Bavaro Beach (Playa Bavaro)

The basics

The roughly seven-mile (14-kilometer) stretch of Bavaro Beach offers much more than just sunbathing and sipping piña coladas—although these are excellent options. Take advantage of Bavaro’s popularity and ease of access by sailing the day away on a catamaran tour or booze cruise, snorkeling at offshore coral reefs, or parasailing or windsurfing over the crystal-clear water.

Those looking to stay dry can opt for a dune buggy adventure along the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, play a few rounds at a beachfront golf course, or take in the views from a helicopter tour over the Dominican Republic’s southeastern tip. Nearby attractions such as Macao Beach and Catalina Island make for easy and popular day tours from Bavaro as well.

Things to know before you go

• Bavaro Beach tends to attract large crowds, but its long expanse makes it easy to spread out.

• Bavaro hosts the most visitor amenities, resorts, and restaurants of all the beaches in Punta Cana.

• Most accommodations and services are located only a few blocks—at most—from the water.

How to get there

Bavaro Beach is a 20-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport; book an airport arrival transfer for peace of mind or hop on a shuttle. Those arriving from Santo Domingo can choose to make the three-hour drive themselves, hire a local driver, or take a bus. Taxis within and around Bavaro are plentiful, and the beach itself is free and accessible to the public, although large portions are reserved for resort guests. The four public access points are at Bibijagua, Jellyfish, Corales, and Cortecito.

When to get there

High season runs from December to March and from July to August, but to avoid the spring break and summer crowds, consider visiting between April and June or between September and December. Budget travelers will like Bavaro Beach during these times due to the deals on accommodations and activities. Year-round warm weather means that you can enjoy the beach most days.

Where to stay

Luxury hotels and resorts flood the Punta Cana area, and Bavaro Beach is no exception. Opt for an all-inclusive resort for guaranteed entertainment in the form of night clubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, restaurants, and recreational facilities, all in the same place. Budget options such as vacation home rentals and B&Bs are ideal for those who want to experience local culture and explore all that the town of Bavaro has to offer.

Ways to explore

Although sunbathing and swimming are easy ways to enjoy Bavaro Beach, this sandy spot is packed with action. Take a catamaran or snorkeling tour—there are coral reefs just offshore. For those looking to party, many boat cruises are adults-only booze cruises. If you’ve got the kids along, you can also take glass-bottom boat tours, opt for fishing excursions, or consider all-terrain vehicle tours. Plus, there are plenty of amenities nearby when you need a break from the hot sun. Bavaro Beach tends to attract large crowds, but its long expanse makes it easy to spread out and relax, too.

Accessibility

Certain areas of the beach are more accessible than others. For the best accessibility, stay at a resort that offers accessible beach ramps or beach wheelchairs.

Age limits

Even though visitors of all ages are welcome, you should supervise your children near the water, even though it’s often shallow.

What to pack

Towel, reef-safe sunblock, hat

What to wear

Swimsuit, sunglasses, flip-flops

Not allowed

Taking shells or starfish from the beach, starting fires, littering, drinking out of glass bottles

Amenities

Lifeguards (in some sections), restaurants, bars, shops

Address 

Bavaro Beach is about a 20-minute drive from Punta Cana International Airport; book an airport arrival transfer or hop on a shuttle. Those arriving from Santo Domingo can make the roughly 3-hour drive themselves, hire a driver, or take a bus.

Driving

It’s fairly simple to drive and park near Bavaro Beach, mainly because it’s so long and large, and it has numerous entry points. From the airport, take Boulevard Turístico del Este to Avenida Barceló until you reach the beach.

Public transportation

There are local bus options between the Punta Cana airport and Bavaro Beach, but timing can be unpredictable, and you may have to walk a bit to get to the stops.

Best times to visit

To avoid crowds and intense midday heat, visit early in the morning or late afternoon, when you can catch a perfect sunrise or sunset.

Best days to visit

You can visit every day of the week, but holiday weeks tend to be the most crowded. Try to avoid the days around Christmas and Easter for a quieter experience.

Best months to visit

It’s best to enjoy Bavaro Beach during the months of December to April, thanks to low humidity and rainfall, pleasant temperatures, and less seaweed.

Special events

Visit during the lively Carnival celebrations in early March or during the merengue festival in July.