And what waters surround it: the ocean or the sea, and if sea, then which one?

Dominican Republic is located in Caribbean is a group of islands, often called the Caribbean, located in central America. And this means that it is washed from the south Caribbean Sea . Waves approach the Dominican Republic from the north Atlantic Ocean, thanks to which the small one, located near Puerto Plata, is an ideal place for windsurfing. This part of the Atlantic Ocean is called the Sargasso Sea. To the east lies the Mona Strait, which separates another island called Puerto Rico, which belongs to the United States. And to the east are the states and Jamaica.

Dominican Republic resorts on the Caribbean Sea

In the south and south-eastern part of the state there are many resorts, including the capital, Santo Domingo, which is full of diversity, like the night sky of stars. Life and tourism there are in full swing without stopping for a minute. Any point on the southern coast is, in any case, some kind of resort with the possibility of scuba diving, boat trips and many others water activities. It is very difficult to single out just one resort, since they are all amazing in some way. If you want to choose a resort for your holiday there, then for convenience we will display them in a list:

  • Barahona
  • San Pedro
  • Bayahibe

Therefore, if you want to choose for your holiday, then choose from these tourist areas.

Resorts of the Dominican Republic on the Atlantic Ocean


For those who prefer swimming on the shore with big waves And active view sports, such as windsurfing or walks with humpback whales, the northern resorts are presented below:
  • Playa Dorada
  • Cabarete
  • Las Terrenas

Are there sharks in the Dominican Republic, since it is washed by both the sea and the ocean? Yes! They are spotted quite often; moreover, one of the types of entertainment at resorts is swimming with sharks under the supervision of a specialist. The sharks there, however, are small, about 1.5 meters in length. But if you swim further beyond the reefs, you have a chance to see a shark. You can also see a shark during the festival, of which there are a lot organized here.

Dominican Republic... What is the sea like there? What is the best time to rest? What airport is in the Dominican Republic? What kind of money, sockets, language and much more are further in the article

Dominican Republic

We should have started everything with this article, but it so happened that it did not become the first in our useful article. However, it had to happen. In this material I will try to cover the most popular questions about the Dominican Republic and briefly answer them. Let's start, perhaps, from the very beginning...

The Dominican Republic is a presidential republic located on the island of Haiti, which also contains the Republic of Haiti of the same name. Santo Domingo is the capital and also said to be the first city in Latin America. “Have you been to Santo Domingo? So I’ve been all over Latin America.” The current president is Danilo Medina. The official language is Spanish. The state religion is Catholicism. Population: 10 million. The national currency is the Dominican Peso. In the past, the country came under the influence of Spain, France, Great Britain and the United States, and finally came under the influence of the Republic of Haiti. In 1844, the Dominican Republic became independent.

What airport is in the Dominican Republic?

There are as many as 8 in the republic international airports, 2 of which are located in the capital - Santo Domingo. However, the most loaded ones are those through which tourist destinations: Punta Cana, Puerto Plata, La Romana, Samana and the less popular Santiago and Barahona.

What time is it in the Dominican Republic?

Time zone Moscow - St. Petersburg - Krasnodar GMT+3, and in the Dominican Republic GMT-4. Accordingly, our time is 7 hours ahead of the Dominican.

FOR EXAMPLE:

If it’s 9 a.m. here, then it’s 2 a.m. there.

When it’s 5 p.m., it’s 10 a.m. there, etc.

What is the language in the Dominican Republic?

Overwhelming majority local population speaks Spanish. Of course, it has Latin American overtones and is not entirely pure, but it is Spanish. The reason for this lies deep in history; back in 1492, the great navigator Columbus found this island and named it Hispaniola. Subsequently, the name changed to Santo Domingo and the current Dominican Republic.

The island came under the influence of Spain, Great Britain, France and the USA. However, it was Spain that occupied the territories most of the time and made certain contributions. That is why Spanish has taken root in the Dominican Republic.

What is the currency/money in the Dominican Republic?

The republic has its own money of the same name - Dominican pesos. The back side of the banknotes is decorated famous places, and famous figures adorn the front. The peso exchange rate is very stable and last years It stays around 40-50 Dominican pesos for 1 dollar.

What currency should I take to the Dominican Republic? Due to its proximity to America, naturally the dollar is the most valued here.

Dominican Republic on the map

Where is this paradise country located? Between two Americas - North and South. However, it refers specifically to North America. Included in Antilles which are washed by the waters of the Atlantic and Caribbean Sea.

What is the sea like in the Dominican Republic?

The island is washed by two great bodies of water, one is the sea and the other is the ocean. Everyone knows their names: the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Based on this, you can dispel the pleasant, but not entirely true, myth that by going to the Dominican Republic, you are going to the Caribbean Sea. Not quite so... If you are going to visit the south of the country, then you will probably end up by the sea. However, going north or east, you will find yourself on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Including the popular hotel area in Punta Cana and Bavaro, it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to find clear boundaries where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean. However, I came across a couple of interesting photographs from the island of Eleuthera, Bahamas.

What are the beaches in the Dominican Republic?

The beaches here are wonderful! Moreover great beaches There are also on the shores of the Atlantic and in the Caribbean Sea.

Southeast

In the article, I looked at the most popular coastlines on the southeast coast. First of all, it has golden sand and very tall palm trees, as well private beach Amor (other names: Cabeza del Torro, Coast of Love) with white sand and well-groomed grounds. I would also like to mention Bavaro Beach, popular among tourists.

If you move closer to the south, it is worth noting the beaches of the elite Cap Cana complex, such as Juaniyo, which is included in the 30 best beaches in the world. Further south is the legendary Bounty Island with its stunning paradise landscapes.

