Playa Alicia

Playa Alicia is one of the newest beaches in the Dominican Republic. Until the early 2000s this stretch just north of Sosúa Bay, below the cliffs of El Batey, was rock and seawall. Around 2002 and 2003, storms and currents began piling sand against the shore, and over several years a real beach formed, slowly enough that at first hardly anyone noticed. Because the sea built it, the sea also reshapes it: the width changes from year to year and after big swells, so the beach you see may be a little different from older photos.

The appeal is simple. You get water nearly as calm as the main bay at Sosúa Beach with a fraction of the vendor traffic. The atmosphere is relaxed, with a mix of long-stay expats, guests from the neighboring Casa Marina resort and Dominican families. The sand is soft and golden, and the entry is gentle on most days. On calm mornings the rocks at either end are good for easy snorkeling, with small reef fish close to shore.

Facilities are basic. There are no rows of stalls like the main bay, so bring water and anything you need, or plan to eat at the restaurants at the edge of the beach. Waterfront Playa Alicia is the best-known spot and a popular place to watch the sun drop into the sea, since the beach faces roughly north-west. Arrive around 6pm if you want a table by the water, and expect it to be busy on weekend evenings.

Parking is the main hassle. There are only a handful of spaces near the beach access, and the rest is street parking in the residential streets of El Batey. If you are staying in Sosúa, walking is easier; the beach is about ten minutes on foot from the town center.

Swell does reach Playa Alicia more than the inner bay, especially in winter when north swells hit the coast, so check the water before swimming with kids. Sargassum can wash in during some summers. Weekdays are quiet; Sundays bring more locals but nothing like the main beach.

Who it is best for: couples, travelers staying in El Batey, and anyone who wants calm water and a book without being sold something every few minutes. Who it is not for: people who want a full service beach with chairs, bars and water sports on tap, or a long beach for walking. It is small, and that is part of its charm.