Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. Myths and reality - our reviews and impressions

Unlike Punta Cana, the Caribbean resort is just gaining the attention of tourists Boca Chica(Dominican Republic). On the map it is located in the southeast of the country.

Its undoubted advantage is that a holiday in Boca Chica requires much less financial costs than in the capital or the popular tourist region of Punta Cana.

Resort on the world map

Those who choose an island holiday, year-round sun and emerald waters of the Caribbean Sea should pay attention to the Boca Chica resort in Republica Dominicana.

Where is?

One of the most beautiful resorts in the Dominican Republic, Boca Chica, is located on southern point the islands of Haiti, just an hour's drive east of the capital of the Republic - Santo Domingo (the distance between them is about 32 km).

Boca Chica is 155 kilometers away from the popular northern resort of Punta Cana.

How to get there?

Access to the Boca Chica resort is only possible by car from two international Dominican Republics - in Santo Domingo (Las Americas airport) or in Punta Cana.

It should be noted that direct flights There is no way to the Dominican Republic from the Russian Federation (departure from the airports of Moscow and St. Petersburg). The transfer will have to be made either in Paris or in Miami (travel time is 14.5 and 15.5 hours, respectively).

You can book a plane ticket using this convenient search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date And number of passengers.

Tourists travel from Santo Domingo or Punta Cana to Boca Chica by Taxi, or by renting a car at the airport. There is no bus service in the direction of Boca Chica.

Is it washed by the sea or the ocean?

The Dominican Republic itself is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean from the north, and the Caribbean Sea is already located in the south. Since Boca Chica is located on the southern point of the island, it is washed by warm waters Caribbean Sea.

The Caribbean Sea, by the way, is much warmer and calmer than the Atlantic Ocean in terms of waves.

The resort is called "big bathroom" due to the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by coral reefs, which prevent large waves from approaching.

Weather by month

In Boca Chica (and throughout the Dominican Republic) - humid tropical. In Boca Chica, the average temperature is around +30 degrees (the difference between summer and winter is only 2-3 degrees, in winter it can be around 27-29 degrees), and the percentage of humidity reaches 90%.

Not all tourists tolerate high humidity well (acclimatization can last about a week), but due to sea ​​breeze The humidity is not felt as much.

If you want to get into a hot summer from a cold winter, you should go to the Dominican Republic. Read about the weather conditions in the country in December.

Temperature (average) by month:

• -February– 28.5°C;
• March– 28.9°C;
• April May– 29.6°C;
• June– 30.2°C;
• July August– 30.7°C;
• September– 31.4°C;
• October– 30.6°C;
• November– 29.6°C;
• December– 28.6°C.

Night temperature equal to 20-23 degrees above zero.

Water throughout the year it is warmed up quite well, and even at night it does not fall below +25 degrees, and on average the water temperature is +27-28 degrees.

True, we must not forget that this region is located in hurricane zone, which are not uncommon here from to October. Strong hurricanes avoid the resort, but stormy winds and rain can be an annoying nuisance at this time of year.

Top hotels

Dominican Republic hotels are designed for any category of vacationers- from simple three-star hotels with a minimum set of amenities to luxury hotels with maximum comfort. By the way, the price of hotel rooms does not depend on the location of the hotel itself - whether it is on the beach or in the central part of the resort.

The price of accommodation in Boca Chica hotels is affected only by the range of services and the star rating of the hotel.

Five star

Five star hotel in Boca Chica only one.

Be Live Experience Hamaca(5 stars) - an upscale hotel with the maximum degree of comfort. It offers visitors a business center and conference rooms, a SPA complex, a private beach and free parking.

Food by type "All inclusive" 5 restaurants offer Mexican, Brazilian, Italian and international cuisine.

Four-star

1. Be Live Hamaca Beach 4* And Be Live Hamaca Garden 4* constitute a single hotel complex and are located on the 1st beach line in the Boca Chica beach area. All inclusive meals, private beach with free service. Recommended for a family holiday or for a small group holiday.
2. Quality Real Aeropuerto Santo Domingo(4 stars) located close to the city beach. A restaurant with international cuisine, convenient and comfortable rooms, private parking and a year-round swimming pool. There is a transfer to the airport.

