10 Great Beaches in the Dominican Republic

The beaches in the Dominican Republic are dazzling, unspoilt jewels that radiate under the Caribbean sun. Boasting almost 800 glorious miles of beautiful coastline the country possesses some of the best beaches in the whole of the Caribbean. With so many beaches on one island it might be tough to plan a vacation around it. So to help you I have outlined below a list of ten of my favourite beaches in the Dominican Republic.

10. Playa Coson, Las Terrenas

The magnificent Playa Coson beach in Bahia de Samana stretches for more than three glorious miles and accommodates a number of holiday villas as well as restaurants and one large resort. It is a place of awesome natural beauty characterised by crystal waters and a medium grain type of sand that is a rich golden tan colour. A great place to sunbath, the Playa Coson is also a good place to enjoy watersports such as snorkeling and diving.

9. Playa Grande

Nestled between the Cabrera and Rio San Juan the Playa Grande is a real gem. Offering excellent views located in a cove with cliffs surrounding, the beach has rather the feel of a desert island. Clear water and gorgeous lovely sand completes the picture perfect scene which is noted as a very relaxing place to swim, snorkel and sunbath.

8. Isla Saona

Part of the Parque the Parque Nacional del Este, just across from the Bahía de Catalinita, this is a very popular island beach. With over a thousand tourists visiting it every day you certainly won't be alone if you go here but you will soon see why everyone does. Reached by catamaran, sailboat, or speedboat ride the beach features magnificent turquoise waters offset by the rugged beauty of limestone cliffs. A place where dolphins are often spotted, the 22 kilometres of white sand and idyllic palm trees that encircle this island provide the perfect spot to relax whilst you are waiting from them to show up.

7. Cosambar Beach

One of the best beaches in Puerto Plata, Cosamber Beach is a quiet crescent shape of golden sand. A popular hotspot where semi-permanent snowbirds and tourists try to escape the winter cold of home, this beach has a relaxed atmosphere and paradisiacal nature. A decent spot for snorkelling, the best part about this beach is that although the area has a decent number of holiday accommodation units the region is yet to be fully developed to the point that it is overrun with tourists.

6. Playa Caleta

One of the more dramatic beaches in the whole of the Dominican Republic Playa Caleta in La Romana has a really pleasant feel to it. A great beach for children as the water is quite shallow and there is plenty of shade from the tall palms that line the golden sand, the presence of small fishing boats only adds to its charm.

5. Cayo Levantado

Another Samana beauty, the Cayo Levantado is another little piece of paradise that features clean, unspoilt beaches that are lined with giant coconut palms interspersed with lush flowery gardens. With warm water and a largely quiet ambience this is a fantastic place to go for a little solitude.

4. Playa Luperon

Lined with beautiful coconut palms and extending for over a mile in length the Playa Luperon beach is located on the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great place to dive, snorkel or windsurf, although not really to swim. But with plenty of umbrellas, beach loungers, bars and watersport equipment available to rent there is a lot of fun to be had here.

3. Punta Cana

Perhaps the most famous beach in the Dominican Republic, this private, immaculate beach of white sand, azure waters and verdant tropical landscapes is as beautiful as it is enjoyable. As well as being a great place to sunbath, for those who like to be a little more active, catamaran trips, speed boats, banana boats and party boats are readily available here. The marine life in this area, which can be seen more closely by snorkelling or on a glass bottom boat tour, is particular stunning too.

2. Playa Madame

Wild, yet pristine this small, isolated beach is could easily sell a million postcards. A beautiful golden beach surrounded by ragged cliffs and lush, bosky foliage this little gem, although hard to get to at the end of the very rough road that leads in to it, is well worth the trip. Not least because you can explore some of the wonderful caves and lagoons it houses.

1. Playa de Macao

Rightly acclaimed by UNESCO, the Playa beach is a fantastic beach. Home to the quaint fishing village of El Macao, which is located just south of Uvero Alto in Punta Cana, the beach has brilliant white sand and is notable for an offshore shipwreck which is a popular dive site. Rough waters creates good surfing conditions and the views of and atop the cliffs that brood above the beach are simply breathtaking.  Spencer Samaroo

Holiday & Travel Guide For Jamaica

When you think of a holiday, what comes into mind? Glistening golden beaches? Tranquil picture perfect oceans, teaming with exotic fish? Well look no further than the island of Jamaica. Sitting right on the equator, the island boasts terrific sunny weather all year around, with rain typically falling only in the months of May, June, September and October.