Northeast

Here tourism is a little less developed and there are not many beaches designed for guests of the island. The most famous and popular places for swimming, these are the beaches of the Samana Peninsula. By the way, this is where those who want to see the incredible spectacle of humpback whales come.

You can also note the cozy Arriba beach, located near the village of Miches, El Valle beach, which is located a little further to the north of Samana, as well as the wild coastal beaches near Las Terrenas.

North and South

In the north and south there are less tourist places and I will omit these territories, I will only say that in the south there is an incredible place - the Bay of Eagles, there are wonderful beaches on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.

What outlets are there in the Dominican Republic?

A question that exists, but is lost in a pile of more important tasks. This is often forgotten by newly arrived guests. Latin America, or rather the Dominican Republic. However, our essential phones and tablets require charging! Therefore, let's get to the point.

The difference between outlets in the Dominican Republic and Russia is expressed in two things:

  • Voltage
  • Fork shape

The voltage here is half that of ours. The network supports only 110 volts, instead of the usual 220. Adapters can be bought at any store with goods of a similar theme. They can also be purchased at the hotels themselves. It will cost this necessary thing at 1-3 dollars.

If you take care of this issue earlier, you can look for an adapter-transformer that converts Dominican 110 volts to 220. Why is such a low voltage worse than ours? Because charging electrical appliances will be an order of magnitude slower. Therefore, when planning your day, make allowances for a longer charge.

Dominican Republic now

It cannot be said that this country has an incredible pace of development, however, new highways are being built, immigration is growing, and the business sector is developing rapidly. In any case, there is movement here, although not so fast. Of course, many locals continue to dance and have fun, but on the other hand, why not? After all, the ultimate goal of our wanderings is to find happiness, and it is definitely there. By the way, if you are interested in the Dominican Republic, then go to the VKontakte group -

What is the sea like in the Dominican Republic?

Dominican Republic- a state in the eastern part of the island of Haiti (Caribbean Sea) and on the coastal islands. The western third of the island is occupied by the state of the Republic of Haiti. The island is part of the Greater Antilles archipelago. The capital is Santo Domingo. The population of the state is about 9.65 million people. (2009).

For most of its history (pre-independence), the colony was known as "Santo Domingo", after its patron saint, Saint Dominic. The inhabitants were called "Dominicanos" (Dominicans), an adjectival form of "Domingo", and the revolutionaries named their independent country "La República Dominicana".

  • Population Dominican Republic - 9.5 million people, 3 million of them live in the capital Santo Domingo.
  • Currency. Monetary unit – 1 peso (abbr. RD$) = 100 centavos, 31 rubles. ($1)* USA = 28 pesos. Credit cards are widely quoted.
  • Visa. Visa-free entry is provided for citizens of Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Citizens of other CIS countries need to apply for a visa at the Consulate of the Dominican Republic in Moscow.

A little history

The island was discovered on December 5, 1492, by Christopher Columbus, during his voyage to New World. Columbus really liked this place, and he later described it in his diaries as: “Beautiful Paradise Island with high forested mountains and large river valleys." In 1493, gold was discovered in river valleys, leading to the creation of the first European city- La Isabela. Then other settlements were built.

It took Europeans only 25 years to first enslave and then completely destroy the indigenous population - the Indians! 400,000 people! At the same time, slaves from Africa began to be brought to the island and sugar cane plantations were established. Columbus' brother Bartholomew was appointed governor of Haiti, and in 1496 he founded the city of Santo Domingo, which became the capital. In 1515, the island's gold reserves were almost exhausted and most of the Spanish inhabitants left Santo Domingo and headed to Mexico for silver. Only a few thousand settlers remained here, farming the land and tanning leather to supply passing Spanish ships en route to the colony on the American mainland. It was at this time that stories and legends about pirates of the Caribbean appeared.

Haiti remained under Spanish control until 1697, after which the western part fell into French hands. The French also called this part of Santo Domingo and it quickly became the richest area of ​​the island. It was here that the world's largest sugar plantations were located, where tens of thousands of slaves from Africa worked. In 1791, a slave revolt occurred, which resulted in the abolition of slavery in this part - in 1794. In 1809, the eastern part of the island returned to Spain. In 1821, the inhabitants of Santo Domingo declared their independence from Spain, and already in 1844, on February 27, the entire part of the island, except Haiti, declared its independence and became known as the Dominican Republic. On March 3, 1865, by order of the Queen of Spain, troops were withdrawn from the island and a decree was signed canceling the annexation.

The young republic for a long time experienced the change of one ruler after another, until finally the situation stabilized. What has the island of Hispaniola given to our world besides great vacations, rum and cigars?! For many years, the indigenous population of the island used products that we now see on our table every day and without which we cannot imagine our lives: potatoes, peanuts, pineapple and even tobacco.

Geography

The Dominican Republic is located in the West Indies and occupies the eastern part of the island of Haiti, being the largest state on it (occupies 74% of the territory of the entire island). Area – 48,730 km² (land – 48,380 km², water – 350 km²) and among the countries in the region, the Dominican Republic is second only to Cuba in area. In the west there is a land border with the Republic of Haiti, in the east there is the Mona Strait, separating the Dominican Republic from the US possessions of Puerto Rico. In the north, the lands of the country are washed Atlantic Ocean, in the south - the Caribbean Sea.

Climate

The Dominican Republic is located in a tropical climate zone, although climatic conditions softened by trade winds and altitude. Average annual temperature is 25 °C, with average temperatures in the region ranging from 21 °C in the central mountains to 28 °C in the coastal plains. Temperatures rarely exceed 32°C and never fall below 0°C. The climate in the country is temperate tropical. The average water temperature does not fall below +25C throughout the year. The rainy season occurs from August to November. The most good time for holidays in the Dominican Republic - from July to August and from December to March. On south coast islands (Santa Domingo, Punta Cana) have a dry climate.