Read in what other hotels in the Dominican Republic offer a high level of service and everything you need for a comfortable stay.

Three-star

• Don Juan Beach Resort 3* located right on the city beach. Great for families, especially families with small children. Here you can stroll through the botanical garden, play golf and even hold a wedding ceremony, which is actively enjoyed by hotel guests.
• BelleVue Dominican Bay 3*. The price includes only breakfast, but this should not be an inconvenience for your holiday - there are many restaurants and cafes around the hotels to suit every taste and financial affordability.
• Aparta Hotel Azzurra 3* located 45 meters from the city beach. Guests can enjoy picnic and barbecue facilities, an outdoor sun terrace, and spa studios.

The delights of vacation - photos

A holiday in this Dominican resort is an excellent opportunity to soak up the white sandy beaches and explore everything connected with the history of this city.

Beach holidays and entertainment

Beach holiday – main advantage Boca Chica. The main beach has the same name as the city - Boca Chica. It occupies almost the entire coastline within the city.

The beach is equipped with changing cabins and showers, and umbrellas and sun loungers are provided free of charge.

The sand on the beach is fine and white, the entrance to the sea is smooth and gentle, which makes it an excellent holiday option for families with children. True, on the beach you can sometimes meet stray dogs, which are fed by the tourists themselves. If you do not consider yourself an animal lover, you should choose beaches away from the central one.

A little west of the city beach is "Andres"– a real paradise for lovers of yachting and sailing. Sailing through the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea will be the most amazing experience. If anyone is not yet familiar with this type of entertainment, there is a sailing school here.

This beach is less crowded, but people prefer to relax here local residents, so that should also be taken into account. There are no sunbeds here, but there are wooden chairs where you can rest. There are no changing cabins or showers on this beach.

Beach "Karibe" famous for its waves - this is where fans of “catch a wave” gather. Many arrive here with their own equipment (from nearby regions). For those who come light, there is a rental point for special equipment.

The city is perfect for those who like noisy nightlife and beach activities. Open-air beach parties are very popular, where you can have a great time in the company of friends to the sounds of fiery salsa or other Caribbean music. Numerous bars and discos on the coast will add “spice” to your relaxing holiday.

Punta Cana or Boca Chica – which is better?

Each resort has its own characteristics and advantages. Boca Chica is located in the south of the Dominican Republic, unlike Punta Cana, and the sea here is much warmer and calmer. This is why families traveling with small children find the Boca Chica resort so attractive - the beaches here have much calmer and safer.

In respect of financial costs for vacation, Boca Chica is also preferable for tourists: prices here are much lower than in the more popular resort of Punta Cana, and the attractions and beaches are not inferior to other resort towns.

But if Punta Cana is a truly tourist area, where the entire infrastructure is aimed at developing the tourism business and any desire of tourists is immediately satisfied (of course, for an additional fee), then Boca Chica is in this regard more simple.

Hotels and inns in Boca Chica are adjacent to ordinary residential buildings, and instead of a quiet walk around the hotel grounds, tourists stroll along the most ordinary street with houses, shops and catering establishments “for their own”.

In Boca Chica you can feel the atmosphere of the city much better by immersing yourself in it.

What to see?

Since the history of Boca Chica as a resort very short(the city began to develop only in the 60s of the 20th century, and before that it was just a quiet fishing village), then there are no such people in the city. But excursion and travel agencies offer resort guests all the opportunities for recreation, in particular, visiting nearby resort places and areas.

Those who miss the Russian language can book a walk with Russians or a Russian-speaking guide.

Excursions to architectural landmarks

1. San Pedro de Macoris– another interesting place for guests of the island (located 30 km from Boca Chica). There is a sugar factory here and on a tour you can observe with your own eyes the process of turning sugar cane into a sweet delicacy.
2. Fishing village of Guayacanes located near Boca Chica. Here you can fully experience the local atmosphere and observe the life and way of life of the local residents.
3. Church of St. Archangel Raphael- the only church building in the city. The temple is a simple white one-story building with a red roof. Inside, the decoration is quite simple: there is no gilding or luxury, the walls are ordinary, without paintings.

