Boca Chica - why is this resort chosen for relaxation? The best resorts of the Dominican Republic: Boca Chica on the map Where is Boca Chica

There is a perfect place on earth with the most beautiful beaches with soft and clean sand. Undoubtedly, this is the resort of Boca Chica in the Dominican Republic, located in the south of the country near the capital of Santo Domingo and washed by the waters

This Dominican town is considered a favorite place for both tourists and locals. Here you can have a wonderful vacation with the whole family, have a great rest with friends or retire in this paradise with your soulmate. Any tourist who comes here is guaranteed to be able to find a suitable activity for themselves.

Description

The first hotels in the resort of Boca Chica (Dominican Republic) were built back in the twenties of the last century. They looked like residences intended for summer holiday local elite. Thanks to clear waters, soft sand on white sand beaches and close proximity to the capital, this town has become one of the most visited resorts in this state.

The main advantage that the Dominican Republic (Boca Chica) has is a natural coral barrier, which has a length of about five hundred meters. It is thanks to this relief that the beach area of ​​this resort is considered the largest natural lagoon of the Caribbean coast and is completely protected from waves.

Today, the Dominican Republic (Boca Chica) is a lively place with numerous hotels and hotels. The convenient location and proximity to the Las Americas International Airport makes this resort very attractive for tourist travel.

beach holiday

The Dominican Republic (Boca Chica) has a coastline stretching for three kilometers and consisting of several beaches, the feature of which is fine and granular sand, reminiscent of flour. The following beach areas are most popular with tourists: Playa Andres, La Matica, Los Pinos and the central beach.

Some vacationers prefer to get sunbathing on a separate small island. In order to get to it, you just need to go through shallow water.

The local beaches are the real pride of this Dominican resort. There are no deep waters here, and the coast is clean and comfortable. Therefore, the Caribbean lagoon is very popular among families with children. Its maximum depth barely reaches one and a half meters.

Hotel and hotel complexes

(Boca Chica) are mostly located on the coast and many of them have their own pier. These are three-star and four-star hotels with excellent service and excellent living conditions. Almost all of them work on the principle of "all inclusive". Some complexes are located far from the coast, but given the small territory of the resort, it cannot be said that these are some serious distances.

One hotel was even built near the water. Tourists resting in it can enter the water directly from its territory and dine in the evenings to the sound of the waves, creating a romantic atmosphere. The name of the hotel fully corresponds to the situation prevailing there.

Tourists traveling on their own can rent a private apartment in the resort. But such a vacation will come out a little more expensive, since the cost of air tickets is already included in the tourist packages at a lower price, therefore, it is unprofitable to rest as a “savage”.

What can you do?

Dominican Republic (Boca Chica) can please its tourists with a variety of views active rest. Scuba diving enthusiasts can explore the underwater world of this resort, where there are many coral reefs. Their inhabitants are various exotic representatives of marine fauna, striking even experienced divers with their beauty.

Despite the fact that the shallow lagoon is famous for its peaceful and relaxing holiday, fans of windsurfing and lovers will undoubtedly find entertainment here. You can also play tennis or ride horses.

Tourists who come here in April can become participants in the annual fishing competition, organized by the founders of the local water club.

Resting in the resort of Boca Chica, it is simply impossible not to try the culinary masterpieces from local chefs. There are a huge number of restaurants, cafes and bars here, wishing to treat tourists with unsurpassed dishes of their own. national cuisine. In particular, food prepared from the inhabitants of local waters has an amazing taste. Those who prefer spicy food should try pineapple with black pepper, rum and chili.

Where to go on an excursion?

This resort is famous for its boat trips on yachts or boats. In the immediate vicinity of its beaches are two small islands - Los Piños and La Matica. The first is interesting for tourists for its beaches. It became completely uninhabited after a hurricane hit it and destroyed all the enterprises located here. When going there on an excursion, it is better to stock up on comfortable shoes with thick soles and mosquito repellent so that you can explore the dense thickets of this island.

