What is the Best Area to Stay in the Dominican Republic (and Where Are the Best Beaches)?

Punta Cana is in general the best area to stay in the Dominican Republic. Moreover, it also has the best beaches in the country. Every year, millions of sun seekers flock Punta Cana in droves to relax at the many all-inclusive resorts that line the soft white-sand beaches.
What is the Best Area to Stay in Dominican Republic
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Punta Cana is perfect for travelers who prefer to remain within the confines of an all-inclusive resort while enjoying the best beaches in the Dominican Republic.

Located in the southeastern part of the island, Punta Cana offers the best choice of resorts as well as the biggest resorts.

Located north of Punta Cana, Playa Bavaro is the most beautiful stretch of beach in the Dominican Republic.

The Caribbean Sea off the shores of Playa Bavaro boasts clear, calm turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming, while the sandy beach stretches for miles, making it perfect for taking long walks.

Read on for the ultimate guide to the best beaches and areas to stay in the Dominican Republic.

What is the Nicest Part of the Dominican Republic?

Punta Cana is the nicest part of the Dominican Republic, mainly because it offers the best beaches in the country.

In fact, its very own Playa Bavaro is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Every year, millions of sun seekers flock Punta Cana in droves to relax at the many all-inclusive resorts that line the soft white-sand beaches, and swim in the clear, warm turquoise sea.

Which is the Best Side of the Dominican Republic?

This will depend on your vacation needs. If you want to leave the resort, get off-the-beaten path, enjoy some adventurous activities and see the “real” Dominican Republic, then head north to areas such as Puerto Plata and Cabarete.

If you’re looking for nice beaches and the warmest calmest waters head south to areas such as La Romana and Bayahibe. The southern part of the island is bordered by the Caribbean Sea which is much calmer than the north which is surrounded by the Atlantic Sea that can get quite rough.

If you prefer to remain within the confines of an all-inclusive resort while enjoying the best beaches the Dominican Republic has to offer, then look no further than Punta Cana. Located in the southeastern part of the island, Punta Cana offers the best choice of resorts as well as the biggest resorts.

Where Do Celebrities Stay in the Dominican Republic?

Many celebrities visiting Dominican Republic stay at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas.

Located in La Romana on the southeastern coast of the Dominican Republic, Casa de Campo is a 7,000-acre hotel, resort and residential community that has hosted celebrities like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Drake.

More like a small city, the Casa de Campo complex is so big you’ll need a golf cart to get around! And it has everything a celebrity would need, from a beach, marina, horse stables, a shooting range, dozens of restaurants and a full-service spa.

The 454-room property offers luxury oceanfront villas that cost US $10,000 per night! Each villa has 6 bedrooms, an infinity pool, a gazebo and a state-of-the-art kitchen, as well as dedicated staff, concierges and private maid service.

What is the Most Beautiful Part of the Dominican Republic?

Punta Cana is the most beautiful part of the Dominican Republic.

A beach lover’s paradise, Punta Cana comprises a breathtaking stretch of coastline located on the southeastern side of the island that has the best beaches in the Dominican Republic.

Boasting soft white-sands and clear, calm turquoise sea waters, its very own Playa Bavaro is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Which Side of the Dominican Republic Has the Best Beaches?

The southeastern side of the Dominican Republic, which includes Punta Cana, has the best beaches on the island.

Every year, millions of sun seekers flock Punta Cana to sunbathe on its soft white-sand beaches that seem to go on forever, and to swim in the clear, warm waters of the surrounding seas.

Located north of Punta Cana, Playa Bavaro is the most beautiful stretch of beach in the Dominican Republic.

The Caribbean Sea along the shores of Playa Bavaro offers calm turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming. Active vacationers can also enjoy boating and parasailing. Along the shore, Playa Bavaro beach stretches for miles, making it perfect for taking long walks and people-watching.

Which Part of the Dominican Republic Has the Best Beaches?

The southeastern part of the Dominican Republic, which includes Punta Cana, has the best beaches on the island.

Every year, millions of sun seekers flock Punta Cana to sunbathe on its soft white-sand beaches that seem to go on forever, and to swim in the clear, warm waters of the surrounding seas.

Located north of Punta Cana, Playa Bavaro is the most beautiful stretch of beach in the Dominican Republic.

The Caribbean Sea along the shores of Playa Bavaro has calm turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming. Active vacationers can also enjoy boating and parasailing. Along the shore, Playa Bavaro beach stretches for miles, making it perfect for taking long walks and people-watching.

Which are the Best Beaches in the Dominican Republic?

These are the top 5 best beaches of the Dominican Republic:

  • Playa Bavaro
  • Playa Rincon
  • Cayo Levantado
  • Playa Dorada
  • Playa Boca Chica

Which Resort Has the Best Beach in the Dominican Republic?

Playa Bavaro is the best beach in the Dominican Republic.

Many big name luxury chain resorts are found on Playa Bavaro. These include Barcelo Bavaro Beach, Iberostar Grand Hotel Bavaro, and the Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort & Spa.

Located north of Punta Cana, Playa Bavaro is the most beautiful stretch of beach on the island. The beach boasts soft white sands and clear, warm turquoise waters that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing.

Along the shore, Playa Bavaro stretches for miles, making it perfect for taking long walks.

