One can only talk about places that one has visited personally – and that’s why this list of the most spectacular and best beaches in the Dominican Republic is one of the few genuine ones you’ll find on the internet. Over my around 7 years in the Dominican Republic, I have visited (at least) around 100 of the Dominican Republics’ beaches, hence I am happy to share this super extensive overview of the best beaches in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and everywhere else in the Dominican Republic. No stock photos, no generic information, only unique experiences and personal recommendations.
This list of the nicest beaches in the Dominican Republic will not only includes everyones’ favorites such as Playa Rincón, Bavaro Beach or Bahía de las Águilas but also some of the remotest beaches in the Dominican Republic as well as some true hidden gems you would otherwise have never heard of. Furthermore, you can be sure to have around half of these beaches completely on your own when visiting, hence your dream of the perfect Caribbean beach can become true.
- Map of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic
- The ultimate most beautiful top 5 beaches in the Dominican Republic
- Hidden gems – the 5 most adventurous and remote beaches in the Dominican Republic
- Best beaches in Punta Cana and the East of the Dominican Republic
- Best beaches in the Dominican Republic – South Coast and Southwest
- The best beaches along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic
- The best beaches on the Samaná peninsula
This is an extensive article about all the beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic.
If you’d love some more details about some of the beaches mentioned, check out the following articles here on Punta Cana Travel Blog.
– the best beaches in Punta Cana
– Bavaro Beach, the most famous beach in Punta Cana
– Macao Beach, the local’s favorite in Punta Cana
– Bahía de las Águilas, one of the most gorgeous beaches in the Dominican Republic
– the best beaches on the Samaná peninsula
Map of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic
To make it easier to plan your vacation in the Dominican Republic, we have put all those incredibly gorgeous beaches here from the list on a map so you can schedule your visits accordingly. You’ll also see that the best beaches in the Dominican Republic are scattered around the country, which makes it easy for EVERY Dominican Republic holiday to visit at least a few of them. And if you fell totally in love with those gorgeous beauties, you can plan an entire road trip in the Dominican Republic and visit at least 15-20 of them in not more than 10 days.
The following beaches are marked on the map with their respective number:
1) Bahía de las Águilas (Southwest of the Dominican Republic)
2) Bavaro Beach (Punta Cana)
3) Isla Saona beaches (Punta Cana/Bayahibe)
4) Playa Cosón (Las Terrenas/Samaná peninsula)
5) Cayo Arena (Puerto Plata/North Coast)
6) Playa Blanca (Trudillé / Southwest)
7) Canto de la Playa (East)
8) Playa Las Canas (Samaná)
9) Playa Jackson (Samaná)
10) Playa Bergantin (North Coast)
11) Playa Blanca (Punta Cana)
12) Playa Macao (Punta Cana)
13) Playa Lavacama (East of the Dominican Republic)
14) Playa Limón (East of the Dominican Republic)
15) Playa Esmeralda (East of the Dominican Republic)
16) Playa Dominicus (Bayahibe)
17) Playa Guayacanes (Juan Dolio)
18) Boca Chica
19) Playa Blanca (Azua)
20) Trudillé
21) Playa El Morro
22) Cabaretes’ beaches
23) Playa Rogelio
24) Playa Grande (+ Playa Preciosa)
25) Playa Arroyo Salado (Playa La Boca or Playa Entrada)
26) Playa Lanza del Norte
27) Playa Ermitaño 1 + 2
28) Playa El Valle
29) Playa Rincón
30) Playa Frontón
The ultimate most beautiful top 5 beaches in the Dominican Republic
We’re going to start with a selection of the 5 most gorgeous, beautiful, photogenic and spectacular beaches which are simply jaw-dropping. If you want to get a quintessence of how beautiful the Dominican Republics’ beaches can get, pick at least one of those and visit a few more of the ones mentioned below in the same region.
Of course, everyone might have a different opinion about what’s really the best beach in the Dominican Republic, but the following 5 are definitely world-class and top-notch. They’re all
– incredibly photogenic and picturesque
– unique in its certain kind
– more or less accessible
– resembling the picture of a genuine Caribbean paradise
Therefore, those are the top 5 beaches in the Dominican Republic.
Bahía de las Águilas (Southwest of the Dominican Republic)
If you ask Dominicans or seasoned visitors about the best beach in the Dominican Republic, Bahía de las Águilas (Eagle’s Bay) is an answer you might here more often than others – and deservedly so! Bahía de las Águilas is an incredibly beautiful beach in the Southwest of the country, which offers stunning views, crystal-clear and turquoise waters as well as an absolutely untouched and unspoiled beach without any building or infrastructure for 3.5 miles. It is hard to believe that this kind of Caribbean beach still exists in a (tourism-wise) developed country like the Dominican Republic. But you may have to act quickly if you want to experience this stunning beach in its full beauty as plans for big resorts and major development are being pushed forward (fortunately with major delays) for years.
Part of Bahía de las Águilas‘ fascination also comes from its remote location, but thanks to improving roads and regular excursions from Punta Cana it even gets more accessible from the other end of the country.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: gorgeous, remote, turquoise, unspoiled, miles long – it has all the attributes needed for a perfect Caribbean beach
How to get to Bahía de las Águilas from Punta Cana: it is too far to drive, but you can book an excursion by airplane from Punta Cana to Bahía de las Águilas here*
How to get to Bahía de las Águilas from Santo Domingo: it is a 7-hour drive from Santo Domingo. Most Dominicans from the capital visit Bahía de las Águilas on a three-day trip on long holiday weekends. There are also plane excursions to Bahía de las Águilas from Santo Domingo*.
How to reach Bahía de las Águilas on a Dominican Republic road trip: the beach is the perfect destination when exploring the Southwest. At least 2 nights are recommended here.
Best budget place to stay: El Aplatanao Hotel* (in Pedernales, a 30-minute drive away)
Best glamping to stay: Cueva de las Aguilas* (at the beach, close to Bahía de las Águilas)
Insider tip: walk from Cueva de las Pescadores to Bahía de las Águilas (take plenty of water and sun protection) and admire the amazing view from above of this picture-perfect beach of the Dominican Republic
Crowd factor: usually, you share the 3.5 miles of beach just with a dozen of other people
Bavaro Beach (Punta Cana)
Usually, people travel to Punta Cana because of the beaches – and there is a reason for that. There are more than a dozen beautiful beaches in Punta Cana, and the main one, Bavaro Beach, is one of the most amazing ones. More than 12 miles (!) of the finest beach is awaiting you here, meaning you can walk the beach the whole day without your feet having to leave the sand. This also means that it is one of the longest beaches in the Dominican Republic.
And it’s not only that, there are also plenty of different stretches of Bavaro Beach, guaranteeing that you get plenty of beautiful beach photos from your vacation in the Dominican Republic. Some of the most beautiful areas are the stretch from Bibijagua Beach to Barceló Resort, the Corales section around Melía Punta Cana Beach Resort and Secrets Royal Beach, the Arena Gorda area as well as the pristine beach after Hard Rock Punta Cana up to just before Macao Beach (the latter one also being part of this list of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic – see below).
Even though Bavaro Beach is mostly lined by all-inclusive resorts, several public access points are available here. There are also a couple of non-resort options at this Punta Cana beach, which are explained in the extensive Bavaro Beach guide.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: 12 miles of uninterrupted beach with fine sands, thousands of palm trees and easy accessibility
How to get to Bavaro Beach from Punta Cana: Bavaro Beach is located right in Punta Cana – chances are high that your accommodation is directly at Playa Bavaro
How to get to Bavaro Beach from Santo Domingo: there are plenty of transportation options between Santo Domingo and Punta Cana – you can take the public bus, a rental car or a private transfer*
How to reach Bavaro Beach on a Dominican Republic road trip: Bavaro Beach would be your base for exploring the surrounding of Punta Cana and the east of the Dominican Republic
Best budget place to stay: Los Corales Beach Village* (medium budget, right at the beach)
Best resort to stay: check out the guide on how to find the best all-inclusive resort to stay in Punta Cana
Insider tip: if you want to experience Bavaro Beach without any people, head to the northwest after Hard Rock Hotel where you can find a pristine section of around 3 miles (already part of Arena Gorda Beach)
Crowd factor: for Dominican standards, Bavaro Beach can get crowded but it is so large, wide and spread-out, that you never feel like you’re at one of the easily accessible and best beaches in the world
Isla Saona beaches (Punta Cana/Bayahibe)
I think there is no doubt that Isla Saonas’ beaches are part of the nicest beaches in the Dominican Republic, but it might be controversial if they belong in the top 5, particularly as they might be crowded sometimes (depending on which beach exactly you or your Saona tour provider is picking). However, considering that Isla Saona offers an extremely paradisical setting with swaying palm trees, very shallow and turquoise water, incredible views and this unique island feeling, I feel that a spot within the top beaches in the Dominican Republic is more than justified. I mean, just look at the photos below.
