Boca Chica, Dominican Republic: photos, hotels, beaches, resort description. Boca Chica - why is this resort chosen for relaxation? Where is Boka Chika located?

Holidays in the Dominican Republic attract tourists with its exoticism. The most popular resorts are Boca Chica and Punta Cana, located on the southwest and southeast coasts of the country, respectively. To make your choice, before your trip it is worth considering in detail the advantages and disadvantages of both areas.

How long does it take to fly to the Dominican Republic?

Traveling to the Dominican Republic lasts quite a long time, so it is very important to evaluate the convenience of traveling to each of these resorts. You can get to them as follows:

You can get from Moscow to Boca Chica by plane, but there are no direct flights between Russia and the Dominican Republic. There is no airport at the resort itself, so all flights land at the country's main airport, Las Americas, located in the capital of the country, Santo Domingo. Airfare starts from 670 USD . Flight duration about 15 hours with a transfer in New York, Frankfurt am Main or Madrid. The distance from the airport to Boca Chica is 12 km, which will require an additional payment for a private transfer to the resort. The average cost of a transfer is 190 USD (per car for 1-4 people).

It will be somewhat more convenient for Russian tourists to get to Punta Cana due to the presence of its own international airport in the city center.

It is important that Punta Cana Airport is the only air service point in the Dominican Republic that accepts flights not only from the Russian capital, but also St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar and other cities.

When departing from Russia, you will have to make a mandatory transfer in Munich, Dusseldorf, Miami, the capital of Germany or the UK. You can buy a ticket for an average of 700 USD - 900 USD, and the flight will take a little less than in the case of Boca Chica: about 13 hours 40 minutes. If you choose a charter flight with a connection to the USA, do not forget to apply for a US visa. Without it, the flight will be impossible.

Most hotels in Punta Cana offer free airport transfers. But even if you have to get to the hotel yourself, public transport here is inexpensive - only 45 DOP. Ordering a taxi will cost 1400 DOP - 2400 DOP.

Where are the best beaches in Boca Chica or Punta Cana?

At both resorts, access to the sea is free, which will delight fans of surfing and diving. Each of the beaches of Boca Chica and Punta Cana has its own “zest”:

Boca Chica attracts tourists with large beach areas covered with fine white sand. All of them are located on the shores of a shallow lagoon (no more than 1.5 m), reliably protected from underwater currents by a coral reef. Some beaches are located on a secluded island, which can be reached from the shore directly through shallow water. Almost ideal conditions have been created here for diving, windsurfing, sailing, sport fishing, and mastering water skiing. The hotels have tennis courts and horse riding clubs.

Punta Cana designed not only for a quiet family vacation, but also for a fun pastime for young people. Here, almost every tourist will find a place to their liking: for those who like solitude, the wild beaches of Macau are suitable (but keep in mind that there are no amenities such as umbrellas and sun loungers here). But if you crave parties and getting to know the “nightlife” of the Dominican Republic, go to Bavaro Beach with a well-developed infrastructure and many beaches and discos.

Boca Chica is unlikely to appeal to those who cannot live without civilization and its entertainment: the only way to diversify your leisure time is by traveling to nearby islands or to Santo Domingo, which is not that cheap. Guests of Punta Cana are unlikely to get bored: the resort has many entertainment venues and well-developed urban infrastructure, including public transport, hospitals, banks, pharmacies, etc.

Hotels and restaurants in Boca Chica and Punta Cana

Vacationers should note that most hotels in Boca Chica are located some distance from the coast, so you will have to walk a little to get to the beach. At the same time, in Punta Cana almost all hotels are located right on the coast.

The choice of places to stay in Punta Cana is very varied: from hostels and guest houses (costs 650 DOP - 1300 DOP per night) to 4- and 5-star all-inclusive establishments (prices per night range from 1000 DOP to 30,000 DOP depending on the hotel class).

Boca Chica restaurants are famous for their unusual fish dishes and longanica sausages. However, there are undoubtedly more catering establishments offering both budget dishes and delicacies of Dominican, European and Asian cuisines in Punta Cana.

When comparing the advantages and disadvantages of the famous Dominican resorts, we can conclude that Punta Cana offers tourists a greater level of comfort and varied recreation.

A holiday in Boca Chica is, first of all, an opportunity to soak up the gentle beaches, where the sand is fine and pliable, like flour. It's the pleasure of plunging into the caressing warm waves of a beautiful lagoon surrounded by a coral reef. These are memorable journeys to islands sleeping in the middle of the crystal clear sea surface.

Back to Boca Chica's past.

Like most Dominican resorts, Boca Chica was once a small picturesque fishing village adjacent to sugar cane plantations. This corner of the Dominican Republic began to invite tourists only in the mid-twentieth century. But for now these are only the “cream of society” of international class, who settle in the Hamaca Hotel (today called Hamaca Suites 5 *), built on the orders of dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo.

Trujillo's death in 1965 was followed by the hotel's closure. The revival of "Amaka" occurred at the end of the twentieth century. However, while the hotel stood dormant, wealthy families built cozy holiday homes here. The place was very attractive for a quiet, measured holiday.

Boca Chica resort today.

Today Boca Chica is a busy resort with a complex of hotels and hotels. The resort occupies an advantageous position on the southern coast of the Island of Hispaniola (as Christopher Columbus called the Dominican Republic). Just 30 kilometers from it is the capital of the state - Santo Domingo. And Las Americas International Airport is only 12 kilometers away from Boca Chica.

