What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Dominican Republic? The beaches, of course, and all those fabulous beach facilities you see in travel magazine photos, this is my 10 Top-Rated Beaches in the Dominican Republic list. It’s easy to imagine why the diversity of the place attracts millions of tourists every year: the influence of the sea and ocean brings with its richness, dreamy tropical climates and so much, much natural beauty.
10 TOP-RATED BEACHES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
However, the Dominican Republic is one of the most biodiverse Caribbean nations on Earth, offering tourists mountains to conquer, deserts to photograph, and a rich colonial history to immerse themselves in.
- Cayo Levantado Beach
- Catalina Island Beaches
- Beaches of Saona Island
- Bayahibe Beach (La Romana)
- Bavaro Beaches (Punta Cana)
- Boca Chica Beaches
- Dorada Beach (Puerto Plata)
- Sosua beach
- El Limon Beach
- Barahona Beaches
NORTH
Sosua Beach is considered the most important beach on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, inside a bay known for its crystal clear waters, great snorkeling and marine life. The beach is lined with trees that provide shade, very convenient for those who prefer to stay off the sun when it gets hot. Beach stalls with restaurants, bars, gift shops, tour operators, art shops and other businesses line up the back of the beach, providing everything needed for a perfect vacation day with family and friends.
The small, picturesque island of Cayo Levantado is located just five kilometers from Samana Bay, and features sparkling white sand beaches and palm trees. Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, kayaking or paddleboarding, and enjoy fresh fish.
To get to Cayo Levantado on your own with the boat service that leaves from the Simi Baez pier in the town of Samana. The trip takes between 10-15 minutes (depending on the state of the sea) and the cost is 30 euros per person i/v.
El Limon Beach, visible from the equally secluded Playa Morón, once home to the pirates who roamed Samaná. It’s well worth the effort to get there, as you’ll enjoy one of the most tranquil stretches of beach on the peninsula. For more adventure, join an excursion that will take you swimming down the El Limón River as it winds its way to the beach.
SOUTH
For those who love sun and beach tourism, the beaches of Catalina Island are the epitome of a Caribbean paradise, (book here the tour). With calm, clear, warm turquoise waters, fine white sand and plenty of palm trees for shade, these beaches transport you to a world of peace and relaxation. As a protected area and officially part of the Cotubanamá National Park, all the island’s beaches are clean and in perfect condition.
Saona is a dream tropical escape, where long stretches of brilliant white sand and their giant coconut trees seem to melt into iridescent turquoise waters. Visitors can take day trips to enjoy the beaches, through a myriad of options ranging from speedboat to catamaran. Most trips leave out of Bayahíbe village, from its small waterfront area. Stops in Saona include a swim at Palmilla, a white stretch with a wide natural pool, and at Mano Juan, the only inhabited portion of the island. Saona Island is also the DR’s most important turtle-nesting site.
Known as the beach of the city of Santo Domingo, Boca Chica Beach is located in San Andrés Bay, which is just 30 km away from Santo domingo, in the eastern part of the Dominican capital. Discover this amazing fine and white sand beach where every weekend a multitude of people gather, looking for a beach day in the refreshing tropical waters of the Caribbean. It is one of the most family-oriented beaches in the area, since the water is not very deep and the bottom is sandy.
After seeing beautiful pictures from the Dominican Republic, you naturally want to go there on vacation. But here is the problem, what is the area to choose? For a lot of people, it is hard to make a decision La Romana or Punta Cana.
Well, the distance between Punta Cana and La Romana is about 62 km, which is equal to 39 miles. Punta Cana is the most popular resort town in the Dominican Republic. About 4 million tourists come here every year. Probably, the reason why people love this place so much is the beaches.
La Romana does not have such a huge selection of hotels and restaurants like Punta Cana. There are also no that expensive, and luxurious hotels in La Romana like in Punta Cana. There is also calm water, that is why you will not be able to do some watersports here such as surfing. But it has crystal blue water and amazing coral reefs, so it is just perfect for snorkeling and diving.