The important thing about Isla Saona is that you shall also walk a bit to the left and to the right from where your Saona excursion is dropping you off. Like this you can explore some of the most beautiful beaches Saona has to offer – except for one, which is part of the next section: Canto de la Playa. It is one of the hidden gems and one of the most spectacular beaches in the Dominican Republic but requires some extra planning.
The only disadvantage when booking a guided tour to Saona Island is that they sometimes might be pretty long. This is why I would recommend a Saona premium tour* with more streamlined processes and more personalized service.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: Isla Saona is dotted with beautiful beaches and is well worth a trip
How to get to Saonas’ beaches from Punta Cana: the best is to book a guided tour from Punta Cana*
How to get to Saonas’ beaches from Santo Domingo: the best is to book a guided tour from Santo Domingo*
How to reach Saonas’ beaches on a Dominican Republic road trip: if you want to see Saonas’ beaches on your own, better check out Canto de la Playa below
Best budget place to stay: n/a (check below for Canto de la Playa if you want to stay on the island)
Best hotel to stay: n/a (check below for Canto de la Playa if you want to stay on the island)
Insider tip: walk around a bit to discover multiple of Saonas’ beaches, especially those with fewer people
Crowd factor: depending on where your tour operator drops you, it can get crowded
Playa Cosón (Las Terrenas/Samaná peninsula)
Let’s move away from the east of the country and check out the north coast, which is also home to some of the most amazing beaches in the Dominican Republic. One of them is Playa Cosón which is one of my favorite beaches in the entire country when looking for a vacation spot. And this has several reasons:
– 3.5 miles of beautiful, wide and mostly uncrowded beach
– close to Las Terrenas (10-15 minute drive), where you find beach bars, supermarkets and everything you need for your holiday in the Dominican Republic
– impressive vistas due to the rolling hills with lush vegetation in the backdrop
– finest sand and usually tranquil ocean
It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Samaná peninsula. It is also one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic with resorts, as it is just home to one all-inclusive resort (Viva Wyndham V Samaná*) which means that it is hardly crowded.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: 3.5 miles of beautiful, wide and mostly uncrowded beach with a stunning backdrop
How to get to Playa Cosón from Punta Cana: it is pretty far (4 hours driving) but you can check the Samaná itinerary for instructions
How to get to Playa Cosón from Santo Domingo: with a rental car or by bus it is just a 2-2.5 hour drive
How to reach Playa Cosón on a Dominican Republic road trip: the Samaná peninsula marks a perfect stop for a couple of nights in every Dominican Republic itinerary
Best budget place to stay: Hotel Casa Cosón* (medium-budget, right at the beach – no low-budget accommodation available at Playa Cosón)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Sublime Samaná* (member of “small luxury hotels of the world”)
Insider tip: the further west you go, the more pristine and unspoiled it gets
Crowd factor: mostly unspoiled heaven! Only on the weekends, it might get more crowded around the few public restaurants and bars.
Cayo Arena (Puerto Plata/North Coast)
The last beach among our ultimate top 5 of the best Dominican Republic beaches is Cayo Arena. Considering that we’re looking for the most unique beaches in the Dominican Republic, Cayo Arena definitely earns its rank by its spectacular appearance.
This beach, which is sometimes also referred to as Paradise Island, is a small sandbar in the open ocean, approximately 20 minutes by boat from Punta Rucia, a small fishing village 1.5 hours away from Puerto Plata along the north coast of the Dominican Republic. What makes it unique is the spectacular views and the surrounding reef, which is without a doubt the best snorkeling in the Dominican Republic. Another unique fact is that the beach sometimes disappears (nearly) completely due to the tides.
For me, Cayo Arena is one of the top things to do in the Dominican Republic. You need to stay somewhere around the north coast or northwest to make this happen – ideally in Punta Rucia, which is an attraction for itself, as it feels like the Caribbean must have been around 30 years ago.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: Cayo Arena is a unique sandbar in the ocean, which can be accessed only by boat
How to get to Cayo Arena from Punta Cana: it is too far away (8 hours driving one-way), hence it is only possible as a 2- or 3-night trip (3 nights minimum recommended)
How to get to Cayo Arena from Santo Domingo: public transport to Punta Rucia is difficult, hence a rental car is very recommended. From Punta Rucia, get a boat to Cayo Arena.
How to reach Cayo Arena on a Dominican Republic road trip: stay 1 or 2 nights in Punta Rucia, a wonderful sleepy fishing village and head to Cayo Arena with one of the boats from the fishermen
Best budget place to stay: Corales* (small guesthouse with a lovely host)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Punta Rucia Lodge* (best accommodation in Punta Rucia with spectacular beachfront setting)
Insider tip: head early in the morning to Cayo Arena (before 8 am) to beat the crowds
Crowd factor: until around 9.30 am it is pristine and not crowded (you might be lucky and are the only ones there), afterwards tour groups from Puerto Plata are rolling in
Hidden gems – the 5 most adventurous and remote beaches in the Dominican Republic
Ok, let’s continue with the next category when it comes to the best beaches in the Dominican Republic. While the beaches in the first section are usually pretty easy to reach, the Dominican Republic also features some incredible hidden gems, which usually hardly anybody knows about, which are often far off-the-beaten-track and which are more beautiful than you can imagine. Sometimes they are even a true adventure. If you love adventures and want to discover Dominican beaches you have never heard of before, the following hidden gems are for you.
Playa Blanca (Trudillé / Southwest)
There are a lot of Playa Blanca beaches in the Dominican Republic and there are even (at least) two in the Southwest of the Dominican Republic. However, this particular Playa Blanca is without a question one of the most insane and unbelievable beach adventures you can have in the Dominican Republic – and a beach which is so beautiful it is hard to believe that it even exists and that the chances are at more than 98% to have it completely on your own.
The Playa Blanca we’re talking about is located roughly in the area of Bahía de las Águilas, even though it is still a 25-mile boat ride from there (if you would take one and if you can afford it). However, most of the very few adventurers who get to explore Playa Blanca head there via a strenuous 7.5-mile hike to Trudillé, combined with a 1- or 2-night camping trip at this fishing village completely disconnected from the outside world.
From Trudillé, it’s just about a 30-45 minute walk to Playa Blanca, which might be the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic and also definitely one of the best beaches in the Caribbean.
As you can see, arriving here is the biggest challenge and not doable for the fainthearted, but if looking for a very special Dominican Republic adventure, Playa Blanca is your Dominican beach to go to. You never want to leave this paradise.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: it is without a question one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic
How to get to Playa Blanca from Punta Cana: it would require a 6-hour drive and a 4-hour hike to get here
How to get to Playa Blanca from Santo Domingo: from Santo Domingo, it is best to join a group trip to Playa Blanca. They are usually running around a few long weekends in the dry season (January-April).
How to reach Playa Blanca on a Dominican Republic road trip: if you want to reach Playa Blanca on your own, you need very good logistics in terms of camping equipment, water, food, guide, etc. – there is nothing to buy around Playa Blanca or Trudillé. Alternatively, you can head to Cabo Rojo or Pedernales and try to charter a boat.
Best place to stay: there is no accommodation at or close to Playa Blanca – bring your own tent!
Insider tip: don’t intend to go there without a guide and/or without a group
Crowd factor: it will be more empty than the emptiest beach you have ever seen.
Canto de la Playa (East)
Would you like to visit a Dominican Republic beach that is as beautiful, remote, pristine and deserted as Playa Blanca but a little bit easier to reach, especially when spending your holiday in Punta Cana? In this case, Canto de la Playa is your friend!
