Move Over Punta Cana! This Dominican Paradise Named Top Beach Destination For 2026

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We get it — if you wish to fulfill each ounce of expectations you’ve gotten for a paradise trip overseas, Punta Cana ticks off each field.

But the reality is, extra vacationers are ditching the crowds and forging their very own path to lesser-known locales.

Here at Travel Off Path, we do our greatest to dwell as much as our identify. In this case, we’re lockstep with fellow specialists at Going (previously Scott’s Cheap Flights) in regards to the subsequent Dominican hotspot it’s possible you’ll not have heard of — but.

It’s secure to say Punta Cana is not going wherever as its change into probably the most sought-after trip spot within the Dominican Republic, however if you happen to’re looking for fewer footprints within the sand, open barstools at swim-up bars, and much much less odds of seaweed invasions, then Going nailed it by revealing the D.R.’s 2026 must-visit seashore city.

Presenting La Romana: The Dominican’s Turquoise Oasis

First-timers to Punta Cana could also be stunned by how small it’s, given its world-renowned standing. As I write this text from the Prague airport, guess the place the subsequent flight was taking off after mine…

That’s proper — Punta Cana.

What’s extra stunning is La Romana (LRM) finds itself on many departure boards in Europe too, and can certainly proceed to develop amongst U.S. airports as properly.

This slice of paradise packs a punch regardless of its diminutive stature. Located on a secluded stretch of shoreline on the D.R.’s southern coast, this up-and-coming gem is laden with equally luxurious all-inclusives, gleaming turquoise waters, and often swimmable waters since vibe-ruining sargassum hardly ever trickles into this area.

For now, you will additionally discover fewer crowds than in Punta Cana. That being stated, La Romana appears to be the place the overflow of vacationers visits for extra space, which will not final eternally.

Truth be instructed, I had the pleasure of whizzing by La Romana on a ship final 12 months and it seems to be even prettier than Punta Cana if you happen to ask me, particularly Bayahibe Beach.

Boasting turquoise waters, tropical forests, and posh resorts, La Romana is just too engaging to be a hidden gem eternally. As Going said, ‘La Romana enjoys world-class seashores with calm waters and much fewer vacationers’.

With new handy flights, there is no time like the current to take pleasure in it earlier than it is a family identify.

You Have 3 Airports To Choose From

It’s been a minute since we reported on American Airlines’ thrilling new flight from Miami (MIA), but it surely’s been a raging success with extra positive to come back.

This was a groundbreaking flight for a number of causes, however primarily these two:

1) Even many Dominicans do not know Red Air, a D.R. based mostly finances service previously the one out there nonstop flight from Miami — due to this fact many Americans would possible really feel uncomfortable flying with them

2) The much less quantity of street time the higher within the Dominican — the U.S. Embassy just lately issued an alert concerning the risks of roadways right here

Before Miami’s flight launch in 2024, U.S. vacationers solely had the choice of flying into Santo Domingo or Punta Cana.

The excellent news is La Romana is situated in between them, making for a reasonably straightforward shuttle journey. Those flights nonetheless exist, clearly, however if you happen to can swing it, flying immediately into La Romana is the best way to go.

When Is The Best Time To Visit La Romana?

The throes of winter could also be impending on a lot of the U.S., but it surely’s the prime trip season in La Romana for its sun-drenched shores, astounding surroundings, and reasonably priced luxurious at such locations because the 5-star Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.

Right now, regardless that you will not see Punta Cana’s stage of crowds, it is the most important variety of vacationers you will see till mid-spring as “snowbirds” will flock again house by then.

May is the start of shoulder season with fewer vacationers, however the trade-off is occasional rain, so be sure to guide a comfortable room.

But rain can enhance in the summertime, particularly throughout hurricane season. In abstract, November to April is essentially thought-about one of the best time of 12 months, given the climate, affordability, and the flexibility to discover a peaceable spot on the seashore.

To stage up your trip much more, we extremely advocate trying out close by Saona Island too — actually postcard-worthy and a Travel Off Path favourite hideaway.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based mostly in San Diego has visited 36 nations and written over 1000 articles with a deal with sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a lightweight on lesser-known gems.