Skip to main content
Dominican Republic365
🌲
SouthwestNatural Monument

Bahia de las Aguilas

The most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic

DifficultyEasy
Area37 km²
DurationHalf day to full day
Type
Natural Monument
Entry fee
Free (within Jaragua National Park); boat from La Cueva approximately US$15-25 round trip
Difficulty
Easy
Duration
Half day to full day
Guide
Self-guided OK
Area
37 km²
Established
1983 (as part of Parque Nacional Jaragua)
Best time
Year-round; calmest seas November through April
Hours
Daylight hours
Elevation
0-50m
UNESCO
Part of Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (2002)
Cell coverage
No coverage at the beach; limited signal at La Cueva village
Camping
Allowed
FacilitiesNone At The Beach; Bring Everything You NeedBoat Services From La Cueva
Key speciesHawksbill sea turtleHermit crabsPelicansTropical fishSea stars
Key features8 km pristine white sand beachCrystal-clear turquoise waterZero developmentRemote wilderness settingSnorkeling
What to bringWater (at least 3 liters per person — non-negotiable)All food and snacksPortable shade (umbrella or lightweight tent)Reef-safe sunscreenSnorkeling gearTrash bags for all wasteTowel and change of clothes
WarningsAbsolutely no facilities at the beach — bring everything you needNo cell phone service — agree on boat pickup times before your captain leavesExtreme sun exposure with no natural shade — sunstroke risk is realThe unpaved road to the beach requires 4WD and is not recommended after rainLeave no trace — pack out all trash to keep this beach pristine
The park

Bahia de las Aguilas

Widely considered the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic — an 8-kilometer stretch of pristine, undeveloped white sand in the remote southwest.

Bahia de las Aguilas (Bay of Eagles) is widely and justifiably considered the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic — and arguably the finest in the entire Caribbean. This 8-kilometer sweep of powdery white sand, washed by crystal-clear turquoise water and backed by arid coastal bluffs, is located within Parque Nacional Jaragua in the remote southwestern corner of the country, far from any resort development.

What makes Bahia de las Aguilas extraordinary is its complete wildness. There are no hotels, no beach bars, no sun loungers, no vendors — just an unbroken ribbon of pristine sand stretching as far as the eye can see. The water is shallow, calm, and so clear that you can see fish swimming from the shoreline. The surrounding landscape of cacti, sea grapes, and limestone cliffs adds a rugged beauty that contrasts dramatically with the gentle aquamarine sea. This is the Dominican Republic at its most raw and unspoiled.

Getting to Bahia de las Aguilas is part of the adventure:

  • By boat from La Cueva: The most common and easiest access. Small fishing boats depart from the village of La Cueva (approximately 15 minutes by boat). Round-trip boat fare is US$15-25 per person. Boats can drop you off in the morning and pick you up in the afternoon.
  • By road: A rough, unpaved road reaches the beach directly from Pedernales, but it requires 4WD and careful navigation. Not recommended after heavy rain.
  • From Barahona: Drive approximately 2 hours south on Route 44 — one of the most scenic coastal drives in the Caribbean — through Enriquillo and Oviedo to La Cueva or Pedernales.
  • Organized tours: Tour operators in Barahona and Pedernales offer day trips (US$60-100 per person) including transport, boat, and usually lunch with freshly caught fish cooked on the beach.
Before you go

Park information

Entry feeFree (within Jaragua National Park); boat from La Cueva approximately US$15-25 round trip
Opening hoursDaylight hours
DifficultyEasy
Guide requiredNo
Recommended durationHalf day to full day
Best time to visitYear-round; calmest seas November through April
Elevation0-50m
Area37 km²
Nearest townPedernales
Get directions →
Good to know

Park questions

In a word, yes. Bahia de las Aguilas is consistently rated the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic and one of the finest in the Caribbean. Its magic lies in the combination of 8 km of pristine white sand, crystal-clear shallow turquoise water, zero development, no crowds, and a wild, untouched desert-coastal landscape. The absence of any man-made structures or commerce creates a sense of being on a deserted island. Photographs do not do it justice.
Plan your trip

This park is in Barahona

Base yourself nearby and pair the trails with the beaches, food, and attractions around Barahona.

Explore Barahona