Santo Domingo Tourist Trap Tips by globetrottette

In all the tourist guide books, you have the flawless picture of the sandy white beach and the "swaying" palm tree. They seem to be everywhere right? Not so... If you are planning to be in Santo Domingo and drive to the beach, please note that there isn't one.

We were told that we could be in Santo Domingo and then drive 30 minutes to Boca Chica where we could go to the beach and enjoy ourselves. The all inclusive resorts have claimed the beach as their own and will charge around $50 to allow you to use what in theory is public. When we found a corner of sand not already claimed by an international company, it was filthy and you were harassed every few steps.... We decided to go further to Juan Dolio but there was no beach.
One day, we were so desperate to see a beach any beach that we drove the 4 1/2 hours to Punta Cana. Yes the beach was white, yes the trees were swaying, and yes we had to pay a day pass to have access to it...After a few hours, it was BORING....

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At Least Do This: If you go to Boca Chica, go to the Boca Marina restaurant and sunning deck with "thousand and one nights " feel to it with divans and beds with flowing linens overlooking the water. You can reserve the beds that are located at the end of the deck overlooking the most beautiful water..It is out of this world, absolutely beautiful, not overcrowded, nor tacky...Fabulous food, great service, awesome music. Owned by a Spaniard who designed it himself and brought the wood from Bali... Apparently planning on renovating...