There is no denying that one of the major draws of a vacation in the Dominican Republic is the beaches.  The thought of spending your days relaxing with your feet in the sand with the sun warming your body interspersed with trips down to the shoreline to frolic in the surf, swim, and snorkel is certainly a tempting image.  A trip to the North Coast, which features miles upon miles of gorgeous and diverse beaches, allows vacationers to fulfill this fantasy without having to compromise on their chosen accommodations during their trip.

Cabarete

The small beach village of Cabarete is a unique environment, not only because it is quaint and quiet while remaining hip and desirable amongst a younger crowd of travelers, but also because of the lay of the land. The village is shaped in a semi-circle that surrounds the beaches which are laden with sun-kissed, golden sand. Just behind the village is a shockingly blue lagoon. The steady winds make the surf perfect for a number of watersports, but most especially windsurfing.

Cabrera

Though considered by many local islanders to be home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic, Cabrera is often overlooked in favor of some resort towns located nearby.  This bodes well for vacationers who are interested in enjoying their beach days without having to fight the crowds.  The beaches in Cabrera range from calm and shallow for quite a distance into the water, with soft sand on flat grounds, to small, shady coves sandwiched between striking cliffs.  Most of the beaches are safe for swimming, and snorkeling and diving can be done at Cabrera area beaches as well.

Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata is the largest town along the north coast, which lends itself to being one of the largest tourist draws – and this extends to the areas beachfront.  The beaches in Puerto Plata are clean and feature white sands dotted with coconut palms and clear waters.  An off-shore reef formation makes this area a great choice for snorkeling, but other watersports are popular as well.  Despite their popularity, the beaches are relatively uncrowded compared to other top beaches in the Caribbean, especially if you head to Guarapito, which is one of the most quiet and peaceful beaches in the country.

Bavaro/Punta Cana

The Bavaro Punta Cana region curves around the north coast and into the eastern region of the Dominican Republic and remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.  The beaches are white sand and lined with coconut palms, and feature relatively calm waters.  Though these beaches are often crowded by vacationers, the real draw to the area is all the attractions and sites that the resort town has to offer, from bars and nightclubs to shopping centers which are all located along the beaches.

Samana/Las Terrenas/Las Galeras

The Samana region of the Dominican Republic, which is home to the small towns of Las Terrenas and Las Galeras is a great location for vacationers looking to escape the crowds.  Despite the snowy white sands, crystal clear waters, and gorgeous mountainous vistas, few tourists know about the area.  For this reason, visitors who do visit these beaches should be aware that the undertow can be dangerous, and lifeguards are rarely on duty.  The best way to experience the waters in this area is by participating in a whale watching tour.  Between the months of December and March, whales can often be spotted mating and calving.  Scuba diving is another popular past time in this region, for divers who are experienced in the sport.

Sosua

Sosua is a charming fishing village that has begun to see quite a bit of development in recent years.  The beaches in this area are quite diverse.  Though all are beautiful, with their ubiquitous white sand beaches and clear waters, each is known for different pastimes.  Playa Sousa is popular amongst tourist for its calm swimming waters and beachside vendors, Playa Chiquita is quiet and perfect for a day at the beach when you don’t want to fight the crowds, and Playa Encuentro’s more aggressive surf makes it ideal for surfing, kite boarding, and windsurfing.