The Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic
With 800 miles of coastline, the Dominican Republic boasts more than 200 beaches, from remote stretches of sand with limestone cliffs and no crowds, to soft shores with calm waters. On this varied island, you’ll also find populated beaches lined with all-inclusive resorts and restaurants; coves that are difficult to reach but worth it for the privacy; and shores backed by coconut palm groves and towering sand dunes. Whether you want to swim in tranquil water, surf major waves, or simply relax and do nothing, you’ll find a place for that here, along with standout beauty.
Dominican Republic
Close to the Haitian border on the Dominican Republic’s northwestern coast, this white-sand beach, which is part of Montecristi National Park, sits below an 800-foot-high limestone mesa. Hike a rough stretch through rocks to the beach and...
Playa La Ensenada, 57000, Dominican Republic
The best of several great Atlantic beaches around Punta Rucia, Playa La Ensenada is made up of a fishing village and 4.5-mile stretch of sand with calm, crystal-clear water. Here, you can snorkel around submerged reefs in waist-deep water, or take...
Playa Rincon, 32000, Dominican Republic
On the Dominican Republic’s northern coast, near the tip of the Samaná Peninsula, this unpopulated Atlantic beach stretches three miles from Cape Samaná to the cliffs of Cape Cabrón. To get here, you’ll need to take a four-wheel-drive vehicle or a...
Macao Beach, Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic
One of the world’s best beaches according to UNESCO, this beautiful palm-lined stretch of golden sand 40 minutes north of Punta Cana is known for its top-rated surf school and its oceanfront restaurants that serve delicious, Dominican-style...
Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic
This three-mile stretch of white sand is the only public beach at the gated Puntacana Resort & Club. Even so, non-guests can only reach the beach after dining at the resort’s oceanfront Playa Blanca Restaurant. It’s worth it,...
Santo Domingo 21000, Dominican Republic
Just east of Guayacanes, this six-mile stretch of sand is a favorite of beach bums, with calm waters at one end of the cove and big waves at the other. Busier than Playa Guayacanes, Juan Dolio also offers more food and drink options, plus...
Playa Guayacanes, 21000, Dominican Republic
Just 31 miles east of Santo Domingo, the small fishing village of Guayacanes boasts an uncrowded white-sand beach with gentle surf and plenty of shallow water. A lush backdrop and tall coconut palms offer some shady spots, and umbrellas and chairs...
94000, Dominican Republic
From a landscape of subtropical dry forest, buttonwood, mesquite, and olive trees along the southwestern coast near Bani, you must trudge over rippled sand dunes and patches of sea grass to reach Playa Las Dunas. The beach sits within the...
Playa Bahia de Las Aguilas, Dominican Republic
Remote and difficult to access, this three-mile beach on the Dominican Republic’s southwestern Caribbean coast (15 miles from Pedernales and close to the Haitian border) is also blissfully uncrowded. Playa Bahia de las Águilas, which...