Ebbs and flows in the Dominican Republic

What is a sea without ebbs and flows? As elsewhere, the law of lunar gravity applies in the Dominican Republic. But the tides here are insignificant, they reach no more than one, maximum two meters.

The safest beaches for swimming in the country are located in the west of the island. The southern coast is also considered quite calm. But, going on vacation to northern part countries, you need to be careful when entering the water. In winter, the shores washed by the Atlantic Ocean become quite stormy and unsafe. There is an increased likelihood of strong waves occurring. It is also worth considering that from the beginning of June to the end of November there is a season of storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic. It is at this time that the wave that is the most correct in height, from the point of view of surfers, rises here - reaching 2-3 meters. In summer its height does not exceed 1.5 meters.

Regions and resorts of the Dominican Republic

The historic center of the Dominican capital Santo Domingo is included in the List world heritage UNESCO. Well, it’s well deserved: the local architecture is luxurious. The city was founded by none other than Christopher Columbus’s younger brother, Bartolomeo, and was initially christened New Isabella.

In the 16th century, Santo Domingo was the capital of the Spanish colonies of the New World, and today many things remind us of the glorious past: the Rosario Chapel, the Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor, the Casa del Almirante Palace, the Alcazar Castle and other architectural monuments - striking examples of the Renaissance and Gothic, Arabic and Romanesque styles.

If the capital is an ideal place for an excursion holiday, then the resorts are for a carefree beach holiday. The most popular among family tourists is Punta Cana with its well-groomed coastline, a chain of five-star hotels, excellent fish restaurants and amazing nature. Nearby are three national parks with lush vegetation and exotic inhabitants. Puerto Plata has 120 km of picturesque beaches in the resorts of Cabarete, Sosua and Playa Dorada. The first is a paradise for windsurfers: the waves here are impressive. Young people come here in search of new acquaintances and adventures. Although it is better to go to Sosua for dating: this small town with a lively beach is crowded with clubs and bars that attract thrill-seekers. And Playa Dorada consists entirely of all-inclusive hotels and entertainment outlets: there is a golf course, a casino, and excellent shops and restaurants. Boca Chica is a cozy lagoon, protected from the outside world by a coral reef. It's good to combine here beach holiday with all sorts of activities: diving or tennis, windsurfing or horse riding, sailing or water skiing. It is better to stay in Juan Dolio for those who plan to frequently visit the capital: the resort is located only 50 km from Santo Domingo. Bayahibe is famous clean beaches, calm sea and diversity of the underwater world. Samana has many secluded spots surrounded by untouched nature, and dolphins, manatees and even humpback whales visit the local waters. Absence historical monuments in the town of La Romana is compensated by developed tourism infrastructure. And Cap Cana is a young resort, but has already gained a reputation as an elite one: Donald Trump himself had a hand in this.

Dominican Republic resorts on the Caribbean Sea

In the south and south-eastern part of the state there are many resorts, including the capital, Santo Domingo, which is full of diversity, like the night sky of stars. Life and tourism there are in full swing without stopping for a minute. Any point on the southern coast is, in any case, some kind of resort with the possibility of scuba diving, boat trips and many other water activities. It is very difficult to single out just one resort, since they are all amazing in some way.

If you want to choose a resort for your holiday there, then for convenience we will display them in a list:

  • Barahona
  • Boca Chica
  • Juan Dolio
  • San Pedro
  • La Romana
  • Saona Island (National Nature Reserve)
  • Altos de Chavon
  • Bayahibe
  • Punta Cana
  • Bavaro

Resorts of the Dominican Republic on the Atlantic Ocean

For those who prefer swimming on the beach with big waves and active sports such as surfing or windsurfing or walking with humpback whales, the northern resorts are listed below:

  • Puerto Plata
  • Playa Dorada
  • Sosua
  • Cabarete
  • Samana
  • Las Terrenas

Are there sharks in the Dominican Republic, since it is washed by both the sea and the ocean? Yes! They are spotted quite often; moreover, one of the types of entertainment at resorts is swimming with sharks under the supervision of a specialist. The sharks there, however, are small, about 1.5 meters in length. But if you swim further beyond the reefs, you have a chance to see a shark. You can also see a shark while fishing, of which there are many organized here.

Video

Sources

    https://tonkosti.ru/Dominican_Republic https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of the Dominican_Republic https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Republic http://www.marakuya.kiev.ua/dominicana-state .html
11.01.2019

The Dominican Republic, or simply the Dominican Republic, occupies most of the island of Haiti, and also has a number of small islands under its jurisdiction, which looks extremely attractive from the point of view tourist recreation. Being the second largest state in the West Indies (after Cuba), the Dominican Republic has a long coastline - almost 1,300 kilometers, which indicates an impressive number of large and small resorts. Since the Dominican lands are washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, travelers often have questions - are there any differences between these coasts, what are they, and in this case, which part of the Dominican Republic is better to prefer for a vacation? Let's try to figure it out.

Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic

The Atlantic Ocean washes northern and eastern parts Dominican Republic. The very first thing that can be said about the resorts located on these shores is that they should be the first choice for all windsurfers, advanced divers and devotees of other marine activities. The Atlantic carries stormy waves, and if the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic is covered by an extended shield of coral reef, then on the northern shores, it happens that tourists do not even risk swimming for several days.

