Río San Juan, a municipality in the María Trinidad Sánchez province of the Dominican Republic, remains one of the country’s best-kept secrets. This beautiful seaside town is home to some of the most pristine beaches on the island’s north coast, including Playa Grande, once named by National Geographic as one of the ten most beautiful in the world. In town, the Gri Gri Lagoon has a small fleet of boats that offer tours of the mangroves and the handful of small beaches that dot the rugged, rocky shoreline.
We spent the perfect weekend exploring lagoons and beaches and discovering delicious food spots. While the party scene may be limited, there’s adventure and nature in abundance, making Rio San Juan a must-visit if you’re someone who likes to avoid tourist hotspots and travel like a local.
Where to stay
Vista al Manglar – Two clean and spacious private villas in the heart of Río San Juan, just minutes from the town’s best beaches. Equipped with a pool, hammock, and two large en-suite bedrooms, it was perfect for our weekend getaway. Find out more here.
What to do
Laguna Gri-Gri boat tour
This boat tour will take you through mangrove passages, a natural cave with thousands of swallows, before reaching the Lagoon, where you can dive into crystal clear waters.
Playa Grande & Playa Preciosa
These were our two favourite beaches in DR (and that is a big statement). Playa Grande is lined with palm trees, beach bars, and charming stalls selling everything from jewelry to local artwork. The two miles of beach are clean, spacious, and not overly crowded. The water is excellent for surfing and swimming, and the vibe here is top-tier. Then, just a stone’s throw away, down a small dirt road, you will find Playa Preciosa – a smaller and quieter stretch of beach that gives you the feeling of being on a beautiful remote island despite neighboring the lively Playa Grande.
When to visit
Thanks to the island’s tropical climate, temperatures are warm year-round, with averages of about 28˚C around the coastline. The warmest month is August, with temperatures up to 35˚C, which is not for the weak, and the coolest are January and February, with temperatures up to 30˚C.
Where to eat
Our favorite restaurant was Sazon Cafe MX, which served some of the best tacos we have ever had. The service was unbelievable, and we loved that the kitchen is a literal food truck in the middle of the restaurant.
