a Birthday at an All-Inclusive
We happened to be there over Matt's birthday, and the resort made it so easy to celebrate. Before we even arrived, staff put a birthday sign on our door, and they surprised him with a cake and balloons. Honestly, the staff is what stands out most about this resort, so they get their own section below. If you're celebrating something, mention it when you book. The resort can also arrange private dinners on the beach or in an oceanfront gazebo for an extra cost.
Matt’s birthday surprise was waiting on our door when we arrived.
The Staff Made Our Trip
If we had to pick the one thing that made this resort stand out, it would be the staff. They genuinely went above and beyond, and nowhere was that clearer than with Jackson.
Matt wasn’t the only one who got a cake. One day they surprised Jackson with his very own, decorated with balloons and “Baby Jackson” written across it. He had no idea what was going on, but he loved every bit of it. At the evening shows, the entertainment team danced with him and even let him hold the microphone and sing, which he thought was the best thing ever.
These weren’t things we asked for. The staff just took the time to make a 2-year-old feel special, and as parents, that meant the world to us. Years later, it’s still one of the first things we remember about this trip.
Tips for Staying at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana With a Toddler
Ask for a crib. We requested one and had it in our room. Some booking sites list cribs as unavailable, so request one directly with the resort when you book.
Pack your sound machine. Ours goes everywhere with us and helped Jackson sleep in a new place.
Plan for real shoes at dinner. Smart casual means no beach sandals at the dinner restaurants.
Lean on room service. It's included around the clock, and it makes early bedtimes easy.
Don't overplan. We never left the resort, and we never once felt like we missed out.
Jackson with his caterpillar he made during craft time.
What Costs Extra
Almost everything is included, but a few things cost extra. The spa is one of them. It's a big underground space with a hydrotherapy circuit and an outdoor lagoon, and it's nice for a treat on a nap-duty day. Private cabanas by the pool, private beach or gazebo dinners, and The Blind Butcher dinner experience also come with an added charge. Ask the concierge for current details.
Is Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana Worth It for Families?
For us, absolutely. If you have little kids and want a trip where someone else handles the food, the fun, and the details, this is a great choice. It's especially good for families with mixed diets, since the gluten-free eaters and the not-gluten-free eaters (hi, Jackson) all found plenty to love.
It's also well loved by other families. As of October 2026, it has top-tier ratings across more than 7,000 Tripadvisor reviews. Our only caveat: if your kids are under 4, they'll miss out on the kids club and most of the slides, though we never ran out of things to do with our 2-year-old.
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana FAQ
Is Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana good for toddlers?
Yes. We stayed with our 2-year-old and he loved it. He’s too young for the kids club and the big slides, but the toddler splash area, kids’ activities, and nightly shows kept him busy, and the restaurants don’t take reservations, so you can eat on toddler time.
What ages is the kids club at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana?
Family reviewers report the kids club is for ages 4 to 12, and there’s a separate teen club for ages 13 to 17. If your child is close to the cutoff, contact the resort to confirm before you go.
Is Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana good for gluten-free travelers?
In our experience, yes. The resort offers gluten-free options and asks you to share dietary needs before you arrive. We don’t have celiac disease, so if you do, talk with the chefs about cross-contact.
Is the water park included at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana?
Yes, Canapolis Water Park is included in your stay. The slides have a minimum height of 3.94 feet (about 47 inches), and there’s a splash area for little ones.
What’s the difference between Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana?
They share the same grounds, but Hyatt Ziva welcomes all ages and Hyatt Zilara is adults-only. Ziva guests 18 and older can also use Zilara’s restaurants, bars, and facilities.
Does Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana offer babysitting?
Yes, for an extra fee. Each sitter watches up to two kids, with a two-hour minimum, so book ahead through the resort.
Are airport transfers included at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana?
No, airport transfers aren’t included. The resort is about 15 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ), so plan your ride ahead of time.
Are tips included at Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana?
Yes, tips are included in your stay. Extra tips for great service are always appreciated, and with staff this good, you’ll probably want to.
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