Geographically to northern part The Atlantic coastline includes the coastline from the border with Haiti to the Samana Peninsula. Another unique feature of the region is that in a relatively small area there are many climatic zones. On the western "outskirts" of the northern coast it is very dry - even arid. The terrain here is quite monotonous and flat. Vegetation does not tend to rise either: green spaces are represented mainly by shrubs. The apparent dullness of the area is diluted by two magnificent national parks with thickets of outlandish mangroves and beautiful sea views.

The piece of land between Cofresí and Nagua is also called the Amber Coast due to its rich deposits of amber. Golden beaches here are interspersed with lush mountain forests, which is why most of the hotels on the northern coast are concentrated in this region. Mountain biking, horse riding, ocean fishing, surfing, diving and other extreme sports are most widespread here. Speaking of diving: the Dominican Republic as a whole is considered best place Caribbean for snorkeling and scuba diving: the coral reefs and underwater meadows in this region are distinguished by an amazing diversity of flora and fauna (the local waters are home to beautiful tropical fish and stingrays, even manatees and humpback whales swim!), the bottom topography is very picturesque and rich in cavernous formations, but the most interesting and exciting thing came to the bottom from the surface - these were sunken ships of different eras. Over the past half century, about four hundred ships have been in disaster in the region, so there is plenty for divers to admire. It is not surprising that under such conditions, in any resort in the Dominican Republic, a reputable diving center will be waiting for you, or even more than one. The Atlantic coast of the country is worth choosing for experienced divers, but beginners can practice and gain experience in the much calmer waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The Samana Peninsula ends the northern part of the Atlantic coast. Perhaps this is the most picturesque part of not only the Dominican Republic, but the entire Caribbean. This is exactly how we usually imagine an exotic paradise: many kilometers of deserted expanses white sand, tired coconut palms leaning over the turquoise water. While relaxing on Samana in January-March, you can see whales splashing in the distance: at this time they swim here from the cold waters of the North Atlantic to reproduce.


The best resorts on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata

The heart of the northern Dominican Republic, the place where Christopher Columbus landed, is Puerto Plata, located along the Amber Coast. This resort is the second most popular in the Dominican Republic after Punta Cana, although it is strikingly different from it: here you can relax in silence, relax, enjoy nature and learn how to tame the Atlantic wave on a surfboard. Active lovers nightlife Puerto Plata will certainly disappoint you with a long and unsuccessful search for a working discotheque. Founded at the end of the 15th century, the city invites its guests to explore a number of ancient buildings ( old center city, fort and cathedral of San Felipe) and visit several good museums. The main wealth of the resort is given to it by nature. For example, Isabel de Torres is the highest mountain in this area, the top of which can be climbed by car, on foot or by road. cable car. From the top of Isabel de Torres, with outstretched arms, looking at the city... the statue of Christ the Redeemer! A smaller copy of the masterpiece from Rio de Janeiro was presented to Puerto Plata by the Brazilian authorities.

To visit Puerto Plata and not visit the 27 Fountains Nature Reserve would be a huge miss. This is a natural water park with twenty-seven, as the name suggests, cascading waterfalls. Tourists are invited to climb up seven, twelve or all twenty-seven waterfalls along secret paths and rope ladders, and then go down through the water.



Playa Dorada

Located just east of Puerto Plata resort complex Playa Dorada. It is very popular among tourists, including due to the airport, located just 15 minutes away, which is very convenient for families with children and pensioners who find it difficult to endure long journeys. But, of course, this is not the only advantage of Playa Dorada. The fabulous-looking beach with a gentle entrance to the water is marked with the Blue Flag and is considered one of the best in the Dominican Republic. Amazing nature, highest service in local hotels, unlimited space for active and extreme pastime, a large selection of restaurants and bars, a famous 18-hole golf course and a casino - all this together makes Playa Dorada an ideal holiday destination for any category of tourists.


Cabarete

A resort for young, active, full of energy and adrenaline people. He himself is young - just a dozen years ago, fans of surfboards chose the tiny fishing village located here for their activities, and now Cabarete beach is included in the world's Top 10 places ideal for surfing. All thanks to the fact that the waves of the Atlantic Ocean are not impeded by any coral barrier, and vigorous trade winds delight lovers of sea extreme sports all year round. Cabarete annually hosts world windsurfing competitions, as well as tournaments in the increasingly popular kiteboarding. Coastline The resort is abundantly dotted with various bars, because where else, if not in a noisy establishment with a glass of strong drink, can you relax after taming the Atlantic waves?

For those who do not belong to the cohort of extreme athletes, we can recommend visiting national park El Choco, which is not much older than the resort itself: only 25 years ago it was given this official status. In El Choco you will find the richest flora, many orchids, tropical birds and even a dozen species of bats, but the main asset of the park is the system underground caves with the Caribbean Karst pools, where you can go on a tour and swim. The territory of the reserve is large, and it’s easy to get lost on foot without a guide, so it’s better to hire a guide or go around El Choco on horseback or in jeeps.



Sosua

Another youth place on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic is comfortably located in a calm bay between Cabarete and Puerto Plata. The small resort is the party center of the region: Sosua has many bars and discos; mostly bachelors relax here. The local white sandy beaches are quite wide, so despite the large number of vacationers, everyone can stay here comfortably. Not far from the coast there is a compact but densely populated coral reef where you can go snorkeling: the local diving center will provide tourists with a vivid experience. Other attractions in Sosua include: Botanical Garden and the old market, as well as the Jewish quarter: back in the 1940s, Jews fleeing Europe found refuge here. In winter, the main entertainment here is boat trips to pods of humpback whales that swim here to procreate.