Canto de la Playa is located on Saona Island. Even if you have listed Saonas’ beaches in the first section as some of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic, this beach deserves a separate mention. First of all, because Canto de la Playa is not one of those busy beaches where the typical Isla Saona excursions are heading to, and second, because this marvelous beach is far away from all the tourist tracks and therefore particularly suitable for those looking for adventure, untouched nature and a particular pristine beach. If you add some turquoise water and swaying palm trees to this combination, you know why Canto de la Playa definitely is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean.
To reach, Canto de la Playa, you have two options.
The easy one is to book a tour from Bayahibe or Punta Cana which combines the trip to Saona Island with a visit to Mano Juan and Canto de la Playa. You can check out such a tour from Punta Cana here* and from Bayahibe here*.
The more adventurous option is to plan a 2-day getaway to Saona Island, including one night at Saona’s only village, Mano Juan (for example at recommendable Saona Beach House*). Time seems to have forgotten this place, but it is super paradisical and an experience on its own. From Mano Juan, you can walk to Canto de la Playa in around 1.5 hours and enjoy this incredible pristine beach as long as you want. Please note that there are no services at Canto de la Playa, so please take sufficient water and snacks with you if you are attempting to walk.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: Canto de la Playa is insanely gorgeous, thanks to the remoteness, the turquoise and shallow water as well as the swaying palm trees.
How to get to Canto de la Playa from Punta Cana: the easiest is to book a Saona tour which includes Mano Juan and Canto de la Playa (for example this one here*)
How to get to Canto de la Playa from Santo Domingo: see instructions when being on a road trip in the Dominican Republic
How to reach Canto de la Playa on a Dominican Republic road trip: spend a night in Bayahibe, catch the morning ferry around 9 am from Bayahibe to Saona, check-in into your guesthouse, walk to Canto de la Playa, overnight in Mano Juan and head back with the ferry around 2 pm on the next day
Best place to stay in Mano Juan: Casa Rural* and Saona Beach House* (there are only 3-4 accommodation options on Saona Island)
Insider tip: avoid the time between 11:30 am and 1:30 pm – even Canto de la Playa is super remote and only few tours are visiting this place, some small groups are coming, often around noon. Furthermore, at this time, the sun is most intense.
Crowd factor: usually, you should be the only one there. Maybe 1-2 small boats might arrive around noon.
Playa Las Canas (Samaná)
Most people think, the Dominican Republic only consists of Punta Cana, crowded beaches and some all-inclusive resorts. Afterwards, they are more than surprised when they’re learning that there are tons of absolutely pristine, unspoiled and beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Playa Las Canas on the Samaná Peninsula is another one of those, which is absolutely unknown to most travelers and which will blow your mind away with its stunning beauty and the fact, that you will have this beach almost always for yourself.
Same as the other Dominican Republic beaches in this category, Playa Las Canas is a bit more difficult to reach – but still doable if you have a rental car and are an adventurous soul. After all, this beach can be easily visited during a day exploring the Samaná peninsula and doesn’t require 1 or 2 days of arrival preparations as for Canto de la Playa or Playa Blanca.
Playa Las Canas is an impressive 1.25-mile stretch of completely untouched beach on the northern part of the Samaná peninsula. You can have a stroll here without meeting any human soul and if you’re brave enough, you can count the palm trees you’re going to see here – you won’t finish until the end of the year.
Playa Las Canas can be accessed from both ends. You can either head to Playa Lanza del Norte (see below in the Samaná section of this ultimate list of Dominican Republics’ beaches for arrival instructions to Playa Lanza del Norte) and walk to Playa Las Canas passing a small hiking trail (approx. 15 minutes from Playa Lanza del Norte’s east end to Playa Las Canas’ western beginning) or you head from El Limón towards Agua Sabrosa with your rental car and access Playa Las Canas from the east. Please note that you need a 4×4 if opting for the latter option or – alternatively – you would have to park your car at the top of the hill before the steep downhill (close to the Google Maps location “Casa Algana”) and walk an additional 1.5 miles (one-way).
I personally prefer the eastern access, as the view from the cliffs in front of Playa Las Canas is simply stunning and breathtaking.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: Playa Las Canas is 100% natural, without any infrastructure and has incredible crazy views
How to get to Playa Las Canas from Punta Cana: it is a 5-hour drive from Punta Cana, so it is better if you include it in a Samaná road-trip
How to get to Playa Las Canas from Santo Domingo: also from Santo Domingo it is recommendable to plan a Samaná road trip to experience Playa Las Canas
How to reach Playa Las Canas on a Dominican Republic road trip: stay in Las Terrenas and head to El Limón. From here, either drive to Playa Lanza del Norte and walk over to Playa Las Canas or drive up from El Limón towards Agua Sabrosa and walk down from there.
Best place to stay: there are no accommodation options at Playa Las Canas. The closest accommodation is Villa Algana* with a great view over the jungle and part of the bay.
Insider tip: at the eastern end of the beach, there is a hiking trail leading towards Playa Ermitaño (also part of this list of the best Dominican Republic beaches, read details below). From here you have a great view over Playa Las Canas.
Crowd factor: not existent. You usually share the entire 1.25-mile beach with a maximum of 5 other people.
Playa Jackson (Samaná)
If you’re looking for another secret beach on the Samaná peninsula which is another super hidden gem among Dominican Republics’ best beaches, you shall check out Playa Jackson. It is even a bit easier accessible than Playa Las Canas, as long as you don’t mind walking short but steep hills. The beach is nestled behind a small, but impressive tropical mountain range with millions of palm trees (and mango trees – I was collecting dozens of them when I visited Playa Jackson), which guarantees an impressive backdrop for this very gorgeous beach on the Samaná peninsula.
Same as the other beaches of this section with hidden gems, Playa Jackson is widely unknown, which means you will meet a maximum of a dozen people here – if at all. When I visited Playa Jackson, I was, like on many other beaches in the Dominican Republic, alone.
What makes Playa Jackson unique, besides its beauty and remoteness, is the short but steep little hiking trail you have to achieve before reaching the beach. It’s not far, around half a mile, but it is pretty steep. You need some good shoes (don’t go with flip-flops or sandals). If it has rained before, it might also be pretty slippery and muddy.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: Playa Jackson is one of those genuine hidden gems, which are fairly easy to reach but still are absolutely virgin without any people.
How to get to Playa Jackson from Punta Cana: it is a 4-hour drive from Punta Cana, hence not suitable for a day trip from Punta Cana, but can be perfectly included in a Samaná itinerary as the short hiking trail starts right on the main road.
How to get to Playa Jackson from Santo Domingo: it is less than two hours from Santo Domingo to Playa Jackson. If you want to attempt the trail, you can park your car just south of Playa Jackson on the side of the main road.
How to reach Playa Jackson on a Dominican Republic road trip: stay in Las Terrenas and head to the Boulevard de Atlantico (the toll road). Park at this spot here on the side of the road and start hiking. If you go back to Las Terrenas afterwards, you don’t have to pay the toll.
Best place to stay: there are no accommodation options at Playa Jackson. The closest accommodation are those at Playa Cosón (for example Casa Coson*), approx. 6 miles away.
Insider tip: try to walk along the entire beach as there is a beautiful hidden river with fresh spring water at the western end of the beach
Crowd factor: usually, there aren’t any people at Playa Jackson
Playa Bergantin (North Coast)
The last one in this section is Playa Bergantin, a pristine beach close to Puerto Plata. The special thing here is that Playa Bergantin is very close to Puerto Platas’ all-inclusive resorts – it is actually walkable from most hotels. If you leave Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata’s main beach in the Dominican Republic with resorts, walking towards the east, you’ll reach Playa Bergantin after a few minutes once the hotel section has ended.
Playa Bergantín is probably not the most incredible beach the Dominican Republic has to offer, but especially when staying at Playa Dorada, it is a welcoming change and a very pristine beach – perfect for a beach walk and some nature time. In fact, it is that virgin and pristine, that I surprised a skinny-dipping couple here when I was passing as they didn’t expect any other persons around.
Once you walk Playa Bergantin (or its extension) to the end, you also reach a river that can be crossed with a small barge. On the opposite side, there is a pretty rustic and rickety, but famous (among ex-pats and locals) beach and river restaurant.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: it is easily accessible but still absolutely virgin.