On the territory of La Matica grows a magnificent mango tree, which gave the name to this island. Tourists who decide to visit this piece of paradise will get acquainted with many exotic birds, and the most surprising thing is that for an excursion to this island you do not need any vehicle. You can get there on foot through a shallow lagoon.

Rest 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 is the pleasure of diving into the caressing warm waves of a beautiful lagoon surrounded by coral reef. These are memorable trips to islands sleeping in the middle of the crystal clear sea surface.

Back in time Boca Chica.

Like most Dominican resorts, Boca Chica in the past is a small picturesque fishing village adjacent to plantations. sugar cane. This corner of the Dominican Republic began to invite tourists only in the middle of the twentieth century. But so far, these are just the "cream of society" of international class, who settle in the Amaka Hotel (today called "Hamaca Suites 5 *"), built by order of the dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo.

Trujillo's death in 1965 was followed by the closure of the hotel. The revival of "Amaka" took place at the end of the twentieth century. However, while the hotel was inactive, wealthy families built here cozy houses for vacation. The place was very attractive for a quiet, measured rest.

Boca Chica resort today.

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

About Boca Chica hotels.

Boca Chica welcomes its guests mainly with three- and four-star hotels with good conditions residence. Most of the hotels are located on the coast. Lovers of home furnishings have the opportunity to rent a private apartment for a vacation, but you need to understand that a ticket is always included in package tours at a lower cost than you 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.

The beaches of Boca Chica.

Boca Chica Beach stretches for almost 3 kilometers. The main attraction of the beach is fine sand. A feature of the 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 where a diving center operates.

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 the purity of the crystal.

The shallow lagoon pampers its guests with a measured, peaceful rest. However, the small depth of the lagoon does not prevent those who are thirsty for sailing regattas, windsurfing, and diving from fulfilling their dreams.

Every year in April, you can become a participant in fishing competitions organized by the local water club.

Diving in Boca Chica.

Diving fans in Boca Chica rush to explore the coral reefs, where they can observe the life of the inhabitants of the water depths. Of genuine interest is an excursion to the Caleta National Park, where you will visit the sunken ship "Gikkori".

Restaurant menu.

Resting in the Dominican Republic, it is impossible not to try the culinary masterpieces of local chefs. Numerous cafes, restaurants, bars will treat you to unsurpassed dishes of national cuisine. And at open-air parties, you will refresh yourself with juice, which will be squeezed right there 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 surely taste pineapple with chili and rum. And all this to the groovy merengue music, kisses of the hot sun and gentle wind.

Excursions in Boca Chica.

Boca Chica organizes exciting boat trips to nearby islands.

On the islet La Matica an amazing mangrove tree grows, which has its own name La Matica. The island is named after this plant. Arriving 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 along the shallow lagoon, where the bottom is covered with soft sand, and you are there.

Pine Island deserves attention - Los Pinos. It is located just west of La Matica. Los Pinos is slightly larger than its neighbor, and the local beaches are popular with tourists. Hurricane Geogies, having destroyed the enterprises located here, made the island of Los Pinos uninhabited. The flora and fauna of these places also suffered from the elements. If you are going here on an excursion, stock up on sturdy shoes and means that protect against mosquitoes.

Lovers of basking in the sun will surely enjoy Playa Andres beach, which attracts to itself 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 can be considered its spaciousness. On this beach, you do not have to look for a place for a long time, it is rarely crowded with visitors.

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

Unlike Punta Cana, the Caribbean resort is only 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 holidays in Boca Chica require much less financial costs than in the capital or the popular tourist region of Punta Cana.

Resort on the world map

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

Where is?

One of the most beautiful resorts Dominican Republic - Boca Chica - located on southern point 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 from the popular northern resort of Punta Cana.

How to get there?

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

It should be noted that direct flights to the Dominican Republic from Russian Federation no (departure from the airports of Moscow and St. Petersburg). The transfer will have to be done 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 departure and arrival cities, date And number of passengers.

From Santo Domingo or Punta Cana to Boca Chica tourists get on Taxi or by renting a car at the airport. There is no bus service to Boca Chica.

