Situated east from Parque Nacional Submarino La Caleta on Highway 3, and only a five-minute drive east of Las Américas international airport, is the former fishing village of Boca Chica. This was the hot spot for the rich in Trujillo’s days. The wealthy from Santo Domingo would come to their Hamptons-esque getaways, wearing their best and using their posh seaside villas for their elaborate parties.

In the early 1950s, the first major hotel was opened due to the popularity of travel to this area, but by the 1970s, Boca Chica’s reputation with tourists waned because of the development of tourism on the north coast.

However, the lagoon-like waters of the Bahía de Andrés could not be ignored for long, and international (mostly European) travelers started to return by the 1990s.

This financial flux has kept Boca Chica in constant economic doubt, and its reputation has been dragged through the mud by the severe prostitution and tourist scamming that evolved due to those hard times. Although these illicit activities are on a downward trend, they still exist and are being monitored by the local Politur (national tourism police) office.

Nevertheless, a strange dichotomy exists between the larger hotel chains catering to families and some (but not all) of the small and cheaper hotels catering to the single male travelers looking for the debauchery side of Boca Chica. Many of the small hotels are doing their part in trying to clean up the act of Boca Chica.

Aside from this reputation, Boca Chica has benefited from the north and southeast coasts’ infestation of all-inclusive resorts. Tourists who desired a less gentrified vacation destination and wanted to roam less-traveler-populated areas began to flock to Boca Chica and its smaller hotels once again, bringing their currency with them. Granted, big corporation hotel chains are following, but part of that road-less-traveled spirit still exists.

Boca Chica has a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and bars, many of which are owned by expats who couldn’t end their vacations, left their homelands, and decided to open their own businesses. Most of these are along the street parallel to the beach, which gets closed to traffic at night to make way for a more laid-back but festive environment. Midweek visits are best if you want more tranquility, as this little town is a busy and lively place on the weekends.

Getting to Boca Chica

From Santo Domingo: If you’re visiting for the day from Santo Domingo and you have chosen to drive, take Highway 3 east; there is a toll of RD$30. You will pass the exit for Las Américas international airport. Your trip will be about 31 kilometers (30 minutes). Should you leave the chaos to the local drivers’ more-than-capable hands, a taxi should run you about US$25. You can also catch a Boca Chica express bus from the northern side of Parque Independencia. The bus runs until 9 p.m. and will cost you about US$2.50. Your other option to get to Boca Chica is to flag down a guagua (US$1) from Parque Enriquillo or Parque Independencia heading east. Just remember that the guaguas stop running after dark.

From the Airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Las Américas (tel. 809/549-0450) is accessible by many major international airlines. If you haven’t arranged for pickup with your hotel prior to your arrival, you can hire a taxi for about US$15. Boca Chica is about a 10-minute ride east of the airport. As you exit customs and baggage claim, you will be faced with a throng of taxi drivers, all trying to offer you a ride. Don’t let them take your bag until you’ve secured a price for the ride. From Aeropuerto Internacional La Romana (tel. 809/556-5565) you will have a 1.75-hour ride west, which will cost you about US$80.