Bahia De Las Aguilas Visitors Guide
Daniel Mode
Daniel Mode
Laura Schulthies
Laura Schulthies
Bahia de las Aguilas is widely considered the #1 beach in the Dominican Republic and ranks #34 globally on the World’s 50 Best Beaches list, yet reaching it still requires a boat ride through boulder-strewn coastal waters and a commitment many resort tourists won’t make. That remoteness is precisely what makes this 8-kilometer crescent of powder-white sand inside Jaragua National Park feel like a private Caribbean island! But the clock is ticking: a new cruise port opened in January 2024, a $2.2 billion mega-resort development is under construction nearby, and an international airport is expected to be operational by mid-2026. This guide covers everything you need to know to visit before the crowds arrive permanently.
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Contents
Where Is Bahia de las Aguilas?
Bahia de las Aguilas sits on the southwestern tip of the Dominican Republic in the Cabo Rojo area. The beach itself lies inside the boundaries of Jaragua National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the largest protected area in the Caribbean. The beach faces south toward the Caribbean Sea in the Pedernales Province, just 15 kilometers from the Haitian border.
The nearest town is Pedernales, a quiet border community about 20 kilometers to the east. The nearest international airports are in Santo Domingo (5–6 hours by road) and Barahona (3+ hours), though a new international airport is under construction at nearby Cabo Rojo.
How to Get to Bahia de las Aguilas
Getting to Bahia de las Aguilas requires more effort than most Caribbean beaches, and that’s exactly what keeps it special. There’s no road that drops you at the sand, no resort shuttle, and no boardwalk. Every visitor arrives by boat, whether you’re a cruise passenger docking at the nearby Port of Cabo Rojo or an independent traveler making the trek to the small fishing settlement at La Cueva. The journey is part of the experience, and the payoff is a beach that still feels like it belongs to no one.
From the Cabo Rojo Cruise Port
With the Port of Cabo Rojo now operational, cruise ships are the most common way visitors first encounter this corner of the DR. Cabo Rojo welcomed 176,690 cruise passengers across 42 operations in 2025, surpassing both Samaná and Santo Domingo in cruise arrivals. Six cruise lines now call here: Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Holland America, MSC, Costa Cruises, and Azamara.
Cruise Excursions
Ship excursions to Bahia de las Aguilas typically run 3–4 hours and include air-conditioned vehicle transport (25 minutes to the boat embarkation point) followed by the motorboat ride. All the major cruise companies offer several versions of the tour. Expect pricing in the $79–149+ per person range.
Booking with a Local Tour Operator
Independent alternatives from the port run significantly cheaper and give you more flexibility. Cocotours (30 years in business, TripAdvisor Hall of Fame) is the most established independent operator serving cruise passengers at Cabo Rojo. They offer private, customizable shore excursions to Bahia de las Aguilas with port pickup, bilingual guides, air-conditioned transport, and an on-time ship return guarantee. Their most popular package includes a Pedernales town visit, speedboat to the beach, and Dominican lunch over a 5.5-hour window.
Larimar EcoTours is a well-regarded local operator offering all-inclusive Bahia de las Aguilas excursions (from $100/person), often combined with stops at Hoyo de Pelempito or Laguna de Oviedo. They also run larimar mine tours and multi-day glamping packages.
DIY Taxi & Boat Hire
You can also arrange taxis for roughly $15-$25 (negotiate before getting into the taxi) to the fishing village of La Cueva and hire your own boats at roughly $40–60 per boat round-trip. The full DIY experience!
Deboarding Procedure
Cabo Rojo is not a tender port, so you walk directly off the ship onto the dock. Once you clear the gangway, you enter the port’s commercial area with its shops, pools, and entertainment. If you’ve booked a ship excursion, you’ll meet your group at the designated shore excursion staging area inside the terminal before boarding organized transport.
If you’ve pre-booked with an independent operator like Cocotours or Larimar EcoTours, your guide will be waiting with a sign just outside the port gates. They coordinate pickup times with the ship’s arrival schedule, so there’s no guesswork. For true DIY visitors, taxis line up outside the port entrance and can take you to La Cueva (about 25 minutes), where you arrange your own boat.