The temple is open all days except Monday and Wednesday (these are weekends), from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Visiting the church is free.

Natural beauty and other adventures

The cost of the dive is negotiated individually (independent dive or with an instructor-guide).

Note to tourists

1. It should be kept in mind that English Not everyone speaks (and even more so Russian) language; some employees of hotels and official institutions can speak it more or less passably. So you’ll have to take a Russian-Spanish phrasebook with you on your trip or learn a dozen common phrases.
2. Boca Chica is a place where you can not only feel the atmosphere of the Caribbean region, but also a place where you should be especially careful about your wallet and pockets - theft is very common here. Therefore, it is better to leave especially important documents and valuables in the hotel safe.
3. Russian money It is quite difficult to exchange here, so before your trip it is better to take care in advance to exchange rubles for American dollars. Both dollars and Dominican pesos are used in Boca Chica, and you can easily pay with them or exchange them for local currency.

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Here is a detailed map of Boca Chica with street names in Russian and house numbers. You can easily get directions by moving the map in all directions with the mouse or clicking on the arrows in the upper left corner. You can change the scale using the scale with the “+” and “-” icons located on the map on the right. The easiest way to adjust the image size is by rotating the mouse wheel.

In what country is Boca Chica located?

Boca Chica is located in the Dominican Republic. This is a wonderful, beautiful city, with its own history and traditions. Boca Chica coordinates: north latitude and east longitude (show on large map).

Virtual walk

An interactive map of Boca Chica with attractions and other tourist sites is an indispensable assistant in independent travel. For example, in the “Map” mode, the icon of which is in the upper left corner, you can see a city plan, as well as a detailed map of roads with route numbers. You can also see the city's railway stations and airports marked on the map. Nearby you see the “Satellite” button. By turning on satellite mode, you will examine the terrain, and by enlarging the image, you will be able to study the city in great detail (thanks to satellite maps from Google Maps).

Move the “little man” from the lower right corner of the map to any street in the city, and you can take a virtual walk around Boca Chica. Adjust the direction of movement using the arrows that appear in the center of the screen. By turning the mouse wheel, you can zoom in or out of the image.

Boca Chica, Dominican Republic is a resort town located on the Caribbean coast. When getting ready to go to the Dominican Republic, we struggled for a long time with what to choose - the Atlantic with its much-hyped Punta Cana or the Caribbean, with its supposedly crappy coastal part. The choice nevertheless fell on the Caribbean Sea and the town of Boca Chica - it should be quiet there (without noisy discos and other things), lack of waves and the water was warmer, certainly warmer than on the Atlantic coast.

Well, as for the widespread dirt, crime and other horror stories promised by the Internet, it was decided that we will deal with this on the spot.

Boca Chica on the map of the Dominican Republic

So, having made a short 12-hour flight and bravely endured all its delights, we landed in Punta Cana. The international airport pleased with its exoticism - a small building under a thatched roof with natural (in the full sense of the word) ventilation.


The journey to Boca Chica takes 2-2.5 hours. Time flies quickly while admiring the road scenery.
And here we are at the Don Juan Beach Resort.

Boca Chica, Dominican Republic - reviews and general impressions

We arrived around ten in the morning. And check-in to the rooms is only at 15.00. Therefore, after changing clothes and leaving things in the storage room, the first thing we did was go to the dining room, and then, of course, to the beach. After breakfast, we looked around. No dirt has been found yet. On the contrary, the hotel area is clean, the food is delicious, and it seems possible to live.

We will definitely tell you more about the hotel in a separate article.

In a nutshell about the beaches of Boca Chica in the vicinity of our hotel

The main beach of the Don Juan hotel looked like this.
In our opinion it is too “built up”. And therefore, for swimming, we decided to go to the left of it, to see how things were there. About two hundred meters later we came across another beach of the same hotel and an open space in front of it.

This is where we settled.
For our taste, this is the best place among the beaches of Boca Chica. The sand is white, clean, the water is clear, of some unreal color, all kinds of palm trees on the shore.