Samana

This peninsula is highly recommended for visiting independent tourists. Despite the presence of two international airports and three major cities At the same time, Samana remains a quiet, peaceful place and is famous for its pristine nature: coconut groves, caves, waterfalls, clean rivers and deserted beaches - complete relaxation. There are several on the peninsula national parks, the largest among which is Los Haitises with mysterious caves in which Indians previously lived (as evidenced by the drawings on the walls), and now only bats. Another local attraction that would be extremely unfair to ignore is the 30-meter El Limon waterfall. They say that countless riches await everyone who bathes in it. Tasting excursions to ranches where coffee and cocoa are grown are very popular.

Part of the province of Samana is the small island of Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island - it was here that the first commercial for this popular brand was filmed. And if you are lucky enough to be on the peninsula in February, then your path must definitely run through the capital of the province - the city of Santa Barbara de Samana, where a cheerful salsa and merengue festival is taking place at this time.



Eastern Bank The Dominican Republic, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, is considered the most popular and sought-after recreational region of the country. Here are the largest resorts and practically no cities in the usual sense of the word. It is here that the hotels with which tour operators from the CIS countries work most actively are located. A large coral reef stretches almost along the entire coast, protecting the land from the energetic waves of the ocean and simultaneously creating excellent conditions for memorable diving. In other words, the resorts of the eastern part of the Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic will be an ideal place to relax for both active and restless tourists and contemplative couch potatoes.



Best resorts east coast Dominican Republic

Punta Cana

It's huge resort region, located at the “junction” of the Atlantic Ocean with the Caribbean Sea. The largest, the most popular, the most beautiful - you can spend a very long time selecting adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison to describe it. The main pride of Punta Cana is its wide beaches, strewn with coral paper-white sand, planted with thick coconut palms and lined with exotic bungalows covered with dried palm claws. And all this beauty is municipal property, so you can sunbathe and swim freely and free of charge. Punta Cana is also lucky with the weather: the rainy season here is very short, and average monthly temperature all year round is practically unchanged - around 30 degrees, which is softened by light ocean breezes. This resort for newlyweds is becoming increasingly popular: the days spent here will be remembered by the newlyweds for the rest of their lives as a truly honeymoon.

A few words about the national Dominican pastime - diving: the coastal waters are very clear, and visibility under water in the summer season reaches 30 meters. The most popular part of the reef for swimming is considered to be the “Marinarium”, where eagle rays and even harmless baleen nurse sharks live. There is also a “own” sunken ship here: even from the shore you can see the mast of the cargo ship Astron sticking out of the water (by the way, listed on the balance sheet in Russia), which ran aground during a storm in 1978 and sank. Another active, exciting and very popular entertainment among tourists from the CIS countries is a jeep safari, with which you can travel for a day from a cool hotel civilization to the riot of a tropical jungle and feel like the hero of an action adventure movie. Also in the vicinity of Punta Cana there are a dozen first-class golf courses, some of which, like Punta Espada, are included in various world rankings. And if someone doesn’t like these bourgeois excesses, then welcome to the world of agritourism: near the resort there are several villages where travelers can touch the life of ordinary local residents and personally participate in sugar cane harvesting or other household crafts.

Those who like to party and dance in Punta Cana will not have to lose heart: in addition to the discos available at each hotel, the resort offers a lot of original clubs, the most popular of which, perhaps, can be called Imagine, located in a natural cave: three dance floors framed by stalactites you will definitely find remember for a long time!



Bavaro

In the very southeast of the Dominican Republic there is the Bavaro resort, which can be classified as a “luxury” resort. Just some 30 years ago, the winds simply rustled here in the mangroves, and today the area has all the attributes of an aristocratic vacation: five-star hotels, tennis courts, casinos, golf courses, stables, expensive shops and even a dress code in a number of establishments. For those who have had enough of comfort and respectability, Bavaro is ready to offer a lot of entertainment in addition to the traditional diving, snorkeling and jeep safari throughout the country: for example, an excursion to the “Palm Cemetery”, where strange birds are found in the mangrove dead wood, or to the Oleg Bat House cave - home to several species of bats. Those who come on vacation with the whole family have the opportunity to take their children to the dinosaur park or to Manati Park, where they can swim with dolphins. A new level of nightlife is offered by Bavaro's most famous club, Coco Bongo - this is not just a disco, but a real show with large-scale choreographic performances, vocal numbers and acrobatic sketches.


Cap Cana

If you are rich, then why not visit Cap Cana? This is a small and very young resort, one of the co-founders of which is Donald Trump. Just ten minutes from Punta Cana Airport, you can stay in a luxurious bungalow with private access to the ocean. The beauty, cleanliness and level of service in Cap Cana go far beyond the generally accepted five-star scale. The cost of all this happiness is quite high, which is why only businessmen and Hollywood stars come here.

Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic

The Caribbean Sea washes southern part Dominican Republic, so the two most obvious differences between the local resorts and the northern and eastern ones are the absence of waves and higher water temperatures. The capital of the state, the city of Santo Domingo, is located on the Caribbean coast, and there are also famous islands Beata and the Elephant.


The best resorts on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic

Boca Chica

Located near the capital of the Dominican Republic, the Boca Chica resort can be classified as affordable and democratic. At the same time, the moderate cost of tours here does not in any way affect the conditions of recreation or the level of service. First of all, families with children flock to Boca Chica: the resort has the unofficial title of the most large bath in the world thanks to always warm and calm water and a very gentle entrance to the sea. Boca Chiqui beach is considered the cleanest on the entire southern coast: the coral reef absorbs everything that the waves can bring here, and natural underwater springs constantly feed the bay with crystal clear water.

The history of Boca Chica dates back only a few decades, so the resort is unable to offer its guests any special attractions. The most interesting place of the city is Calle Duarte, where most of the entertainment establishments are concentrated.