This Island has everything for the perfect getaway for those who want to have a good time relaxing, as well as the holiday maker who is looking for a bit of adventure. Being the birth place of reggae, everything in Jamaica seems to move at a more relaxed and laid back pace, making it the best place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern rat race. There are many exciting and enthralling activities which a holiday maker can embark upon on the island of Jamaica, from diving and scuba diving to wind surfing and trips on boats. You can experience the best of the marine life in the area from both of these, and take in some really stunning scenes that lie just off the beaches all around the coast. Negril is one beach particularly recommended to try.

Swimming with dolphins is also a possibility in Jamaica. Many people find this a healing activity and jump at the chance to experience it. This can still be done in the wild around Jamaica, if you can find the tours that offer this. It is better, however, to head to Dolphin Cove at Treasure Reef, where you will be guaranteed the chance to swim with two dolphins, as well as experience other nature themed fun such as glass bottom boats, Shark and Parrot shows and a Jungle walk.

Other activities if you wish to be active include a fantastic tree top canopy tour. This takes you through history from when the island was first settled by the original inhabitants, to what we know as Jamaica today. This can be an interesting way to both learn and see some of the wildlife that is on offer in the Caribbean.

If just the thought of these activities gets you in a sweat, then there are also many more relaxing pastimes which are available on the island, including beach resorts supporting some top rated golf clubs and brilliantly relaxing spas. If the stunning scenery isn't enough to relax you, these will definitely make you forget about all of the stresses and strains of modern life. Jamaica really does have an underrated charm which is incomparable to most other places that you will be lucky enough to experience on holiday.

Another great aspect of Jamaica is the food, the birth place of 'Jerk' and not something that should be missed. Trying authentic jerk meat is one of the delicacies which should not be turned down. The authentic taste of an open fire and the slow fusion of spices combine on jerk meat to make one of the tastiest dishes out there, so why not try it where it was originally born as a concept, so you know you have had the best?

Happy Holidays  Trevor Butler

The Caribbean Islands Are A Must-Visit Destination

When the phrase tropical paradise gets mentioned one automatically starts to think about lush beaches with crystal clear waters, huge palm trees dotting the shore, and an endless stretch of powdery white sand that is such a joy to behold. If you are thinking about having a vacation in a tropical paradise then you should consider booking a ticket to the Caribbean.

What many tourists do not know is that the Caribbean Islands have a rich and colorful history. It was the great explorer Christopher Columbus who was said to discover the islands therefore it became the springboard for European invasion and domination of the Americas. The reason why the Caribbean has a very unique culture is because of the influences of the Spanish and Portuguese in the beginning and continued later by the arrival of the Europeans. Their arrival brought about what tourists see today as an eclectic mix of American and European influences on food, architecture, and way of life that is now considered as their own. During the sixteenth century the entire Caribbean region was dominated by the Spanish empire and during the seventeenth century the English, Dutch, and French also established colonies. It was in 1962 when the colonies became independent because of the rise of popular movements and labor organizations and the emergence of a generation of politicians who assumed leadership roles.

Today the Caribbean Islands boasts of a culture that is a melting pot of influences from the different colonies that settled in the beginning of their history. Tourists admire the laid back lifestyle of the people in these islands and they just enjoy hanging out with the locals sharing a few drinks with them and talking about their beautiful islands.

If you are unsure which island to visit first, consider Jamaica. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean and provides a home for about 2.6 million people; this beautiful island is where you will find the Blue Mountain Range. It is surrounded by a narrow coastal plain making it perfect for building beach resorts and hotels. Jamaica considers tourism as one of the biggest contributors to their economy. Because of its stunning white beaches, lush foliage, and warm, tropical weather all-year round, people from all over the world flock to Jamaica for several days or weeks of fun in the sun and total relaxation.

Regardless of which island you choose for your vacation, with the gorgeous beaches, comfortable and functional island resorts and hotels, and warm and welcoming people, the Caribbean is definitely one of those place you would not want to miss in your lifetime.  Dawn Schraeder