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An alternative to Punta Cana? That might sound crazy, but there’s a brand new Dominican airport slated to open by the end of 2025.
Scouring travel forums, there’s already pushback at just the thought of a Punta Cana dupe, especially as Samana, Miches, and Puerto Plata inch closer to becoming mainstream each year.
But the Pedernales Province is one of the Dominican Republic’s last frontiers for tourism, and it might be off-putting to some simply because of its close proximity to neighboring Haiti, which, it goes without saying, is not exactly the postcard paradise it should be.
Home to stunning footprint-free shores, vibrant coastal villages, and far fewer crowds than Punta Cana’s flashy resorts, like it or not, Cabo Rojo is set to become the Dominican Republic’s new vacation hotspot once the Pedernales International Airport cuts the blue ribbon by year’s end.
Pedernales: The D.R.’s Virtually Untouched Shores
Untouched Caribbean seaside? Now that’s a selling point Punta Cana can’t offer.
If there’s one claim to fame in Pedernales, it’s Bahía de las Águilas, often going neck and neck with Punta Cana’s Playa Bavaro as the country’s most beautiful beach.
You’ll find gleaming white sand and vibrant turquoise waters, except there’s minimal development here, offering a better experience than Bavaro for those who don’t like crowds — but who does?
The stunning shores don’t stop there, though. In fact, Bahía de lasÁguilas is likely hard-pressed for competitors since this side of the D.R. is less frequented by vacationers, often viewed as more of a tight-lipped local escape.
One such place is Playa Blanca, a secret hideaway boasting epic sunsets and only has reviews from locals (all but one is a perfect 5-star rating by the way).
Another is Playa Cabo Rojo in the town of the same name where the new airport is located. Local patrons claim to enjoy the ‘crystal clear waters ‘ and close access to nearby attractions — not to mention ‘soft white sand’ and completely trash-free despite a lack of infrastructure being so isolated.
Most foreign tourists have yet to discover the spectacular shores near Cabo Rojos, but that’s expected to change in 2026 with far more enticements than just the region’s flawless beaches (with the exception of an occasional sargassum invasion).
Genuine Culture & Jaw-Dropping Nature
While there are a few negative aspects of Punta Cana, such as the prices for all-inclusives being more than reasonable, it lacks culture.
From what I saw on my trip, Punta Cana has become a tourist haven solely for its astounding beaches, posh resorts, and seductive vacation home market, while the culture is left to places like bustling Santo Domingo.
That’s not the case for Cabo Rojo, where Punta Cana’s curated experiences far outweigh any cultural delights you might find elsewhere.
That’s not to say there isn’t a slight touristy vibe, though. Just last fall, Port Cabo Rojo was completed, making it more appealing to cruisers to disembark and explore the region.
The town’s goal is to attract 150,000 cruise passengers in 2025, with no telling how many more air travelers come in 2026 once word spreads of this up-and-coming Dominican gem.
With such lush nature like Jaragua National Park, Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge and the breathtaking Oviedo Lagoon (within Jaragua) with scenic boat tours and more flamingos than a Tommy Bahama shirt, it’s easy to see why the Dominican government chose this region to showcase.
The Pro Pedernales Tourism Project: Name-Brand Hotels & New Airport
Information regarding which airlines will serve Pedernales International Airport remains a mystery at this point, but given how the D.R. has been a raging success ever since the pandemic, it would be shocking if no U.S. airlines were among the first to join in.
What we do know is that the airport will open by the end of the calendar year, and if it’s anything like Tulum’s highly anticipated opening, airlines will trickle in month after month, creating a new Caribbean vacation hotspot.
As for hotels, there’s a lot more information with confirmed commitments from household names.
Last winter, it was confirmed such brands as Hyatt and Iberostar are set to develop new properties here with the goal to make Pedernales the Dominican’s next ‘luxury tourist destination’.
But if you’d like to get a head start on your vacation before the crowds take over one day, TripAdvisor currently ranks Hotel Pedernales Italia as the top stay.
Sam Sears
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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