The Five Best Beaches of the Dominican Republic

By Paul Michael Collins

Make the Most of Your Caribbean Trip

For sun-worshippers and beach-lovers, not much can compare with a week or two's holiday in the Caribbean. But even here, in this tropical Garden of Eden, the Dominican Republic is exceptional. And what makes it so special is the 1,000 miles of beaches that line its shores. Gorgeous strips of blindingly white sand, sparkling cobalt blue waters... It's not so much a holiday, as a trip to paradise!

So without further ado, here are the five best beaches of the Dominican Republic:

Bayahibe

On the south coast of the Dominican Republic, lavish hotel complexes jostle for the best access to Bayahibe's beach - one of the best beaches in the whole of the Caribbean. As well as the hotels, there's a charming little fishing village nearby, and a number of natural parks.

Offshore, beyond the totally transparent water flashing with tiny fish, a couple of islands complete a wonderful scene.

Sosua

On the north coast of the island, despite being one of the very best beaches in the Dominican Republic, Sosua doesn't suffer from the over-development you can find elsewhere in the Caribbean. With fewer tourists, it's got a lively local feel to it.

Juan Dolio/Santo Domingo

There's nothing like lying on the beach all day and then having access to all the restaurants and lively nightlife that a city can offer. Good city beaches are hard to come by, though, and that (at just 25km from the capital of Santo Domingo) is what makes the beach of Juan Dolio so special.

Las Minitas/La Romana

Between Santo Domingo and Bayahibe, whichever way you look at it, Las Minitas is a great beach. Not far from La Romana, it conveniently combines great sand with some nice bars and restaurants, and a variety of water sports options.

Cap Cana/Punta Cana

The beach of Cap Cana at Punta Cana is quickly becoming one of the most fashionable enclaves in the whole of the Caribbean. As broad as it is long, swaying coco palms rise languorously out of the white sand, and provide shade from the gloriously hot sun.

As is the case throughout much of the rest of the island, 'sights' are few and far between. Which means there's little else to do but lie back in the sun (or in the cooling shade of a palm tree, perhaps) and take in the idyllic scene that's laid out in front of you.

Paul Collins is a UK-based travel writer who specializes in the Caribbean, the Canary Islands and Tunisia. A Spanish-speaking, self-confessed Caribbean addict, Paul Collins often sets off from Spain on his beloved viajes Caribe (or Caribbean trips).