What was pleasing was that the coastline was not filled with sun loungers and umbrellas.
Due to the presence of a breakwater, there are no strong waves. The depth increases very smoothly, and the water is suitable for relatively long swimming (the temperature, according to personal feelings, is 24 - 26 degrees). Not 30 - 35, of course, as in the Indian Ocean, but not 20 either...

There was no dominance of algae in the water. On the shore too. And this applies to the entire coast.

About the cleanliness of the beaches

Almost every morning I went for a run. I never saw the promised piles of garbage on the shore, even after the weekend.
I only saw how the workers of numerous cafes carefully swept their territory. We give the beaches a solid four, not a five, only in view of the fact that we personally love less civilized places.

About the crowds of local people on the beaches

The second horror story associated with the beaches of Boca Chica is the invasion of locals on the weekends. Well, this is actually some kind of nonsense. On Saturday they began to expect this invasion in the morning. But for some reason in the morning there were even fewer people than usual.
By lunchtime, in the area of ​​our beach, nothing much had changed either.
But we wanted something exotic. We walked along the coast, towards the Belle Vue hotel. In those parts, especially on the city beach, life turned out to be more vibrant. But we didn’t notice that there was nowhere for the apple to fall. Maybe there are more people in the cafe.

As evening approached, there were more people on our beach.
Although this happened every evening. We deliberately stayed there longer to watch the locals - to at least immerse ourselves a little in their environment... Otherwise, in the hotel you won’t even feel the Dominican Republic...
But for people to be like sardines in a jar, and for them to eat right in the water and litter there (as has been repeatedly written on the Internet) - we have never seen this before. Some people come in with cigars, yes. But bulls and the like don’t swim in water. And at eight o’clock in the evening on weekends there is generally silence and solitude on the beach - just like on any other day.

About crime and safety

The next myth is that due to the criminal situation, it is not recommended to leave the hotel - they will immediately take away your bag, take away all your gold, etc. According to our feelings, the situation is quite normal, just like in Asia.
And just like everywhere else, you shouldn’t walk around covered in gold, waving an expensive phone on a selfie stick, demonstrating to others your superiority over everyone and everything through a tightly stuffed wallet. We even asked our compatriots who have been living and working in Boca Chica for many years about crime. They only confirmed the above. If you are not looking for adventure in one place, nothing will happen. But if you leave a city bar late at night, thoroughly drunk, and even in the company of night butterflies, anything can happen.
In general, according to our feelings, Dominicans are more friendly than aggressive. And he's not averse to meeting white girls.

About the beauty of landscapes

Well, in conclusion, let’s dispel one more statement - Boca Chica is not beautiful. Well, what can we say, Boca Chica is a small town and popular as a resort, therefore, there cannot be many kilometers of deserted Bounty beaches here.
Fortunately, there is no continuous hotel development. But there is plenty of natural beauty there, you just need to be able to see it under the “benefits of civilization.”
As for the sea, it will be even better than off the coast of the famous island of Saona, I checked it personally.
The color of the lagoon in Chika is simply amazing!

This concludes our first review of the Dominican Republic and Boca Chica.

The small town of Boca Chica is considered Boca Chica). This is an amazing place that is famous for its friendly atmosphere, endless beaches with a wide coastline, and luxury hotels along the sea coast. Tourists will be able to find a lot of exciting entertainment here, diversify their holiday with interesting excursions and a unique beach holiday.

Boca Chica differs from other resorts in its unique atmosphere and comfortable conditions for relaxation. Luxury hotels offer tourists a high level of service, and the city's numerous excursion agencies will help you create your own excursion route to capture all the main attractions of the resort and its surroundings. On the magnificent beaches of the city you will find snow-white sand, incredible water activities, and unique, picturesque landscapes that delight even experienced tourists.