Diving in Boca Chica is a must: the region offers ideal conditions for your scuba diving debut, and La Caleta Underwater Park is home to two shipwrecks! In the immediate vicinity of the shores of Boca Chica there are two tiny islands - La Matica and Los Pinos, which you can even reach on your own by renting a sea motorcycle. The first one is covered mangroves, the second - pine, in which you can hide from human noise and feel like Robinson.


La Romana

Describing the beach beauties of La Romana is a thankless task: the fine white sand, turquoise water and coconut palms here are just as incredible as in the already described Dominican resorts. The main focus of La Romana is quiet and peaceful family holiday. Despite the fact that the city is over 500 years old, it is also not very rich in attractions: living a quiet life of a hard worker, La Romana was known throughout its history as a center for sugar cane processing. However, there are several interesting places in the vicinity of the resort that are worth visiting. For example, the village of artisans and artists of Altos de Chavon. Its construction was completed only in the 1990s, but all the buildings in it correspond to the canons of Italian architecture of the 16th century. The picturesque area (elevation above the gorge) and man-made beauty often attract newlyweds here for a marriage ceremony.

The Chavón River flows near La Romana, where you can kayak. You should definitely visit Cueva de las Maravillas (“Cave of Miracles”), which the skillful hands of architects turned into a real underground palace with several halls, stone bridges and stalactite arches.



Saona

While vacationing in La Romana or Punta Cana, you can go on one day excursion to the island of Saona. Once upon a time, a commercial for the Bounty chocolate bar was filmed on this island, and since then the heavenly views of Saona have been firmly imprinted in the memory, and even the term “Bounty Island” has appeared in everyday speech, which can briefly and clearly describe the unearthly beauty of any shores. Unfortunately, it is impossible to stay here: there is not a single hotel on Saona, and the island itself is a nature reserve.



Santo Domingo

The capital of the Dominican Republic, located where Osama flows into the Caribbean Sea, more than compensates for the lack of attractions in other cities in the region. Founded in 1496 by the younger brother of Christopher Columbus, Saint-Domingue is the first city of the New World. The rich architectural heritage of the 15th-16th centuries allowed it to be included in the UNESCO registers. The abundance of colonial-era attractions earned Santo Domingo the title of cultural capital of the North and South America, so get ready: there will be a lot of interesting things here!

The perfectly preserved Osama fortress, which protected the city from pirate raids, the Alcazar de Colon palace, the first in the New World Cathedral- all these structures appeared on the shores of the Caribbean Sea at the very beginning of the 16th century! The symbol of the city is the Columbus Lighthouse; the remains of the great navigator are also buried here. Alleys, parks, beautiful streets, a seaside promenade framed by palm trees - walks around Santa Domingo will be long and pleasant. Nature lovers will also not have to regret that they chose the most suitable place for their vacation. Big City Dominican Republic: there is a botanical garden, an aquarium, a unique cave complex and a zoo.



Juan Dolio

Between Santo Domingo and La Romana on the shores of a beautiful bay there is another popular resort Dominican south - Juan Dolio. The town is small and calm, so mostly those who like peace and quiet relax here. Along a wide sandy strip of continuous beach there are comfortable hotels various price categories. Diving and snorkeling of the highest Dominican quality, hiking and cycling in the surrounding area, and a visit to a nearby flower farm will diversify your relaxing holiday. The excellent location of Juan Dolio allows you to go sightseeing in Santo Domingo or admire the caves of La Romana at any time. It remains to add that the Dominicans themselves prefer to relax in Juan Dolio, and the residents of this country know a thing or two about resorts.



Barahona

This resort is located in the southwest of the Dominican Republic, near its border with Haiti on the Pedernales Peninsula. It cannot be included in the list of the most popular ones due to the fact that it is a little more difficult to get to. Yes, and huge ones hotel complexes not here either, but the main wealth of Barahona is its stunning nature. First of all, it's deserted wild beaches in a bay surrounded by mountains. Secondly, a variety of picturesque water bodies - rivers, lakes, waterfalls. Thirdly, Barahona is surrounded by unique natural parks and nature reserves where you can find iguanas, flamingos, lizards and crocodiles. Also here is mysterious place- Polo Magnetico. If left in this anomalous zone car in neutral gear, you can observe a rare optical illusion: the car itself will crawl... up!

The resort area of ​​Punta Cana is very popular among tourists from all over the world due to its stunning white sand beaches and luxury hotels to suit every taste and budget. Best beaches Punta Cana often appears on the covers of travel magazines and in booklets dedicated to the Dominican Republic. In this article we will tell you about all the beaches of the Punta Cana resort area, which stretches for about 50 km along the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic. Perhaps our review will help you better understand the features of each beach and choose a hotel to your liking. Let's say someone likes waves, and someone prefers calm water. Some people want marine life, while others would prefer to do without it :) In general, read, comment, ask questions! Go:)

What kind of sea or ocean is in Punta Cana

Do you know which sea or ocean washes the Dominican Republic? Personally, I didn’t know before until I bought a tour to this hotel and looked at the map :) If you haven’t looked at the map yet, I’ll tell you! The Dominican Republic is washed by the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the Caribbean Sea in the south. Lucky so lucky! Punta Cana belongs to the northern coast and this means that the resort is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. But if you drive a few tens of kilometers south of Punta Cana, you can get to the town of Bayahibe, which is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Usually, it is from the fishing village of Bayahibe that tourist boats sail to Saona Island.