About hotels in Boca Chica.

Boca Chica welcomes its guests mainly with three- and four-star hotels with good living conditions. Most hotels are located on the coast. Lovers of home furnishings have the opportunity to rent a private apartment for the duration of their vacation, but you need to understand that for package tours the ticket is always included at a lower price than you would buy it at the box office. An important advantage of the resort is the absence of interruptions in the supply of electricity and water, which are frequent throughout the Dominican Republic.

Beaches of Boca Chica.

Boca Chica beach stretches for almost 3 kilometers. The main attraction of the beach is the fine-grained sand. A feature of Boca Chica beach was the violation of local laws that prohibit commercial construction closer than 60 meters from the sea. So the beach is blocked by the Hamaca Beach Resort, which has its own pier. In the center of the beach is the Don Juan Beach Resort, which also has its own pier and a diving center.

Here you can have fun playing tennis on the well-equipped tennis courts.

Emerald Lagoon.

Boca Chica is the largest natural lagoon in the Caribbean. A natural barrier of coral reefs, stretching for 500 meters, protects the lagoon from strong sea waves. Moreover, at a depth of one and a half meters, the water in the lagoon is distinguished by its crystal purity.

The shallow lagoon pampers its guests with a measured, peaceful holiday. However, the shallow depth of the lagoon does not prevent those eager for sailing regattas, windsurfing, and diving from realizing their dreams.

Every year in April, here you can take part in fishing competitions organized by the local water club.

Diving in Boca Chica.

Fans of diving in Boca Chica flock to explore the coral reefs, where they can observe the life of the inhabitants of the depths of the water. Of genuine interest is the excursion to Caleta National Park, where you will visit the Hickory shipwreck.

Restaurant menu.

While vacationing in the Dominican Republic, it is impossible not to try the culinary masterpieces of local chefs. Numerous cafes, restaurants, and bars will treat you to unsurpassed dishes of national cuisine. And at open-air parties you will refresh yourself with juice that is immediately squeezed from the most exotic fruits; Treat yourself to fruit ice cream and fruit kebabs (more than five hundred grams of delicious raspberries or blackberries). Fans of spicy tastes will definitely try pineapple with chili pepper and rum. And all this to the catchy merengue music, the kisses of the hot sun and gentle wind.

Excursions in Boca Chica.

Boca Chica offers exciting boat excursions to nearby islands.

On the island La Matica An amazing mangrove tree grows, which has its own name La Matica. The island is named after this plant. When you come here, you can meet many exotic birds. The island of La Matica is loved, for example, by herons. By the way, to get to the island, you do not need any vehicle. Take a walk through the shallow lagoon, where the bottom is covered with soft sand, and you are there.

The Island of Pines also deserves attention - Los Pinos. It is located just west of La Matica. Los Pinos is slightly larger in size than its neighbor, and the local beaches are loved by tourists. Hurricane Geogies, having destroyed the businesses located here, made the island of Los Pinos uninhabited. The flora and fauna of these places also suffered from the elements. When going on an excursion here, stock up on strong shoes and mosquito repellents.

Those who love basking in the sun will surely enjoy it Playa Andres beach, which attracts with an unusually sweet aroma. This is quite natural. Near the beach there is a sugar cane processing factory that has been operating for many years. Playa Andres beach is surrounded by palm trees. The great advantage of this place is its spaciousness. You won’t have to look for a place for a long time on this beach; it is rarely crowded with visitors.

Whatever you decide to do to entertain yourself at the Boca Chica resort: scuba diving, windsurfing, sea or land walks, excursions and travel, your vacation will be complete and memorable.

Boca Chica is a city in the Dominican Republic, located on the Caribbean coast near the capital, Santo Domingo.
Boca Chica is a very poor region, perhaps one of the poorest in the country. Imagine that you spent 13 hours on a plane, about 4 hours at the airport, about an hour in a taxi to the airport to fly, as you think, to heaven on earth. Introduced? And now I will plunge you into harsh reality. Upon arrival at the hotel, it was discovered that there was no hot or cold water, as well as electricity. And this is not a problem for a specific hotel, but for the entire city. Perhaps this is a familiar picture for people who are used to traveling around the countries of Asia and Latin America, but I was extremely shocked.

Later they explained to us that Boca Chica is a very poor city, and such problems for local residents are not problems at all: interruptions in water and electricity are par for the course here. But don’t be afraid, all of the above will seem like a trifle at the moment when the shores of the Caribbean Sea open before your eyes.

How to get there

The only way to get to Boca Chica from Russia is by plane.

By plane

So, by air travel to ( Las Americas airport) or ( Punta Cana airport) you will reach the Dominican Republic.

Boca Chica is located 12 km from the capital's Las Americas Airport and approximately 160 km from Punta Cana Airport.

Now a little more about each of the two routes from Russia.

Flight to Punta Cana

The most inexpensive way to travel is still purchasing a ticket. You can search for options from different tour operators, for example. This option is convenient because you don’t have to think about a transfer from the airport, but you should keep in mind that you will fly to Punta Cana airport, and the journey to your destination by tour operator’s bus will take 3-4 hours. I wrote about how to get to Punta Cana on your own and which airlines to choose in the corresponding section of the review article about.

