Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EAST OF SANTO DOMINGO
Cross Río Ozama, the eastern border of the Zona Colonial in Santo Domingo, and the
claustrophobia fades, the horizon opens and you remember that you're in the Caribbean.
The highway hugs the coast for some time with promising views but then retreats inland
once again, passing service stations and shops hugging the roadside until the turnoff for the
beach resorts of Boca Chica and Juan Dolio a little further on.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Juan Dolio
The recession hasn't been kind to parts of Juan Dolio, a tranquil beach town about 20km
east of rambunctious Boca Chica. Once tipped as the Caribbean's next hot spot, real estate
speculation and investors flocked here since development began in earnest in the late
1980s, but these days, you'll see more 'For Sale' signs and half- finished condos on the
west side than smiles and sunshine. Of course, the news isn't all bad: Juan Dolio is one of
the few beach towns in the area that caters somewhat to independent budget travelers and
the laid-back feel around town makes losing a few days here far from difficult.
The public beach itself on the west side of town is fairly small and cramped (especially
on weekends), but the area in front of the resorts to the more prosperous east side of town
is wider and softer than in nearby Boca Chica. Most tourists stay at one of the several all-
inclusive resorts on the east side, however there's enough of a trickle of guests, independ-
ent travelers, loyal expats (mainly retired Germans and Italians) and Dominicans to keep a
handful of bars and restaurants on the more free-spirited west side of town in business.
