Let’s go beyond Punta Cana! This Dominican paradise named a Top Beach Destination in 2026

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I understand that. If you want to meet all your expectations for a paradise vacation abroad, Punta Cana ticks all the boxes.

But the truth is, more and more travelers are avoiding the crowds and carving their own paths to lesser-known destinations.

At Travel Off Path, we do our best to live up to our name. In this case, we’re teaming up with the experts at Going (formerly Scott’sCheap Flights) to bring you information about the next Dominican hotspot you haven’t heard of yet.

Punta Cana has become the most popular vacation spot in the Dominican Republic, so it’s safe to say you’re not going anywhere. But if you’re looking for fewer footprints in the sand, open bar stools at swim-up bars, and a much lower chance of seaweed infestation, Going has achieved that goal by revealing the DR’s must-visit beach towns in 2026.

Introducing La Romana: Dominica’s turquoise oasis

First-time visitors to Punta Cana may be surprised at how small the world-famous city is. I’m writing this article from Prague airport, but imagine where the next plane after mine will take off.

Yes, Punta Cana.

What’s even more surprising is that La Romana (LRM) is featured on many departure boards in Europe and will definitely continue to grow in US airports.

This piece of paradise packs a punch despite its small stature. Located on a secluded stretch of coastline on the DR’s south coast, this up-and-coming gem has similarly luxurious all-inclusives, sparkling turquoise waters, and usually plenty of water to swim in, as the area has little in the way of sargassum to spoil the atmosphere.

For now, it will be less crowded than Punta Cana. That being said, La Romana seems like a place that’s overflowing with tourists looking for more space, but that won’t last forever.

To tell you the truth, I had the pleasure of taking a boat ride last year near La Romana, which in my opinion looked even more beautiful than Punta Cana, especially Bayahibe Beach.

Boasting turquoise waters, tropical forests, and luxury resorts, La Romana is too enchanting to remain a hidden gem forever. As Going said, “La Romana enjoys world-class beaches with calmer waters and far fewer tourists.”

There’s never been a better time to enjoy a new and convenient airline ticket before it’s introduced and becomes a household name.

Choose from 3 airports

It’s been a minute since we reported on American Airlines’ exciting new flight from Miami (MIA), and it’s been a huge success, with more to come.

This was a groundbreaking flight for multiple reasons, but mainly two.

1) Even many Dominicans don’t know about Red Air. Red Air is a low-cost airline based in the DR and was previously the only nonstop flight available from Miami. As a result, many Americans will feel uncomfortable flying Red Air.

2) Shorter travel times are better in the Dominican Republic. The US Embassy recently issued a warning about the dangers of the roads here.

Until Miami flights began in 2024, U.S. travelers had only the option of flying to Santo Domingo or Punta Cana.

Luckily, La Romana is located between them and is fairly easy to get around by shuttle. Of course, these flights still exist, but direct flights to La Romana are best if possible.

When is the best time to visit La Romana?

Deep winter may be looming in much of the United States, but now is the perfect vacation season in La Romana, where you can enjoy sunny beaches, stunning views, and affordable luxury at places like the five-star Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.

At this time, it doesn’t have the same crowds as Punta Cana, but by mid-spring the “snowbirds” have returned in droves, so up until this time it sees the most tourists.

May marks the beginning of the shoulder season and there are fewer vacationers, but this can be replaced by occasional rain, so be sure to book a comfortable room.

However, there can be more rain in the summer, especially during hurricane season. In summary, November to April is considered the best time of the year, considering the weather, affordability and the possibility of finding a quiet place on the beach.

To take your vacation to the next level, we highly recommend checking out nearby Saona Island as well. A truly postcard-worthy Travel Off Pass favorite hideaway.

sam sears

A San Diego-based lead writer and journalist, Sam has visited 36 countries and written over 1,000 articles with a focus on sharing his travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.