From Punta Cana Airport to Boca Chica

1. Private transfer from Punta Cana airport to Boca Chica will cost around 150 USD. You can order a taxi at the counter when leaving the airport.
2. Car rent at the current dollar exchange rate, it will cost from 30 USD per day; you can get acquainted with the prices and options of the cars provided in advance, for example,.
3. By public transport from Punta Cana airport to Boca Chica impossible.

Flight to Santo Domingo

There is no direct flight here from Russia. At best, you will be able to find a flight with one transfer.

How to get there from Moscow:

1. Aeroflot + Airfarce- the fastest way. The flight will take a total of 14 hours 50 minutes there and 14 hours 5 minutes back, including a 1.5 hour connection in Paris. The downside of this method is the price; tickets for two cost from 3,940 USD (235,000 RUB).
   If you think that this is the most expensive method, I hasten to disappoint you.
2. Aeroflot + American Airlines. Flight time there is 17 hours 50 minutes, back - 15 hours 30 minutes. The transfer lasting just over 2 hours in both cases takes place in a beautiful city. The cost of tickets during certain periods reaches 6,695 USD (399,000 RUB) for two, this is the most expensive flight to the Dominican Republic that I have ever seen. Suitable for lovers of comfort and those who do not need to save on travel.
3. KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) + Copa airlines + Air France- the most profitable route for tourists, tickets for two can be found for 2,180 USD (130,000 RUВ) for two, but you will have to endure some inconveniences. The duration of the flight there will be a total of one day. The return journey will take 15 hours. Connections on the way there - and on the way back -.

Flights for all 3 options I described are carried out from Sheremetyevo International Airport. You can compare ticket prices from different sellers.

How to get there from St. Petersburg:

The best option in terms of price and quality ratio would be a flight Aeroflot together with a low-cost airline Jet Blue. Connections are made in Moscow and New York, the approximate cost of a flight for two is from 109,000 RUВ in summer and from 130,000 RUВ in winter. The total duration of the flight is 24 hours 14 minutes towards the Dominican Republic and 23 hours 40 minutes towards St. Petersburg.

Departures from St. Petersburg operate from Pulkovo International Airport (LED).

Flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg depart daily.

From Santo Domingo Airport to Boca Chica

If you are a fan of independent travel, then the minimum cost of a trip for two for 10 days will be approximately 2,460 USD (150,000 RUВ), excluding the cost of entertainment and excursions. I wrote about the cost of the flight above.

Housing

Accommodation in Boca Chica can be found quite inexpensively, for example, the price for a room starts from 25 USD (1,500 RUB) per day, a room in an apartment will cost a little more, prices from 40 USD (2,500 RUB) per day. You can find a room or apartment for the desired dates, for example,. Self-booking a hotel with an all-inclusive system will cost from 135 USD (8,200 RUВ) per day. I recommend it for hotel booking. You can compare housing prices from different sites, for example.

When choosing an independent trip, I advise you to pay attention to accommodation with a kitchen. This will allow you to purchase products from the supermarket and prepare them yourself, which will significantly reduce costs from your budget.

other expenses

The cost of excursions starts from 40 USD (2,500 RUB) per person, dinner in a restaurant with a beautiful sea view will cost from 150 USD, a taxi ride - from 25 USD (1,500 RUB).

Generally

Of course, everyone’s vacation needs are different, but if you don’t plan to spend your entire vacation lying on the beach, but want to immerse yourself in the culture of the country, in my opinion, including the cost of air travel and accommodation, you will need 3,280–4,100 USD (200,000–250,000 RUB ).

Main attractions. What to see

Boca Chica is not rich in its attractions. You won't find any functioning museums here. And, perhaps, you can’t even make a “Top 5” list of attractions.

The main attraction of Boca Chica is rightfully its beaches; they stretch here for several kilometers.

White sand, blue water, palm trees - what could be more perfect?

Beaches. Which ones are better

Conventionally, all the beaches of the resort can be divided into those located in the city and beaches on the islands. Next I will tell you about all of them in more detail.

City beaches of Boca Chica

They include two beaches, marked on the map with rectangles.

Beaches on the islands

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

Since most Dominicans adhere to the Catholic faith, you will find a corresponding church in Boca Chica.

Temple of the Holy Archangel Raphael (Iglesia San Rafael Arcangel)

This is actually the only temple in the city.

The church, as seen in the photo, is a small white building with a red roof.

From the outside, the building looks quite nice, but when you get inside, you are surprised at how tiny this building is, and you think that renovation of the interior will not harm the interior at all.

It's worth coming here to experience the local atmosphere. Here you can meet pleasant city residents who come to pray for a better future for themselves and their children.

I think that regardless of your faith, this place will leave you interested and make you think about a lot.

Finding the church is very easy; it is located on St. Raphael Street not far from the main street of the Duarte resort.

Visiting and opening hours: Visiting the church is absolutely free for everyone. Here you don’t have to worry about your appearance (within reason). Of course, you won’t be able to enter here in a swimsuit, but many tourists calmly move around the church in fairly short shorts and a T-shirt. In my opinion, out of respect for religion, you should at least cover your neckline and legs with trousers or a skirt, but even if you decide not to do this, you won’t feel sideways glances here.

Opening hours:

• Monday, Wednesday - days off,
• Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - from 9:00 to 18:00.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are no active museums in Boca Chica at this time.

Parks

Boca Chica is a fairly green city, but rather due to the many palm trees growing along the Caribbean coast.

The city is not rich in parks, but there is still one there.