There is another opinion and it seems to me that it has a place! If you look at the map, you can see that Punta Cana is located on the right edge of the island. In the middle between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic. And who knows exactly where the ocean ends and the sea begins? And if you compare the color and features of the water, you can safely assume that Juaniyo Beach in Cap Cana is located on the Caribbean Sea. Have I confused you? Then read on and figure it out :)

Uvero Alto Beach

We will begin the description of the beaches of the Punta Cana resort area from the very north beach- Uvero Alto. It is located away from many other beaches in the resort area, but has several good hotels. Uvero Alto has yellowish sand and offers a calmer atmosphere than other beaches in the region. Outside of the hotel beach areas, you may find only a few tourists and locals relaxing on the shore or walking along the water's edge.

Uvero Alto is approximately 45 minutes from the airport. It is not very well known among tourists from Russia. True, the Sirenis Hotel located here is one of the most popular hotels among Russians.

There is a pattern in Punta Cana where the waves get higher as you move west. Since Uvero Alto is located in the very west of the resort area, you should not be surprised by the presence of high waves here, which are ideal for surfing, but can be dangerous for small children.

Hotels located on Uvero Alto beach:

Breathless Punta Cana Resort & Spa - Adults Only
Now Onyx Punta Cana
CHIC by Royalton Resorts Adults Only
Zoetry Agua Punta Cana
Le Sivory By PortBlue Boutique - Adults Only
Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort Casino & Aquagames (there is a water park, an excellent option for children)
Ocean El Faro Resort
Dreams Punta Cana
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Punta Cana Gourmet by Karisma (ideal for kids)

Oh, this Macau beach, famous among surfers! It's hard not to love him! There are no snow-white sands or luxury hotels here. This is a wild, but damn attractive beach. You should definitely come here on one of your rest days. This can be done as part of excursions from Two Bananas :) or on your own by renting a car or ordering a transfer. It's better to come on weekdays. There are a lot of locals here on weekends. But if you want to get the Dominican flavor, come on Sunday! You'll definitely get into the party! There are a couple of cafes and a surf school on the beach. The cafes may seem completely unsanitary, but don't worry! Thousands of stomachs have been checked! You can eat it and it’s even delicious! But don’t forget to find out the price of seafood in advance and check the weight of the fish (you can go to the scales with the seller). Payment for fish or lobsters is based on weight. Seafood is served with a side dish - fried bananas or rice. Sometimes they can be generous with a salad :)

Macau is located 40 minutes from the airport, close to the Hard Rock Hotel. The length of this beach is approximately 5 km, but most tourists can be seen in its eastern part, next to the rocks. Moreover, local residents hang out near the rocks themselves, since the waves there are much smaller. And the surf school is located a little further, where the waves are stronger. Until recently, the beach was considered wild, but now they are planning to build a new hotel there. Local residents who have a small business on the beach are terribly indignant about this. They live in a village nearby and all their earnings come from the wildness of Macau Beach. Someone sells nuts, someone sells a cold beer, someone lets an iguana take a photo... But soon this will end, to my great regret: (There are no hotels on Macau beach yet, but there are small hostels. They are not located on the coast , and next to the village.

Arena Gorda means "greasy sand" in Spanish. For me personally this is the most beautiful beach in Punta Cana, where the hotels are located. It is located near famous beach Bavaro. Like Bavaro Beach, Arena Gorda has soft white sand and tall coconut trees. The westernmost hotel on this beach is the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and the easternmost is Ocean Blue & Sand. The waves near the Hard Rock Hotel are quite high and some may find them unsuitable for swimming. Personally, I love waves and they don’t bother me. As is my three year old son. The main thing is not to let children go alone and follow safety rules. When the waves are very strong, the security service hangs a red flag and swimming becomes prohibited. But believe me, there are so many swimming pools and other entertainment in Hard Rock that it is not at all fatal or even sad!

As I already said, Hard Rock is located closest to Macau. And if you move from Hard Rock to Punta Cana Airport, you can see that the waves are getting smaller and smaller.

Arena Gorda is one of the widest white sand beaches in the entire Dominican Republic. At the same time, it is quite clean, which is confirmed by the presence of the Blue Flag. For me, Arena Gorda is loved because the color of the water is amazing. Unlike the beaches in Bavaro, the water here is truly turquoise. I think this is due to the lack of a coral reef, which stretches along Bavaro beach, but does not reach Arena Gorda.

Hotels located on Arena Gorda Beach in Punta Cana:

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana
Occidental Caribbean
Memories Splash Punta Cana Resort & Casino
Royalton Punta Cana Resort & Casino
Majestic Colonial Punta Cana
Majestic Elegance Punta Cana
Grand Bahia Principle Punta Cana
Grand Bahia Principe Bavaro
Luxury Bahia Principe Ambar
Luxury Bahia Principe Esmeralda
Grand Bahia Principe Turquesa
Riu Palace Punta Cana
Riu Palace Bavaro
Riu Palace Macao
Riu Republica
Riu Bambu
Riu Naiboa
The MT Hotel Punta Cana
Iberostar Bavaro Suites
Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro
Iberostar Dominicana
Iberostar Punta Cana
Ocean Blue & Sand

El Cortecito Beach

Only a few tourists know about El Cortecito Beach, since it is generally accepted that Arena Gorda Beach smoothly merges into Bavaro Beach. In fact, between them lies El Cortecito. It is divided into two parts: the first part is the hotel area, and the second part is the city beach with bars and souvenir markets. This beach is usually quite crowded. After all, it is located in the very center of Punta Cana and people are constantly walking here, barkers offering excursions, massages and souvenirs. Local residents also relax here. But don’t worry, each hotel has its own piece of beach and sun loungers. And if the beach is considered accessible to everyone, then only guests of the hotel can occupy the sun loungers. If you like to be in the center of the party, this is the place for you. Cortecito is the easiest place to get into the local community, with easy access to bars, restaurants, shops and nightlife. There are motoconchos (motor taxis) running around Cortecito, which will help you save money on travel. After all, a regular taxi here is not cheap.