From the Pedernales Area
If you’re not arriving by cruise ship, you’re almost certainly basing yourself in Pedernales, the small border town about 20 kilometers east of the beach. From Pedernales, every route to Bahia de las Aguilas passes through a tiny fishing settlement called La Cueva, where you’ll board a boat for the final stretch. It’s not complicated, but it does take some planning, and a few things work differently than you might expect.
The Standard Route: La Cueva by Boat
For independent travelers and anyone staying in the Pedernales area, the standard route begins at La Cueva (also called Cueva de las Aguilas or Playa de La Cueva), a small beach settlement on the Cabo Rojo coast about 14 kilometers from Pedernales town (roughly 25–30 minutes). The road starts paved and degrades to gravel with dips. Any vehicle can handle it at low speed. A 4×4 is not required for this stretch.
At La Cueva, you’ll pay the Jaragua National Park entrance fee of RD$150 ( around $3 USD) at a small hut across from the Glamping EcoLodge. You get a wristband to wear during your visit. From there, you board a small open motorboat (a fishing-style lancha with an outboard motor, capacity 6–8 passengers) for the 15–20 minute ride to the beach. Life jackets are mandatory and provided.
Boat Pricing and What to Watch For
Boat pricing is per boat, not per person, and you must pay in cash. The Glamping EcoLodge charges RD$3,175 ( around $60 USD) round-trip for up to 5 people. Rancho Típico runs slightly cheaper. Independent fishermen past the main restaurants may charge RD$2,000–2,500 ($35–45) for a group of 4–6. We’ve heard of budget travelers negotiating a one-way ride back by joining other passengers for as little as 200 pesos ($4), but don’t count on that.
A word of caution, some boat operators at La Cueva may overcharge tourists significantly. Our recommendation is to walk past the first cluster of restaurants to find the independent fishermen, who tend to offer fairer prices and a more pleasant experience. If none are available, head back to the restaurants and book there.
The Boat Ride
The boat ride itself is a highlight. Captains weave through dramatic boulder formations along the cliff-lined coast, pointing out hidden coves along the way. You will get splashed, so bring a waterproof bag for electronics. There is no dock at either end, so you’ll wade into shallow water to board and disembark. You’ll agree on a pickup time with the captain before being dropped off.
Boats operate 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with last pickups typically by 5:30 PM. A pro tip: ask to be the last pickup of the day. The beach empties out in the late afternoon, and those final couple of hours in golden-hour solitude are worth the wait!
Alternative Way to Reach the Beach (not recommended)
A dirt road over the hill from La Cueva reaches the beach directly. It was recently improved so most vehicles can pass carefully, though steep sections still make a 4×4 advisable. From the parking area, a 5-kilometer hike takes about an hour through completely exposed desert terrain with zero shade and temperatures that can exceed 40°C (114°F). We strongly discourage this unless you’re prepared for extreme heat and carrying a serious amount of water.
About The Beach
So you survived the gravel road, arranged a boat, and bounced across open water for 20 minutes. Now what? Bahia de las Aguilas is one of those rare places that actually exceeds the hype, but it also surprises people in ways the glossy photos don’t prepare you for. Here’s what to expect when you step off the boat and into the shallows.
Not Your Typical Caribbean Postcard
Here’s what catches most visitors off guard: Bahia de las Aguilas doesn’t look like a typical Caribbean beach. Forget swaying palm trees and lush greenery. This is an arid, almost Arizonan desert landscape: cacti, scrubland, and karst limestone cliffs line the shore instead of coconut palms. The contrast between the bone-dry terrain and impossibly clear turquoise water is unlike anything else in the Dominican Republic.
The sand, though? It lives up to every superlative. We’re talking satin-soft, diamond-white powder that stretches for 8 uninterrupted kilometers. Millions of tiny seashells are scattered throughout, and the beach is wide enough that even on busier days, you can walk for 20 minutes without seeing another person.
