PUNTA RUCIA: FISHES AND PARADISE ISLAND

We love beaches. Discovering secret ones and ones that are on other sides of the island, makes us appreciate nature in its purest form. In this edition of BOP places, we take you on a trip to the North coast of the island. Get to know Punta Rucia and Paradise Island, Cayo Arena.

Punta Rucia

Punta Rucia is located in the province of Puerto Plata. A name that is well-known, since the capital of the Province also called Puerto Plata is known for its tourism. Situated on the North shore of the island, Punta Rucia is a cape and a beach in the bay of La Isabela. The town is known for its fresh fish since it is a small fishing village. So, visit the little restaurants and ask for the catch of the day.

While you are visiting Punta Rucia, stop by Playa Ensenada a beach where many locals in the area go on Sunday. It could get a little busy on that day, but during the week it is a lot quieter.

Did you know Christopher Colombus named it Rucia, because of the brown color of the animals he saw?

To get to Punta Rucia from Punta Cana it will take you around 6 hours and 30 minutes. Why not turn this road trip into a weekend trip and spend the night in Santo Domingo. From Santo Domingo, it is a 4-hour ride. After this drive spent the night in a place that is different than a big resort. Punta Rucia Lodge is such a place. Enjoy beautiful sunsets while having dinner with a beach view. Another place to spend the night is in the Paraiso Ecolodge, where you find yourself in nature and close to the beach.

Visit Monte Cristi National Park when you are in Punta Rucia. A park that covers an area of 341 square miles and has the country’s second largest mangrove forest. It is situated next to Punta Rucia

Paradise Island, Cayo Arena

Step into paradise when you are visiting Punta Rucia´s main attraction, Cayo Arena, also known as Paradise Island. Located 20 minutes off the coast by boat, it is a gem in the Dominican Republic. It is a small island in the middle of the ocean, where you are surrounded by turquoise crystal clear water. The ideal conditions for discovering sea life. Snorkel away in front of the white sand shore.
Since it is a popular destination it can get a little crowded with tours sometimes, but don´t let that spoil your fun. Just breathe, relax and be mesmerized by the surroundings.

From Punta Rucia, you can take an excursion to Cayo arena and go through the mangroves, but you can also do it the local way. This entails getting in the speedboat with a local guide, who will take you to the island.

Nobody lives on the island. You will just see a few huts where you can have a drink and rent snorkeling gear.

Fun fact: Cayo Arena never has the same size. It shrinks and gets bigger in size depending on the seasons and the currents of the sea.

Share your experience in Punta Rucia with us and we will feature in on BOP.

Dream away some more with our bucket list destination, Pedernales.

Photo: drfromsky