Best Beaches in Puerto Plata

Right in the city and with lovely golden sands, this simple but pretty stretch of public beach is a good one for beach walks.

Playa and Costa Dorada are two neighbouring beaches east of Puerto Plata city – both with golden sands and sea protected by a reef. Playa Dorada was the Dom Rep’s first tourist spot and is a blue flag certified beach in a gated community of hotels (like Sunscape Puerto Plata). All manner of water and land activities are available here, from snorkelling to horse riding. Favourite hotels include Be Live Collection Marien, Casa Colonial Beach & Spa and Iberostar Costa Dorada.

A peaceful, undeveloped spot, bursting with natural beauty, about a 15-minute drive out of Puerto Plata. The beachfront has a line of brightly coloured shacks selling knickknacks. Worth a visit, if only for an hour or so one evening to watch the sun set.

To the west of Puerto Plata in the bay of Villa Isabella, this white-sand beach has a glorious mountain backdrop and a sizeable coral reef for snorkelers. You’ll also find a handful of restaurants and bars. It’s a good spot for bird watching – and also stunning sunsets.

West of Puerto Plata, Luperon is water sports central, with beach shacks offering equipment for snorkelling, windsurfing and more. But you could come here and just snooze in the sunshine, lying on white sand and shaded by palms.

A kilometre long, Ensenada’s shallow waters make it popular with local families who come to paddle on holidays and weekends. Nab a spot on the western end if you like your beaches quiet and rustic, or head to the eastern end for more action - music and a line of beach shacks selling food, rum and knickknacks.

To the west of Puerto Plata, Colfresi is a golden sand beach with wonderfully calm waters for swimmers. It has a handy location next to the Ocean World Adventure Park and with good views over Puerto Plata.

Twenty minute’s east of Puerto Plata, this U-shaped bay and its coral formations keeps the turquoise water nice and sheltered, making it perfect for divers (there’s an incredible underwater garden). And with white sand, palms and beach shacks selling cocktails, food and souvenirs, there’s as much to enjoy out of the water as under.

This one’s a quieter alternative to Playa Sousa, but there’s less shade – so visit early morning or late afternoon when the sun’s a little less intense. Greenery bursts out of golden sand, and the views across to the headland are incredible. Reach it via the steps from Parque Mirador (sometimes it appears as Playa sin Salida on maps).

Cabarete is the windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing capital of the Dominican Republic (if not the Caribbean) – with the opportunity to try your hand at paddle boarding, bodyboarding and other activities too. Oodles of restaurants and bars give the whole place a lively feel day and night, while big sporting events (like the World Kite Tour) bring a carnival theme to the seafront. The breezy nature of the beach makes it fabulous in the height of the hottest months.

Just along from Cabarete beach, this one’s well worth experiencing even just as a spectator. When the wind’s up, kites fill the air as their surfers take to the waves. Schools are available for beginners and keen kiters can rent equipment.

Encuentro’s squidged between Sousa and Cabarete, and you’ll struggle to find a better surfing spot than this one thanks to the right hand reef break.