Travel Guide of Boca Chica, Dominican Republic for: Don Juan Beach Resort Rating: Pearls
| 1 of 29 | Beach at the Oasis Hamaca, Boca Chica, Dominican Republic | View All 29 Photos |
Boca Chica Summary
Pros
- Average temperatures range from the low 70s to the high 80s Fahrenheit
- Just 10 minutes (and a $20 cab ride) from Santo Domingo Airport
- Consistently shallow, calm water makes for mellow, safe swimming (ideal for kids)
- Close to the small islands of La Matica and Los Pinos, where there's excellent diving
Cons
- Known as the country's sex-tourism capital
- For non-Spanish speakers, communicating can be very difficult
- As in the rest of the D.R., tap water is not potable
- Locals ceaselessly try to sell tourists souvenirs, island excursions, and, of course, sex; feels very seedy at night
- Visible signs of poverty like dilapidated buildings and beggars
- Beach is actually a bay, which makes for a less authentic Caribbean vacation experience
- Nearby processing plant (visible from the beach) suspected of causing skin rashes
What It's Like
Typical sights in this seedy, loud, rundown area of the D.R. include mopeds speeding up skinny, dusty roads; teenage girls marketing their "assets" to tourists just outside the town church; snack bars and eateries dishing out local and American fare; and gift shops catering to tourists searching for some D.R. souvenirs. In short, despite some natural assets of its own -- it has a coral-reef- and shoal-protected bay with turquoise water that never goes above waist level, making it ideal for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts -- the town of Boca Chica is known mostly for its sex tourism.
Where to Stay
We can't exactly condone a tropical vacation in Boca Chica, when much prettier -- and safer -- areas of the D.R., like La Romana and Punta Cana, have loads of nice, affordable places to stay. The one gem, however, is Oasis Hamaca, which boasts newly refurbished guest rooms, above-average food (for an all-inclusive), a brand-new spa, and lots of fancy cabana furniture for lounging on the beach. (Just try to ignore the container port in the distance when taking in the "ocean view.")
Map of Hotels -- Boca Chica, Dominican Republic
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Facts
| Language: | Spanish |
| Airports: | Gregorio Luperon Int'l Airport (20 min., $35 cab ride) |
| Time Zone: | |
| Peak: | June 15-Aug. 15; Dec. 15-April 15 |
| Off-Peak: | April 15-June 15; Aug. 15-Dec. 15 |
| Hurricanes: | June 1-Nov. 30 |
| Visa: | No; $10 tourist card must be purchased at airport on arrival and $20 U.S. Departure Tax applies |
| Vaccines: | No |
| Currency: | |
| Electricity: | 110 V, 60 Hz (U.S. compatible) |
| Tipping: | 10% is customary and usually included in the bill at hotels and restaurants |
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