Move Over Punta Cana! This Dominican Paradise Named Top Beach Destination For 2026

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We get it — if you want to fulfill every ounce of expectations you have for a paradise vacation abroad, Punta Cana ticks off every box.

But the truth is, more travelers are ditching the crowds and forging their own path to lesser-known locales.

Here at Travel Off Path, we do our best to live up to our name. In this case, we’re lockstep with fellow experts at Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) about the next Dominican hotspot you may not have heard of — yet.

It’s safe to say Punta Cana isn’t going anywhere as its become the most sought-after vacation spot in the Dominican Republic, but if you’re seeking fewer footprints in the sand, open barstools at swim-up bars, and far less odds of seaweed invasions, then Going nailed it by revealing the D.R.’s 2026 must-visit beach town.

Presenting La Romana: The Dominican’s Turquoise Oasis

First-timers to Punta Cana may be surprised by how small it is, given its world-renowned status. As I write this article from the Prague airport, guess where the next flight was taking off after mine…

That’s right — Punta Cana.

What’s more surprising is La Romana (LRM) finds itself on many departure boards in Europe too, and will surely continue to grow among U.S. airports as well.

This slice of paradise packs a punch despite its diminutive stature. Located on a secluded stretch of shoreline on the D.R.’s southern coast, this up-and-coming gem is laden with equally luxurious all-inclusives, gleaming turquoise waters, and usually swimmable waters since vibe-ruining sargassum rarely trickles into this region.

For now, you’ll also find fewer crowds than in Punta Cana. That being said, La Romana seems to be where the overflow of tourists visits for more space, which won’t last forever.

Truth be told, I had the pleasure of whizzing by La Romana on a boat last year and it looks even prettier than Punta Cana if you ask me, especially Bayahibe Beach.

Boasting turquoise waters, tropical forests, and posh resorts, La Romana is too enticing to be a hidden gem forever. As Going stated, ‘La Romana enjoys world-class beaches with calm waters and far fewer tourists’.

With new convenient flights, there’s no time like the present to enjoy it before it’s a household name.

You Have 3 Airports To Choose From

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

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

1) Even many Dominicans don’t know Red Air, a D.R. based budget carrier formerly the only available nonstop flight from Miami — therefore many Americans would likely feel uncomfortable flying with them

2) The less amount of road time the better in the Dominican — the U.S. Embassy recently issued an alert regarding the dangers of roadways here

Before Miami’s flight launch in 2024, U.S. travelers only had the option of flying into Santo Domingo or Punta Cana.

The good news is La Romana is located in between them, making for a fairly easy shuttle ride. Those flights still exist, obviously, but if you can swing it, flying directly into La Romana is the way to go.

When Is The Best Time To Visit La Romana?

The throes of winter may be impending on much of the U.S., but it’s the prime vacation season in La Romana for its sun-drenched shores, astounding scenery, and affordable luxury at such places as the 5-star Casa de Campo Resort and Villas.

Right now, even though you won’t see Punta Cana’s level of crowds, it’s the largest number of tourists you’ll see until mid-spring as “snowbirds” will flock back home by then.

May is the beginning of shoulder season with fewer vacationers, but the trade-off is occasional rain, so make sure you book a comfy room.

But rain can increase in the 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 peaceful spot on the beach.

To level up your vacation even more, we highly recommend checking out nearby Saona Island too — truly postcard-worthy and a Travel Off Path favorite hideaway.

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.