Your essential guide to Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic

While luxury travelers once avoided the Dominican Republic and visited neighboring islands, that is no longer the case. Many people head north to the less-visited coastline, where golden sand beaches and vast expanses of tropical forest hide some of the most exclusive real estate in the Caribbean.

Most travelers visiting the Dominican Republic are usually attracted to the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana. But along the enviable beaches that radiate out from either side of the Dominican Republic’s Rio San Juan, a decidedly more luxurious getaway is blossoming, with boutique hotels from some of the world’s most exclusive hotel brands popular among those in the know. Recent visitors have included celebrities such as DJ Khaled, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Bad Bunny.

“The area is rich in local culture and community and maintains a strong sense of ‘self’, allowing guests to experience a true Dominican flavor,” said Lionel Vara, general manager of Amanera.

But despite all the new development, there are still seemingly pristine beaches intersected by towering mountain peaks covered in lush tropical forest. It’s a different side of the Dominican Republic, raw, real, and just breathtaking.

Here’s what you need to know before visiting Rio San Juan, Dominican Republic.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Playa Grande Beach Club

Playa Grande Beach Club combines colorful Caribbean style with Palm Beach design. Once a collection of privately owned beachfront bungalows, it is now a luxury boutique hotel. Antique furniture and artwork, hand-crafted tiles, and ornate Dominican architecture make this property unique. All of this is the work of award-winning interior designer and owner Selerie Kemble. Playa Grande Beach Club features just nine cozy bungalows with thoughtful touches like private lanais and copper bathtubs to make it feel like the home away from home you’ve always dreamed of.

Amanera

One of only two Aman hotels in the Caribbean, Amanera offers views of pristine jungle and white sand beaches that evoke the region’s natural beauty. The property’s 25 stylish, self-contained casitas feature clean lines and a minimalist, modern design to make the most of the tropical views. Amanera’s facilities include a state-of-the-art gym, sports court, and wellness center offering a variety of spa treatments and experiences such as guided meditation and yoga sessions. Whether you’re a guest or not, dining at the hotel’s cliff-top al fresco restaurant is a must on your itinerary.

Ani Dominican Republic

ÀNI The Dominican Republic feels like the pinnacle of luxury. This intimate resort welcomes just one guest at a time on a private peninsula with 270-degree ocean views. Designed for groups of up to 28 people at a time, our 30-strong staff will take care of every detail of your all-inclusive stay like never before. Private chef and butler services, child care, excursions and activities, and even spa treatments are all included here and are standard experiences at Ani Private Resorts, located in several dreamy destinations including Anguilla, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

What to do

Let’s go to the beach.

Many local residents consider the beaches on the country’s north coast to be some of the best in the country. Playa Grande is the largest and most picturesque in the area, with a cliff-lined coastline, but Valla also recommends visiting Playa Preciosa, just a few minutes away. “Stable waves, uncrowded beaches and warm waters” make it suitable for both surfing and swimming, he says. Drive along the coast to Playa Calenton, where you’ll find a smaller but equally beautiful stretch of sand, where you can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, and sample dining options.

Visit Laguna Grigri.

Tucked away from a quiet beach just north of Rio San Juan, Laguna Grigri is a crystal clear lagoon lined with mangrove forests and caves where tropical birds nest, making it one of the region’s most important bird sanctuaries. Excursions include boat rides through the lagoon’s tranquil channels as it flows out to sea, and stops at coves and caves for swimming and snorkeling.

Let’s go kitesurfing.

Adrenaline junkies rejoice! The north coast of the Dominican Republic is a haven for water sports enthusiasts who want to spend the day surfing, paddleboarding, sailing, and more. The name of the sport in Cabarete is kitesurfing. Living up to its name, Kite Beach is lined with shops that rent gear and offer classes for all levels. This region is one of the few places in the world where conditions are perfect for the sport year-round, but the winds are best suited for kitesurfing during the warm summer months.

Let’s go whale watching.

Every year from January to March, the Dominican Republic welcomes humpback whales who migrate to these warm waters to give birth to their young. You’ll have to travel to Samana Bay to spot the whales, but it’s worth the hour-and-a-half drive to see the calves playing with their mothers up close. Along the way, treat yourself to a stop on the white sand beach of Cayo Levantado.

best restaurant

Playa Grande Beach Club Restaurants

Playa Grande Beach Club’s main restaurant is located in the stately main building, steps from the ocean, or stroll off the beach for a late lunch or sunset dinner. The farm-to-table ethos is fully evident in dishes across the menu, with fresh seafood and traditional Dominican cuisine served all day.

