Dominican Republic Travel Information

The Dominican Republic is known world-wide for its resort beaches, but you won’t find any of those on this list; we’re allergic to resorts.

And what’s the point of going to a beach packed with tourists when there are so many alternatives! To help you break out of the all-inclusive bubble, we’ve come up with a list of the non-resort Dominican beaches closest to our hearts.
Many, but not all, are pretty remote and unfrequented. Others we love because of their surf.

These are 13 of our most favorite, publicly accessible beaches in the country.

Sosua Bay

Sosua’s turquoise waters are great for snorkeling. Sure, it’s not what it used to be, having been exploited and ignored environmentally for almost two decades. However, efforts are being made to restore the reef, and it’s still a really chill place to get yourself a pina colada in the sun, or come face to face with the ocean’s dark secrets. The other killer highlight is the silhouette of Puerto Plata’s Mt. Isabel de Torres as a backdrop. Sunsets here are to die for.

Playa Encuentro

Of course, as surfers, the top surfing destination in the Dominican Republic had to make the list. It’s also very close to our hearts because it’s where we spent most of our mornings while living in the Dominican Republic.

Playa Cabarete

Known for its beach-front nightlife and restaurants, we actually love Cabarete’s main beach because of its confetti-like, kite riddled skies. Sure it’s not as easy to watch kite tricks being pulled off in comparison to Kite Beach, but there’s something really beautiful and calming about this unique landscape. We also loved watching sunrises here, and the occasional breakfast beach picnic too.

Playa Preciosa

This beach nearly killed us once, all the more reason to love it. Not as well known as its neighbor Playa Grande, Preciosa is a haven for surfers when the swell direction is right. Surfers beware though, waves are bigger than they appear from atop the 30 meter cliff. Know how to deal with ocean currents before you venture out to this break.

Playa Bonita

Playa Bonita’s crystalline waters are so iconic we decided to show you it’s still just as gorgeous under cloudy conditions. Of course we know it as a surf beach break, and if you want to get into the sport, Carolina’s surf school is at your service, but Bonita’s gently sloping soft sand bottom, and slightly out-of-the-way location, also makes this beach perfect for a gentle and relaxing swim in a pool-like environment.