Move over Punta Cana! This Dominican paradise named top beach destination for 2026

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We get it: if you want to meet all your expectations of a paradise holiday abroad, Punta Cana ticks all the boxes.

But the truth is that more and more travelers are leaving the crowds behind and making their own way to lesser-known locations.

Here at Travel Off Path we do our best to live up to our name. In this case we work closely with fellow experts from To go (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) about the next Dominican hotspot you may not have heard of.

It’s safe to say that Punta Cana isn’t going anywhere as it’s become the most sought-after vacation destination in the Dominican Republic, but if you’re looking for fewer footprints in the sand, open bar stools at swim-up bars and far less chance of seaweed invasions, then Going has hit the nail on the head by revealing the DR beach city of 2026 that you should definitely visit.

Presenting La Romana: the turquoise oasis of the Dominican Republic

First-time visitors to Punta Cana may be surprised by how small it is, considering its world-famous status. As I write this article from Prague airport, guess where the next flight after mine took off…

That’s right – Punta Cana.

What’s even more surprising is that La Romana (LRM) is also on many departure boards in Europe, and will certainly continue to grow in US airports.

Despite its small size, this piece of paradise packs a punch. Located on a secluded stretch of coastline on the DR’s southern coast, this up-and-coming gem is loaded with equally luxurious all-inclusives, shimmering turquoise waters, and mostly bathing water since the mood-wrecking sargassum seldom trickling into this region.

For the time being, you will also find less crowds there than in Punta Cana. That said, La Romana seems to be where the glut of tourists come for more space, which won’t last forever.

Honestly, I had the pleasure of whizzing past La Romana on a boat last year and it looks even more beautiful than Punta Cana if you ask me, especially Bayahibe Beach.

With turquoise waters, tropical forests and chic resorts, La Romana is too alluring to remain a hidden gem forever. As Going said: ‘La Romana has world-class beaches with calm waters and far fewer tourists’.

With new convenient flights, there’s no better time than now to enjoy it before it’s a household name.

You can choose from 3 airports

It’s been a minute since we reported on American Airlines’ exciting new flight from Miami (MIA), but it was a huge success and there’s sure to be more to come.

This was a groundbreaking flight for several reasons, but mainly these two:

1) Even many Dominicans don’t know about Red Air, a DR-based budget airline that was previously the only nonstop flight available from Miami – which is why many Americans would probably feel uncomfortable flying with them

2) The less driving time the better in the Dominican Republic – the US Embassy recently issued a warning about the dangers of roads here

Before Miami’s 2024 launch, American travelers only had the option of flying to Santo Domingo or Punta Cana.

The good news is that La Romana is in between, making for a fairly easy shuttle ride. Those flights still exist, of course, but if you can fly them, a direct flight to La Romana is your best bet.

When is the best time to visit La Romana?

Winter seems to be approaching for much of the US, but it’s the best holiday season in La Romana for its sun-drenched coasts, stunning scenery and affordable luxury at places like the 5-star hotel Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.

Right now, even though you won’t see the crowds of Punta Cana, this is the largest number of tourists you’ll see until mid-spring, as the “snowbirds” will be flocking home by then.

May is the start of the shoulder season with fewer holidaymakers, but the trade-off is that it rains occasionally, so make sure you book a comfortable room.

But rain can increase in summer, especially during hurricane season. In summary, November to April is largely considered the best time of year, given the weather, affordability and the ability to find a quiet spot on the beach.

To take your vacation even further to the next level, we highly recommend a visit nearby Saona Island too – truly postcard worthy and a favorite retreat for Travel Off Path.

Sam Sears

Sam, our lead writer and San Diego-based journalist, has visited 36 countries and written more than 1,000 articles with an emphasis on sharing his own travel experiences and highlighting lesser-known gems.

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