Beaches, islands and resort zones
Popular beaches and resorts in the Dominican Republic
Discover coastal destinations by province: calm waters, untouched beaches, family-friendly settings, water sports, islands, excursions and great areas to stay.
Coastal guide
A visual tour of the country most popular coastlines
Explore family beaches, adventure destinations, paradise islands and well-known hotel zones. This guide organizes places by province to help you plan getaways, excursions and tourism content.
Visual directory
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Try another province or type a shorter name, such as Boca Chica, Samana, Bayahibe or Punta Cana.
Southeastern Caribbean
3 destinations
Santo Domingo and San Pedro de Macoris
Beaches close to the capital and the Juan Dolio route, ideal for short getaways, seaside food and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Near the capital
Boca Chica
One of the easiest beaches to reach from Santo Domingo, known for shallow waters, an active atmosphere and seafood restaurants.
Best for
Families, quick getaways, seaside food
Lodging
Area with hotels and urban beach options near Santo Domingo.
Short getaway
Playa Caribe
A small scenic beach near the Boca Chica-Juan Dolio area, appreciated by travelers looking for a quieter coastal stop.
Best for
Short getaways, photography, relaxation
Lodging
A good alternative to combine with Juan Dolio or Boca Chica.
Local atmosphere
Guayacanes
A traditional coastal destination between Boca Chica and Juan Dolio, with local atmosphere, restaurants and nearby hotel zones.
Best for
Local atmosphere, family beach, coastal food
Lodging
Close to Juan Dolio and several tourism lodging options.
Deep South
8 destinations
Pedernales and Barahona
Scenic coastline, arid landscapes, untouched beaches, cool rivers and natural swimming spots. One of the country most photogenic areas.
Must-see
Bahía de las Águilas
One of the country most impressive beaches: pale sand, turquoise waters, untouched scenery and a protected setting inside Jaragua National Park.
Best for
Nature, photography, responsible tourism
Lodging
Not a mass-resort area; it is best enjoyed as an excursion from Pedernales or Cabo Rojo.
Southern route
Cabo Rojo
A coastal area with intense waters and rocky scenery that works as a natural gateway to Bahía de las Águilas and the southwest edge.
Best for
Adventure, excursions, landscapes
Lodging
Strategic point for excursions and tourism development in the south.
River and beach
San Rafael
A swimming spot where a cool river descends from the mountains and meets a pebble beach, creating a different experience from white-sand beaches.
Best for
River, beach, local food
Lodging
Ideal as a stop on the Barahona-Pedernales coastal road.
Scenic route
Paraíso
A coastal area surrounded by mountains and vegetation, with a village atmosphere and easy connection to other southern shoreline points.
Best for
Scenery, coastal route, relaxation
Lodging
A good base for exploring several southern beaches.
Short river
Los Patos
Known for its pebble beach and Los Patos river, a natural swimming spot frequently visited by locals and travelers.
Best for
River, local food, family atmosphere
Lodging
An ideal stop on a route through the southern coast.
Quiet
Saladilla
A quiet beach on the Barahona coast, valued for its natural atmosphere and for being outside the busiest routes.
Best for
Relaxation, nature, local exploration
Lodging
Recommended as part of a Barahona route.
Deep blue
El Quemaito
A pebble beach with deep waters and intense blue tones, very popular for spending the day near Barahona city.
Best for
Scenery, swimming, family route
Lodging
Close to lodging and restaurants in Barahona.
Southern coast
Playa Enriquillo
A southern coastal destination with open scenery, local atmosphere and proximity to other natural points in Barahona.
Best for
Coastal route, exploration, photography
Lodging
Works well as a stop within a coastal itinerary.
Northwestern Atlantic
3 destinations
Montecristi and northwest coast
Mangroves, keys, coastal mountains and beaches with a wilder character. Ideal for travelers looking for something different.
Snorkeling
Cayo Arena
A small sandbank surrounded by clear waters, very popular for excursions, snorkeling and marine photography.
Best for
Snorkeling, boat excursion, clear waters
Lodging
Usually visited as an excursion from the north coast.
Natural icon
El Morro
A natural icon of Montecristi, with coastal mountains, Atlantic views and a beach with strong scenic personality.
Best for
Photography, scenery, light hiking
Lodging
More oriented to ecotourism and landscapes than traditional resorts.
Quiet north
Playa Luperón
A quiet beach near Luperón bay, connected to nautical routes and northern getaways.
Best for
Relaxation, boating, local tourism
Lodging
A good area for travelers who prefer a less crowded coast.
Tourism East
4 destinations
La Altagracia / Punta Cana
The country best-known tourism area, with broad white-sand beaches, resorts, excursions, water sports and nightlife.
Resort zone
Playa Bávaro
One of the country most recognized beaches, associated with long stretches of white sand, palms and a wide resort offering.
Best for
Resorts, families, longer vacations
Lodging
Major center of the all-inclusive offer in the east.
Quiet
Cabeza de Toro
A quiet coastal area within the Punta Cana-Bavaro corridor, ideal for rest, walks and resort stays.
Best for
Relaxation, resorts, walks
Lodging
Has hotels and access to nearby excursions.
Active atmosphere
El Cortecito
A beach sector with restaurants, small shops and an active atmosphere inside the Bavaro area.
Best for
Restaurants, atmosphere, walks
Lodging
A good area to combine beach time with nearby services.