Is it washed by the sea or 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.

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

The resort is called "large bathroom" due to the fact that it is surrounded on all sides by coral reefs, which do not allow large waves to approach.

Weather by months

In Boca Chica (and throughout the Dominican Republic) - humid tropical. In Boca Chica, the average temperature stays at +30 degrees (the difference between summer and winter period 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 so strong.

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

Temperature (average) by months:

• -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 October to October. Strong hurricanes bypass the resort, but stormy winds and rain can be an annoying nuisance at this time of year.

Best hotels

Dominican 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 located on the beach or in the central part of the resort.

The price of accommodation in hotels in Boca Chica 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.

Nutrition by type "All inclusive", 5 restaurants serve Mexican, Brazilian, Italian and international cuisine.

Four-star

1. Be Live Hamaca Beach 4* And Be Live Hamaca Garden 4* make up a single complex of hotels and are located on the 1st beach line in the Boca Chica beach area. Meals on the principle of "All inclusive", private beach with free service. Recommended for families or small groups.
2. Quality Real Aeropuerto Santo Domingo(4 stars) located near 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 Dominican hotels offer high level 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 used by hotel guests.
• BelleVue Dominican Bay 3*. The price includes only breakfast, but this should not be an inconvenience for relaxation - there are many restaurants and cafes around the hotels for every taste and affordability.
• Aparta Hotel Azzurra 3* located 45 meters from the city beach. Picnic and BBQ facilities are available for guests. outdoor terrace for sunbathing, spa studios.

Pleasures of vacation - photo

Holidays in this Dominican resort are a great opportunity to soak up the white sandy beaches and see everything related to the history of this city.

Beach holidays and entertainment

Beach holidays - 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 sunbeds are provided free of charge.

The sand on the beach is fine and white, the entrance to the sea is even and gentle, which makes it an excellent holiday option for families with children. True, on the beach you can sometimes meet stray dogs fed by the tourists themselves. If you do not consider yourself an animal lovers, 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 someone is not yet familiar with such entertainment, there is a sailing school here.

This beach is less crowded, but people prefer to relax here locals so that should be taken into account as well. There are no sunbeds here, but there are wooden armchairs where you can take a break. There are no changing cabins and showers on this beach.

Beach "Caribe" famous for its waves - this is where lovers of "catch the wave" gather. Many come here with their 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 night life and beach activities. Open-air beach parties are very popular, when you can have a great time with friends to the sounds of incendiary salsa or other Caribbean music. Numerous bars and discos on the coast will add "peppercorns" to a measured rest.

Punta Cana or Boca Chica - which is better?

Each resort has its own features and benefits. Boca Chica is located in the south of the Dominican Republic, unlike Punta Cana, and the sea here is much warmer and calmer. Therefore, the resort of Boca Chica is so attractive for families traveling with small children - on the beaches there are many calmer and safer.

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

But if Punta Cana is a true tourist area, where all the 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 in this regard more simple.

Hotels and hostels in Boca Chica are adjacent to ordinary residential buildings , and instead of a quiet walk around the hotel, tourists walk 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, plunging into it with your head.

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 none in the city as such. 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 order a walk with Russian or Russian speaking guide.

Tours of architectural sights

1. San Pedro de Macoris- Another interesting place for guests of the island (located 30 km from Boca Chica). A sugar factory is located here and you can watch with your own eyes the process of turning sugar cane into a sweet treat.
2. The 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 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 and luxury, the walls are ordinary, without paintings.

The temple is open all days except Monday and Wednesday (weekends), from 9 am to 6 pm. Church attendance is free.

Natural beauty and other adventures

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

Note to the tourist

1. It should be borne in mind that English(and even more so in Russian) not everyone speaks the language, some employees of hotels and official institutions can speak it more or less tolerably. So you will have to take a Russian-Spanish phrase book on a trip or learn a dozen or so 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 especially watch your wallet and pockets - theft is very common here.. Therefore, especially important documents and valuables are best left in a safe at the hotel.
3. Russian money it is quite difficult to exchange here, so before the trip it is better to take care of exchanging rubles for American dollars in advance. In Boca Chica, both dollars and Dominican pesos are in use, and you can easily pay with them, or exchange them for local currency.