Boca Chica on the map of the Dominican Republic

Best time to go to Boca Chica

It is best to go to Boca Chica in the winter season, when the air temperature is most comfortable for any type of vacation, and clear, sunny days prevail. In winter, precipitation is kept to a minimum, so you don't have to worry about the weather suddenly turning bad. In summer, the rainy season begins in the city, so some difficulties arise with organizing excursion tours to remote corners of the city. However, it rains mainly at night, so they cannot interfere with a beach holiday.

How to get there from Moscow

The only way to get to Boca Chica is by air. You will have to spend at least 12 hours on air travel. There are no direct flights between Moscow and Boca Chica. The only airport in the Dominican Republic that accepts flights from Moscow is. Therefore, this is where all tourists from Russia fly. It will take several hours to get to Boca Chica from here. The distance between these cities is approximately 130 kilometers. You can get to the desired resort by taxi or intercity bus.

The cheapest tickets from Moscow to Punta Cana and back

Main attractions

Although Boca Chica is relatively small in size, you can still see a lot of interesting places here. Tour agencies offer a huge number of tourist routes.

Church of St. Archangel Raphael

Perhaps the main attraction of the city is the Church of St. Archangel Raphael. This is a very beautiful place, which is popular not only among tourists, but also among local residents. The temple was built in the 30s of the 20th century, and since then it has been the main religious site of the city. There is a magnificent garden around the church, where a great variety of amazing plants and fragrant flowers grow. Tourists can take a walk in the garden, or just sit in the shade of the trees on a comfortable bench.

La Caleta National Underwater Park

The La Caleta National Underwater Park is no less popular among tourists. This is the most exciting diving site in all of the Dominican Republic. Of greatest interest to tourists is the American ship that sank in these waters in 1984. But this is far from the only ship that wrecked off the coast of Boca Chica, so diving enthusiasts will be delighted by the huge number of sunken ships, exotic marine life, and amazingly beautiful coral reefs.

The islands of La Matica and Los Pinos

Local excursion agencies also offer tourists to diversify their holiday in Boca Chica with a trip to neighboring islands. The islands of La Matica and Los Pinos are of greatest interest. These are small islands that can even be reached by swimming. And during low tide, travelers even manage to reach them on foot. These are uninhabited islands with untouched nature. Tourists can enjoy the silence here, magnificent mangroves, and see exotic birds, of which there are a lot here.

The Boca Chica resort in the Dominican Republic has gained popularity among Russian tourists only in recent years. Due to the crisis in Russia and the associated increase in prices for trips to the Dominican Republic, tour operators were forced to look for options that could be offered to tourists with a small budget. Inexpensive hotels in Boca Chica turned out to be the right option. Today, tourists who cannot afford big expenses go on vacation to the Boca Chica resort area in the Dominican Republic. However, Boca Chica attracts tourists not only with its cheap hotels, and you will learn about all the advantages of the resort from this article.

What a sea in Boca Chica

As you know, the Dominican Republic is washed from the north by the Atlantic Ocean, and from the south by the Caribbean Sea. Tourists often ask what kind of sea or ocean is in Boca Chica. Since this resort is located in the south of the Dominican Republic, it is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Is it good or bad? It seems to us that, from a psychological point of view, most tourists would like to relax on the ocean shore, and not on the seashore. However, the Caribbean Sea in the Dominican Republic has two advantages. Firstly, it is warmer than the Atlantic Ocean (not by much, but warmer), and, secondly, the waters of the Caribbean Sea are calmer than the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Boca Chica on the map of the Dominican Republic

Where is Boca Chica? It’s not difficult to find the Boca Chica resort on a map of the Dominican Republic, but, of course, you won’t find it on a world map. Situated about 30 km east of Santo Domingo, the resort is a very popular destination among locals who come here in large numbers for the weekend. Foreign tourists also often visit this resort, as there are several good hotels here.

You are probably wondering how long it is to travel from Punta Cana Airport to Boca Chica? The distance between Punta Cana Airport and Boca Chica resort is approximately 155 km, and you can cover this distance in about 2 hours. Usually, this much time is spent on a transfer from Punta Cana to Boca Chica, unless check-ins at La Romana hotels are provided.

