Craving Caribbean waters but want to avoid the same-o same-o? Lucky for you, Virgin just released 5 beach recommendations for an epic spring break.
Rather than showcase the usual go-tos like Cancun, Miami, and Montego Bay, Virgin revealed some secret goodies, but one stood out the most.
You might be surprised to hear this, but did you know Punta Cana’s popularity has soared so much that it’s taking a chunk out of Cancun’s tourism?
That’s right. American’s favorite beach escape has Punta Cana in its shadows, which means one thing…
What you might envision is the vibrant waters of Bavaro Beach and sitting poolside with a cocktail in hand, but there’s no beating the crowds this spring; you just have to deal with them.
That is unless you’re willing to give a shot to another Dominican paradise just as easy to reach with far fewer crowds, yet still boasting gleaming white-sand beaches and numerous posh resorts.
Puerto Plata: Visit The Dominican’s Stunning Northern Shores
Sometimes a certain destination becomes such a household name that we forget there’s so much more to explore.
In the D.R.’s case, you’ll be hearing more and more about the nation’s up-and-coming resort towns — one of them being Puerto Plata set along the northern shores just an hour or so away from the underrated city of Santiago de Los Caballeros.
This is where you’ll want to fly in unless you’re into hours-long bumpy bus rides. Best of all, you can potentially score really cheap airfare as budget airlines, Spirit, Frontier, and Dominican-based Sky High (seasonally).
Puerto Plata and its vibrant neighbors such as Sosua, Cabarete, and Perla Marina offers visitors world-class beaches that won’t leave you questioning if you made the right decision to skip Punta Cana.
According to TripAdvisor, these are travelers’ 3 favorite beaches to visit in Puerto Plata:
- Playa Dorada
- Key Paradise
- Cofresi Beach
That being said, the next coastal town over is a hidden gem within a hidden gem. Sosua offers even fewer crowds than Puerto Plata.
You can reasonably find your own private paradise. Locals and frequent visitors recommend starting your beach day early to ensure prime spots.
For what it’s worth, Virgin highlights Playa Costambar to Playa La Ballena and Playa el Viejo as must-visits.
Puerto Plata Is Free Of Sargassum
When I visited Punta Cana for the first time last summer, I gotta say Bavaro Beach didn’t quite live up to the hype since I felt the constant presence of icky brown algae as I tried to enjoy a nice swim in the one of the Caribbean’s most renowned beaches.
While the city claims to have sargassum flow under control, these methods of daily clean-ups and barrier installations aren’t foolproof.
Go Dominican Travel doesn’t seem so sure of these methods either, providing a ‘free activities‘ list of things to do to avoid sargassum.
Puerto Plata, on the other hand, and the entirety of the northern coast don’t have these unsightly issues. You can expect crystal-clear waters and postcard white-sand beaches year-round, where vacationers rarely report even a flake of seaweed.
Puerto Plata’s Best Resorts
No matter if you’re a 3-star penny pincher, a 4-star deal snatcher, or a 5-star ask-questions-later splurger, Puerto Plata has you covered with numerous seaside stays ranging from no-frills boutiques to ritzy all-inclusives.
Actually, I take that back. If you’re wanting the ultimate luxury but afraid to check your bank statement, leave that for Cabo.
Check out the Senator Puerto Plata Hotel, a 5-stay hotel tucked away on from the “action” of this laid-back town with a nightly rate of just $157 for a suite this spring.
orIf you’re the all-inclusive type and want to know exactly what you’re paying up front, well, before you enter the gift shop anyway, then check out 5-star Iberostar Waves Costa Dorada for only $194 for an ocean-view room and ‘unlimited specialty dinners’ in April.
No matter where you stay, make sure you save some time in your itinerary to take a trip to the vibrant town center, which is a lot more inviting and picturesque than Punta Cana with colorfully decorated streets and surprising historic attractions like Fortaleza San Felipe, a 16th-century Spanish fortress.
Hop aboard the fun cable car for sweeping views of the Caribbean, and see if you can spot Puerto Plata’s hidden waterfalls!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