The Water
The water is the real showstopper. Visibility regularly exceeds 20 meters, creating that surreal “liquid glass” effect where you can see every grain of sand beneath your feet. Colors shift from turquoise to opal-blue depending on cloud cover and time of day. The bay’s sheltered crescent shape keeps conditions remarkably calm (it genuinely feels like swimming in a natural pool) with little to no wave action on most days. Water temperatures range from 79°F in February to 86°F in August, warm enough year-round that you’ll never need a wetsuit.
One more thing worth noting: the south-facing orientation means no sargassum seaweed. While Punta Cana’s beaches get hammered with the stuff from April through fall, Bahia de las Aguilas avoids the Atlantic-driven blooms entirely.
The Honest Downsides
We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t mention the rough edges. Despite being a protected national park, litter is an ongoing problem (though things have been improving). The aggressive touts at La Cueva trying to overcharge tourists for boat rides can be annoying, but just take it as part of the experience.
Tiny fish that nibble your feet in the shallows are harmless but surprising if you’re not expecting them. And the desert sun is absolutely brutal. We cannot stress this enough: temperatures in the area regularly exceed 114°F. There’s virtually no natural shade on the beach (cacti don’t exactly provide relief), so come prepared or suffer.
Things To Do In Bahia de las Aguilas
Bahia de las Aguilas isn’t the kind of beach with a water sports kiosk and a jet ski rental counter. There are no lounge chairs for hire, no beach bars, and no organized activities waiting for you when you step off the boat. That’s the whole point. What it does offer is the kind of raw, unstructured Caribbean experience that’s almost impossible to find anymore. Bring your own gear, bring your curiosity, and you’ll have plenty to fill a full day.
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1. Snorkeling
The reef system off Bahia de las Aguilas is among the healthiest remaining in the Caribbean. Fishing is illegal within Jaragua National Park, and that enforcement has produced remarkably abundant marine life just steps from shore. The local dive operation Buceo Pedernales describes it as resembling “the Caribbean of 30 years ago,” and we don’t think that’s hyperbole.
What You’ll See
Cushion sea stars (abundant on the sandy bottom), parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, groupers, damselfish, spiny lobster, queen conch, sea urchins, and octopuses. Hawksbill sea turtles (critically endangered) nest on this beach, and sightings are possible, especially from June through December. Antillean manatees inhabit the seagrass meadows but are rarely spotted.
Where To Snorkel
Head for the rocky cliff formations at the ends of the beach rather than the center sandy area. That’s where the coral heads concentrate. The Cabo Rojo departure area itself also has excellent reef snorkeling. During the boat ride, you can actually see coral reefs through the clear water beneath the hull. Ask your captain to drop you at specific reef areas on request.
Bring Your Own Gear
Rental is theoretically available at La Cueva for $5–10, but availability is inconsistent at best. Some tour packages include equipment, and the Glamping EcoLodge offers all-inclusive packages with snorkel gear. For a professional experience, Buceo Pedernales (run by Italian expats Valentina and Michele) is the only proper dive/snorkel operation in the region. They take groups to multiple reef spots with quality gear and come highly recommended.
Check out this Bahia de las Aguilas Full Day Private Tour With Lunch and Snorkeling Gear or this VIP Getaway To Bahia de las Aguilas Including Snorkeling.
Looking for a bit more luxury? Check out this highly rated Catamaran Cruise to Bahia de las Aguilas that includes snorkeling.
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2. Beachcombing and Shell Collecting
Bahia de las Aguilas is one of the best shelling beaches in the Caribbean. The 8-kilometer stretch is carpeted with tiny, intact shells in every color, and because the beach sees so few visitors relative to its size, you’ll find specimens that would be snatched up within hours on a resort beach.
Walk the waterline at low tide, especially near the rocky outcrops at either end, and you’ll come across conch fragments, sea glass, and sand dollars. The fine white sand itself is partly made of crushed coral and shell, so even a casual handful reveals miniature treasures. Just remember this is a national park: take photos freely, but leave live shells and coral where you find them.
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3. Photography
Bahia de las Aguilas faces south to southwest, meaning sunrise comes from behind the eastern limestone cliffs (creating dramatic silhouettes) while sunset drops directly over the Caribbean Sea to the west. This orientation creates exceptional golden-hour opportunities at both ends of the day.
