Dominican Republic beach vacation guide for Canadians
The Dominican Republic has always been an appealing sun destination, but expanded flight capacity has helped cut the price of all-inclusive vacations even further.
Warmth, weather and hospitality. The Dominican Republic has always been lauded as a particularly friendly place, and the incredible weather is a big draw for Canadian visitors. The year-round summer temperatures, coupled with sparkling waters, soft white sand and palm trees are the very definition of paradise.
Here, our deal experts weigh in on the best beaches in the Dominican Republic, with recommendations for all types of travellers.
Travelzoo tip: The Dominican Republic is a popular all-inclusive beach destination for Canadian travellers, so our deal experts are always on the lookout for amazing deals. We've featured plenty of all-inclusive-with-air deals under $1000, so become a Travelzoo member and you'll be the first to know whenever we publish a Dominican Republic deal.
Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, and everything in between
One of the most popular destinations in the Dominican Republic, Punta Cana is the ultimate beach vacation destination with 11 beaches to enjoy. Bavaro Beach is one of the most famous stretches of sand, but not to be missed is Juanillo Beach, located within the gated Cap Cana community, Playa Blanca, named "white beach" due to the white sand, and Uvero Alto Beach, an ideal getaway for surfers.
La Romana, a slightly more upper-tier destination holds a bevy of beaches for our travel-savvy members. La Saona, part of the East National Park, boasts almost-untouched beaches while Bayahibe is a popular destination for its richly diverse marine ecosystem.
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, was the first European colonial city in the Americas. Visit the colonial zone and discover many of the "firsts": the first cathedral, castle and hospital of the Americas are all located in the colonial city of Santo Domingo. The city is rich in culture and history, but is also known for Playa Bocha Chica, a favourite destination with families due to its calm waters.
Looking for more inspiration on things to do in Punta Cana or Santo Domingo? Visit our Punta Cana beach vacation guide for more insights!
Travelzoo tip: The weather is lovely year-round, though some may not be able to stand the summer heat. Peak season is from December to mid-April, but even the rainy season (May-November) has plenty of sunshine.
Puerto Plata and Samana
Puerto Plata is named the Silver Port due to the colour of its coast at sunset. There are numerous beaches worth visiting, such as Playa Dorada with its golden sand and Playa Sosua, which features an underwater nature park for divers and snorkelers.
Travelzoo tip: Puerto Plata and Punta Cana are the best-known destinations for visitors to the Dominican, but for watersports, Cabarete is the place to be. It has the best wind and waves on the island, and the coast is dotted with the colourful sails of kitesurfers and windsurfers. Even if you don’t want to try it for yourself, watching the deft jumps and flips of the athletes is like a free show.
Not to be missed is Samana Province, a popular beach destination. Plan a visit to Las Galeras, a coastal town full of hidden beaches, or Playa Rincon, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican. Cayo Levantado (also known as Bacardi Island) is a beautiful destination in any season, but especially so between January and March when you can catch humpback whales on their migratory route.
Travelzoo tip: The island has a public beach, and also a private beach for guests of the Grand Bahia Principe Cayo Levantado. We’re on the lookout for deals, so sign up for an alert!
Looking for more hidden beaches to visit in the Dominican Republic? Visit our Puerto Plata and Samana Beach Vacation Guide for more information!