Distance from Boca Chica to:

Punta Cana – 155 km

La Romana – 75 km

Juan Dolio – 25 km

Santo Domingo – 30 km

Boca Chica Bay is protected from strong waves by a coral reef, so the water here is always calm. For this reason, it received the nickname "The Largest Bathtub in the World." This is a very safe place for children, and this is not only due to the absence of high waves, but also to the gentle entrance to the sea.

The city of Boca Chica will appeal to people who like noise, especially at night. The city center has a variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, concentrated around the main street, Calle Duarte, which attracts many locals and tourists.

History of Boca Chica

Today, Boca Chica for locals is a city beach near Santo Domingo, where they relax on weekends, but previously Boca Chica had a completely different status. Until the 40s, Boca Chica was a small fishing village, but everything changed when the dictator Trujillo built his dacha here in the 40s. In the 50s and 60s, many wealthy families also built their summer houses in this place, and in the 70s, Boca Chica finally transformed from a small fishing village into a resort town, the popularity of which became so high that a bus service was created between Santo Domingo and this city.

At the beginning of this century, Boca Chica attracted few foreign tourists, and the reason for this was the high crime rate. However, in recent years the situation has changed greatly; police officers began to be constantly on duty in the city. Today, many tourists, without any fear, come in the evening to the central street of Caye Duarte, where they relax in restaurants, bars and clubs along with local residents.

The main beach of Boca Chica turns into one big open-air party on weekends with dancing to the sounds of Caribbean music. The beach is lined with beach bars and restaurants, and hard-nosed vendors sell everything from fruit and drinks to cigars and jewelry. These merchants can be annoying at times, but saying “no dinero” (“no money”) is a quick way to get rid of them.

Weather in Boca Chica

The famous resort in the south of the Dominican Republic offers good weather throughout the year. However, it should be remembered that the Dominican Republic is located in the hurricane belt, so storms and even hurricanes are possible in Boca Chica from June to October. In most cases, strong hurricanes that pass through the Caribbean islands bypass the Dominican Republic, but cyclones come to this country every now and then, bringing with them heavy rainfall. However, if you decide to go on vacation to the Dominican Republic for 10 or more nights, you can be sure that the weather will be good for most of your vacation.

Below are the average figures that characterize the weather in the Dominican Republic by month:

In January - daytime 28.4 °C, precipitation 47 mm

In February - daytime 28.5 °C, precipitation 52 mm

In March - daytime 28.9 °C, precipitation 32 mm

In April - daytime 29.6 °C, precipitation 63 mm

In May - 29.9 °C, precipitation 77 mm

In June - 30.8 °C, precipitation 79 mm

In July - 30.9 °C, precipitation 112 mm

In August - 30.7 °C, precipitation 189 mm

In September - 31.1 °C, precipitation 93 mm

In October - 30.6 °C, precipitation 84 mm

In November - 29.5 °C, precipitation 73 mm

In December - 28.7 °C, precipitation 52 mm

Attractions of Boca Chica

It is not surprising that a city with a short history has almost no attractions. However, not far from the famous resort there are several very beautiful places that are especially recommended for lovers of nature and a relaxing holiday. Tourists can always quickly travel from Boca Chica to the city of Santo Domingo, which is literally strewn with attractions. Below is a short summary of the main attractions in the Boca Chica area.

La Matica is a small island off the coast of the Dominican Republic where you can watch a variety of birds. From here you can take a catamaran trip to the small island of Los Pinos, which has nothing but bushes and trees.

The idyllic fishing village of Guayacanes offers you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the “real” Dominican Republic and relax on a fabulous beach. This place is located just a few kilometers from Juan Dolio, another famous resort area.

San Pedro de Macoris - Located about 30 kilometers from Boca Chica, the bustling town is famous for its large sugar factory with tall chimneys.

If you want to expand your knowledge of other places and cultures, you can visit the museums in Boca Chica. There are two small museums in this city, but tourists are mainly interested in the Museo De Lary Mar, which is located almost in the very center of the city.

La Caleta Underwater Park is a popular nature reserve located about 10 km southwest of the center of Boca Chica. Two ships were scuttled here, and the purpose of the sinking was to promote the spread of marine life.