Sunrise (around 5:30 AM)
Position yourself halfway down the beach facing east. The sun rising behind the karst cliffs produces a natural frame that’s absolutely magical.
Mid-morning
Ideal for the rolling sand dunes behind the beach, when low-angle sun creates dramatic shadow patterns between the dunes and native cacti. These compositions look more like desert oases than typical Caribbean imagery.
Midday
Shoot the iconic “feet in crystal clear water” shot when overhead sun minimizes shadows and maximizes the surreal glass-like transparency.
90 Minutes Before Sunset
Climb the elevated rocks at the western end for the signature panorama capturing the full crescent-bay curve in golden light.
Other Views
A dedicated Bahia de las Aguilas viewpoint (Mirador) exists above the beach, accessible via a hiking trail. Multiple tour operators include a stop here specifically for sunset viewing. The boat approach itself (weaving through giant boulders with cliff faces and sea-diving pelicans) is also worth keeping your camera ready for.
Essential Photo Gear
A polarizing filter (critical for reducing glare and enhancing water colors), waterproof phone case or camera housing, extra batteries and a portable charger (no power outlets for miles), and sealed bags to protect equipment from the fine sand that infiltrates everything.
Drone Note: DR regulations require no registration for aircraft under 2 kg, though tourists are technically expected to seek authorization from IDAC (the Dominican aviation authority), a process that can take up to 25 business days. No specific drone ban exists for Jaragua National Park (the official DR tourism site actually encourages drone photography here), but the area is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nesting sea turtles and rare endemic birds, so fly responsibly. In practice, enforcement is minimal given the remoteness.
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4. Hiking the Coastal Cliffs
For visitors who want more than a beach day, the limestone karst formations behind Bahia de las Aguilas offer short but rewarding scrambles with panoramic views. The most accessible route follows the elevated trail to the Mirador (viewpoint) above the beach, a moderate 20–30 minute climb that rewards you with a sweeping perspective of the full 8-kilometer crescent and the deep blue beyond.
The terrain is rocky, exposed, and brutally hot by midmorning, so tackle this early or save it for late afternoon. Wear sturdy shoes (not flip-flops) and bring at least a liter of water. For something more ambitious, guides can take you on a trail network that extends deeper into the Jaragua backcountry through a cactus desert that feels more like Baja California than the Caribbean. Arrange ahead of time with local guides in Pedernales who can plan multi-hour hikes that even include cave systems with Taíno rock art.
Where to Eat in Bahia de las Aguilas
Let’s be clear about this upfront: there are no restaurants, no food trucks, and no vendors on Bahia de las Aguilas itself. This is a wilderness beach inside a national park, and your options come down to either arranging food in advance or packing your own. That said, a couple of solid choices exist if you plan ahead, and the dining scene at La Cueva and in Pedernales is better (and cheaper) than you’d expect for such a remote corner of the country.
On the Beach: Arranged Lunch Delivery
There are no food vendors on Bahia de las Aguilas itself, but several operators at La Cueva will arrange to have a hot lunch delivered directly to your spot on the sand by boat. The Glamping EcoLodge Cueva de las Aguilas offers all-inclusive beach day packages that bundle boat transport, tables, chairs, umbrella, snorkeling equipment, and a cooked meal. Rancho Tipico Cueva de las Aguilas can arrange similar setups. Many organized tour packages (through operators like GetYourGuide) include a beach lunch as part of the deal. Expect to pay around $7-15 per plate for a typical spread of grilled fish, rice and beans, fried plantains, and salad. If you’re arranging your own boat, ask your captain or the staff at La Cueva about lunch options when you book your ride. Calling the day before gives them time to prepare.
In La Cueva
Rancho Tipico Cueva de las Aguilas is the top-rated restaurant in Pedernales Province: a beachside spot serving fresh seafood at very reasonable prices. The mofongo is particularly good. The restaurant also arranges boat tours and offers tent accommodations ( around $35/night). The Glamping EcoLodge has its own restaurant and is a good base for arranging beach day packages (see above).
Regional dining across the area is extraordinarily affordable. Expect to pay under $10 per person for a full meal and under $3 for drinks.
