Bonita Beach
As you might imagine from its name, Playa Bonita is often called one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. But it is also quiet and calm despite its popularity. Note that watersports are not allowed on this stretch of beach, though visitors can arrange to dive and snorkel at the outlying reefs.
Located in the Samana Peninsula, west of Las Terrenas, Bonita Beach is on the North East coast of Hispaniola. You should think about stopping by even if you are not staying in the immediate vicinity. While the Dominican Republic has beaches that are more secluded than Bonita Beach, it offers just the right amount of privacy and atmosphere to attract visitors who need a place to relax.
How to Access The Beach
Just as you enter the town of Las Terranas driving east from Puerto Plata on the main highway, you'll encounter an arrowed road sign directing you to Bonita Beach. The road that drives to the shore is made up of sand, but it typically in good enough condition that your standard vehicle can make the trip.
Amenities and Ambiance
Bonita Beach, which means Beautiful Beach, is comprised of eight miles of fine white sand lined with spiky coconut palm trees. Looking out into the sea, you'll see clear turquoise waters, and off in the distance the rock Punta Bonita.
Please note that public restrooms are not available, so those of you traveling with small children may want to consider another spot.
Since Bonita Beach is of course found within a commonly visited area, you might need to hunt to get a spot!
What's Nearby
Attractions
Found on the North East coast of Hispaniola. Nearby you'll find accommodations like Casa Grande Hotel, which is perhaps the most conveniently located booking option reachable from Bonita Beach, though you may not find too many additional attractions you can drive to.
Historical attractions such as Parroquia de Samana offer a nice compliment to the scenery of Bonita Beach, and allow visitors to learn more about the Dominican Republic, without having to go too far from the beach. As a matter of fact, this coastline is located 17 miles from this destination of historical interest.
A selection of nearby activities will ensure that you never run out of ways to stay busy. The following table contains a list of nearby attractions.
| Attraction | Type | Distance | Direction | Island |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball Stadium | Sporting Event Venue | 16.0 | ESE | Hispaniola |
| Whale Museum Of Samana | Museum | 16.8 | ESE | Hispaniola |
| Parroquia de Samana | Historical Site | 17.0 | ESE | Hispaniola |
| St. Peter's Church | Historical Site | 17.0 | ESE | Hispaniola |
| Shipwreck Maritime Museum | Museum | 17.2 | ESE | Hispaniola |
Cities and Towns
The nearest section of Hispaniola to Bonita Beach is Las Terrenas. This area of the Dominican Republic is not lacking in exploration opportunities, yet also not overflowing with buildings.
Hotels
The crowdedness of the shoreline can vary widely, depending on everything from the time of day to how many people have booked nearby hotels. At this beach, you can expect to encounter quite a few other guests who are staying close by.
Vacationers looking for a hotel room not far from Bonita Beach shouldn't find it that tough, as there are lots of hotels to pick from close-by. Find the closest booking options by looking over what's listed in the table below.
| Hotel | Distance | Direction | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande Hotel | 0.2 mi. | W | Guest house |
| Hotel Acaya | 0.2 mi. | W | Hotel |
| Hotel Atlantis | 0.4 mi. | W | Hotel |
| Aligio Apart-Hotel & Spa | 0.6 mi. | ENE | Resort |
| Viva Wyndham Samana All Inclusive | 1.3 mi. | SW | Resort |
| Coco Plaza Hotel | -- | -- | Hotel |
| Sublime Samana Hotel | 1.4 mi. | SW | Resort |
| Hotel Cacao Beach | 1.6 mi. | ENE | Resort |
| Hotel Alisei | 1.6 mi. | NE | Hotel |
| Hotel Tropic Banana | 1.7 mi. | ENE | Hotel |
Food
If someone in your group starts to get a little hungry at the beach, it's alright because you'll have plenty of places to dine, without having to go too far. One of the closest restaurants is Casa Grande Restaurant. This restaurant serves both International and Pan Asian / Pacific Rim cuisines. They have become well-known, however, because of their seafood.
The table below lists nearby dining options.
| Restaurant Name | Phone | Cuisine | Style | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casa Grande Restaurant | (809) 240-6349 | International, Pan Asian / Pacific Rim | Very Casual | 0.2 mi. | W |
| The Atlantis Restaurant | (809) 240-6111 | French | Informal | 0.4 mi. | W |
| Mi Corazon | (829) 566-0401 | International | Fine Dining | 1.5 mi. | E |
| Baraonda Restaurant | (809) 240-5555 | Fusion, Mediterranean | Informal | 1.5 mi. | NE |
| La Vela Blanca | (829) 633-2004 | Caribbean | Very Casual | 1.5 mi. | NE |
| Le Thalassa | -- | -- | -- | 1.7 mi. | NE |
| El Cayuco | (809) 240-6885 | Spanish | Very Casual | 1.8 mi. | ENE |
| El Pescador | (809) 240-6202 | American | Very Casual | 1.8 mi. | ENE |
| Gaia Sushi | (809) 914-1023 | Japanese | Informal | 1.8 mi. | ENE |
| La Salsa | (829) 719-8060 | Caribbean | Informal | 1.8 mi. | ENE |
| La Terrasse | (809) 240-6730 | French, Mediterranean | Informal | 1.8 mi. | ENE |
| La Vita e Bella | (829) 686-6318 | Italian | Informal | 1.8 mi. | ENE |
Other Beaches
Visitors looking for a beach that's right for them will have lots of choices besides Bonita Beach.
You may also want to try Coson Beach, which is in a pretty active location. You'll find it three miles to the west-southwest.
Vacationers may also want to visit Las Ballenas, located only a short distance away.
You may find that Bonita Beach is a great fit for your vacation, but maybe you want to see more; in which case you should keep looking for a beach or natural attraction that suits your vacation style.
Help us improve! We welcome your corrections and suggestions.