Boca Chica Central Park (Parque Central)

Located between Calle Duarte and Calle San Raphael, near the Church of Saint Raphael.

Address: Ave Juan Bautista Vicini.

The park has a small well-groomed green area.

You can walk around it all in 10–15 minutes, and if you don’t feel like walking, you can stock up on a book and read it here, sitting on one of the benches.

The scale of the park did not impress me, and is unlikely to impress a resident of the metropolis, but to get a general idea of ​​Boca Chica, I think it’s worth a walk here.

The park also has a small children's playground, so if your hotel area is without one, it is advisable to bring your child here.

The park is public, so visiting is free. Open 24 hours a day.

Tourist streets

There is only one tourist street in Boca Chica - Duarte street.

As I already said, souvenir shops are concentrated here, you can find a cafe right there, and it’s also just a pleasure to stroll along this street if you suddenly get bored of walking along the coast.

I would say that everything a tourist needs, or almost everything, can be found on Duarte Street.

What to see in 1 day

Let's say that for some reason you only have one day in Boca Chica. What to see and do you have enough time? Boca Chica, as I mentioned at the beginning, is a very small city, and therefore, if you only have one day at your disposal, then this will be enough to see the main attractions of the city.

1. By 9:00, go to the Church of St. Archangel Raphael, 30 minutes will be enough for you to explore it; I wrote in more detail about the temple above in the corresponding section.
2. Follow the main street of the Duarte resort, take 15-30 minutes of your time to walk along it, there are cafes and souvenir shops that do not have names, but, nevertheless, from here you can take away some unique souvenir that will be associated with Boca -Chikoy, for example, a painting with views of local landscapes.
3. Head to the resort's public beach, take a walk along it, and be sure to take a swim in the shallow Caribbean lagoon!
   It will take approximately 2 hours.
4. From the public beach of Boca Chica, swim to the islets of La Matica and Los Pinos, it will take about 20 minutes of continuous swimming to each of the islets.
   You can spend another 20 minutes on the islands themselves, so in total you will spend a maximum of 1 hour of your time on these two attractions.
5. If you get hungry, go back to the public beach, all the cafes are concentrated here.
   Perhaps this is all that is worth seeing in Boca Chica. Dedicate the remaining time to a beach holiday. This is the best solution here, because Boca Chica is famous for its excellent beach holidays.

What to see in the area

Santo Domingo (31 km)

You can take a guided tour starting from 30 USD, which can be booked. Or go to Santo Domingo by car or taxi. The journey will take less than 40 minutes.

You can read about what you should definitely see with your own eyes in about Santo Domingo on our website. All I can say is that this place is definitely worth a visit due to its proximity to Boca Chica.

Only after visiting the capital of the republic, you can truly feel the flavor of the country. It is in Santo Domingo that you will see the real Dominican Republic without embellishment.

Nearby Islands

Bored of All inclusive? Do you want romance? Then take a boat tour to the island.

Catalina Island

The place is located some distance from the resort. You can only go to it as part of an excursion group. But don’t waste your money, the island is worth a visit because of its pristine beauty!

The cost of an excursion to the island is 50 USD, you can book it in advance.

A small life hack: You can save 10–15 USD if you buy a beach excursion from the employees of this travel agency. You don’t have to look for them; on the beaches of Boca Chica they will find you themselves. But, if you still need to, you can recognize them by the corresponding inscriptions on the T-shirts. Feel free to bargain for an amount from 5 to 15 USD. A similar excursion with hotel guides will cost about twice as much. They will claim that it is unsafe to take excursions on the beaches, but take my word for it, I have verified it personally: I took excursions both from a hotel guide and in this place - my only regret is that I greatly overpaid for the first one. There are no complaints about safety. The only point: knowledge of at least basic English is desirable, since in “Pedro” they can promise a Russian-speaking guide, and the group can be diverse, then all explanations will be in English, which is quite primitive, but still, if you are completely 0 , then you won’t understand anything.

The price of the excursion includes: transfer to the place, food and drinks upon arrival on the island, as well as a place on the beach.

The excursion to the island lasts all day. You will be picked up from your hotel by comfortable coach at approximately 9:00 am and transferred back in time for dinner at your hotel.

At the beginning of the excursion, the bus brings you to the port of La Romana; the travel time is about an hour.

The boat covers the distance to Catalina in about 20–30 minutes. I advise you to use sunscreen before boarding the boat, as you may have a seat on the boat where the rays of the scorching sun penetrate.

Before arriving on the island, the boat makes a stop for snorkeling. It lasts approximately 15 minutes. Snorkeling is included in the price of the excursion, but masks may not be enough for everyone, so it is best to bring your own.

Persons from 6 to 17 years old are allowed to snorkel in the presence of adults. Adults over 18 years old, no restrictions.

Upon arrival on the island. Catalina will give you a place on the beach and leave you to rest for a couple of hours until lunch is ready.

The beach here is equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, a toilet, a shower, and there are also rescue towers.

You can lie under the shade of a palm tree, enjoying the amazing view, or swim in the sea.

The entrance to the sea is gentle, but the bottom here is rocky in places, so be careful. This is the very moment when I regretted that I did not have special shoes for swimming.

You can also while away the time before lunch in one of the local souvenir shops.
They are located on the beach right behind you.

Here you can buy hats, pareos, magnets, paintings with local landscapes.

Please note that everything here is very expensive. For example, the cost of a painting starts from 50 USD.

