The best beach vacations of the Dominican Republic cover 800 miles of coastline so there is a beach for every taste. The beaches of the Dominican Republic are heavily advertised thus heavily visited but there are still many beaches for every vacation budget and every vacation whim.

On the southeast tip of the island lies Punta Cana, part of the “Coconut Coast” which reaches for 30 spectacular miles for your long sought vacation. At Cabo Engano, the Caribbean waters merge with the Atlantic waters. Just north of this vacation spot, Playa El Cortecito and Playa Arena Gorda show off their perfect white sand beaches and tranquil waters which are sheltered by a coral reef thus creating very still waters and every water sport you can think of for your vacation. As an added bonus, two lagoons, made by man, feature rays, dolphins and, sometimes, sharks which are used to swimming with humans.

The best beaches for snorkeling include Bahia de las Aguilas, Barahona, Boca Chica and Dominicus. If the sunsets turn you on, then it’s on to Punta Rucia or Playa Las Galeras. The best beach vacation parties can be enjoyed at Playa Grande, Cabarete any weekend of the year.

The best beach for topless sunbathing vacation is Caliente Caribe at Cabrera. This beach also tolerates total nude sunbathing. Some of the other beaches will allow topless sunbathing but, generally, total nudity is not tolerated in the Dominican Republic.

Throughout the Dominican Republic, coral reefs are plentiful enough to protect most of the island’s beaches, but some type of footware may still be recommended on most of the beaches.

Whatever you crave from your best beach vacation, the electric- blue waters, the tropical ocean breezes and the magnificent sunsets will fix any problem that life may have thrown you.

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Beach vacations can start on some of the world’s less traveled beaches and end up being some of the best beach vacations you ever experienced. If you’re looking for adventure, then look no further than Greece and Shipwreck Beach for your next vacation.

The original name was Navagio which means “shipwreck” in English. This destination beach vacation is only accessible by boat and is one of the most picturesque and photographed beaches in Greece. Zakynthos island has a famous beach the wreckage of a vessel was marooned in 1983 and is still half-submerged in the sand.

Vacation cruise tours will actually ferry beach vacationers to this as well as the Blue Caves at Skinari which are huge grottos which are large enough for boats and offers terrific snorkeling and swimming to its visiting beach vacationers.

Jetting from Greece southeast across the Indian Ocean to Australia’s idyllic Whitsunday Island we find Whitehaven Beach, made up of 99.8 percent pure silica sand. This creates a silky, talcum-powder softness of the 4 mile stretch of vacation beach. Because of visitation limits set by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, this beach is nearly deserted most of the time. To even access this vacation area, you must register with a tour operator. Because of these strict limitations, Whitehaven Beach remains identical to its calendar pictures of isolation and purity in remembrance of your beach vacation.

For less traveled beaches try the tiny island of Bonaire where Scientology devotees Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes frequent for their vacation. The waters surrounding this tiny isle are completely protected as a marine park. This is why Bonaire is hailed as exceptional for a diving vacation. There are not many choices available for hotels but guests prefer the small Golden Reef Inn.

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Beach vacations, as a whole, are the most popular vacation destination and for that reason, it was our goal to find secluded beaches worldwide. We start your beach vacation in Kaihalulu, Hawaii and the Red Sand Beach. This beach gets its name from the eroded volcanic cinder cone surrounding the beach. This vacation beach is difficult to reach, with a dangerous surf and a white-knuckle, cliff-hugging path leading down to the beach.

The view of Kaihalulu is spectacular with the tall black cliffs and green ironwood trees mixed with the turquoise blue lagoon and, of course, the red sand. The best time for complete isolation for your vacation is the early morning hours where clothing is optional.

Another favorite haunt for secluded beach vacations would be Palmetto Point Beach, Barbuda where Princess Diana found luxury and seclusion four different times. Sister vacation island to the more popular Antigua, 25 miles northeast, Barbuda boasts many miles of pink and white beaches which have been largely untouched by developers.

There are only two full-service vacation resorts on the island – K Club and Coco Point Lodge. The largest beach stretches for seven uninterrupted miles for the ultimate in secluded beach vacations.

Because of the 6-hour car-ferry combo to reach the beaches of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, you will enjoy the solitude of a few die-hard surfers and the monkeys searching for fruit in the lush canopy of this next vacation stop on your secluded beach vacation. The off-season (summer through fall) is even better for vacation isolation since the Pacific’s unruly waves are even choppier and migrating whales can be seen just offshore during the month of September.