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Boca Chica is a city in the Dominican Republic, located on the Caribbean coast near the capital city of 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 to what you think is heaven on earth. Represented? And now I will plunge you into the harsh reality. Upon arrival at the hotel, it turned out that there was no water, both hot and cold, and electricity. And this problem is not a particular hotel, but the whole city. Perhaps for people who are used to traveling around Asia and Latin America- this is a familiar picture, but I was extremely shocked.

Later, we were explained that Boca Chica is a very poor city, and such problems for the locals are not problems at all: interruptions in water and electricity are in the order of things here. But do not be afraid, all of the above will seem like a trifle at the moment when the shore of the Caribbean Sea opens up before your eyes.

How to get there

You can get to Boca Chica from Russia only by plane.

By plane

So, with the help of 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 about 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 to purchase a ticket. You can look for options from different tour operators, for example,. This option is convenient because you do not have to think about transfer from the airport, but keep in mind that you will arrive at the Punta Cana airport, and the journey to your destination on the tour operator's bus will be 3-4 hours. I wrote about how to get to Punta Cana on my own, and which airlines to choose, in the corresponding section of the review article about.

From Punta Cana Airport to Boca Chica

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

Flight to Santo Domingo

There is no direct flight here from Russia. In the best case, 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 disadvantage of this method is the price, the cost of tickets for two is from 3,940 USD (235,000 RUB).
   If you think that this is the most expensive way, I hasten to disappoint you.
2. Aeroflot + American Airlines. Flight time there - 17 hours 50 minutes, return - 15 hours 30 minutes. A transfer lasting just over 2 hours in both cases takes place in a beautiful city. The cost of tickets in certain periods reaches 6,695 USD (399,000 RUB) for two, this is the most expensive flight to the Dominican Republic that I could see. 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 way for a tourist, tickets for two can be found for 2,180 USD (130,000 RUВ) for two, but you will have to endure some inconvenience. The duration of the flight there will be a total of one day. The return trip will take 15 hours. Connections on the way there - and , on the way back - .

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

How to get there from Petersburg:

The best option in terms of price and quality there will 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 summer time and from 130,000 RUВ in winter. The total duration of the flight is 24 hours 14 minutes in the direction of the Dominican Republic and 23 hours 40 minutes in the direction of St. Petersburg.

Departures from St. Petersburg are made from Pulkovo International Airport (LED).

Flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg depart daily.

From Santo Domingo Airport to Boca Chica

If you are an adherent 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 of 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 dates you need, for example. Self-booking a hotel with an all-inclusive system will cost from 135 USD (8,200 RUВ) per day. Recommended 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 housing with a kitchen. This will allow you to buy products in the supermarket and cook 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 beautiful view at sea will cost from 150 USD, a taxi ride - from 25 USD (1,500 RUВ).

Generally

Of course, everyone’s vacation needs are different, but if you don’t plan to spend your entire vacation on the beach, but want to plunge into 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 RUВ ).

Main attractions. What to see

Boca Chica is not rich in its attractions. You will not find active museums here. And even, perhaps, you will not make the "Top 5" attractions.

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

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

Beaches. Which is better

Conventionally, all the beaches of the resort can be divided into those located in the city and the beaches on the islands. Next, I will talk 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 are worth a visit

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

Church 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 structure looks pretty nice, but when you get inside, you are surprised at how tiny this building is, and you think that the renovation interior decoration won't hurt at all.

It is worth going here to plunge into the local atmosphere. Here you can meet pleasant city dwellers who come to pray for a better future for themselves and their children.

I think, regardless of your faith, this place will leave you indifferent 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.

Visit and opening hours: Visiting the church is absolutely free for everyone. Here you don't have to worry about your appearance(within a reasonable). 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, it is worth at least covering the neckline and legs with trousers or a skirt, but even if you decide not to do this, you will not feel sidelong glances here.

