Long Beach

Long Beach is the city beach of Puerto Plata, running east from the end of the Malecón, the seafront boulevard that loops around the city's waterfront. Despite the English name, this is a thoroughly Dominican place: families on weekend afternoons, kids playing ball on the sand, colmados (corner stores) selling cold beer, and small bars playing bachata and merengue as the sun goes down.

As a swimming beach, we would not plan a day around it. The water is open Atlantic with waves and occasional strong-swell warnings, and the sea close to the city center is affected by urban runoff, especially after rain, so travel guides generally advise against swimming off the central Malecón. Local families do swim at Long Beach on calm days, but if a clean, calm swim is the goal, Playa Dorada is ten minutes east by taxi and Sosúa Beach is about half an hour away.

What Long Beach does well is atmosphere. Late afternoon is the time to come, when the heat drops, the light turns gold and the beach and Malecón fill with people walking, jogging and sitting on the sea wall. Combine it with a visit to Puerto Plata's old town and Fortaleza San Felipe at the western end of the Malecón, then stay for dinner in the city.

The sand is golden-brown and fairly narrow, with some litter on busy weekends. There are no organized beach services, lifeguards or showers. Chairs and umbrellas are sometimes rented by vendors on weekends, and there is no entry fee. Sargassum can arrive in some summers, and clean-up is less frequent than at the resorts.

Getting here is easy from anywhere in the city by taxi or motoconcho, and there is street parking along the road. It is also a short ride from the Taíno Bay cruise terminal, so on ship days you will see visitors walking the Malecón.

Safety is the usual city common sense: keep valuables out of sight, do not leave things on the sand while you swim, and take a taxi rather than walking long distances after dark.

Who it is best for: travelers staying in Puerto Plata who want a local evening scene, photographers, and runners using the Malecón. Who it is not for: anyone looking for a swimming or snorkeling beach, or the polished feel of a resort strip.