What to Order
Traditional dishes worth seeking out include mofongo (mashed plantains with garlic, often stuffed with seafood), pescado frito (whole fried fish, especially dorado or chillo), lambi (conch, prepared various ways), and chivo guisado (slow-cooked goat stew). For something quick, street vendors sell empanadas and yaniqueques (fried dough) for pocket change.
The comedores (small family-run eateries) scattered around town offer the most authentic flavors at the lowest prices. Point at what looks good, pay a few dollars, and eat like a local! Check out our Dominican Republic Food Guide for more.
What to Pack
Bahia de las Aguilas has zero permanent infrastructure on the beach: no electricity, no food vendors, no shade structures, no fresh water, and (until recently) no bathrooms. New restrooms were built near the beach landing area circa 2025 in connection with cruise port development, but don’t count on anything beyond that. You must bring everything you need.
The Non-Negotiable Packing List
- Reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen (This is required. Non-reef-safe varieties are not allowed in the national park)
- Beach umbrella or a portable shade shelter (natural shade is virtually nonexistent)
- At least 2 liters of water per person
- All food and snacks (unless you’ve arranged a beach lunch delivery through one of the La Cueva operators)
- Hat and towel
- Cash in Dominican pesos (no card readers exist anywhere nearby)
- Waterproof bag for electronics
- Trash bag to pack out everything you bring in
- Portable battery charger
- Water shoes (sea urchins dot the rocky areas if you venture that way)
Cell phone signal ranges from weak to nonexistent at the beach. Plan accordingly.
Best Time to Visit
Bahia de las Aguilas is wonderful to visit year-round, but the experience varies dramatically depending on when you go. The desert microclimate here means less rain than the rest of the DR, but it also means high levels of heat in the summer and virtually no shade to escape it. Here’s how the seasons break down.
Dry Season
December through April is the dry season and the clear winner for most visitors. Expect sunny skies, comfortable temperatures in the low 80s, and the most reliable conditions overall. This is peak season, so you’ll encounter slightly more visitors and higher prices at accommodations in Pedernales, but “crowded” at Bahia de las Aguilas still means sharing the sand with maybe 20 people instead of 5. Seas are calm, roads are in their best shape, and the risk of a rained-out beach day is minimal.
Shoulder Season
May – June and November make up the shoulder season, and for our money, this is the sweet spot. Rain risk increases slightly (mostly brief afternoon showers that blow through quickly), but the seas are actually calmer, the crowds thin out dramatically, and hotel availability improves. You get nearly the same weather as peak season with a fraction of the visitors. If you’re flexible on dates, shoulder season offers the best combination of solitude and pleasant conditions.
Rainy Season
July through October is the toughest window. This is the peak rainy season and the heart of hurricane season, and the desert microclimate around Cabo Rojo pushes daytime temperatures well past 100°F. Roads to La Cueva can deteriorate after heavy rain, boat rides get rougher, and the heat on an exposed beach with zero shade can become brutal without serious preparation. If you do visit during these months, go early in the morning and plan to be off the beach by midday.
Bahia de las Aguilas FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bahia de las Aguilas worth the trip?
Bahia de las Aguilas is widely considered the most beautiful beach in the Dominican Republic and ranked #34 on the World’s 50 Best Beaches list. It’s 8 km of untouched powder-white sand, 20+ meter water visibility, and a complete absence of commercial development make it unlike any resort beach in the Caribbean. The trade-off is accessibility: reaching the beach requires a boat ride or off-road drive, and there are zero facilities on the sand. We break down exactly what to expect, how to prepare, and whether it’s right for your travel style in our full guide above.
How do you get to Bahia de las Aguilas from the Cabo Rojo cruise port?
Cruise passengers arriving at Port Cabo Rojo have three main options for reaching the beach: ship-sponsored excursions, independent third-party tours (often at half the price), or arranging your own taxi and boat. The drive from the port to the boat departure point at La Cueva takes about 25 minutes, and the boat ride is 15-20 minutes each way. We break down the pros and cons of each option, including specific operators, pricing, and tips for getting back to the ship on time, throughout our guide above.
How much does it cost to visit Bahia de las Aguilas?