Boca Chica Beach

Boca Chica Beach is divided into three parts. To the west is Playa Andres Beach. This is followed by the widest part of Boca Chica Beach, where you can find many restaurants and bars. The narrower part of the beach begins behind the pier. Here you will also find several cafes and shops.

Between the resort of Boca Chica and the village of Guayacanes there is a small bay with Playa Caribe beach, which has deep waters and often strong waves.
Boca Chica Beach is definitely one of the best beaches on the south coast of the Dominican Republic. The coral reef near the shore forms a natural breakwater that protects it from the high waves of the Caribbean Sea. This makes Boca Chica Beach a popular spot for families whose children can swim safely in the shallow water. Fans of active recreation will not be bored on this beach, as there is the opportunity to rent kayaks, catamarans and jet skis. There are even several diving schools in Boca Chica.

The color of the sand on Boca Chica Beach varies from light yellow to white. The beach itself is generally quite flat and good for jogging. Its width ranges from 40 to 100 meters. On any day of the week, except Sunday, you can always find a place to play here, but on Sundays it is so crowded that it is difficult to find a free place at all. It is clear that you will not see such crowds of people in the beach areas of hotels.

Boca Chica Beach is truly unique. It is located in a bay 1.5 km long and approximately 400 meters wide (at this distance there is a coral reef in the form of a huge semicircle). In fact, Boca Chica Bay is a huge pool of sea water, the depth of which is only 90-120 cm. The water in the bay is crystal clear thanks to continuous natural filtration and constant recharge from a series of natural underwater springs.

Shops in Boca Chica

While vacationing in Boca Chica, do not forget that you are in the tourist center of the Dominican Republic. This means that prices in stores here will be quite high. So, for example, for a hat that you can buy in Santo Domingo for $5, in Boca Chica they may ask you for $15! Brugal Añejo rum costs about $10 in Boca Chica, although it can be purchased for as little as $3 in stores in non-tourist areas.

Shops in Boca Chica can be found everywhere, even in hotels. However, the main shopping area is Calle Duerte. On the beach you can also see stalls with souvenirs and products, and, of course, merchants who will persistently try to sell you a variety of goods.

If the shops in Boca Chica seem too modest and uninteresting to you, then you can go to the nearby city of Santo Domingo, which has several large shopping centers and a wide variety of shops.

What to bring from Boca Chica

You won’t find any unique goods in Boca Chica, since everything that tourists usually buy in other places in the Dominican Republic is sold here. In Boca Chica you can buy handcrafted souvenirs, paintings, as well as typical souvenirs such as Brugal rum, mamajuana (a drink made from rum, honey and herbs), coffee, cigars, cocoa balls, snail slime cream, larimar products... .

Holidays in Boca Chica

If you decide to go on vacation to Boca Chica, you should have a good idea of ​​how you see this vacation. Boca Chica is a rather specific resort with its own advantages and disadvantages. You need to understand that there are no luxury hotels in this resort area, just as there are no large hotels with a wide variety of entertainment. However, entertainment is not hard to find here, especially if you enjoy snorkeling, diving and fishing. Boca Chica offers excellent snorkeling and diving, and local companies can organize offshore fishing trips.

Holidays in Boca Chica are mainly associated with spending time on the territory of the hotel and the adjacent beach, water activities, walks around the city and trips on excursions. But as a base for excursions, Boca Chica is not the best place, unless you want to explore the entire city of Santo Domingo and go to the mountainous part of the Dominican Republic.

Holiday season in Boca Chica

There is no clearly defined high season in Boca Chica, since the hotels here are filled with vacationers all year round. Note that in the period from December to March, when it can be cool in the Punta Cana area, the weather in Boca Chica is quite good. In addition, the water temperature in the Caribbean Sea in the south of the Dominican Republic at this time of year is on average 2-3 degrees higher than in Punta Cana. Do not forget that Boca Chica Bay is quite shallow, which means that the water in it is still several degrees warmer than in the rest of the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic.

Between April and November, Boca Chica often experiences heavy rainfall. The air temperature and humidity level increase noticeably at this time. However, the weather in Boca Chica between April and November is generally quite suitable for a beach holiday.