After 2 hours of relaxing on the beach, you can go and grab your food from the buffet. To do this, you will have to stand in a long line among tourists. Lunch will take you approximately 1–1.5 hours. It is worth noting that throughout your stay on the island, drinks at the bar can be taken in unlimited quantities. You don't have to wait until lunch for this. You can approach the bar approximately 15 minutes after arrival. The price of the excursion includes water, juices, soda, and various alcoholic drinks, including cocktails.

After lunch, you will be given about another 30-45 minutes to rest and then taken to the hotel in exactly the same way as you were brought to the island.

Food. What to try

In Boca Chica you should try:

Beverages

Food prices

The cost of lunch in a budget cafe starts from 35 USD for two. Traditional dishes still remain pork,rice, legumes,bananas in various ways of preparation.

You can also cool off in Boca Chica ice cream and fruits throughout the year. You can buy here coconut from local merchants on the beach for 2.5–3 USD. When buying 2 coconuts or more, there is a chance to bargain for 1 USD or more.

For travelers who prefer to cook on their own, I recommend going shopping at the supermarket Ole.

I wrote more about the supermarket below in the “Stores” section. Prices for products in this store are at the same level as in Moscow, and sometimes higher. For example, a package of Parmesan cheese weighing 227 g costs around 3 USD, chicken breast - from 4 USD. The only thing that is cheaper there is local fruits: prices start from 0.5 USD per 1 kg of bananas.

Surprisingly, I didn’t see a single market in Boca Chica.

Budget

1. La Terrazza,
2. Las Palmeras Cafe,
3. Parador El Tamarindo,
4. Buxeda,
5. Palmares Restaurant.

Mid-level

1. Pequena Suiza,
2. Sporting Club,
3. Bocana Beach Casa Club,
4. Movida Santo Domingo,
5. Village on the Beach.

Expensive

There are only 2 gourmet establishments in Boca Chica:

1. Boca Marina,
2. Neptuno's Club Restaurant.

Holidays

At the end of summer, Santo Domingo hosts merengue festival. Considering the proximity of the Boca Chica resort to the capital of the Republic, this event cannot but affect it. You won’t find such a scale here as in the capital, but, nevertheless, here at this time it’s a lot of fun on the beaches.

Local residents start dancing to national music. Merengue is a very sensual dance, and there was a period when they even wanted to ban it at the official level, but, fortunately, this was never done. If you wish, you can join the dancers. Merengue is not only dancing, but also songs.

Safety. What to watch out for

Boca Chica is a place where I didn’t feel safe leaving the hotel grounds. The city is very poor, and that says it all. Beggars are often found outside the hotel: both adults and children. They can be found here not only on the street. One day I met a couple with a child in a large supermarket, they begged me to buy diapers for their child. In appearance, they are quite capable adults. It seemed to me that the poor people perceive tourists as walking wallets.

Here they also offer to smoke weed without hesitation. Fortunately, if you refuse, they don’t force you, but it all makes you feel uneasy. I do not recommend girls going here without a male escort. You won’t be able to leave the grounds of your hotel without getting stressed.

Pickpocketing is also rampant in Boca Chica, so never take large sums of money with you, and it’s better to leave your equipment in the hotel safe.

Things to do

Despite the small size of Boca Chica and the claims of many that vacation here is exclusively beach, I am ready to dispel your doubts. You can go fishing, dance at the bar, go diving, or even play golf.

Golf

You can practice this sport absolutely free. To do this you need to go to a place called Tierra Alta Disc Golf Course.

This is the first golf course in the Dominican Republic where anyone can come and play golf absolutely free. And even if you do not have your own equipment for the game, they will also rent it to you for free.

Address:Calle Caracol no. 500.

Opening hours: The golf course is open from Tuesday to Saturday - from 7:30 to 15:00, Sunday and Monday - closed days. But advance online booking is required. This can be done.

You can also reserve breakfast or lunch at the on-site cafeteria. The approximate cost of breakfast is 5 USD (225 DOP), lunch - 7 USD (335 DOP). Breakfast is served at 7:30, lunch at 12:30. Payment can be made in local currency upon delivery in the cafeteria.

I advise you to save money and eat at your own hotel, but as an entertainment this place is well worth a try.

Diving

You can go diving at one of the schools located on the beach along the entire coast. Classes are taught by experienced instructors. Unfortunately, at the moment, there is not a single Russian-speaking instructor in Boca Chica. Therefore, to go diving, you must know English, and ideally Spanish.

I have described the list of schools and which one, in my opinion, is more suitable, below in the appropriate section.

Shopping and shops

Boca Chica does not have large malls or outlets. Here you will not find stores with branded items. But on Duarte Street, the main street of Boca Chica, you can buy something unique. This street, although small, is replete with an abundance of small souvenir shops. Here you can buy local jewelry starting from 7 USD, magnets for 5 USD, souvenir plates starting from 7 USD, and even get swimming trunks in case you forgot yours (priced from 10 USD).

If you want local fruit, you should head to the Ole supermarket.

Opening hours: 8:00–22:00.

Ask about the fastest way to get there at your hotel reception.

Here you can get ripe and juicy mangoes at a ridiculous price of 0.5 USD per piece.