Opening hours:

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

Museums. Which are worth a visit

There are currently no active museums in Boca Chica.

parks

Boca Chica is quite a 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 Saint Raphael, near the Church of Saint Raphael.

Address: Ave Juan Bautista Vicini.

The park has a small well-kept green area.

You can get 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 it is also unlikely that they will be able to impress a resident of the metropolis, but to get a general idea of ​​Boca Chica, I think it’s worth taking a walk here.

The park also has a small playground, so if the territory of your hotel turned out to be without it, it is advisable to bring the child here.

The park is public, so admission is free. Open around the clock.

tourist streets

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

As I said, souvenir shops are concentrated here, you can also find cafes right there, and it’s just nice to walk along this street if you suddenly get bored with 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

Suppose 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 have only one day at your disposal, then this will be enough to see the main sights 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 more about the temple above in the corresponding section.
2. Follow the main street of the Duarte resort, take a walk along it for 15-30 minutes of your time, cafes and souvenir shops that have no names are concentrated here, but, nevertheless, from here you can take away some unique souvenir that will be associated with Boca -Chikoy, for example, a picture with views of local landscapes.
3. Head to the resort's public beach, take a walk along it and be sure to 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 takes 20 minutes of continuous swimming to each of the islets.
   In the region of 20 minutes you can spend on the islands themselves, for a total of these two attractions, you will spend a maximum of 1 hour of your time.
5. If you get hungry - return to the public beach, all the cafes are concentrated here.
   Perhaps this is all that is worth seeing in Boca Chica. Spend the rest of your time on the beach. Here it is The best decision, because Boca Chica is famous for its excellent beach holidays.

What to see in the surroundings

Santo Domingo (31 km)

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

About what you should definitely see with your own eyes, you can read about Santo Domingo on our website. I will just say 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 with All inclusive? Craving romance? Then go on an excursion to the island by ship.

Catalina Island

The place is located some distance from the resort. You can go to it only as part of an excursion group. But do not spare 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 order it in advance.

A small life hack: You can save 10-15 USD if you buy an excursion on the beach 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 it, you can recognize them by the corresponding inscriptions on T-shirts. Feel free to bargain for amounts from 5 to 15 USD. Such an excursion with hotel guides will cost about twice as much. They will argue there that it is not safe to take excursions on the beaches, but take my word for it, I personally checked it: I took excursions from the hotel guide, and in this place - I only regret that I 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 a motley group is able to get together, then all explanations will go to English language, rather primitive, but still, if you are in it a complete 0, then you will not understand anything.

The cost of the tour 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 in a comfortable bus around 9:00 am and brought back to your hotel for dinner.

At the beginning of the tour, the bus brings you to the port of La Romana, the journey 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 can get a place in 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 tour price, but masks may not be enough for everyone, so it's best to bring your own.

Snorkeling is allowed for persons from 6 to 17 years old in the presence of adults. Adults from 18 years old without restrictions.

Upon arrival at about. 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 sunbeds, umbrellas, a toilet, a shower, 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 moment when I regretted that I did not have special shoes for swimming.

You can also pass 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.

Be aware 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 considerable queue among tourists. Lunch will take you approximately 1-1.5 hours. It is worth noting that during the entire stay on the island, drinks at the bar can be taken in unlimited quantities. You don't have to wait for dinner to do this. The bar can be reached approximately 15 minutes after arrival. The cost of the tour includes water, juices, soda, as well as various alcoholic drinks, including cocktails.

After lunch, you will be given another 30-45 minutes to rest and after that you will be 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 are still pork,rice, legumes,bananas of various preparations.

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

Travelers who prefer self-cooking are advised to go shopping in a supermarket Ole.

I wrote more about the supermarket below in the "Stores" section. Food prices in this store are at the level of Moscow, and sometimes even higher. For example, a package of parmesan 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 have not seen a single market in Boca Chica.

Budget

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

Intermediate level

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

Expensive

There are only 2 gourmet restaurants in Boca Chica:

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

Holidays

At the end of summer in Santo Domingo, the merengue festival. Given the proximity of the Boca Chica resort to the capital of the Republic, this event cannot but affect her. You will not find such a scale as in the capital, but, nevertheless, here at this time on the beaches it is very fun.