Snorkeling in Boca Chica

If you think that Boca Chica is a resort only for tourists who want to save money on vacation, then you are wrong. Snorkeling enthusiasts who want to admire the beauty of the underwater world every day sometimes prefer this resort, because the coral reef in Boca Chica is located quite close to the shore, and you can get to it on your own. This significantly distinguishes Boca Chica from Punta Cana, where the coral reef is located 600-1000 meters from the shore and can only be reached by boat.

Although the underwater world in the Boca Chica area is unlikely to amaze avid divers and snorkelers with its biodiversity, the proximity of the coral reef to the main resort hotels makes Boca Chica an ideal destination for those tourists for whom snorkeling is their main attraction.

Boca Chica is rightfully considered one of the best resorts in the Dominican Republic for snorkeling lovers, since, in addition to the beautiful reef, this resort also offers relatively calm and always warm waters. If you forget to bring a mask and snorkel, you can rent them right on the beach for just a few dollars.

Note that Boca Chica also offers trips to snorkeling spots that can only be reached by boat. A group tour to these sites costs approximately $40 per person and includes equipment rental and free drinks. Some of the best snorkeling spots in the Boca Chica area include La Caleta Underwater Park and several famous shipwrecks.

Nightlife in Boca Chica

Many people like to enjoy the beach in the evening, but the only part of Boca Chica Beach where you can have a good evening is the strip east of the Don Juan Resort. People walk here until midnight, merengue music can be heard.

The center of nightlife in Boca Chica is The Disco club at the Be Live Hamaca Beach Hotel on Calle Duarte. This nightclub attracts a lot of people almost every evening. The music is very diverse, so you can hear merengue, salsa and pop music here. The hotel's all-inclusive guests have free access to the nightclub, but all other guests have an entrance fee of P700.

The Be Live Hamaca Beach Hotel is also home to the largest casino in Boca Chica, which is open daily from 5pm to 4am. Entrance to the casino is free, and gambling games here include poker, blackjack, roulette, etc.

Excursions from Boca Chica

If you want to go on excursions during your holiday in the Dominican Republic, you should think carefully about whether you should choose a hotel in Boca Chica. The fact is that only a few well-known travel agencies offer excursions from Boca Chica, and the cost of excursions is usually much higher than the cost of similar excursions from Punta Cana. This is explained by the fact that tourists from Boca Chica need to organize a transfer, the cost of which is quite high. Therefore, you can either pay extra for the transfer or book an individual excursion with a personal guide. In any case, the cost of excursions from Boca Chica in general will be quite high. This does not apply only to excursions to Santo Domingo and “local” excursions, that is, snorkeling trips, catamaran rides, etc.

Some tourists find a way out and buy excursions in Boca Chica from local travel agencies, such as Pedro Tour, but the range of excursions in these companies is very meager, and prices are still high.

Which is better: Boca Chica or Juan Dolio

Boca Chica and Juan Dolio are two small resorts located on the Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic, near Santo Domingo. These resorts attract tourists with low prices for hotel accommodation, so some travelers prefer one of them. Which is better: Boca Chica or Juan Dolio?

In truth, these resorts are very similar to each other, but Boca Chica is a noisier, more fun place. So this resort is more preferable for young people. It seems to us that Boca Chica is also a preferred place for families with children, because the lagoon in this area has warmer and calmer waters than in the Juan Dolio area.

Boca Chica or Puerto Plata

The resorts of Boca Chica and Puerto Plata differ markedly from each other, so it is easy to choose the one that is most suitable for you. Firstly, it is worth noting that direct flights are offered to Puerto Plata from the tour operator Pegas Touristik (at least as of March 2017), while Boca Chica will need to be reached a few more hours by bus or car after long flight to Punta Cana. In addition, you may have to pay extra for transfers to Boca Chica.

Hotels in Puerto Plata are generally better as there are several large 5 star hotels. Puerto Plata is great for surfers and those who love to jump on the waves, while Boca Chica is better suited for snorkelers and those who like to swim in calm waters.

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