One of the greatest beach paradises in the world. Since it is located in the Caribbean, the 800-mile coastline of the Dominican Republic is a home for several magnificent beaches. The tropical weather of the island compliments the sparkling waters and fine sands of this tourist destination. The pristine beaches of the Dominican Republic made the island one of the top tourist destinations with the booming tourism industry. Although there are a lot of excellent beaches in the Dominican Republic, there are still places that surely stand above the rest. The popular beaches in Dominican Republic are not only notorious on the island but in the whole world as well.
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is one of the main attractions of the Dominican Republic. This is the first beach destination that tourists would go to. It is a popular place for many water activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing and more. This stunning place in Dominican Republic is a habitat for turquoise blue water and white sands. The marine life and coral reefs are vivacious. But even though many tourists rush in the town of Puerto Plata for a summer holiday, the prices do not increase during its peak season. There are still several accommodations that would perfectly fit your budget.
The region of Puerto Plata is known for its pristine beaches and panoramic views of lush valleys as well as the dramatic mountains of the north. The beach of Playa Dorada extends up to fifteen miles of fine white sands and aqua blue waters. Aside from Playa Dorada, there is also the Cabarete which is one of the most visited places in Puerto Plata. Cabarete is famous for water-sports enthusiasts because of the great wind. Many people go to Cabareteto to experience the thrill of windsurfing and enjoy kiting as well. Most areas of Puerto Plata have protected coves and the beaches have calm waters. This is a great summer destination for the whole family since the children may enjoy frolicking on the beaches of the region. Although the tropical weather may give out a striking hot sun, tourists may sip their fresh fruit shakes under the shades of palm trees dotting most of the areas of the resorts.
Because of the excellent quality of the water, Puerto Plata is also considered as one of the best scuba diving sites, not only in the North Coast but in the whole world as well. The various coral reefs protected in Puerto Plata are simply amazing. Moreover, there are sea gardens, canyons, and shipwrecks under the waters of Puerto Plata especially in the area of Sosua. The great site for snorkeling is located in the Gri Gri Lagoon, a few hours away from Playa Grande.
Cabarete
Aside from Puerto Plata, Cabarete is also a prime beach destination in Dominican Republic. It is located in the northern part of the island. Cabarete is known as the windsurfing center of Dominican Republic. Steady wind and fantastic waves make tourism in Cabarete flourishing. Every sixth month of the year, Cabarete becomes a host for the annual windsurfing competition. The coastline of Cabarete reaches up to two miles and twenty-five minutes from there, one may arrive at Puerto Plata. Cabarete is also a place where Dominican Republic nourishes its coral reefs.
Many foreigners from around the world is attracted by the natural beauty of Cabarete. Some only visit for a few days while others can’t bear to leave the town behind. Because of the diverse immigrants in Cabarete, it is considered as the most cosmopolitan little town located in the Western Hemisphere. They have learned to live and love the town like the country where they came from.
The clear aqua blue waters of the beaches in Cabarete is not just a home for water sports enthusiasts but for coral reefs as well. The sands, colored in sugary white, feels like flour when stepped on because of its fine texture. The shores of the resorts are dotted not only by tourists but villas for rent and huge palm trees that give shade when the sun is striking hot. Cabarete is definitely the place to be if you want to unwind and leave the noise of the modern city for a while.
Punta Cana
Punta Cana is a place in the Dominican Republic where the beach is magnificent and the nightlife is thriving. While the sun is hot, most tourists and locals are seen bathing their bodies in the sun or frolicking in the warm waters of Punta Cana. Some are also exploring the area as they buy souvenirs from the little stores of Punta Cana. By night, Punta Cana reveals a different façade. The bars and restaurants are filled with many locals and tourists wanting to experience the nightlife in the Dominican Republic. The beaches are transformed into a lively place where outdoor music performances are sometimes held.
Most of the Punta Cana area is made up of large, all-inclusive resorts and hotels, so it’s one-stop vacationing for most couples and families. Although most resorts cater more to this target market, explorers can still find more adventurous vacation options, such as 4×4 rentals for a drive out to see some mangroves, caves and private beaches. Toasting yourself under the sun with a cocktail in hand doesn’t have to be all you do here. There are a lot of activities, from horseback riding to beach volleyball, to parasailing, for you to experience. If you’re out to party hearty, such as during spring break, the larger resorts are recommended, since they have more selections for nightlife entertainment. But beaches are still the number one reason to make Punta Cana your vacation destination of choice. Even dotted with all those hotels and resorts, most of the 30 miles of beach is open to the public, especially in the Cortecito, Bavaro and Cabeza de Toro areas, and the undeveloped Macao area to the north. Walking from hotel to hotel is an enjoyable activity you can enjoy that many enjoy when they are here.
Bavaro
The beaches of Bavaro are one of the most visited places in the Dominican Republic. The water is very warm, very inviting for those who wanted to frolic in it the whole year-round. There’s something in the clear turquoise blue water that makes tourists and locals love to explore the depths of the Bavaro beaches. It is so attractive that it even captivated the eyes of even the popular and prominent people who can’t resist visiting Bavaro. As a matter of fact, in 2001, former president Bill Clinton and his wife went to Bavaro to have a summer vacation. It was the couple’s first holiday after Bill Clinton left the White House. Moreover, many honeymooners go to Bavaro to spend their intimate moments together. Another special occasion that is celebrated by couples here in Bavaro is the special ceremony of the profession of love – unique tropical matrimony.
Santo Domingo
Santo Domingo and its nearby areas are the places to be if you want a calm and shallow beach. Located in Santo Domingo are two beaches where most families go. The beaches are Boca Chica and Juan Dolia. Boca Chica is near to the capital of Santo Domingo. Adults and kids may enjoy swimming in the waters of this beach since the waves are not as huge as the waves on the other beaches of the Dominican Republic. On the other hand, Juan Dolia is quite far from the main city of Santo Domingo. But tourists would wait for the 50-minute ride to get to Juan Dolia just to experience snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing and sailing in its wonderful beach.
Boca Chica
Boca Chica is a beach in Dominican Republic that is near in many different tourist spots and establishments. Coming from the airport, Boca Chica can be reached within fifteen minutes. It is also near Santo Domingo’s capital city where many historical spots are located. For the sports-minded, from Boca Chica, they may go to the Las Americas Speed Race Track or to the Mirador del Este Sports Park. The latter was built in 2003 for the Pan American Sports event.
Boca Chica is also a few minutes away from the internationally acclaimed college school in Dominican Republic called Las Americas Institute of Technology, also known as ITLA. For those who wanted to experience a beach with wilder water, they may leave the kids and other companions in Boca Chica and my head at the nearby beach called Embassy Beach at Playa Caribe which is only 10 minutes away from Boca Chica.