Prices in the supermarket are presented in pesos (DPO), the American dollar is not always accepted for payment, so change your money to local currency in advance. This can be done both at the hotel and at the bank. The bank rate is more favorable. For example, there for 100 USD you will get approximately 4,600 DOP, and at a hotel it is at least 100 DOP less. At first glance, it seems that the difference is insignificant, but with the amount saved you can buy several mangoes.

If you are used to shopping big, go to the capital's shopping centers.

Bars. Where to go

If you find yourself in Boca Chica, I recommend paying attention to the bar Latino by Philippe on Duarte street.

This is the only bar that deserves attention according to TripAdvisor, and I completely agree. open to visitors daily from 21:00 to 02:00.

The owner of the establishment, Philip, is a very friendly and welcoming person. He will do everything to make sure you have fun in his bar. Here you can dance to the fiery rhythms of salsa and bachatta. You can meet both tourists and locals at the bar. Prices - from 7 USD per cocktail. This establishment is perfect if you are bored with a beach holiday and want a little fun.

Casino

I won't send you to any nightclub in Boca Chica. Here you can spend your leisure time more interestingly. Try yourself in a casino; it is officially allowed in the Dominican Republic. To do this, head to the Be Live Hamaka Hotel.

Kviar Casino Hamaca- a great place to try your luck. Blackjack, roulette, and slot machines are available here. Just don’t take large sums with you, the probability of losing is quite high.

The casino is open daily from 20:00 to 04:00. Here you can meet people of all ages, both tourists and locals. The casino has its own security service, so you don’t have to worry about security. The staff is friendly and polite. Here players are provided with good quality booze for free. Caribbean Divers.

Address: Duarte street, 44.

The establishment is located near the public beach of Boca Chica (Playa Publica Boca Chica) and has a very memorable logo, which you will hardly be able to pass by:

And here it is on the map:

The price for a dive starts from 45 USD, 5 dives will cost 200 USD, there is the possibility of a night dive, in this case 20 USD is added to the initial cost. Equipment rental is included in the price.

The company also provides various courses starting from 140 USD. The diving school is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. More detailed information can be found on the company. I especially recommend this place to those who speak Spanish. Lessons are also taught in English, but sometimes there is a language barrier.

For persons from 16 to 18 years of age, classes are possible in the presence of adults, from 18 years of age without restrictions.

Other good diving schools include:

1. Tropical Sea Diving,
2. Ocean Diving,
3. Treasure Divers,
4. Neptuno Dive Center.

Important: Please note that not a single school will provide you with classes in Russian. Training takes place mainly in Spanish and English, sometimes French. You can dive if you know at least English, otherwise it may be unsafe, as there is a risk of not understanding the instructor.

Sailing

There is sailing in Boca Chica. You may think that there is no extreme in this activity. But I hasten to disagree with you. It is at this resort that you can feel like a real captain!

Company Sailing DR I will be happy to provide this opportunity to anyone who wants it. Classes are held in groups of 1 to 4 people. The lesson includes theoretical and practical parts lasting 1.5 and 3.5 hours, respectively.

Training takes place under the guidance of a captain with 20 years of experience. A practical sailing course will cost 400 USD. More detailed prices and information about the company can be found.

Classes are possible from 18 years of age.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Since Boca Chica is located in close proximity to the capital of the Dominican Republic, all the same souvenirs are available here as in the capital of the country.

This may seem strange to you, but in Boca Chica I will send you to a regular supermarket to buy souvenirs. Head to Ole to shop for inexpensive gifts to commemorate your trip to the Dominican Republic. It is worth bringing from Boca Chica as a gift:

How to get around the city

There are 3 ways to get around Boca Chica and its surroundings:

1. Taxi is an expensive but safe transport.
2. Rented car.
3. Buses are a cheap but unsafe way to travel.

There are no metro or trams in the city. Below in the relevant sections I will talk in more detail about each of the listed types of transport.

Taxi. What features exist

A taxi ride from the airport to the center of Boca Chica will take approximately 20 minutes and cost from 25 USD. A taxi ride from Boca Chica to the capital of the Dominican Republic will take approximately 40 minutes and cost from 35 USD. If you decide to go to, the journey will take about 3 hours and will cost you 140 USD one way.

You can pay for a taxi in cash either in US dollars or in Dominican pesos. If you decide to pay in US currency, prepare the amount in advance without change. If you do not do this, you will receive change in local currency at a not very favorable rate.

Taxi stands are located in close proximity to the hotels.
Taxi prices are fixed and indicated at the counter. There's not much point in haggling, but if you're very good at it, you can give it a try.

Buses

Buses are quite convenient transport for moving around the city and beyond. And also the most inexpensive way to travel around the country. As for safety, you won’t have to feel it here. You will be amazed by the driving culture in the Dominican Republic and will remember minibuses in Russia with lust.

However, this method will save a lot of money. A trip to Boca Chica will cost 1.5–2 USD. A trip to the capital of the Dominican Republic will cost about 7 USD. You can even travel by bus over fairly long distances, for example, to Punta Cana, and the amount of your trip will not exceed 15 USD, but you will have to spend 3.5–4 hours on the bus.

Air conditioning on buses often works at full capacity, so when planning a bus trip, stock up on warm clothes.

For information about bus schedules and stops, please contact local residents. Since buses in Boca Chica are the way locals travel, taxis are more popular among tourists.

Transport rental

In Boca Chica you will not find rental offices of famous companies. You also won't find rental companies offering full insurance here. Therefore, the most convenient and safest way is to rent a car at Las Americas Airport.

