Dunas de Bani
The Caribbean's only desert dune system
Dunas de Bani
The only sand dune system in the Caribbean, a striking landscape of desert-like dunes rising above the southern coast near the town of Bani.
The Dunas de Bani are one of the Caribbean's most unexpected landscapes — a system of coastal sand dunes that look as though they belong in the Sahara rather than on a tropical island. Located on the Las Calderas peninsula south of the town of Bani, these are the only significant sand dunes in the entire Caribbean.
The dune system extends across approximately 15 square kilometers and features rolling mounds of fine sand reaching heights of 35 meters, sculpted by constant coastal winds into dramatic shapes. The contrast between the golden sand, the turquoise Caribbean Sea, and the dry scrub vegetation of the peninsula creates a surreal, photogenic landscape. The area is designated as a natural monument and is easily visited as a day trip from Santo Domingo (approximately 1.5 hours west). Sunset is particularly spectacular, as the dunes glow amber in the fading light.