Best North Coast beach to visit

[PP2007]

We'll be staying at RIU's. I know the beach there is not the best one, so we
would like to visit one day a really beuatiful beach. What be the one where we should go? Would it be a good idea to rent a car from Puerto Plata? What about bus (or taxi)?

[Rocky]

Playa Caleton (Rio San Juan)
Playa Grande (10 minutes past Rio San Juan)
Sosua Bay beach
Cabarete beach

[PP2007]

Originally Posted by Rocky

Playa Caleton (Rio San Juan)
Playa Grande (10 minutes past Rio San Juan)
Sosua Bay beach
Cabarete beach

Thanks. We've been to Sosua once - this time we would like to visit another beach - even better (more sand, clear water) if possible.
Any idea what would be the best way to get there? Local minibus or taxi?
And how much they will charge? Are these beaches faraway?

[Rocky]

Times will vary with traffic, construction, type of transport.

Playa Caleton (Rio San Juan) 1 hour 30 min.
Playa Grande (10 minutes past Rio San Juan) 1 hour 40 minutes
Sosua Bay beach 35 minutes
Cabarete beach 45 minutes

By public transport, all of the destinations would be less that 5 bucks and take a bit longer than the above times.
I don't know the taxi prices.
All the above beaches are clean and worth visiting.

[Rocky]

Sosua, Cabarete & Playa Grande are all indicated, and Caleton is minutes East of Rio San Juan.


Sosua Bay Beach


Cabarete Beach


Playa Caleton



Playa Grande

[PP2007]

Originally Posted by Rocky

Sosua, Cabarete & Playa Grande are all indicated, and Caleton is minutes East of Rio San Juan.


Sosua Bay Beach


Cabarete Beach


Playa Caleton



Playa Grande

Thanks for great info package and photos. What would you say about the Paradise Island - is it worth of visiting and is it faraway? I assume they make excursions to Paradise Island too - should we take one or look for a private adventure...

[dv8]

paradise island is a patch of sand, maybe 30sq meters. really tiny. nice snorkeling spot but not enough room to lie on the beach. take excursion, if you will, unlimited ron, lunch and snorkeling equipment included.

i suggest you walk from riu towards puerto plata, that is if you are facing the ocean, walk to your right. you will pass lots of rubbish and then see the rocks. you can continue in the water (make sure you have water shoes or sports shoes that you can get wet) or on the small cattle tract up the hill. few hundred meters further you will see a small beach, really quiet and lovely.

i have been to sosua beach (ugly and crowded), cabarete beach (crowded, sankies and vendors). playa grande is great, but far. little closer, about 45 min from cabarete there is playa diamante, small shallow bay, very pretty.

[Kyle]

i have often heard the charimicos side of sosua beach is nice and quiet.

[SKY]

Originally Posted by Kyle

i have often heard the charimicos side of sosua beach is nice and quiet.

As long as you don't go on Sunday or a holiday.

[Kyle]

i plan on going on that side when i return in 3 weeks. Rocky told me where it was once but i forgot....