Local residents start dancing to the 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, they never did. If you wish, you can join the dancers. Merengue is not only dances, but also songs.

Safety. What to watch out for

Boca Chica is the place where, leaving the hotel, I did not feel safe. 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. Once I met a married couple with a child in a large supermarket, they begged to buy diapers for their child. They appear to be fully functional adults. It seemed to me that the poor segments of the population perceive tourists as walking wallets.

They also offer to smoke weed without hesitation. Fortunately, if you refuse, they are not imposed, but all this makes you uncomfortable. I do not recommend girls to go here without male accompaniment. It is impossible to leave the territory of your hotel and not get stressed.

Also in Boca Chica, pickpocketing flourishes, so never take large sums of money with you, and it is better to leave your equipment in the hotel safe.

Things to do

Despite the small size of Boca Chica and the assertions of many that the rest 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 play this sport absolutely free of charge. 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 everyone can come and play golf absolutely free. And even if you do not have your own equipment for the game, it will be provided to you for rent also 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 are days off. But advance online booking is required. It can be done.

You can also book 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 arrival at the cafeteria.

I advise you to save money and eat in your own hotel, but as an entertainment, this place is quite worthy of attention.

Diving

You can go diving in 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.

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

Shopping and shops

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

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

Opening hours: 8:00–22:00.

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

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

Prices in the supermarket are presented in pesos (DPO), the US dollar is not always accepted for payment, so change money for local currency in advance. You can do this both at the hotel and at the bank. Banks offer better exchange rates. For example, there for 100 USD you will get about 4,600 DOP, and in a hotel at least 100 DOP less. At first glance, it seems that the difference is insignificant, but the amount saved can buy several mangoes.

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

Bars. Where to go

If you find yourself in Boca Chica, I advise you to pay attention to the bar Latino by Filippe on Duarte street.

This is the only bar that deserves attention on TripAdvisor and I totally agree with that. open to visitors daily from 21:00 to 02:00.

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

Casino

In Boca Chica, I will not send you to any nightclub. Here you can spend your leisure time more interesting. 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 is a great place to try your luck. Blackjack, roulette, slot machines are available here. Just do not 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 the audience of different ages, both tourists and locals gather. The casino has its own security service, so there is no need 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 institution is located near the public beach of Boca Chica (Playa Publica Boca Chica) and has a very memorable logo, which is unlikely to pass by:

And here it is on the map:

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

The company also provides various courses costing from 140 USD. The diving school is open daily from 8:00 to 17:00. More detailed information can be found at the company. I highly 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 no school will provide you with classes in Russian. Teaching is 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

Sailing exists in Boca Chica. You might think that there is no extreme in this lesson. 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 gladly 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. Practical course sailing will cost 400 USD. More details about prices and information about the company can be found.

Lessons are available 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.

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

How to move around the city

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

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

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

Taxi. What features exist

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

You can pay for a taxi in cash both in US dollars and in Dominican pesos. If you decide to pay in US currency, prepare in advance the amount 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 the immediate vicinity of the hotels.
Taxi prices are fixed and indicated at the counter. Haggling does not make much sense, but if you are very good at it, you can try.

Buses

Buses are a fairly convenient means of transport for moving around the city and beyond. And also the most inexpensive way movement around the country. As far as safety is concerned, there is no need to feel it here. You will be amazed by the culture of driving 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 take a bus for quite 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.

Often, the air conditioners in buses operate at full capacity, so when planning a trip by bus, stock up on warm clothes.

For information about the schedule and bus stops, please contact the locals. Since buses in Boca Chica are a way for local residents to travel, taxis are more popular with tourists.

Transport rental

In Boca Chica, you will not find rental companies of famous companies. You will also not find car rental organizations 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, credit card and you must be at least 25 years old.

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

The traffic on the roads of Boca Chica is very busy, local drivers do not respect the speed limit and violate all permissible rules traffic. On the roads of the city, you should be extremely careful driver.