Surf
Playa Macao
A wide and highly photogenic beach known for its waves, more open atmosphere and popularity among surfers and adventure excursions.
Best for
Surf, adventure, photography
Lodging
Less oriented to continuous resorts; often used for excursions from Punta Cana.
Eastern Caribbean
3 destinations
La Romana and Bayahibe
Clear waters, island excursions, diving, snorkeling and an attractive mix of coastal town, nature and beachfront hotels.
Gateway to Saona
Bayahíbe
A coastal town with clear waters, memorable sunsets and frequent departures to Saona, Catalina and Cotubanamá.
Best for
Sunsets, excursions, diving
Lodging
Area with hotels, restaurants and sea excursions.
Island
Isla Catalina
A popular island for excursions, snorkeling and diving, with clear waters and a maritime day-trip atmosphere.
Best for
Snorkeling, diving, excursion
Lodging
Usually visited on a tour from La Romana or Bayahibe.
Iconic excursion
Isla Saona
One of the country most popular excursions, famous for clear beaches, palms and turquoise waters within the Cotubanamá setting.
Best for
Excursion, catamaran, photography
Lodging
Mostly visited from Bayahibe on day excursions.
Samana Peninsula
6 destinations
Samana and Las Terrenas
Postcard beaches, intense nature, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, sea excursions, trails, food and tropical landscapes.
Bacardi Island
Cayo Levantado
A small island off Samana Bay, known for white sand, palms and day excursions.
Best for
Excursion, swimming, photography
Lodging
Has exclusive lodging and a public area for visitors.
Nature base
Las Galeras
A coastal town used as a base to explore spectacular beaches such as Rincon, Fronton and Madama.
Best for
Nature, boat excursions, relaxation
Lodging
Ideal for small hotels, ecolodges and relaxed stays.
Las Terrenas
Punta Popy
An accessible and lively beach in Las Terrenas, close to restaurants, lodging and water sports.
Best for
Families, restaurants, water sports
Lodging
A good base for staying in Las Terrenas.
Boutique
Playa Bonita
A wide and elegant beach recognized for its natural beauty, boutique lodging and relaxed atmosphere.
Best for
Relaxation, boutique hotels, photography
Lodging
An attractive area for beachfront stays.
Wide beach
Cosón
A long Las Terrenas beach with a more open and natural atmosphere, ideal for walking, resting and enjoying scenery.
Best for
Walks, relaxation, nature
Lodging
Area with villas and beachfront lodging.
Top Samana
Playa Rincón
One of Samana most famous beaches, with several kilometers of pale sand, palms and turquoise waters.
Best for
Nature, photography, excursion
Lodging
Visited from Las Galeras by road or boat.
North Coast
3 destinations
Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete
An active coast that blends history, resorts, golden beaches, diving, surf, kitesurf, nightlife and excursions.
Wind sports
Cabarete
A reference destination for wind sports and an active beach atmosphere, with bars and restaurants facing the sea.
Best for
Kitesurf, surf, nightlife
Lodging
Ideal for active travelers and stays near water sports.
Hotel zone
Playa Dorada
A classic resort zone in Puerto Plata, with beach, golf and quick connection to the city and the seaside boulevard.
Best for
Resorts, golf, family vacations
Lodging
One of the traditional hotel zones in the north.
Snorkeling
Sosúa
A protected bay with clear waters, popular for swimming, snorkeling, diving and seaside food.
Best for
Snorkeling, diving, friends
Lodging
Area with hotels, restaurants and close connection to Cabarete.
Videos
Featured videos of beaches and coastal destinations
A selection of videos to complement the visual guide with tours, atmosphere and real references for each area.
Santo Domingo
Boca Chica and the southeastern Caribbean
Visual reference for beaches near Santo Domingo.
Barahona / Pedernales
Southern coast: beaches and landscapes
Visual tour of beaches in the southern region.
Southern coast
The Dominican south from another perspective
Beaches, coastal roads and natural atmosphere.
La Altagracia
Punta Cana and Bavaro
White sand, resorts and the eastern coast.
Maria Trinidad Sanchez
Rio San Juan
The longest beach on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.
Samana
Samana and tropical beaches
A look at the peninsula and its coastal destinations.
Las Terrenas
Las Terrenas and nearby beaches
Wide beaches, cosmopolitan atmosphere and nature.
San Pedro de Macoris
Juan Dolio
Beautiful white-sand beach.
El Seibo
Miches
Nesting and arrival area for leatherback turtles.
Coastal lodging
Recommended areas for coastal lodging
Instead of listing hotels that may change name or availability, we highlight tourism areas where resorts, boutique hotels and beachfront stays are usually concentrated.
La Altagracia
Bavaro / Punta Cana
The country main resort corridor, with broad beaches, excursions, tourism-focused dining and nightlife.
La Romana
Bayahibe / Dominicus
A very convenient area for combining a Caribbean beachfront stay with excursions to Saona, Catalina and Cotubanama.
Puerto Plata
Playa Dorada / Costa Dorada
A classic northern area for hotels, golf, beach, the seaside boulevard, urban history and excursions.
Samana
Las Terrenas
Ideal for boutique hotels, villas, international food, wide beaches and nature experiences.
Santo Domingo / San Pedro
Boca Chica / Juan Dolio
A practical alternative for short getaways from Santo Domingo with hotels, restaurants and a nearby beach.
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