An independent visit to Bahia de las Aguilas is one of the most affordable world-class beach experiences in the Caribbean, with total costs as low as $15-25 per person when splitting a boat. Costs include the national park entrance fee, boat transport from La Cueva, and optional lunch. Organized tours range from $55 for a budget half-day trip to $500+ for a premium fly-in experience from Punta Cana. We break down current pricing for park fees, boats, food, and tour options throughout our guide above.
Is there food or water at Bahia de las Aguilas?
No. Bahia de las Aguilas has zero permanent infrastructure on the beach itself: no food vendors, no shops, no fresh water, and no electricity. Restrooms were added near the boat landing area in 2025, but beyond that, you need to bring everything with you. There are workarounds if you plan ahead, and we cover several operators who can deliver hot lunches directly to your spot on the sand by boat, plus what to pack and how much water to bring, in our planning sections above.
Can you snorkel at Bahia de las Aguilas?
Yes, and the snorkeling is exceptional. The reefs within Jaragua National Park are among the healthiest in the Caribbean thanks to an enforced fishing ban, with parrotfish, angelfish, groupers, hawksbill sea turtles, and more. However, snorkeling quality varies dramatically depending on where on the beach you go. We pinpoint the best spots, explain what seasons are best for turtle sightings, and flag the gear situation (don’t count on rentals) in our detailed beach guide above.
What is the best time of year to visit Bahia de las Aguilas?
December through April offers the best overall conditions, but the ideal window depends on what you’re prioritizing: weather, crowd levels, or pricing. The beach’s south-facing Caribbean orientation also means it avoids the sargassum seaweed that plagues east-coast Dominican beaches. We compare three distinct seasons with their trade-offs in our best time to visit section above.
Does Bahia de las Aguilas have sargassum seaweed?
No. Bahia de las Aguilas faces south toward the Caribbean Sea, which means it avoids the Atlantic-driven sargassum blooms that affect Punta Cana and other east-coast DR beaches from April through fall. This is one of its major advantages over better-known Dominican beaches, and we compare it head-to-head with Punta Cana, Saona Island, and Playa Rincon in our beach comparison section above.
How long is the boat ride to Bahia de las Aguilas?
The boat ride from La Cueva to the beach takes 15-20 minutes each way in a small open motorboat that weaves through dramatic coastal rock formations. Life jackets are mandatory and provided. There’s no dock at either end, so expect to wade through shallow water. The boat experience itself is part of the adventure, but there are things to know about pricing, capacity, departure times, and what to watch out for. We cover all of it in our getting there section above.
Can you drive to Bahia de las Aguilas?
Yes, but the boat is still the recommended option for most visitors. A dirt road over the hill from La Cueva does reach the beach directly, and it was recently improved. There’s also a hiking trail, though we strongly discourage it for reasons we explain in detail. We break down every access route with current road conditions and specific vehicle recommendations in our getting there section.
Is Bahia de las Aguilas better than Punta Cana?
They’re completely different experiences serving different types of travelers. Bahia de las Aguilas offers solitude, untouched sand, zero development, no sargassum, and some of the clearest water in the Caribbean. Punta Cana offers convenience, all-inclusive resorts, and easy airport access. We do a detailed side-by-side comparison with three other popular Dominican beaches to help you decide which fits your trip in our beach comparison section above.
What cruise lines stop at Cabo Rojo?
As of 2026, six major cruise lines call at the Port of Cabo Rojo, which opened in January 2024 and has grown rapidly. The port handled 176,690 passengers across 42 operations in 2025, and the 2026 schedule includes some of the world’s largest ships. We list every cruise line currently scheduled, explain what the port itself is like (honest review included), and compare ship-sponsored versus independent excursion options in our cruise port section above.
Are there hotels near Bahia de las Aguilas?
Currently, the nearest accommodations are glamping tents and basic lodges near the La Cueva boat launch and budget hotels in Pedernales town. That’s about to change dramatically: a $2.2 billion development project is bringing major international hotel brands to the Cabo Rojo coastline, with the first properties expected to open in late 2026. We have the full timeline, confirmed brands, room counts, and what it all means for the future of this beach in our development section above.