It is always better to 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 a great 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 the level of one and a half meters.
Here you can be calm for the safety of your child, who is near the water.

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

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

Have something to add?

Boca Chica located 30 km from Santo Domingo and 5 minutes from the international airport. Boca Chica is a tourist paradise with magnificent sandy beaches, some of the best in the Dominican Republic, and gentle waves of the warm Caribbean Sea.

main attraction Boca Chica- This is a beach with fine, like flour, sand and a lagoon protected by a coral reef, the depth of which does not exceed one and a half meters. Despite the shallow water, windsurfing and water skiing, scuba diving and even sailing are actively practiced here. On the shore, you can play tennis or devote yourself to horseback riding in the picturesque surroundings.

During the reign of the dictator Trujilo, the wealthy class built country houses in this peaceful port town. By the 1960s, several beach hotels were opened here for the international "cream of society". But with the development of the resorts of Playa Dorada and Sosua on the north coast in the 1970s, Boca Chica lost much of its tourist appeal. The noisy resort with soft shallow bays has again become a quiet and calm port town. This went on for 20 years, until in the early 1990s the interest of hoteliers in this place flared up again. And this interest continues to this day.

Now Boca Chica- This is the busiest beach on the southeast coast. Here life takes place in the rhythm of "merengue", the melody of which is heard from the numerous restaurants located on the seashore. The coast is famous for its magnificent beaches and fields of sugar cane against the backdrop of the emerald sea. Boca Chica- a resort with three - and four-star hotels, most of which are located directly on the Caribbean coast.

From Boca Chica you can take excursion routes to the Saona and Catalina Islands, visit the famous "baseball" city of San Pedro de Macoris, Santo Domingo, meet the vibrant underwater life at Bin Bom Beach on the coast of Bavaro, go on a "jeep safari", or do some rafting.

Although the lagoon is shallow, windsurfing, water skiing, diving, and sailing are practiced here. There are opportunities for tennis and horseback riding. The local water club organizes international fishing competitions every year in April.

Beaches of Boca Chica:
La Matica. The islet is famous for its mangrove tree, which grows almost in the very center - the tree has the name La Matica. It is in honor of this tree that the island got its name. On the island you can meet herons or "garzas" who have chosen this place. Getting to the island is elementary easy, for this you just need to walk along a shallow lagoon with a soft sandy bottom.

Los Pinos- this is the second island located opposite the beach Boca Chica, a little west of the islet La Matica. In translation, the name of the island means "island of pines." Previously, the island was inhabited and even housed several businesses, but after Hurricane Georges, the island was abandoned. The hurricane destroyed the entire infrastructure of the island, making it inaccessible to all types of ships. Trees and shrubs were also damaged, uprooted by the force of the hurricane. Exploring this small island will require sturdy boots and mosquito repellant.

Playa Andres- not far from this beach is an old but still functioning sugarcane factory, which serves as the main place of employment for the small settlement of Andres, often referred to as "Andres de Boca Chica". Also, not far from the beach there is a marina serving as a parking lot for large yachts, next to the marina there is a customs office that serves ships arriving in the port of Andres. The beach itself, which bears the proud name of Playa Andres, is located between the marina and the main Boca Chica Beach. The beach is equipped with beach umbrellas with wooden chairs and sun loungers and is surrounded by palm trees. The capacity and length of the beach is quite impressive, so it is rarely crowded.

Beach area of ​​the city beach Boca Chica closely borders on various buildings that are located here in violation of all written local laws. These laws prohibit the placement of commercial buildings on the territory of a public beach at a distance of less than 60 meters from the sea. A prime example serves as the Hamaca Beach Resort hotel, which blocked the beach with a wall and its own pier. The passage to this territory is guarded by security guards who let only registered hotel guests with bracelets through. In the very center of the beach, the Don Juan Beach Resort is located, on the territory of which there is a diving center Treasure Divers, there is also a pier. Near the pier are concentrated different kinds water sports. This is probably the best section of the "public beach" Boca Chica.