Does the Dominican Republic Have White Sand Beaches?

Yes. The coastline of the Dominican Republic offers white-sand beaches that seem endless.

Here, visitors can enjoy diverse beach activities on the soft, white sands with warm, blue waters that splash against the shores.

In fact, Playa Bavaro in Punta Cana is one of the most highly sought-after white sand beaches in the world.

Where Are the Calmest Beaches in the Dominican Republic?

The calmest beaches in the Dominican Republic are located on the western part of the island, particularly Playa Boca Chica, as well as on the southern coast of La Romana and Bayahibe.

Dominican beaches that are surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, such as Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and La Samana, often have turbulent waters during the winter months, although conditions are idyllic on most days.

Where is the Clearest Water in the Dominican Republic?

Playa Boca Chica boasts the clearest waters in the Dominican Republic.

On a clear and sunny day when the waters are generally calm, the sea waters surrounding Playa Boca Chica are crystal clear.

In fact, the water is often so clear at this beach that it’s hard to tell whether you are swimming inside the ocean or a swimming pool!

Is There a Seaweed Problem in the Dominican Republic?

Unlike other Caribbean destinations where seaweed can accumulate on the beaches without washing away, the quantity of seaweed on the coast of the Dominican Republic varies from one day to the next, thanks to the ocean currents.

As such, on some days you might not find any seaweed on the beach, while on other days there’ll be a lot of it.

Moreover, the amount of seaweed will depend on your location and the time of year you go to the Dominican Republic.

For instance, seaweed appears much less often in the northern part of Punta Cana, but occurs more intensively during the summer months and in the rainy season.

That said, resort staff often clear the seaweed daily so as to keep it to a minimum and maintain a beautiful beach.

Can You Swim in the Sea in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, you can swim in the sea in the Dominican Republic.

In fact, there are few places along the entire coast of the island where you cannot swim.

Can You Swim With Dolphins in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, you can swim with dolphins in the Dominican Republic.

The best place in the Dominican Republic to enjoy the magical experience of swimming with dolphins is in the warm Caribbean Sea waters off the coast of Punta Cana.

A broad spectrum of dolphin swim excursions are available, including experiences in both aquariums and the open ocean.

For a more private experience with the dolphins, choose the ocean swims instead of the aquarium swims that often have many onlookers.

Are There Any Sharks in the Dominican Republic?

Yes, there are many kinds of sharks found in the waters surrounding the Dominican Republic.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should be worried about your Dominican vacation being ruined by a shark.

Cases of shark attacks in the Dominican Republic are very rare. In fact, over the last 60 years, there have only been 4 recorded shark attacks in the Dominican Republic.

Moreover, beaches in the major resort areas of the Dominican Republic are generally safe from shark attacks as they are separated from the open sea by a rocky submerged offshore bank and surrounded by both barrier and fringing reefs. Closer to the beach it is completely sandy and shallow with little to no fish for the big sharks to eat. As such, sharks do not often use these areas as hunting grounds.

But for those still worried about encountering sharks, here are some safety precautions to follow:

  • Always swim in a group. Never swim alone.
  • Because sharks prefer deep waters, always swim close to the shore sticking to shallow waters.
  • Do not swim at night – sharks are most active after dark.
  • Avoid swimming near fishermen or with open wounds, as sharks can smell blood from great distances.
  • Do not wear shiny jewelry while swimming – sharks may confuse the light reflecting off the metal for fish scales, and mistake you for food.
  • Only swim within designated areas.

Is Puerto Plata or Punta Cana Better?

Puerto Plata and Punta Cana are both good choices for travelers looking for a tropical beach vacation with a lot of fun activities, as each destination offers something unique.

Ultimately, your choice between Puerto Plata and Punta Cana will depend on your vacation needs.

Here are some pointers to help you decide:

  • Beaches: If you’re visiting for the beach, go to Punta Cana which has better beaches than Puerto Plata. Punta Cana is perfect for beach activities, watersports and eco-tourism.
  • Budget: If traveling on a budget, you will find that Puerto Plata is generally cheaper than Punta Cana, in terms of hotels, restaurants, spa facilities and recreational activities.
  • Nature: For lovers of nature and the great outdoors, Puerto Plata is a better choice than Punta Cana, as it boasts mountains, wilderness and gorgeous waterfalls.

Why is Puerto Plata Cheaper than Punta Cana?

The main reason why Puerto Plata is cheaper than Punta Cana is because Punta Cana is a newer destination, which makes it generally more expensive.

In Punta Cana, prices for hotels, restaurants, spa facilities and recreational activities are often comparable to those at high-end American resorts.

On the other hand, Puerto Plata is an older beach destination and therefore generally offers lower rates for hotels, restaurants, spa facilities and recreational activities.

That said, the time of year you visit either destination, and the quality of hotel you stay in will also determine the prices you pay.

Is Puerto Plata Better Than Punta Cana?

This will depend on your vacation needs.

Punta Cana boasts 32km of breathtaking beaches, making it the perfect vacation hotspot for tourists who love beach activities, watersports and eco-tourism.

On the other hand, Puerto Plata is the place to go for travelers who enjoy mountains, wilderness and gorgeous waterfalls, as well as learning about history.

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