The 7 best beaches in Santo Domingo: which ones are worth it?
If you’re looking for the best beaches in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to tell you about the beaches in the city and some nearby ones that are definitely worth visiting.
Not long ago, a couple of friends shared that they were traveling to the Dominican Republic after finding a great deal on flights and hotel packages from a well-known website. They were excited to experience the famous Dominican beaches.
The issue arose when we asked where they’d be staying for the week: in Santo Domingo! They didn’t realize that the capital doesn’t have any beautiful beaches, and they would need to venture a bit farther to find some worth visiting. The worst part is that they’d have to make the trip to and from the beaches every day because they couldn’t change their accommodations (which is why we always recommend booking a place with free cancellation).
I hope that’s not your situation, but just in case, this article will guide you to the most beautiful beaches in Santo Domingo, complete with a map, so you can visit them when you’re in the Dominican capital.
When to visit the beaches
Thanks to the tropical climate in the capital of the Dominican Republic, you can hit the beach year-round, even during the winter months.
This is a huge advantage if you’re planning to visit the city because it means you can easily mix days of exploring the city with excursions from Santo Domingo to some of the best nearby beaches.
Beaches in Santo Domingo
In the city center, you’ll find Montesinos Beach, located near the historic district and the port. However, to be honest, it’s not a great spot for spending a whole beach day.
There are other beaches in Santo Domingo, but personally, I don’t think they’re worth dedicating a day to.
That said, let’s take a look at the beaches in the city in case you’re interested in checking them out.
Güibia beach
This small beach is located along the Malecón in Santo Domingo, near the Museum of Fine Arts. It tends to get crowded, isn’t known for being particularly clean, and can be dangerous for swimming.
However, it is a lovely spot to catch the sunset.
Montesinos beach
As I mentioned earlier, this beach is just a short walk from the city’s historic center, where most of the attractions in Santo Domingo are located.
When we asked at our accommodation about nearby beaches, they directed us here, but we weren’t impressed. It’s small and was quite dirty.
On the plus side, it does offer some shade, making it a potential alternative within the city if you want to escape the midday sun without heading back to your hotel.
Punta Torrecillas beach
We tried to visit Punta Torrecillas beach in Santo Domingo, but we turned back because the route didn’t feel safe.
It’s located directly across from Montesinos Beach, but to get there, you have to cross a bridge since it’s on the other side of the Ozama River, next to the Naval Port.
The 4 best beaches near Santo Domingo
Heading east from Santo Domingo, the beach scenery improves significantly. These are the best beaches near Santo Domingo that we recommend to our friends.
As you travel east from the city, you’ll come across the following nearby beaches in this order.
Boca Chica beach: the main beach of Santo Domingo
Located just 18.6 miles east of the capital, Boca Chica is considered the main beach of Santo Domingo.
This stretch of about 4,921 feet features white sand and calm, shallow turquoise waters, making it a popular spot for families from Santo Domingo on weekends.
There are several beachfront restaurants where you can enjoy fresh fish and seafood. Good options include Bocana Beach Club, Mie Sporting Club, and Boca Marina.
Boca Chica is also very close to the airport, making it a great alternative for accommodations instead of staying in Santo Domingo. There are several nice beachfront hotels where you can step right out and sink your toes into the sand.
If not, just a short walk from the sea is Batey hotel, which is simple but offers a pool and a great value for the price.
⏩ Book your transfer to Boca Chica from the airport here.
Caribe beach
This is a small but beautiful beach. It has some waves, making it ideal if you’re a beginner surfer.
Guayacanes beach
This fishing village boasts a lovely, spacious beach, although it’s not always sandy—there are areas with rocks and coral.
Juan Dolio beach: the best beach near Santo Domingo
Although it’s about 31 miles from the city, Juan Dolio is definitely worth the trip as it’s possibly the most beautiful beach close to Santo Domingo.
If you’re looking for a long stretch of white, fine sand surrounded by coconut palms, and you want to be reasonably close to Santo Domingo, I highly recommend Juan Dolio.
This beach spans 6.2 miles and has plenty of places to eat and stay. You have Juan Dolio Beach, then an area known as Playa Real, and further east is Playa Hemingway beach. The latter was our favorite because it felt peaceful and stunning.
If you’re seeking a beach experience similar to Punta Cana or Bayahibe, but want to be much closer to the airport and Santo Domingo, Juan Dolio is a great option for accommodations. It offers beachfront hotels to suit all tastes, making it the best beach in the area.
⏩ Book your transfers to Juan Dolio here.
⏩ Check out the best excursions from Juan Dolio here.
Bonus: Saona Island
I’ll be honest, Saona Island isn’t close to Santo Domingo. However, I’m including it in this list of the best nearby beaches because it’s very easy to reach Saona on a tour from Santo Domingo, and the beaches are spectacular.
In my opinion, they are among the best in the Dominican Republic.
When do I recommend visiting Saona Island from Santo Domingo? If you’re staying in the capital for several days, you could set aside one day for a trip to the island.
On the other hand, if you’re heading to La Romana or Bayahibe after Santo Domingo, it’s better to take the tour from there. You can check out the best excursions from La Romana here.
Here are the two best options for visiting Saona Island from the capital:
Where to stay to visit the beaches?
If you’re looking to stay in a place with nightlife and a vibrant cultural scene, you might consider lodging in Santo Domingo and taking excursions to the nearby beaches.
- Boca Chica + Juan Dolio from Santo Domingo ➥ BOOK IT HERE!
On the other hand, if you prefer to spend more time at the beach, it’s best to find accommodations in Boca Chica or Juan Dolio, which are the most beautiful beaches in the area. From there, you can easily visit the capital, Santo Domingo, in just one day.
- Santo Domingo from Boca Chica ➥ BOOK IT HERE!
- Santo Domingo from Juan Dolio ➥ BOOK IT HERE!
Map of the best Santo Domingo beaches and surroundings
In the map below, I’ll show you where the various beaches mentioned in this article are located. The beaches in downtown Santo Domingo are marked in orange, while the nearby beaches are highlighted in yellow.
I hope this article has helped you decide which beaches to visit in Santo Domingo. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment, and if you found it useful, we’d really appreciate it if you shared it on your social media. Thanks!
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