Punta Cana isn’t old news by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it was reported recently that the Dominican Republic continues on a record-setting tear, primarily backed by its renowned resort town.
Despite the perpetual surge year after year, the D.R. is investing beyond Punta Cana’s pizzazz, deeper in uncharted territory, or so it seems for vacationers.
We at Travel Off Path have reported on countless resorts, pristine beaches, and hidden gems spread across this paradise nation, but it’s quite possible you’ve never heard of the following trio aiming to become the Dominican Republic’s next 3 vacation hotspots.
Travel Tip: Before diving in, make sure you check out Travel Off Path’s new 1-minute travel checker — a one-stop shop to dot your I’s and cross your T’s for a seamless trip abroad.
3) Bayahibe-Dominiscus: A Resort Town In The Making
Much like Mexico’s Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo (which I just spelled correctly on the first try), and Bayahibe-Dominicus (which I did not spell correctly on the first try), this paradisal duo has merged as one destination, despite being two neighboring towns along the country’s southern Caribbean coast.
Travel Weekly reported this week how this lesser-known area is destined to become the D.R.’s new powerhouse destination, being nestled between La Romana and Punta Cana, and north of my personal favorite Dominican getaway, Isla Saona.
Bayahibe-Dominicus is textbook prime real estate along less-crowded shores with easy access between major airports in Santo Domingo and Punta Cana.
There are already resorts here, but some names aren’t quite as familiar to Americans, such as Iberostar, which just underwent an extensive renovation to all 528 rooms in hopes of luring more tourists.
If only more travelers knew of Parque Nacional Cotubanama’s protected waters and year-round sargassum-free beaches, that might do the trick…
Bayahibe-Dominicus offers visitors a much more laid-back experience, more connected to nature and wildlife, and far fewer footprints in the sand.
2) Cabo Rojo: New Airport Will Put Pedernales Region On The Map
I’d hate to be on Pedernales’s PR team as they have some convincing to do hugging up against Haiti’s border.
But, the Dominican government swears by its safety and heavy investments to make not only the town of Pedernales the country’s next “it” destination, but the surrounding area too.
Cabo Rojo is the name you see floating around the interwebs the most. In fact, we were one of the first to break news on Cabo Rojo’s new airport set to launch by year’s end.
Since then, local publication CDN reported 10,000 hotel rooms are also in the works, as well as new housing developments and port infrastructure.
There will be a heavy focus on sustainable tourism once Cabo Rojo’s new megaproject is up and rolling, but it certainly has a long way to go, though it’s already being hyped as the “Cancun” of the Dominican with the following 6 hotels committing to planting roots here:
- Hilton
- Marriott International
- Iberostar Group
- Sunwing
- Karisma Hotels & Resort
- AmResorts (a Hyatt brand)
The big dogs of the industry will surely opt for what’s to be a dedicated “hotel zone” serving as a self-contained enclave that drones and armed forces will heavily patrol to put any uneasiness about Haiti to rest.
1) Miches: Punta Cana’s Top Alternative Awaits
Located on the Dominican Republic’s northeast coast, a far trek from Punta Cana, Miches has been hyped for years, and it appears to be ready for the big stage.
Just ask Tyler, our Editor-in-Chief, who had the pleasure of visiting Viva Miches By Wyndham and had a blast!
Who wouldn’t? This resort (and its counterparts) offer crystal clear waters and crowd-free beaches, something you can’t say about Punta Cana this time of year.
There are miles and miles of what seem like untouched shores, and even more surprising natural attractions you wouldn’t expect, such as Los Haitises National Park close by, where you can find ancient Taino caves with petroglyphs and boat tours traversing lush mangrove forests.
While not the final frontier of Dominican Republic tourism anymore, much of the area could trick you into thinking it is, with its remote location and lack of crowds.
There’s arguably no better time to visit than 2025.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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