Are you going to the north coast of the Dominican Republic? or maybe you are looking for your next beach holiday, and don’t know where to go?
Here you have my suggestion of the most beautiful beaches in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic.
I was living here on/off for 5 months in 2021 and have been travelling back several times since. This town feels like my 2nd home and I’m excited to share some of my favorite spots with you.
In Copenhagen I teach Dominican culture and dance as well as giving travel talks / bartending in Denmark’s travel café No. 1 – Cafe Globen – run by voluntees! check it out if you are in town.
*If you didn’t already know – ‘Playa’ means beach in Spanish – the language spoken in The Dominican Republic, and hence, all the names starting with it 😉
Playa Cosón
Playa Cosón is the most grand of all the beaches. It stretches about 7 km (4.4 miles) along the north coast – according to google maps measurements.
On this huge secluded beach you’ll find the most amazing villas, right by the water. And a few restaurants, bars and beach clubs scattered along the beach.
Do you like good seafood in a very local setting? Then you should look up Luis Restaurant. Unfortunately he is no longer located right on the beach – but the new location is full of local Dominican feeling! from the food to the people and the music.
“Playa Cosón is the most grand of all the beaches”
How to get there
If you are staying in Las Terrenas town, the easiest way to get there would be by car, quad or motorbike. If you travel by yourself it would be an advantage to find one or more motoconchos (motorbike taxi) that you feel comfortable with. Get their WhatsApp, and then contact them when you’d like to go somewhere. For example to playa Cosón.
Horseback riding
If you enjoy riding along the beach at sunset with a fresh breeze in your hair, Cosón is the place!
please check out the place providing the horses, before booking. Unfortunately animal care is not always on the top of the agenda at most places. So, if you value a place that prioritizes the welfare of the horses aswell, my good friend suggested a place. She is a veterinarian nurse that really cares, so I trust her judgement. Unfortunately the place she suggested is a bit outside of Las Terrenas (and hence not in the scope for this post) – but if you are still interested. You can check out Playa el Limon and this ranch that she suggested – it is closer to El Portillo than Cosón though.
If I’ve tested the places out myself, you might ask? Honestly, horses scare me! I think it looks like something from a movie when people ride there and part of me would love to try – I just don’t dare. That shouldn’t stop you from trying though – if horses are your vibe! 🙂
Sundays in Cosón
The two rivers of Cosón meet and run out into the ocean. On Sundays you’ll see many locals gathering to listen to music, drink beer, dance and enjoy the shade.
I can warmly recommend going for a swim in parts of the river. The water is crystal clear and super fresh (read: if you need to cool down, this is a good place – it’s cold!).
Swimming
If you decide to go for a swim in the ocean you should know that the waves are wild and the riptides are very strong. It is common knowledge between the people living there, but unfortunately many visitors (both natives and tourists) have lost their lives there – please be careful! there are no lifeguards on the beach. Some people who are experienced with the waters in these parts go surfing and kitesurfing here.
Playa Bonita
‘Bonita’ means pretty – and this beach sure is one of the most beautiful beaches in Las Terrenas! This place is full of buzzing expat and turist life. You’ll find lots of restaurants, beach clubs, airbnb rentals and hotels. The beach is also known for their surfing – mostly during winter months. And a great place for beginners. check out this surf school if you’d like to try it out.
If you stick to the area where most people tend to hangout the water is shallow and the bottom is sandy. This makes it a perfect spot to go for a dip when the sun is getting too much.
“‘Bonita’ means pretty – and this beach sure is one of the most beautiful beaches in Las Terrenas!“
How to get there
Just like for Playa Cosón, the esiest way to get to Bonita is by car, quad or motorbike.
On the maps it might look like you can walk from Las Ballenas to Bonita, and there is a hiking trail that would take 25 min or so. This trail will take you through private property though. alternatively you need to walk the road there (same way as the motoconchos go), the walk will take around 90min. Motoconchos are, by far, the easiest.
a little secret
The Bonita beach can be a bit crowed during high season and in the weekends aswell – so, if you enjoy small adventures and a more quite and calm beach where you can be left (mostly) to yourself, this is where you’d want to go!
Walk to your right (when looking at the ocean) – walk all the way to the end. When you reach the river, cross it, and continue around the rocky cliff going out into the water. Now you’ve already reached a more secluded beach. It’s a shame that this beach is not kept more clean as you walk further along.
