What could be better than a seaside vacation? The moist air, tinged with the sharp taste of salt and iodine, white sand, and endless blue expanses stretching beyond the horizon—many of us are familiar with these and many other pleasures of a beach vacation. Moreover, every vacationer has their favorite spots, tried and true, guaranteeing a complete, first-class getaway.
Today, we’ll talk about such a place. Macao Beach, well-known to visitors of the Dominican Republic, has long become a hallmark of this exotic country. Many vacationers compare it to a slice of paradise and proudly showcase photos posing against colorful landscapes. But what makes it unique? And is it worth including on your must-visit list in the Western Hemisphere? Let’s find out.
Wonderful Dominican Republic
One of the best resort areas is just 20 km from the town of Bavaro, reachable in just a few minutes via a recently constructed highway. Don’t worry about getting lost or taking a wrong turn, as signs along the route will guide any foreigner.
Since there are no specific routes to this place, the easiest way is to rent a car. There is also a popular transfer service among affluent tourists. Local organizations will gladly handle all the logistics to get clients to any point along the resort coast, but this will incur additional financial costs.
Let’s note right away that Macao is considered a wild beach and has almost entirely preserved its pristine nature. This is evident at first glance and will undoubtedly appeal to lovers of such exoticism. And considering that Bavaro is one of the main resort towns in the Republic, such a rare “gem” will deserve special attention from vacationers.
But the main advantage of this place is the complete absence of coral reefs, which are battered by numerous ocean waves. Just imagine, you can splash around in the enormous waves of the Atlantic Ocean, which cascade onto the shore!
Beach Activities
The most popular activity at Macao is surfing. Every year, the number of people wanting to “ride” a wave in this part of the resort increases. Therefore, all conditions have been created for surfing enthusiasts. If you’re just starting to master this popular extreme water sport, you can take one of the best surfing lessons here. A two-hour session with a professional instructor will cost around $60. This price includes the necessary equipment, and a helper will always assist you in the water. Those who have used a trainer’s services are undoubtedly familiar with the most popular surf club, “Macao Surf Camp.”
If you have a good budget, you can book an off-site surfing lesson, which includes training, transfer from the hotel to the coast and back.
But surfing is not the only activity available. Another popular board activity at Macao is “bodyboarding.” This device allows you to ride the waves while lying down. Learning the technique doesn’t take long, and you can always add new impressions to your vacation memories. You can rent the equipment at any surf school. The approximate price is $10, although you can negotiate a discount during weekdays when there are few clients.
Cafes
It’s hard to imagine a vacation without delicious and hearty food. If you’re not used to cooking for yourself, you’ll be warmly welcomed at one of the beach cafes, where you can taste the best dishes of the national cuisine.
Since the Dominican Republic is an oceanfront resort, seafood is the main ingredient in almost every dish. The local chefs prepare shrimp, lobsters, and other marine creatures with exotic names so masterfully that it’s astonishing! Fresh fish is especially popular among cafe visitors.
As for drinks, the Dominicans decided not to experiment. The most popular beverage here is beer, which pairs perfectly with fish and seafood dishes. So, sitting at a table with a breathtaking ocean view, a glass of good beer, and freshly prepared snacks, you can spend all evening imagining yourself as a corsair traversing the ocean or an old man from Hemingway’s novel.
By the way, there aren’t many cafes on Macao Beach, so there’s not much choice.
Features
As mentioned earlier, Macao is considered wild due to its remoteness from the bustling tourist-filled part of the coast. As a result, locals who are tired of large crowds love spending time here.
Wild palm trees grow along the entire length of this part of the coast, extending into rocky outcrops and forming a sort of green shelf.
Another feature of this part of the coast is the complete absence of persistent vendors who pester tourists on other popular beaches.
You can visit Macao as part of numerous excursions. Both individual and group programs are available. You can choose the appropriate transport and take a breezy ride on a buggy or quad bike, with experienced guides showing you the most exotic spots along this coast.
If the left part of the beach beckons all high-wave enthusiasts and surfers, the right part is considered calmer and suitable for tourists vacationing with children. In the evenings, you might see couples in love, for whom it seems the cliffs have created secluded spots for romantic dates.
Such is the unique and unusual Macao Beach, which we highly recommend all tourists visiting this exotic country to explore.