Don’t expect any luxury here. There are only a few bungalow boutiques mixed with a smattering of hammock hotels.

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This spring’s beach getaway vacation should include the ever popular Puerto Vallarta when planning your beach vacation. The cobblestone streets help Puerto Vallarta retain its authentic charm even amid major development. Perched between the lush, green mountainside and the azure blue Pacific, Puerto Vallarta has plenty of choices for activities to compliment your beach vacation.

When you tire of the nearly 34 miles of sandy beaches and all that has to offer, get ready for the city’s nightlife. After sunset, Puerto Vallarta jumps to life with a variety of bars, restaurants, music and dancing. Puerto Vallarta is also becoming known as a popular beach vacation destination for gay and lesbian couples as well. Even with its old world charm, it has not ignored the 21st century.

Visit the Hacienda San Angel and its 14 suites if you are willing to splurge on this beach vacation. Along with its star-studded history, this quaint little hotel has three pools with a rooftop Jacuzzi that offers spectacular views of the surrounding lush foliage and Puerto Vallarta’s famous Guadalupe Church, especially at sunset.

Whether you are flying direct from Houston or Phoenix which is only 2.5 hours away, or from Seattle which is still only a 5 hour flight, a weekend beach vacation is definitely in order. Try the charming Playa Los Arcos for your short stay. The rooms are small but it has a prime location right on the beach. This little hotel is near shops, bars and the Zona Romantica restaurants. After April 1, the room rate drops to just $116 per night.

When you have lots of choices for your vacation, make every dollar count and visit Puerto Vallarta where you have the sun, the surf, plenty of water activities, shopping, restaurants and sightseeing. Make a wise choice for your next beach vacation.
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The top secluded beach vacations start in Thailand at Ao Phra Nang Beach. This may involve traveling off the beaten path to a remote area but the seclusion factor will be well worth it for your beach vacation.

Virtually undiscovered, the only way to get to this beach is by long-tail boat from the Thai port town of Krabi. Rock climbers will love the karst cliffs which surround Ao Phra Nang Beach which helps to show off the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea. Ao Phra Nang Beach is one of four back-to-back white sand beaches which offers vacationers snorkeling-friendly reefs, sugar fine sand and one single luxury hotel.

Beach vacationers have many choices even on this remote island beach. Of course, the solitude of this beach is commanding but the usual water activities abound including an adventure vacation swim to “Happy Island” which is just offshore. At the base of the cliffs, you can poke around the Tham Prah Nang Cave which many beaches do not offer.

If you are a true isolationist travel to Brazil and Baia de Sancho beach on the island of Fernando de Noronna which is located off the northeastern coast of Brazil. This remains part of the UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site and is a protected national marine park. There are no bars, restaurants, hotels or other provisions on the island so pack your own for this type of beach vacation. The Baia de Sancho beach can only be reached by climbing down a series of ladders down the cliff face. The waters are alive with many varieties of marine life including manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles and live coral.

This may be considered more of a working vacation or a hobbyist’s dream but this illustrates just how diverse the world is and the multitude of choices available to you when planning a beach vacation.

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Secluded beaches in the United States may be nonexistent to some but if you look in the right places you will find unspoiled expanses of surf and sand just for your beach vacation.

Everyone knows Sanibel Island in Florida is a beach lover’s paradise. But if you head just a few hundred feet you will run into Bowman’s Beach, the most peaceful place on Sanibel Island for a restful vacation. There’s not much in the way of amenities since any development is virtually nonexistent. One thing Bowman’s Beach does have plenty of and that’s BBQ grills. So you can most certainly fit this beach vacation in your budget and not have the hassle of a crowded beach.

If you need room service on your beach vacation, stay at the Casa Ybel Resort on Sanibel where the sand is linen white, then partake of the oysters at The Lazy Flamingo where you can take your glass of wine down to the beach and watch the sunset. Enjoy your vacation in a picture postcard setting.

Little known Enderts Beach in California is often overshadowed, literally, by the 2,000 year old, 35 stories tall redwoods of Redwood National Park. If you walk just a half mile from the parking lot which happens to be just 500 feet above the sea, you will find yourself alone on a driftwood strewn beach with amazing views of the Pacific and fairly strong breezes. During the months of March and April, migrating whales can sometimes be spotted. There is a ranger-guided walk of the tide pool which lasts about 2.5 hours and meets in the parking lot. If you are so inclined, you can pitch a tent in the Nickel Creek campground and gaze up at the giant redwoods which, seemingly, reach all the way to the stars.

Even if you have planned something more typical for your beach vacation, it’s a bonus to find a hidden beach that you can claim for your own.

