International Travel Article

The beaches in the Dominican Republic are dazzling, unspoilt jewels that radiate under the Caribbean sun. Boasting almost 800 glorious miles of beautiful coastline the country possesses some of the best beaches in the whole of the Caribbean. With so many beaches on one island it might be tough to plan a vacation around it. So to help you I have outlined below a list of ten of my favourite beaches in the Dominican Republic.

The magnificent Playa Coson beach in Bahia de Samana stretches for more than three glorious miles and accommodates a number of holiday villas as well as restaurants and one large resort. It is a place of awesome natural beauty characterised by crystal waters and a medium grain type of sand that is a rich golden tan colour. A great place to sunbath, the Playa Coson is also a good place to enjoy watersports such as snorkeling and diving.

Nestled between the Cabrera and Rio San Juan the Playa Grande is a real gem. Offering excellent views located in a cove with cliffs surrounding, the beach has rather the feel of a desert island. Clear water and gorgeous lovely sand completes the picture perfect scene which is noted as a very relaxing place to swim, snorkel and sunbath.

Part of the Parque the Parque Nacional del Este, just across from the Bahía de Catalinita, this is a very popular island beach. With over a thousand tourists visiting it every day you certainly won't be alone if you go here but you will soon see why everyone does. Reached by catamaran, sailboat, or speedboat ride the beach features magnificent turquoise waters offset by the rugged beauty of limestone cliffs. A place where dolphins are often spotted, the 22 kilometres of white sand and idyllic palm trees that encircle this island provide the perfect spot to relax whilst you are waiting from them to show up.

One of the best beaches in Puerto Plata, Cosamber Beach is a quiet crescent shape of golden sand. A popular hotspot where semi-permanent snowbirds and tourists try to escape the winter cold of home, this beach has a relaxed atmosphere and paradisiacal nature. A decent spot for snorkelling, the best part about this beach is that although the area has a decent number of holiday accommodation units the region is yet to be fully developed to the point that it is overrun with tourists.

One of the more dramatic beaches in the whole of the Dominican Republic Playa Caleta in La Romana has a really pleasant feel to it. A great beach for children as the water is quite shallow and there is plenty of shade from the tall palms that line the golden sand, the presence of small fishing boats only adds to its charm.

Another Samana beauty, the Cayo Levantado is another little piece of paradise that features clean, unspoilt beaches that are lined with giant coconut palms interspersed with lush flowery gardens. With warm water and a largely quiet ambience this is a fantastic place to go for a little solitude.

Lined with beautiful coconut palms and extending for over a mile in length the Playa Luperon beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great place to dive, snorkel or windsurf, although not really to swim. But with plenty of umbrellas, beach loungers, bars and watersport equipment available to rent there is a lot of fun to be had here.

Perhaps the most famous beach in the Dominican Republic, this private, immaculate beach of white sand, azure waters and verdant tropical landscapes is as beautiful as it is enjoyable. As well as being a great place to sunbath, for those who like to be a little more active, catamaran trips, speed boats, banana boats and party boats are readily available here. The marine life in this area, which can be seen more closely by snorkelling or on a glass bottom boat tour, is particular stunning too.

Wild, yet pristine this small, isolated beach is could easily sell a million postcards. A beautiful golden beach surrounded by ragged cliffs and lush, bosky foliage this little gem, although hard to get to at the end of the very rough road that leads in to it, is well worth the trip. Not least because you can explore some of the wonderful caves and lagoons it houses.

Rightly acclaimed by UNESCO, the Playa beach is a fantastic beach. Home to the quaint fishing village of El Macao, which is located just south of Uvero Alto in Punta Cana, the beach has brilliant white sand and is notable for an offshore shipwreck which is a popular dive site. Rough waters creates good surfing conditions and the views of and atop the cliffs that brood above the beach are simply breathtaking.  Spencer Samaroo