To rent a car you must have an international license, a credit card, and you must be at least 25 years old.

Rental prices start from 55 USD per day for an economy class car.
The cost of gasoline in Boca Chica starts from 2 USD per 1 liter.

Traffic on the roads of Boca Chica is very busy; local drivers do not comply with the speed limit and violate all legal traffic rules. You should be an extremely careful driver on city roads.

It is better to always let local motorists pass. In the event of an accident, the police will always be on the side of the local population.

Boca Chica - holidays with children

Boca Chica can be an excellent option when choosing a holiday destination with children. The resort is famous for its sandy beaches with a blue lagoon. And the depth of the lagoon in the most remote places does not exceed one and a half meters.
Here you can rest assured about the safety of your child near the water.

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Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !

Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

The Dominican resort of Boca Chica is located in the south of the country and is located on the famous Caribbean Sea. Its neighbors can be considered the capital, Santo Domingo, located 30 kilometers to the west along the coast, and the town of San Pedro, which is also about 30 km away, but along the coast to the east.

You can read more in detail.
The close distance of this resort to the capital allows you to visit it without much difficulty, because Santo Domingo is also a large shopping center with all kinds of shops and a shopping center. You will be interested in what it is famous for all over the world.

Boca Chica, Dominican Republic on the map

Boca Chica with the ability to choose a hotel on the map and book it:

It is also very convenient to get here from the airport, since it is located 12 km away and is called Las Americas.

Resort beaches

The Boca Chica resort itself consists of several beaches and is a kind of lagoon around which there is a coral reef that protects it. The lagoon itself is not deep. Its maximum depth barely reaches 1.5 meters.

Those who are planning to travel should pay special attention to these advantages.

The beaches on Boca Chica are large. They can even be called not beaches, but large beach areas. Of these, there are 4 main beaches where the most people gather, both tourists and locals:

• Main beach or central
• neighboring Playa Andres
• La Matica, located on a small island
• Los Pinos

You can see the location of all beaches on the map at the top of the page.

There are such interesting places:

All beaches have fine, white and pleasant sand. It may be noted that some beaches are located on a separate small island, which can be reached through shallow water. It's very funny and convenient.

Despite the fact that this resort is quite small, windsurfing, water skiing, diving and sailing are popular here. A regular world sport fishing tournament also takes place here.

About hotels in Boca Chica

Also the most varied. Almost everyone works according to the “ all inclusive" Typically they are located near the beach, but there is one called Don Juan Beach Resort, which is located directly next to the water. Its visitors can enter the water directly from the hotel or dine in the evening in the romantic setting of the crashing waves.

You can see his photo below:

Select a hotel according to the following parameters:

A short video about a wonderful holiday on the beautiful beaches of the Boca Chica resort. By watching it, you can learn more and get a feel for life near the Caribbean Sea. The video shows Playa Andres beach.

Located in Haiti, it invites guests from all over the world, kindly presenting vacationers with crystal clear waters, white hot sands and mysterious mountains.

In contact with

But which beach should a tourist choose? Let's compare popular vacation spots in the Dominican Republic.

Dominican Republic

Country located on the island of Haiti, washed by several seas. Therefore, holidays on different shores of the Dominican Republic have significant differences.

It will be useful for tourists to know that the national language in the republic is Spanish. But in recreation areas you can most often hear messages in English, as well as French and Italian.

Dominicans use the local currency, which is called the Dominican Peso. You can exchange your money for local pesos upon entering the country: at a hotel or bank branch.

You can visit the sunny region at any time of the year However, it is recommended to open the season in October, because in the fall the sun is gentle and gentle, but in the summer, on the contrary, it burns away all desire to sunbathe with its scorching rays. Another coin in the autumn holiday treasury can be considered algae, which populate the beaches in the summer and recede along with the unbearable heat.

The island provides tourists with the opportunity to enjoy a subtropical climate: the hottest month is August, when the temperature rises to +31°C, and the coldest month is January - +22°C. From May to September there is a rainy season, which is temporary. Instant heavy downpours quickly give way to hot weather. The remaining months are considered predominantly dry.

The variability of the weather, as well as hurricanes that mar the holiday, have led to the fact that the most “popular” month for visiting the Dominican Republic considered to be the autumn-winter period.

The incomparable beach mood that overtakes a tourist in the middle of winter can be satisfied on any of the beaches of the Dominican Republic. Let's look at the most popular resorts on the Dominican Republic.

Boca Chica

Popular name of the resort - Coconut Beach. The coast gained popularity a hundred years ago. A quiet and sunny location, as well as the proximity of the capital, have become the favorite criteria of the local elite.

Today, relaxation on the coconut shores is available to everyone. There are many hotels and inns along the coastline, which is more than one and a half kilometers long. Las Americas Airport, located nearby, allows tourists to fly straight to the sunny shores.

A lively place on the Caribbean Sea has become famous for its remarkable natural “structure”: the beach is protected by a 500-meter-long coral reef, which has turned the shore into a cozy lagoon, protected from waves and sea adversities.

Beaches

With fine snow-white sand - the pride of the Dominican Republic. Coastline three kilometers long. The beaches located on it will appeal to even the most sophisticated tourists: there are crowded recreation areas and remote islands. The area protected by the reef is ideal for couples with children, because the depth of the lagoon does not exceed one and a half meters.

Most popular beaches:

• Playa Andres
• La Matica,

For those who do not like to relax in crowded areas, there is a passage through shallow water, with which you can get to a remote deserted island.