El Cortecito is sometimes called the "heart of Bavaro". This is where foreigners who come to live in Bavaro most often settle. Here they open their own business in the form of all kinds of tourism services. It's worth noting that El Cortecito Beach is subject to erosion, so don't be surprised to see shops and restaurants being washed away by the ocean in some areas of the beach. The color of the water on this beach is greener and there are more algae (in my opinion). But there are objectively fewer waves here than at Arena Gorda.

Hotels located on El Cortecito Beach:

Vik Hotel Arena Blanca
Punta Cana Princess
Caribe Princess Beach Resort& Spa
Paradisus punta cana
Bavaro Princess Resort Spa& Casino
Occidental Punta Cana
Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa
Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino
Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort & Spa
The Royal Suites Turquesa by Palladium
Stanza Mare Bavaro
El Cortecito Inn Bávaro
Vista Sol Punta Cana Beach Resort
Sunscape Bavaro Beach
Hotel Whala Bávaro - construction of another hotel on this site began in 2018
Now Larimar Punta Cana
NH Real Arena Punta Cana

The famous Hotel Barceló is located on Bavaro beach. There is snow-white sand and a calm ocean. True, the water in it sometimes throws algae onto the shore. But they are carefully cleaned. The host of Orel and Tails spoke about Bavaro Beach in an episode about the Dominican Republic. He even entered the Barcelo Hotel and ate in the dining room :) Well, Two Bananas helped organize the whole thing in accordance with the law :)

Bavaro Beach offers several kilometers of soft white sand, the amazing property of which is that it does not heat up in the sun. And you can walk freely on this sand barefoot at any time of the day.

Despite its popularity, Bavaro Beach still remains untouched, as all hotels take care of its cleanliness and preservation in its original form. For its cleanliness, Bavaro beach was awarded the Blue Flag. In addition, this is one of the safest beaches in the Dominican Republic, since it is protected from strong waves by a coastal reef. This reef is located just offshore and is popular with divers and snorkelers.

The town of Bavaro is no longer the simple fishing village it was 30 years ago. Today it is one of the fastest growing cities in the Dominican Republic, with hospitals, shopping centers, restaurants, banks, pharmacies and other important facilities.

Hotels located on Bavaro beach:

Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort
Melia Caribe Tropical All Inclusive Beach & Golf Resort
Melia Tropical
Secret Royal Beach Punta Cana
Ifa Villas Bavaro Resort & Spa
Barceló Bávaro Palace Deluxe
Barceló Bávaro Beach Adults Only

Cabeza de Toro Beach

Beautiful sunrises are the highlight of this beach, which is considered an excellent place for families with children. There are only a few hotels on Cabeza de Toro, but they are very popular among tourists from Russia. It's about about the hotels Catalunya Bavaro, Bee Live and Natura Park.

Cabeza de Toro Beach is known as the "birthplace of the sun", but its name means "Bull's Head" (its shape actually somewhat resembles a bull's head). It is located between the beaches of Bavaro and Cabo Engano, the easternmost point of the Dominican Republic.

This beach is quite close to the Punta Cana airport, so you can drive there in just 10-15 minutes. The beach itself is long and narrow, but has many palm trees standing close to the water's edge. The water here is quite calm, the entrance to the water is smooth. Many people note green color water in certain time of the year. In my opinion, this is where the Caribbean Sea begins.

Hotels located on Cabeza de Toro beach in Dominica:

Natura Park Eco Beach Resort & Spa
Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana
Be Live Collection Punta Cana
Catalonia Royal Bávaro Adults Only
Catalonia Punta Cana
Catalonia Bávaro

Playa Blanca Beach (Punta Cana)

This is a not very large beach in the Punta Cana Resorts & Club complex that offers free entrance For everyone. Playa Blanca - small Caribbean paradise, known for its tranquility and beauty, as well as the presence of a coral reef, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling and diving.

Playa Banca Beach is located in the gated community of Punta Cana Resort & Club between Club Med and The Westin Punta Cana, just a couple of minutes from the airport.

Although anyone can relax on this beach, as we said above, it is believed that it belongs to the restaurant of the same name. To get to Playa Blanca Beach, you must pass through an elegant restaurant. On Playa Blanca there are umbrellas and sun loungers that are offered free of charge to restaurant customers.

Juaniyo Beach (Cap Cana)

Juaniyo Beach is located in the exclusive area of ​​Cap Cana, on private grounds with resort hotels, restaurants and marina.

There is only one restaurant on the beach, Juanillo Beach Food & Drinks, which has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor. Here you can enjoy international cuisine or sunbathe on the sun loungers.

Hotels located in Punta Cana or Cap Cana:

Eden Rock Cap Cana
Sanctuary Cap Cana
AlSol Luxury Villas Cap Cana
Tortuga Bay Punta Cana Resort & Club
Arrecifre At Punta Cana Resort & Club
Hacienda
The Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club
Club Med Punta Cana
Four Points by Sheraton Punta Cana Village

I don’t know about you, but personally, I’m very afraid of sharks! And what a blessing that there are no dangerous sharks in Punta Cana. Vegetarian sharks are sometimes found here, for which divers organize photo hunts. But they don't happen often. And in the water near the hotel you won’t find them at all during the day! So Punta Cana is paradise in every sense! Choose a hotel and a beach to your liking - and go on vacation with us! Well, we will make sure that you have a fun and interesting holiday!

A selection of photos from the beaches of Punta Cana