I don’t think I’ve ever felt more relaxed lying on a sunbed on a tiny island 12 miles off the coast of the Dominican Republic.
A jewel off the southeastern tip of the Dominican Republic, Saona Island is a protected area of ​​Cotubanama National Park. The Dominican government protects the area for its rich, untouched natural beauty. I was expecting spectacular views, but was nevertheless blown away by the lush mangrove forests, colorful coral reefs, and palm-lined beaches. Though Saona is modest in size at just 42 square miles, it receives more tourists than all of the country’s national parks combined, which is no surprise.
You might be wondering how I ended up on a secluded Caribbean island. In fact, Saona is easily accessible from nearby Punta Cana, which is your base for travel in the Dominican Republic. I arrived across the water on a short catamaran tour organized by a fun local crew (who kept the mood going with music and Dominican dance lessons throughout the trip), where I spent the day eating lunch, relaxing, and diving into the super-clear waters. It was heaven.
Back in Punta Cana, I stayed at the Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa and Casino in Bavaro, on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, where options for how to explore the island were plentiful. Just 30 minutes from the airport, the resort is conveniently located near nature reserves and tourist attractions. But for those who want to hop on a plane and kick back (no criticism here), there are 14 gigantic restaurants and a whopping 25 bars to choose from, so you won’t have to leave the resort to enjoy yourself.
Grand Palladium guests are also granted access to sister properties Grand Palladium Bavaro Suites Resort and Spa and Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort and Spa, where they can travel leisurely between them using on-demand golf carts available on-site.