How to get to Playa Bergantin from Punta Cana: the Puerto Plata area is too far away from Punta Cana – it would be a 6-7-hour drive
How to get to Playa Bergantin from Santo Domingo: Playa Bergantin is approx. 3.5 hours away from Santo Domingo. The quickest access would be via Santiago and Yasica Arriba.
How to reach Playa Bergantin on a Dominican Republic road trip: ideally, stay in Puerto Plata or Cabarete and visit Playa Bergantín on a day trip. If you’re staying at Puerto Plata’s Playa Dorada anyway, you can simply walk to Playa Bergantin.
Best place to stay: as with all the other hidden gem beaches of this section, there are no accommodation options at Playa Bergantin. The closest accommodation are the all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Plata*, just a mile away.
Insider tip: check out Wilson’s restaurant at the eastern end of the beach
Crowd factor: at maximum, you will find a handful of people walking at the beach or a few Dominican families enjoying a Sunday beach day
Best beaches in Punta Cana and the East of the Dominican Republic
After those 10 spectacular and unmissable beaches in the Dominican Republic, let’s continue with the best beaches for every separate region in the country because chances are that you won’t be able to squeeze all the unique beaches mentioned above into one Dominican Republic itinerary, as they are all scattered around the country.
For the best beaches in Punta Cana, you can also refer to this article here, as a lot of those are explained in detail there as well. However, to have a complete list of the best and nicest beaches in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana shall be part as well, particularly as it is full of stunning stretches. Among the 5 Punta Cana beaches selected, 3 are (nearly) completely pristine and count for a genuine Punta Cana adventure if it is planned as a day trip from Punta Cana.
Playa Blanca (Punta Cana)
We have Playa Blanca again in our list of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic – and again it lives up to its name and is a particular white beach, probably the whitest one in Punta Cana. It features and elegant beach club, restricted public access (usually you need to consume at the restaurant or be a guest of Punta Cana Resort) and marvelous views of the turquoise ocean. For more information about this beach, check out the best beaches in Punta Cana.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: it is one of the best beaches if you’re looking for particularly white stretches in the east of the Dominican Republic
How to get to Playa Blanca from Punta Cana: you can take an Uber or taxi from most resorts in Puna Cana, it is just a 20 to 30-minute drive
How to get to Playa Blanca from Santo Domingo: head straight on the highway to Punta Cana for 2 hours and access Punta Cana Resort through their main gate
How to reach Playa Blanca on a Dominican Republic road trip: no need for a road trip here
Best place to stay: Westin Punta Cana Resort* is the main place to stay at Playa Blanca. Besides this, you have mainly luxury villas you can rent.
Insider tip: famous Hoyos Indigenas with its dozen of lagoons is close to Playa Blanca (unfortunately it is a hefty 50 USD entrance fee)
Crowd factor: medium – not really crowded, but you also won’t be alone here
Playa Macao (Punta Cana)
Playa Macao is the most popular beach in Punta Cana, particularly among locals. This is due to it being accessible without any restrictions and the several vendors of local food and drinks at the beach. Furthermore, compared to Punta Canas’ main beaches, there is only one all-inclusive resort located at Playa Macao (Dreams Macao Beach), which makes it particularly authentic. If desired, you can also take surf lessons here, even though it is not a mecca for surfers – compared to Cabarete’s beaches, which you can find further below among the best Dominican beaches on the North Coast.
Fur further information, you can also check out the separate article about Macao Beach.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: stunning views, authentic vibes and easy accessibility make Macao Beach a great getaway in Punta Cana
How to get to Macao Beach from Punta Cana: the easiest is by taxi or rental car – from most Punta Cana resorts, it is just a 20 to 30-minute drive.
How to get to Macao Beach from Santo Domingo: Macao Beach is easily accessible via the Punta Cana highway and can be reached from Santo Domingo in approx. 2.5 hours
How to reach Macao Beach on a Dominican Republic road trip: Bavaro and Punta Cana are good bases to explore Macao Beach
Best budget place to stay: Hostal Johnnier Macao* (medium budget, only a few hundred feet away from the beach)
Best resort to stay: Dreams Macao Beach Resort
Insider tip: head to the hidden beach “Playa Escondida” by passing a small trail on Playa Macao’s east end
Crowd factor: during weekdays, you usually don’t have many people. During the weekend, it gets pretty crowded – but this is part of Macao’s vibe
Playa Lavacama (East of the Dominican Republic)
Once you have passed all of the resorts in Punta Cana, an incredibly long coastline of undeveloped beaches, wild vegetation and no infrastructure is following when heading to the northeast. This is the perfect breeding area for beaches like Playa Lavacama (sometimes also written Playa La Vacama or La Vacama Beach), a wild stretch of beach, unchanged for (probably) hundreds of years, with nothing more than sand, rocks, palm trees, waves and a constant ocean breeze.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: a typical wild beach – many people won’t expect such a pristine beach only half an hour from Punta Canas’ resorts away
How to get to Playa Lavacama from Punta Cana: in fact, it is only accessible by rental car (or taxi). From the center in Bavaro, it is a 45-minute drive.
How to get to Playa Lavacama from Santo Domingo: Head to the Punta Cana area and follow the main road in the direction of Miches. At the Lavacama village, turn right.
How to reach Playa Lavacama on a Dominican Republic road trip: This and the following beaches can be best explored by setting up your base in Bavaro.
Best place to stay: Costa Arrecife* (a rustic but nice camp right at the beach)
Insider tip: if you don’t want to overnight, you can also just head to the Costa Arrecife restaurant, a nice but simple beach club, the only one at Playa La Vacama
Crowd factor: very empty, especially if you head a few meters east or west from the main entrance area
Playa Limón (East of the Dominican Republic)
If you continue heading to the northwest, Playa Limón is the next wild and pristine beach you can find. It is located close to Montaña Redonda, a unique attraction in Punta Cana you can combine either with Playa El Limón or with the next entry in our ultimate Dominican Republic beaches compilation, Playa Esmeralda.
The character of Playa Limón is a bit similar to Playa Lavacama, particularly when it comes to the exposure to wind, waves and the weather. Still, it marks an excellent spot to appreciate nature and marvel at those fantastic beaches, which are still spared of human development.
Same as for Playa Lavacama, we once did some overnight camping at Playa Limón, which, particularly in a group is never a problem, as all beaches in the Dominican Republic are public.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: a wild beach where you can enjoy nature and a pristine beach to the fullest
How to get to Playa Limón from Punta Cana: rent a car in Punta Cana and head northwest for around an hour, until you see the signposting
How to get to Playa Limón from Santo Domingo: it is roughly a 3-hour drive from Santo Domingo to Playa Limón
How to reach Playa Limón on a Dominican Republic road trip: if you’re on a road trip, you can combine Playa Lavacama, Playa Limón and Playa Esmeralda on the same day
Best place to stay: Hotel Limon* (the only accommodation at Playa Limón)
Insider tip: bring mosquito repellent, especially when visiting around dawn or dusk (which is a piece of good advice for all Dominican Republic beaches
Crowd factor: usually empty
Playa Esmeralda (East of the Dominican Republic)
Playa Esmeralda is the last one of the best Punta Cana beaches – even though it is already more than 60 miles from Punta Cana away. Still, thanks to the well-maintained highway without any villages in between, it can be quickly reached in around an hour (or a few minutes more).
Until a couple of years ago, Playa Esmeralda was as much of a hidden gem as the Dominican beaches mentioned in the Top 10 of this article. It was so pristine and beautiful with no infrastructure far and wide. It still is, but construction for development has started. One resort is finished (Club Med Miches*), further accommodation options are scheduled to come and a new access road has been built, cutting the arduous 30-45-minute journey for the last 5 miles to a quick 10-minute ride.