Continue walking to the far corner of this secluded beach, and you’ll start to see a small opening in the bushes. This is where you walk up. follow the path, and you’ll start to hear the slow waves from the beach – and you know you are on the right track! Walk down the rock formations and the beach will be right there. Check out my pictures bellow for a small taste of the view that will meet you there.
Playa Escondida (The hidden beach) is not the most amazing place for swimming, as you’ll find big rocks and reef as you try to go in. But if you walk along the beach you’ll find small openings in the rocks. Perfect to get in for a swim! Some people prefer to reach this hidden gem from the seaside by sailing there. But this beach is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the beaches in Las Terrenas.
Playa Las Ballenas
Probably my favorite beach in the town area and one of the most beautiful beaches in Las Terrenas.
If i want to be able to just go for an hour and write in my journal or read my book, this is the place I’d go.
Playa Las Ballenas = the whales (pronounced La Ballena in Dominican spanish – yes it’a still plural) has it’s name from the big rocks off the coast of the beach. They look like two big whales hanging out. The Samaná peninsula is also known for being the home of humpback whales when they are ready to have babies.
“If i want to be able to just go for an hour and write in my journal or read my book, this is the place I’d go“
The Beach
All the way at the end of Las Ballenas you can find the river from the picture bellow. It is also in that end you’ll find the beginning of the hiking trail to Bonita (private property), see the description in my Bonita section.
Right before that, you’ll find an amazing, wide stretch of yellow sand. Begging for you to find your spot to chill.
The further you walk back towards town the more narrow the sandy part will be – so personally I prefer to go as far down as possible.
You’ll find a bunch of bars, restaurants, beach clubs and cafés if you walk along the road or on the beach.
You can also find people offering massages on the beach – which should be really nice (haven’t yet tried it).
All the way at the end of Ballenas you’ll find a nice sandy bottom and shallow waters. On the way there, you’ll find reef with patches of sandy bottom. These are nice places to go snorkeling, as there patches of seaweed, rock formations and the water gets deep very suddenly.
Diving
If you like scuba diving, this is the beach that is often used for the shallow water dives when taking your certification. I took my open water diver certificate with the SSI certified TDA (The Dive Academy) in Las Terrenas. I had my first deep dive (12 meters/ 39 feet) at the rock formations called ‘Las Ballenas’. The dive takes you through holes in the cliffs under water. Quite an experience, and challenge, for the first dive. All though I’ve been told that the coral used to be more alive and colorful, I still found it mind-blowing with all the colorful fish and coral I got to see.
Playa Punta Popy
Take a walk along the promenade from town to Punta Popy. Turn right at the cemetery and continue past Colmado Principe along the beach. You’ll find numerous restaurants and boutique hotels scattered on the path. These are the restaurants with the best views in my opinion.
The food and service quality varies a lot. I hope to make a post about that in the future, but for now, your best bet is the google ratings.
Swimming
Most places you’ll find reef rocks close to shore and hence not many places that are comfortable for a swim. Except for patches of sandy parts here and there.
But, when you go all the way to the tip of Popy, this is where you’ll find great options for going in to the water. On the town-side of the tip, the water is normally quite calm, but as soon as you go around the tip, the water will be more raw and wild.
On Sundays, especially, you’ll find many dominican families and groups of friends hanging out, listening to music and having a Presidente (local beer) or two in the shaded palmtree area.
“you’ll find many dominican families and groups of friends hanging out, listening to music and having a Presidente“
Instagramable city sign
Behind this area is where you find the new-ish town sign from 2021. Perfectly instagramable. There is also one of these signs by the entrance to the city, but Iv’e never actually walked there. I assume that they made this new one, because not many people would walk up to the old one to take pictures. So to have one in town brings more focus on social media and hence more visitors.
Fresh Coconuts
Right next to it, you can find fresh coconuts ready to drink. Coconut water contains many electrolytes and are great when you’ve spend a couple of hours in the sun and need to rehydrate. Remember to get them to cut open the coconut when you are done drinking it. The fresh coconut meat taste amazing and contains just as many vitamins and minerals to help with hydration.
Playa el Portillo
Playa el Portillo is most known for kitesurfing and luxury hotels. The water is more raw and wild than at Punta Popy. The sand is as gorgeous as all the beaches. You can walk there during the day all the way from town. It is way less crowded and on the way you will run in to the Mosquito beach bar and Porto by Mosquito. Two establishment by the well known brand Mosquito, mostly catering to a non-local crowed.
Let’s wrap this up
Do you agree with me – are these the most beautiful beaches in Las Terrenas? Was this information useful? Maybe you have other experiences? let me know in the comments section – I’d love to chat 🙂
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