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The best beach vacation getaways are really in the spring because you can avoid the winter crowds, much better prices and terrific weather before that glorious sun heats up the islands for summer.

We’ve come up with some of the best beach vacations for a weekend getaway with a short, direct flight whether you are coming from the east coast or the west coast. Either way, you could start your vacation and be walking on the beach by lunchtime.

Aruba is a number 1 spot for beach vacations with its broad, white sand beaches making this tiny island’s beaches some of the best beaches in the world. Aruba is a special place since it is hurricane-free and has a constant breeze swaying the Divi-divi trees beneath its always-sunny skies.

If you want to indulge your vacation budget, the Occidental Grand Aruba resort is for you. It is an all-inclusive resort with more beach activities than any other resort on the island currently including kayaking, snorkeling or sailing. After a full day in the sun, a Las Vegas style show or the casino may be to your liking. And don’t forget all the food choices! This resort is awash in every ethnic food your palate may desire and a vacation is no time to begin a diet!

At the opposite end of the spectrum, you may enjoy the Bucuti Beach Resort Aruba if you’re looking for a quiet stay at the beach with no kids. Another good choice would be the Tara Beach Suites & Spa which has oceanfront suites that put you directly on the beach. These beach resorts will keep your vacation on budget.

You can start your beach vacation with a direct flight from Chicago in as little as 5 hours. It’s only 2.5 hours from Miami so there’s no time like the present! Book your beach vacation today!

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Secluded vacation beaches in Spain start at its southernmost point where over 50 miles of fine white sand beaches beckon the hardiest of beach vacationers. From the coastal cities of Hueiva, Cadiz and Tarifa you will find quaint little fishing villages lined with pine trees facing the wide Atlantic waters to begin your beach vacation.

This coast of Spain, Costa de la Luz or “Coast of Light” is served by ample sunshine year round which explains the name. Even with all this, the crowds stay away since this area of Spain has not really been developed and it’s a three hour drive to the nearest large city of Seville. You will want to come prepared with food, water, shelter and your own entertainment. So, if you’re looking for a “rough” beach vacation this area should serve nicely.

And the winds may have something to do with it as well. The forceful Levante (East) winds and Poniente (West) coastal winds keep most people from vacationing at this beach except for the windsurfers who, basically, worship this spot as a sporting mecca. But during the months of July and August, everything calms down and returns to normal. The ocean waves die to ripples then flatten entirely which occurs because the winds die down, too. And as the sun starts to heat the sand, the masses return to this, otherwise, secluded beach and the smell of suntan lotion and body heat fills the air and everyone forgot that this was a secluded beach on which to vacation.

Sometimes, it’s nice to take a few days out of your luxury beach vacation to experience the real spirit of an area. Areas like the southernmost part of Spain are not usually visited by travelers and, oftentimes, great adventures are missed because of it. Take the time to fully engulf your beach vacation.

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San Jose del Cabo beach vacation is a picture perfect village in Mexico that is a terrific setting for your next beach vacation if quiet and solitude are your keywords. San Jose del Cabo is just as easy to get to as nearby Cabo with its hectic atmosphere and harried scene.

Sometimes a great beach vacation does not have to include water activities or water sports but just a great book and alone time with your loved one. San Jose del Cabo is a cultural vacation mecca replete with excellent shops and cosmopolitan galleries mixed along the tree-lined streets with its historical adobe homes.

Even with this quietness, the elegant Casa Natalia caters to your luxurious side with its two staffers to every room ratio and offers the finest restaurant in the area. While Casa Natalia does not sit directly on the beach, it provides free shuttles to the private beach club which is nearby. Another amazing vacation amenity is the full breakfast which is served on the lush, tropical terrace.

A superb beach vacation value includes a stay at a serene little hideaway, El Encanto Inn. This 28 room gem is located on a street lined with galleries. Guests have their choice of the Garden section rooms or the Pool section rooms. Several nearby restaurants provide room service and at only $95 per night, this is a true bargain for a great beach vacation.

This would be a grand beach vacation weekend getaway since it is only a 2 hour direct flight from Phoenix or 4.5 hours from Chicago. You don’t have to wait until you are actually on the beach to start your vacation. The unwinding begins on the airplane as lift-off occurs and, suddenly, you’re in the clouds, mind, body and spirit.
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A perfect vacation day at the beach could actually involve several beaches. Maybe it’s a day cruise around the British Virgin Islands where you can stop several times to snorkel or hike in the many caves or navigate the rock formations.

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