Playa Esmeralda is still one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic and one of the best beaches in Punta Cana. You can likely enjoy a pristine beach without any people, particularly as the Club Med Miches was built at the very western end of the beach. Still, the clock is ticking for this natural beauty as in a few years, with more resorts opened, you might feel more like in Punta Cana than on a random untouched pristine Dominican beach.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: a 2-mile half-moon shaped bay like in a storybook – Playa Esmeralda resembles the perfect postcard scene
How to get to Playa Esmeralda from Punta Cana: rent a car in Punta Cana and head northwest for around an hour, until you see the signposting
How to get to Playa Esmeralda from Santo Domingo: it is roughly a 3-hour drive from Santo Domingo to Playa Esmeralda
How to reach Playa Esmeralda on a Dominican Republic road trip: if you’re on a road trip, you can combine Playa Lavacama, Playa Limón and Playa Esmeralda on the same day
Best place to stay: Club Med Miches* (the only accommodation at Playa Esmeralda so far)
Insider tip: walk the beach all the way to the southeast and enjoy even more pristine sections and marvelous views
Crowd factor: usually empty
Best beaches in the Dominican Republic – South Coast and Southwest
After the best Punta Cana beaches, let’s continue with this collection of the most unique beaches and continue clockwise when it comes to the Dominican Republics’ regions. While the South Coast features just a few but very prominent beaches, the Southwest of the Dominican Republic would actually deserve its own category – however, two of the best beaches in the Southwest are already mentioned above along with the best hidden gems (Playa Blanca in Trudillé) and the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic (Bahía de las Águilas). Therefore, it’s better to combine both regions and continue now with the most gorgeous beaches along the entire south of the country.
Playa Dominicus (Bayahibe)
If Punta Cana is too big or too touristy for you, Bayahibe is the perfect choice for you. Less than an hour away from the Punta Cana area, Bayahibe features just a few all-inclusive resorts, a tranquil fishing village, the getaway hotspot for Isla Saona excursions and – most importantly – two fantastic beaches. While Playa Bayahibe is cool, but not that impressive, Dominicus Beach is the true star among Bayahibes’ attractions and beaches.
Dominicus Beach, or Playa Dominicus, features a turquoise color which is hard to believe, but typical for this area, including the Saona beaches presented above. Furthermore, the ocean here is very shallow, making it perfect for families and kids to splash around. It is also a wonderful area if you want to rent a kayak or a SUP (included with most Bayahibe resorts) as the ocean is super quiet and there are hardly any waves. All of this makes it one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic with resorts.
In total, Playa Dominicus is a perfect option for your Dominican Republic holiday and is partly even more gorgeous than Punta Canas’ beaches. Beach walks are possible, but not endless, as it gets pretty rocky after a maximum of 1.5 miles.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: incredible colors, easily accessible and one of the best beaches for kayaking and SUPing
How to get to Dominicus Beach from Punta Cana: all information about how to get from Punta Cana to La Romana and Bayahibe can be found here
How to get to Dominicus Beach from Santo Domingo: it is an easy 1.5-hour trip by rental car or private transfer. Check here for Santo Domingo – Dominicus Beach transfers*.
How to reach Dominicus Beach on a Dominican Republic road-trip: Bayahibe marks a great spot to base yourself and explore the surrounding. It is only a 15-minute drive from the highway connecting Punta Cana and Santo Domingo. The public access is passing Viva Wyndham Dominicus Palace to the south.
Best budget place to stay: B&B Villa Luna* (only 10 minutes walking away from the public access point to Dominicus Beach)
Best resort to stay: Dreams Dominicus (the most modern resort to stay at Dominicus Beach)
Insider tip: walk to the northern end of the beach and admire the beautiful and photogenic lighthouse
Crowd factor: decent. Due to the various resorts, there is always a good flow of people, but usually it hardly gets too crowded.
Playa Guayacanes (Juan Dolio)
Driving east from Bayahibe, the coast gets pretty rugged, hence there is more a rocky coastline instead of marvelous beaches. The next beach worth mentioning here in the list of the nicest beaches in the Dominican Republic is Playa Guayacanes, which is part of Juan Dolio. Especially considering the surroundings (high-rise towers and apartment properties), it is by far not the most attractive area, especially for adventurous tourists, but Playa Guayacanes is without a question a beautiful beach that is worth visiting, especially when looking for a day-trip from Santo Domingo or Bayahibe.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: a particularly wide stretch of beach with endless sand, a quiet setting and a few nice beach clubs
How to get to Playa Guayacanes from Punta Cana: the easiest is to come here with a rental car. The bus could drop you at the entrance of Juan Dolio, but it still would be a long way to walk.
How to get to Playa Guayacanes from Santo Domingo: It is a quick and easy 45- to 60-minute drive by car, Uber or public bus to Juan Dolio from Santo Domingo.
How to reach Playa Guayacanes on a Dominican Republic road-trip: Juan Dolio is not the most attractive beach when road-tripping the Dominican Republic, but you can easily leave the Punta Cana – Santo Domingo highway for a quick stop at Playa Guayacanes
Best budget place to stay: you’ll mostly find independent apartments in Guayacanes or Juan Dolio (check accommodation options here*)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Casa Hemingway* (a wonderful boutique hotel experience right at Guayacanes Beach)
Insider tip: Juan Dolio is a popular weekend getaway for the inhabitants of the capital, hence you should avoid the beach, particularly on Sundays.
Crowd factor: due to the particularly wide beach, any crowds get spread out a lot. However, usually, it is very quiet during the week and just more crowded during the weekend.
Boca Chica
No, Boca Chica definitely is not a beautiful beach. Restaurants and local food stalls are expanding right until the ocean (sometimes even into the water), you would find a lot of trash if the beach wasn’t cleaned properly and during the weekend, Boca Chica is simply overcrowded with Dominican families enjoying their few free days.
Still, Boca Chica is a unique Dominican Republic beach, mainly because of its lagoon right at the beach. The lagoon guarantees that there are absolutely no waves, that the area is extremely shallow (and therefore perfectly for all the kids and Dominican adults who can’t swim – one reason why it is that popular) and that you have a marvelous view over a extremely turquoise ocean, which seems like a mirror due to the super flat ocean. Furthermore, it is one of the best places in the Dominican Republic to learn how to SUP, as the water makes it super easy and there is a SUP rental shop right at the beach.
Even though Boca Chica doesn’t have the best reputation in the Dominican Republic (particularly due to some shady businesses which are popping up at night), you can stay here for 1-2 nights, especially if you don’t want to stay in Santo Domingo (even though the Colonial Zone in the city is well worth it).
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: even though the beach is not particularly nice, the lagoon and its surrounding is very unique
How to get to Boca Chica from Punta Cana: rent a car in Punta Cana and drive along the main highway towards Santo Domingo for two hours
How to get to Boca Chica from Santo Domingo: Boca Chica is the closest beach to Santo Domingo and therefore very easily accessible by public transport, Uber, rental car (beware the traffic) and taxi
How to reach Boca Chica on a Dominican Republic road-trip: Boca Chica marks a great spot to break a trip from Samaná to Punta Cana if you don’t want to drive long distances. The beach is easily accessible right from the town center.
Best budget place to stay: Batey Boutique Guesthouse* (a budget hotel that is not really boutique, but offers a beautiful restaurant and a great local breakfast)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Batey Boutique Guesthouse* (a boutique hotel that is neither super boutique nor super budget ;-), but a great option to stay one step away from the beach)
Insider tip: Boca Chica vendors like to overcharge tourists. Always ask and double-check prices before ordering or consuming anything.
Crowd factor: on Sundays, Boca Chica is the most crowded beach in the entire Dominican Republic. During weekdays, it is more reasonable and the beach is enjoyable.
Playa Blanca (Azua)
The third Playa Blanca among the Dominican Republics’ best beaches is located in Azua, an area usually not known for any kind of pretty beaches. However, Playa Blanca is a welcoming exception and definitely worth a trip if you’re on a road-trip toward the Southwest of the Dominican Republic, particularly if you’re loving remote and pristine beaches. It just hardly missed the selection of the top 5 hidden gems above as already another beach from the Southwest (Playa Blanca in Trudillé) was included.
Playa Blanca can be reached via Playa Monte Rio, the main beach of Azua, where you can also find a few local restaurants and eateries + some considerable crowds during the weekend. From here, there is a trail leading towards Playa Blanca which first continues on the washed-out main road from Playa Monte Rio and later branches off into a hiking trail. In total, it is approximately a 30-minute walk until you reach Playa Blanca, which is a beautiful stretch with many little hidden corners, making it a romantic getaway and the perfect destination for couples. It is not the best beach for swimming though, but the trail is definitely part of the experience.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: one of the very few beaches worth visiting on the 100-mile coastline between Santo Domingo and Barahona
How to get to Playa Blanca from Punta Cana: it is a 4- to 5-hour drive from Punta Cana to Playa Blanca in Azua, hence it is too far for a day-trip
How to get to Playa Blanca from Santo Domingo: there are very few people who just go to Playa Blanca in Azua for a day trip from Santo Domingo. Better plan a Dominican Republic road trip.