Hotels

Boca Chica is a small resort whose hotels are mainly located on the coastline and have their own access to the sea. But even those hotels that are located at a distance will not force a tourist to walk more than one kilometer to the water.

Almost all hotels boast three or four stars and operate on an all-inclusive basis. For example, the wonderful Don Juan Beach Resort hotel is located right on the seashore, which allows guests to enter the water from the hotel grounds.

For those who prefer to relax “savage”, there are many apartments for rent on the island. However, such a vacation is considered unprofitable, since renting such housing will cost many times more than staying in a hotel.

Things to do

So, the hotel has been chosen, the beach has been visited. It's time for the cultural program. Maybe a tour?

Undoubtedly Boca Chica - a resort for active people. No one can get bored here. For those who like to enjoy the beauty of nature, local companies offer scuba diving, exploring coral reefs and observing the peaceful inhabitants of the underwater world.

After being underwater, come to the surface and try your hand at active sports. There is tennis, surfing, and even horseback riding.

And for those who decide to visit the Dominican Republic in mid-spring, annual fishing competitions are held.

What to try

Visiting the vibrant Dominican Republic, don't forget to taste the local delicacies. Cafes and restaurants offer a whole range of dishes from the inhabitants of local waters. And for lovers of strong booze, chefs prepare pineapple flavored with hot spices and rum - the signature treat of Boca Chica.

Excursions

Get ready for interesting outings and active recreation by visiting Boca Chica. Hotel representatives or the guides themselves will advise you on what to see on the island.

The coastline welcomes curious tourists with an abundance of yachts that are ready to set sail at any moment. Of greatest interest is a couple of islands located nearby:

Punta Cana

Another wonderful resort in the Dominican Republic. Crystal waters and purest fine sand are a worthy rival for Boca Chica for a place in the hearts of tourists. Luxurious hotels will happily welcome visitors who want to lose themselves on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.

Don't forget to bring a Spanish dictionary to communicate with the locals, as well as an English phrasebook to understand hotel workers. And also, be in a great mood, because the most unforgettable vacation awaits you!

Beaches

At the beginning of your vacation, it may seem like this is one big beach, because the hotel areas are not separated, and visitors can freely walk along the coastline. However, the coast is still divided into several conventional zones. Each beach has its own special atmosphere: they differ in the height and intensity of the waves, water temperature and sand quality. The further north you go, the more choppy the sea will seem to you.

The most popular beach is Bavaro. Protected by a small coral reef, it gives tourists calm waters, clean white sand and coconut palms of incredible beauty. The beach extends over a distance of four kilometers, and its surface is so densely planted with palm trees that there is no need to install sun umbrellas near the hotels.

The most famous beaches:

• Cortecito,
• Arena Gorda,
• The territory of the Barcelo Bavaro Resort hotel,
• Uvero - Alto,
• Cabo Engano,
• Macau.

Hotels

Hotels - This is not just a place where you can spend the night, but entire entertainment complexes. Most hotels are located on the coastline, however, each of the hotels offers visitors many pools of the most unusual shapes.

All rooms are equipped with the latest technology, and the internal infrastructure offers guests not only chic restaurants, but also entire chains of shops, and there are bars near the beach. For a relaxing holiday, sun loungers are provided, the number of which is always equal to the number of guests.

Features of Punta Cana hotels is their “shortness”. Most hotels are presented in the form of small bungalows, hidden in the cozy shade of palm trees. There are also more spacious accommodations: for large families, two-room suites with a private pool and jacuzzi are suitable.

Things to do

Punta Cana is a Caribbean paradise. Both active tourists and sunbathing lovers can relax here.

Variety of active recreation:

Delicacies

To visit Punta Cana means taste the most unusual dishes from sea creatures. Even if you are not a seafood lover, mussels and octopus will satisfy your stomach in the best possible way.

The island attaches great importance to alcohol culture. If you like booze, try the local rum - it's a taste you'll never forget! A type of rum-based alcoholic drink, Mamajuana is a wonderful combination of a pirate drink, wine and honey. Try unusual drinks and enjoy them here and now, because you can take no more than 200 ml of strong alcohol out of the country.

What's better?

There is no unanimous opinion about where it is better, on Boca Chica or in. Each coast is unique, and its atmosphere is unique. The variety of impressions can be judged by the reviews of visitors to the island. There are practically no dissatisfied tourists among the guests.

» Dominican Republic - an incredible adventure. Just look at the luxurious beaches of Boca Chica in a quiet, cloudless lagoon. Heavenly pleasure has finally become a reality!

Review from a guest of Maria Island

"All words about the unsurpassed atmosphere of the Caribbean islands dry up at the sight of this beauty. It is worth visiting Punta Cana just to make sure that there is happiness. Many thanks to the hotel staff for their first-class service, as well as to the local population for the inimitable flavor of these places.”

Review from Yaroslav, a gourmet in the world of tourism

» I was pleasantly surprised by the English language, which can be heard everywhere on Dominican soil. This gave us the opportunity to relax without dictionaries and misunderstandings, which so rarely happens away from home. I can say with confidence that it is difficult to find a more thoughtful service than in Punta Cana. I was very pleased with the opportunity to keep the children busy: the animators are ready to work all day, giving parents the opportunity to once again plunge into the waves of romance.”

Feedback from a family who visited the Dominican Republic in January