Casa Grande at Amanera

There’s nothing better than having a drink at sunset on the clifftops of Amanella’s Casa Grande, but the restaurant’s impeccably fresh and flavorful menu, inspired by both island and international influences, might be well worth the view. Casa Grande is open all day and is especially popular in the evening, but brunch is its own culinary highlight. Reservations required.

Playa Grande Beachside Vendors

The best snacks in town are some of the simplest, sold directly on the sandy beaches of Playa Grande from the few shops that are open come rain or shine. “You can eat fresh fish, the sweetest piña colada straight out of the pineapple, perfectly crispy fried plantains, and drink ice-cold beer,” says Alexandra Geronimo, general manager of Playa Grande Beach Club. “You can also shop at a small market selling country souvenirs such as larimar, a gorgeous blue stone that can only be found on the island.”

Cheo’s

Rio San Juan has several local eateries, but Cheo’s is popular for its friendly, welcoming atmosphere and wide selection of local favorites. The interior is simple, but dishes like grilled lobster and fresh seafood with fried plantains stand out, and the affordable lunch specials are some of the best deals in town.

Towns to visit

Rio San Juan village

Despite the growing interest in traveling to the region, Rio San Juan has remained largely unchanged, with its center still a small fishing village. There’s not much to do other than grab a beachside snack and stock up on the essentials you’ll need for your stay, but that’s kind of the island’s charm. However, be sure to leave time to visit the mountain views, beautiful beaches, and local eateries. Just a few minutes north of town, Playa Grande offers some of the area’s most sophisticated lodging and dining options and is a must-visit when exploring the area.

Cabarete

“Cabarete is world-famous for its kitesurfing, but its vast coastline will also take your breath away,” says Vara of the beach town just an hour from the coast. With wild water sports tours and lessons for surfers and aspiring pros, it’s a haven for the laid-back, not the extravagant. But even the most upscale traveler would be hard-pressed to find fault with the bars and restaurants that line the beach.

cabrera

Geronimo recommends spending time in Cabrera, just 30 minutes from Rio San Juan. One of the highlights, he says, is “the walk on the Cabrera cliffs at sunset.” The region is known for its less-visited beaches and beautiful mountain hiking areas that hide waterfalls and beautiful lookouts. Be sure to stop by Laguna Dudu, a huge cenote filled with crystal-clear water that’s perfect for cliff diving and snorkeling.

best time to visit

The best time to visit the northern coast of the Dominican Republic is between December and April, when sunny skies and slightly cooler temperatures create ideal beach weather. Picture-perfect days attract large numbers of snowbirds and correspondingly high prices. However, this less touristy area receives only a fraction of Punta Cana’s tourists, so it never feels crowded.

Atlantic hurricane season lasts from June to November, so summer travelers should expect more frequent rain and warmer temperatures, even when no tropical cyclones are forming. The benefit of visiting during the off-season is that everything from flights to hotels are cheaper and you get the chance to see the island’s lush greenery.

Are you worried about the sargassum seaweed tangles that are invading the beaches of many nearby destinations in the Caribbean? Don’t be. Thanks to its location, “Rio San Juan is not affected by the sargassum that has affected the Dominican Republic and many other parts of the Caribbean,” Vara says.

directions

The country’s north coast is easily accessible from Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP) in Puerto Plata, about an hour and a half west of Rio San Juan. Puerto Plata doesn’t have as many flight arrivals as Punta Cana, but it’s easily accessible from the East Coast, with direct flights from cities like Atlanta, New York, Charlotte, Miami, and Boston. Starting in January, Copa Airlines will begin operating direct flights to Puerto Plata via Panama City, making it even easier to reach from other regions.

Travelers can also consider flying into a nearby airport and making the slightly longer drive to the area. The island’s capital, Santo Domingo, is approximately 2.5 hours away, and Santiago de los Caballeros is approximately 2 hours away.

How to move

Adventurous travelers can rent a car at Puerto Plata’s airport, making it relatively easy to navigate the area’s major roads. However, most travelers prefer to book transportation with their hotel or resort before arrival, whether it’s a private car and driver for pick-up or drop-off, or shared transportation with other guests. Most travelers tend to spend most of their stay in the area near beaches and hotels, so renting a car to stay can be more troublesome and expensive than it’s worth.