How to reach Playa Blanca on a Dominican Republic road-trip: Drive until Azua and head south towards Playa Monte Rio. Leave your car here and start walking towards the south. Check Google Maps for the location of Playa Blanca.
Best place to stay: there are no places to stay neither at Playa Blanca nor at Playa Monte Rio. The closest accommodation is in Azua and is called Hotel Monte Mar*, a decent city hotel.
Insider tip: you can even head further south for more hidden beaches and secret spots. Just follow the (unmarked) trails (and take a GPS with you, just in case).
Crowd factor: usually, it is pretty empty. Just during the weekend, some occasional people are visiting this beach.
Trudillé
If you ask me about the most intense beach adventure you can have in the Dominican Republic, the prize would go to Trudillé. This extremely remote beach is located in the Southwest of the country and is only accessible either by a 1.5-2-hour boat ride (which is pretty expensive, as you have to charter a private boat – no scheduled boats are heading to Trudillé) or a 7.5-mile hike (one-way) from an already pretty remote location on the road between Barahona and Pedernales – you can find more about how to get to Barahona here.
If you do it like we have done it, then prepare for a flat but still pretty strenuous hike, as nearly the entire trail runs over sharp rocks and without much shade. Still, it is absolutely worth it, as a pristine beach with a few old rickety fishing boats is expecting you, along with a village (with maybe a dozen of inhabitants) which doesn’t have any connection to the outside world.
Usually, as long as not taking a private boat from Cabo Rojo with a return trip on the same day, your only overnight option here is camping. Take all the camping gear with you and better go with an organized group, which are occasionally starting over long holiday weekends in the Dominican Republic, particularly in January and February. Furthermore, when visiting Trudillé, don’t forget to walk to neighboring Playa Blanca (not the one close to Azua, there is an incredible gorgeous one next to Trudillé which was presented above in the section of hidden gems and most unique beaches in the Dominican Republic), which is just a 30- to 45-minute hike.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: beautiful, remote, difficult to reach and a true outdoor adventure – it can’t get much better than Trudillé when looking for once-in-a-lifetime-places (except for neighboring Playa Blanca)
How to get to Trudillé from Punta Cana: it would require a 6-hour drive and a 4-hour hike to get here
How to get to Trudillé from Santo Domingo: from Santo Domingo, it is best to join a group trip to Trudillé. They are usually running around a few long weekends in the dry season (January-April).
How to reach Trudillé on a Dominican Republic road-trip: if you want to reach Trudillé on your own, you need very good logistics in terms of camping equipment, water, food, guide, etc. – there is nothing to buy around Trudillé. Alternatively, you can head to Cabo Rojo or Pedernales and try to charter a boat.
Best place to stay: there is no accommodation at or close to Trudillé – take your own tent!
Insider tip: don’t intend to go there without a guide and/or without a group
Crowd factor: super empty, just a few fishermen might be there
The best beaches along the North Coast of the Dominican Republic
The north coast is famous for its abundance of small and hidden beaches, which are best explored on an extensive road-trip. They are scattered between Monte Cristi and Samaná and are as diversified as the country itself. If you are looking for a suitable idea to include these beaches on a road-trip, you can check out the ultimate Dominican Republic itinerary here at Punta Cana Travel Blog.
Among the dozens of beaches, I have picked the 5 most unique ones. Remember that the most spectacular one, Cayo Arena, is already mentioned in the very first section as one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic. Therefore, the following beaches are on positions 2 to 6 among the best north coast beaches in the Dominican Republic. They are again sorted clockwise, hence from west to east.
Playa El Morro
Playa El Morro is a beach in the far northwest of the Dominican Republic, close to the border with Haiti. It features a dramatic setting, thanks to its iconic mountain, El Morro, and a beautiful slightly half-moon-shaped bay which pretty quickly gets deserted after the few meters which are easily accessible from the road. Parking is approx. 600 feet away from El Morro Beach.
While El Morro is not the typical Caribbean beach, it marks a great stop on any road-trip to the northwest of the Dominican Republic, particularly for photos. It is the leading attraction in this area hence you shouldn’t miss it when you’re around. Once there, you should also head to the top of El Morro, which you can reach via a well-marked hiking trail (approx. 20 minutes).
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: its setting is spectacular and dramatic, it is the most iconic attraction in the Northwest of the country.
How to get to Playa El Morro from Punta Cana: Monte Cristi is as far as it can get from Punta Cana, hence you need around 7-8 hours to get there (one-way)
How to get to Playa El Morro from Santo Domingo: also from Santo Domingo Playa El Morro is one of the beaches farthest away. Count around 4-5 hours to get there.
How to reach Playa El Morro on a Dominican Republic road-trip: The area around Monte Cristi is worth 1 or 2 days. Once in Monte Cristi, just follow the road to El Morro and park your car at the end of the road
Best budget place to stay: Marina del Mar Hotel* (a decent budget place right at the ocean in Monte Cristi)
Best boutique hotel to stay: El Morro Eco-Adventure Hotel* (a cool and relaxed place in Monte Cristi)
Insider tip: definitely walk up El Morro hill and take exciting photos with/from the giant swing
Crowd factor: usually it is empty here, just at the weekend you might find some day-trippers
Cabaretes’ beaches
Sorry for all Puerto Plata lovers that there won’t be any of Puerto Platas’ beaches in this list of the best Dominican beaches. The competition is just so tight along the North Coast that I can’t list them all here. Even for Cabarete, it is difficult to just pick one beach, as all of them have such a different character. Similar to Isla Saonas’ beaches, I therefore count them as one beach here, even though they can be differentiated pretty well.
Cabarete’s main beach (Cabarete Beach) is definitely not the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic, but it is unique in terms of its bars. The vibe here is second-to-none, drinks are cheap and it is definitely the best beach in the Dominican Republic for nightlife.
If you walk a bit to the southeast, the change couldn’t be more drastic. Just around half a mile from Cabarate’s main beach with its bar and nightlife area, you have a completely pristine beach which is a joy to walk.
Last but not least, Playa Encuentro and Kite Beach are Cabarete’s main surfing beaches. It doesn’t matter if you want to kitesurf, windsurf or chase the waves on your regular surfboard, both beaches usually offer perfect conditions for you.
With this unbeatable diversity, Cabaretes’ beaches are definitely earning their spot in the list of the Dominican Republics’ best beaches.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: Cabaretes’ beaches are offering something for everyone – perfect surfing conditions, some of the best bars in the Dominican Republic and beautiful pristine stretches
How to get to Cabaretes’ beaches from Punta Cana: it is a 6-hour drive from Punta Cana. As Cabarete is absolutely worth visiting, you better plan at least 3-4 nights in Cabarete.
How to get to Cabaretes’ beaches from Santo Domingo: From Santo Domingo, it is a 3- to 4-hour drive. The quickest access is via Yasica Arriba, the shortest one via Jamao al Norte.
How to reach Cabaretes’ beaches on a Dominican Republic road-trip: It is best to base yourself around 3-4 nights in the Cabarete area to explore the entire North Coast, especially when you’re an active traveler looking for adventures and outdoor activities
Best budget place to stay: Surfbreak B&B* (fun and charming guesthouse close to Playa Encuentro)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Ultraviolet Boutique Residences* (elegant apartments right on Cabarete’s main beach)
Insider tip: at “La Cosita de Mojito” (not to be confused with Mojito Bar) you get some of the best and cheapest Mojitos in the entire Dominican Republic. It is our must-go place every time we are in Cabarete.
Crowd factor: the main beach is pretty crowded, particularly during weekends and public holidays. Kite Beach and Playa Encuentro are more crowded in the water (surfer!) than the beach itself.
Playa Rogelio
Playa Rogelio (together with neighboring Playa Magante) is for sure not the nicest beach in the Dominican Republic, as its sand is rather grey and the ocean pretty murky. But don’t worry, it is still perfectly clean, it is just not as turquoise and paradisical as you might expect it from a Caribbean beach.
However, what makes it a top beach in the Dominican Republic is its local vibe and pure authenticity. Immediately when you arrive at Playa Rogelio, you get greeted by the colorful bars, which are far away from being this kind of fancy beach club you find in Punta Cana or Juan Dolio. Those little shacks with a small kitchen in the back rather serve as your base to drink some local Dominican drinks (Presidente beer, Cuba Libre, etc.) and enjoy some tasty Dominican fare, such as fresh fried fish with Tostones, the typical Dominican beach menu.
Furthermore, neighboring Playa Magante (which is the same beach just walking to the east) features some pretty cool beach bungalows* – this kind of remote and beautiful beach bungalows you hardly find in the otherwise developed tourism areas of the Dominican Republic. Both beaches are also close to Cabarete, just around an hour away if you have a rental car during your Dominican Republic vacation.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: the local vibe and authentic beach bars make Playa Rogelio a perfect destination for your Dominican Republic road-trip
How to get to Playa Rogelio from Punta Cana: it is a five-hour drive from Punta Cana, hence not worth a day trip
How to get to Playa Rogelio from Santo Domingo: count around 3.5 hours for getting from Santo Domingo to Playa Rogelio. The easiest drive is when taking the Samaná highway before continuing on the north coast road
How to reach Playa Rogelio on a Dominican Republic road-trip: The beach marks a perfect stop on any road-trip itinerary along the north coast, particularly when traveling between Puerto Plata/Cabarete and the Samaná peninsula
Best place to stay: Playa Magante Beach Bungalows* (cute and rustic bungalows right at the beach – a true hidden gem in the Dominican Republic)
Insider tip: try the local seafood, but ask for the price before
Crowd factor: at the weekend, the beach is well-frequented by locals. During the week, it is pretty quiet
Playa Grande (+ Playa Preciosa)
No list of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic is complete without Playa Grande. The marvelous 1-mile stretch of beach is located between the two north coast villages Rio San Juan and Cabrera and is home to two extremes.
On the western end, you can find Amanera Resort*, the most expensive hotel in the Dominican Republic with rates usually starting at around 1000 USD per night – before taxes, without any meal plan.
On the eastern end – and that’s the most interesting part for most visitors as it also features the public access point as well as the parking lot – you find lots of local food stalls operated by families of fishermen, which offer freshly caught fish and typical Dominican fare right at one of the best beach settings you can imagine in the Caribbean.
In between of both ends, you find a marvelous stretch of pristine beach, which you can enjoy for romantic beach walks or gorgeous photos. Besides the businesses at both ends and a small beach bungalow complex, there is no further infrastructure at Playa Grande.
Once you are at Playa Grande, you also shouldn’t miss a visit to Playa Preciosa, the neighboring beach, which is completely pristine and just a quick walk away from the main parking lot of Playa Grande.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: Playa Grande is simply gorgeous – every visitor will confirm this
How to get to Playa Grande from Punta Cana: it is a five-hour drive from Punta Cana, hence not worth a day trip – despite its beauty
How to get to Playa Grande from Santo Domingo: count around 3 hours for getting from Santo Domingo to Playa Grande. The easiest drive is when taking the Samaná highway before continuing on the north coast road
How to reach Playa Grande on a Dominican Republic road-trip: The beach marks a perfect stop on any road-trip itinerary along the northcoast, particularly when traveling between Puerto Plata/Cabarete and the Samaná peninsula
Best budget place to stay: plenty of budget accommodation options in nearby Cabrera or Rio San Juan, approx. 7-8 miles away from Playa Grande
Best luxury resort to stay: Amanera Resort* (the top luxury resort in the Dominican Republic with a spectacular setting)
Insider tip: don’t miss Playa Preciosa, the neighboring beach of Playa Grande
Crowd factor: very moderate
Playa Arroyo Salado (Playa La Boca or Playa Entrada)
Playa Arroyo Salado is one of those Dominican Republic beaches which is usually only known to locals. This is also one of the reasons why it has so many different names. Playa Arroyo Salado, Playa La Boca and Playa Entrada are all synonyms for the same beach.
The beach is particularly worth visiting due to its natural beauty. The palm trees are dotted widely throughout the beach, there is a river flowing into the ocean (which is also a perfect opportunity to have a dip into in case you don’t like salt water) and just a few ramshackle beach shacks are reminding one that human beings already have discovered this stunning place. It’s a beautiful beach that seems to be stuck back in this time when tourism was not a big thing – thanks to this, it remains firmly in the hand of the locals without any signs of development.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: a true local beach in a gorgeous setting, perfect for a cold beer after a long day of exploring the north coast
How to get to Playa Arroyo Salado from Punta Cana: it is a four-hour drive from Punta Cana, hence not worth a day trip – despite its authentic vibe
How to get to Playa Arroyo Salado from Santo Domingo: it can be easily reached from Santo Domingo through the Samaná highway – still it is a 2.5-3-hour drive.
How to reach Playa Arroyo Salado on a Dominican Republic road-trip: The beach marks a perfect stop on any road-trip itinerary along the north coast, particularly when traveling between Puerto Plata/Cabarete and the Samaná peninsula
Best place to stay: La Casita de la Playa* (beach house right on the access road to the beach in a beautiful and unparalleled setting)
Insider tip: have a cold Presidente beer and chat with locals about the Dominican Republic and their life
Crowd factor: very moderate, just at the weekends it might get a bit more crowded
The best beaches on the Samaná peninsula
Picking the best Samaná beaches was a tough choice as there are simply too many gorgeous stretches you don’t want to miss. This is also one of the reasons why there is a separate article here on Punta Cana Travel Blog about the best beaches in Samaná.
Still, I had to pick 5 beaches to complete this ultimate list of the best Dominican Republic beaches. While Playa Cosón, Playa Jackson and Playa Las Canas already made it into the top categories above (top beaches + best-hidden gems) the following 5 beaches are the runner-ups when it comes to the best beaches in Samaná.
If you plan a vacation in Samaná, Las Terrenas is your best bet. There are so many different and beautiful beaches up there, you’ll definitely find a favorite spot. Among them are Playa Cosón (already explained above), Playa Bonita, Playa Las Ballenas, Playa Punta Popy and Playa El Portillo (all explained in detail in the article about the best beaches in Samaná). They are simply too much to mention them all here in this list.
Playa Lanza del Norte
That’s why the first beach I am mentioning here among the best Dominican Republic beaches is Playa Lanza del Norte. It is located around a 40-minute drive away from Las Terrenas and is the neighbor of Playa Las Canas (one of the best Dominican beaches already presented at the beginning of this article), but is just a bit easier accessible, as you can drive straight to the beach.
The beach is approx. 0.5 miles long and absolutely virgin and wild. Swimming is only recommended for strong swimmers, as waves and currents sometimes can be intense. However, Playa Lanza del Norte marks a great spot for enjoying nature and taking photos of the impressive Samaná scenery.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: a wonderful wild beach without any infrastructure, which is easily accessible
How to get to Playa Lanza del Norte from Punta Cana: it is best to head on a Samaná road trip from Punta Cana to fully enjoy all the amazing beaches. The trip from Punta Cana to Samaná takes 4 hours.
How to get to Playa Lanza del Norte from Santo Domingo: you need approx. 2.5 hours from Santo Domingo
How to reach Playa Lanza del Norte on a Dominican Republic road trip: For Playa Lanza del Norte, it is best to base yourself in Las Terrenas. From there, head towards the village of El Limón (home of the famous waterfall “Salto El Limón”) and continue straight. After 0.3 miles follow the main road to the left and after another 0.6 miles turn left. When reaching Playa Morón, instead of turning left, head straight until the end of the track.
Best budget place to stay: Beach Hotel Casa Nina* (great budget accommodation in Las Terrenas)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Takuma Boutik Hotel* (wonderful boutique hotel in Las Terrenas two minutes from the ocean)
Insider tip: combine your visit to Playa Lanza del Norte and check out Playa Las Canas. Both beaches are connected by a short hiking trail from Playa Lanza del Norte’s east end
Crowd factor: Playa Lanza del Norte is usually empty
Playa Ermitaño 1 + 2
When I first visited Playa Ermitaño back in 2016, nobody knew this remote beach on the Samaná peninsula, not even the locals. I just had seen one travel blogger visiting and could barely imagine how to get there – but I made it somehow, passing local plantations, endless tropical jungle and unknown hiking terrain.
In the meantime, at least the information to visit Playa Ermitaño 1 + 2 (which are two marvelous beaches with a dramatic backdrop) is available. The hiking trail leaves from the same place where you can also access Playa Las Canas and is a bit more than an hour one-way (pretty strenuous due to the tropical heat). Alternatively, you can take an excursion from El Valle to Playa Ermitaño*, which is the easiest way to get there.
Whatever method you choose, you will be rewarded with a pristine beach experience, which also has been used as the setting for various TV shows in the past.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: the accessibility is tricky, but once you’re there, you can admire this dramatic backdrop behind the second beach, which is simply stunning. It is one of those Robinson Crusoe-style beaches you never want to leave.
How to get to Playa Ermitaño from Punta Cana: it is best to head on a Samaná road trip from Punta Cana to fully enjoy all the amazing beaches. The trip from Punta Cana to Samaná takes 4 hours.
How to get to Playa Ermitaño from Santo Domingo: you need approx. 2.5-3 hours from Santo Domingo + the time for the hiking or the boat-trip
How to reach Playa Ermitaño on a Dominican Republic road trip:
– if you’d like to hike: check out the arrival instructions for Playa Las Canas at the beginning of this article
– if you like the boat excursion: head towards El Valle (approx. 5 miles north of Santa Barbara de Samaná) where you can catch the boat
Best budget place to stay: Beach Hotel Casa Nina* (great budget accommodation in Las Terrenas; there are no accommodation options at or close to Playa Ermitaño)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Takuma Boutik Hotel* (wonderful boutique hotel in Las Terrenas two minutes from the ocean; there are no accommodation options at or close to Playa Ermitaño)
Insider tip: there is a third beach which can be reached by another 10-minutes walk, Playa Onda Samaná (not suitable for swimming). Take all drinks and snacks with you for Playa Ermitaño as there is no infrastructure at all.
Crowd factor: Playa Ermitaño is usually empty. The maximum of visitors here is 1 or 2 (very small) groups from the boat excursions.
Playa El Valle
The last 3 entries among the best beaches in the Dominican Republic are also 3 of the most famous Samaná beaches: Playa El Valle, Playa Rincón and Playa Frontón. Let’s start with Playa El Valle.
Playa El Valle can be considered the wild adventurous soul of Samaná. The beach is incredibly stunning, particularly considering the lush vegetation, rolling hills and dense tropical jungle surrounding it. It is not necessarily the best beach in Samaná for swimming, but the dramatic scenery as well as the ramshackle beach bars are worth a visit, particularly when on a Samaná road trip.
Furthermore, Playa El Valle is home to some amazing eco-lodges, some of the best in the Dominican Republic, which are well worth staying 1 or 2 nights, particularly El Valle Lodge* and the unparalleled Dominican Tree House*.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: a wild beach amidst the tropical jungle with a few basic beach bars and local restaurants – that’s the rustic and beautiful side of the Caribbean
How to get to Playa El Valle from Punta Cana: it is best to head on a Samaná road trip from Punta Cana to fully enjoy all the amazing beaches. The trip from Punta Cana to Samaná takes 4 hours.
How to get to Playa El Valle from Santo Domingo: you need approx. 3 hours from Santo Domingo
How to reach Playa El Valle on a Dominican Republic road trip: it is easily accessible on a road coming from Santa Barbara de Samaná (5 miles approx.)
Best eco-lodge to stay: El Valle Lodge* (great eco-lodge close to the beach)
Best unique accommodation to stay: Dominican Tree House Village* (unique tree house amidst the jungle, approx. 15 minutes walking from the beach)
Insider tip: Pescado con coco (fish in coconut sauce) is a Dominican favorite you can get here when visiting the local beach restaurants
Crowd factor: Very moderate. You’re probably not alone, but due to the very limited number of accommodations, not many people will be around.
Playa Rincón
No selection of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic is complete without Playa Rincón. This wonderful beach in the northeast of the Samaná peninsular makes it to all those kinds of rankings, especially because Rincón Beach once was named by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world.
I am not sure if I would confirm that Playa Rincón is one of the top 10 beaches in the world, but it easily makes it to the top 10 beaches in the Dominican Republic – at least as long as it is still as virgin and untouched as of now. For years the national government and foreign investors are already planning to further develop this area by constructing hotels, more infrastructure, apartments and even small resorts. Once this is about to happen, the peace and tranquility of Playa Rincón might be gone.
Until then, you can enjoy a wonderful and gorgeous beach, which is particularly on its eastern end absolutely pristine and natural. While you find only two to three very local and basic restaurants at the beach, you can also rent sunchairs from some beach vendors, particularly in the middle of Rincón Beach.
Access is easy especially if you’re staying in Las Galeras. From Las Terrenas, it marks a great day trip as it is around a 90-minute drive.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: it is supposed to be even one of the best beaches in the world – this says it all
How to get to Playa Rincón from Punta Cana: it is best to head on a Samaná road trip from Punta Cana to fully enjoy all the amazing beaches. The trip from Punta Cana to Samaná takes 4 hours.
How to get to Playa Rincón from Santo Domingo: you need approx. 3 hours from Santo Domingo
How to reach Playa Rincón on a Dominican Republic road trip: access is easy with a rental car, you need approx. 20 minutes from Las Galeras and 1.5 hours from Las Terrenas
Best budget place to stay: 21 Palms* (great value accommodation in Las Galeras as there are no places to stay right at Playa Rincón)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Chalet Tropical* (tropical property and unique chalets in Las Galeras as there are no places to stay right at Playa Rincón)
Insider tip: there are two places you have to check out when at Playa Rincón: the river at the west end of the beach, which has crystal-clear spring water (perfect for rinsing off after having a dip in the ocean) and the pristine beach section at the eastern end of Playa Rincón.
Crowd factor: Moderate, but more crowded during the weekends.
Playa Frontón
The last beach of this amazing beach trio in Samaná is Playa Frontón, also very often mentioned when it comes to the nicest beaches in the Dominican Republic.
The special thing about Playa Frontón is that it is only accessible by boat or by foot. It is located on the very northeastern tip of the Samaná Peninsula and is surrounded by a spectacular approx. 400 feet high (!) wall of rocks. The beach is suitable (even though not perfect) for snorkeling and offers some amazing photo opportunities.
To get here, you can either take a boat from Las Galeras. The prices of the fishermen depend on the size of the group and if you want to combine it with Playa Rincón, but you should expect to pay at least 20-30 USD per person without any other services.
Alternatively, you can book a Playa Frontón excursion at nearly every travel agency in Samaná.
Another option to get to Playa Frontón is the hike from Boca del Diablo. It is a wonderful trail through a coconut grove and easy to walk, as it is very flat. Just note that muggings are often reported from this area, even though it never occurred to me, my friends or my clients. (and on the other side it is reported that rumors of those muggings are created by the local people so the guides can have an additional income when accompanying you)
If you want to be on the safe side, you can book a guided hike to Playa Fronton here*.
Why it is one of the best beaches in the Dominican Republic: there is no other Dominican beach that is secluded with a 400-feet high rockwall behind
How to get to Playa Frontón from Punta Cana: it is best to head on a Samaná road trip from Punta Cana to fully enjoy all the amazing beaches.
The trip from Punta Cana to Samaná takes 4 hours.
How to get to Playa Frontón from Santo Domingo: you need approx. 3 hours from Santo Domingo + the time for the boat trip or the hike
How to reach Playa Frontón on a Dominican Republic road trip: the best is to base yourself in Las Galeras and take a boat from there
Best budget place to stay: 21 Palms* (great value accommodation in Las Galeras as there are no places to stay right at Playa Rincón)
Best boutique hotel to stay: Chalet Tropical* (tropical property and unique chalets in Las Galeras as there are no places to stay right at Playa Rincón)
Insider tip: in case you decide on a hike, leave your valuables at home. Furthermore, have a look at Boca del Diablo, an impressive hole in the rocks where water is pushed through.
Crowd factor: Very moderate, usually there is a maximum of 2-3 boats around.
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CHRIS
Author, Travel Coach & Punta Cana based digital nomadHey, I am Chris, a born and raised German, travel-addictive and Caribbean Soul. Since 2011 I have been living in the Caribbean, among them 5 years in the Dominican Republic. Punta Cana is my home-base here in the country and I’d love to tell you more about how to experience Punta Cana off-the-beaten-track and give you all the advice you want to know for your vacation in Punta Cana.
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