Playa San Rafael
Playa San Rafael
4
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4.0
136 reviews
Excellent
65
Very good
43
Average
19
Poor
6
Terrible
3
Janet W
Kilburn, UK197 contributions
Feb 2022
This is a beautiful beach, and the only reason that I haven’t given it five stars, is that we couldn’t swim there. The waves were impressively huge, and you’d have to be a very strong and comfortable swimmer to take them on. It’s okay to wallow in the shallow though of course, and a few people were doing so.
The water here is an amazing blue, just gorgeous. There is a river that comes down to the beach through a series of pools, which looked fun. The area between the river and the beach is packed with picnic tables and little stalls selling food. We had already eaten at Los Patos, so I can’t vouch for them.
The water here is an amazing blue, just gorgeous. There is a river that comes down to the beach through a series of pools, which looked fun. The area between the river and the beach is packed with picnic tables and little stalls selling food. We had already eaten at Los Patos, so I can’t vouch for them.
Written 18 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic48 contributions
Jan 2020
Paradise on earth is what you got on San Rafael. The beach is way too beautiful, you must see with your own eyes.
There's a river that came from the mountains to the beach as cascades to pools created by man. The water is really clean and cold, also you can see fishes on the water.. really cool!
Food is cheap, fresh and with really good taste.
There's a river that came from the mountains to the beach as cascades to pools created by man. The water is really clean and cold, also you can see fishes on the water.. really cool!
Food is cheap, fresh and with really good taste.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cyril M
Plainfield, NJ2 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
Playa San Rafael is a beautiful beach. Please ignore the people who complain about the beach being filled with locals. It's their country. What did they expect? Did they expect it to be cleared out just for Europeans or Americans? Go and Enjoy and share with the locals. There is much to learn from them.
Written 26 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viva Travels TV
New York City, NY154 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
This place is a hidden gem! The river cascade from the top of the mountains and connects with the Caribbean Sea at the bottom. The beach is too rough to swim but it's great to surf and sunbathe. Best recommendation: Swim in the natural pools. If you are looking for eco-tourism in the Dominican Republic, Playa San Rafael is the place to go!!! Highly recommend it!!
Written 9 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
310jacquelinen
15 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
This is a fabulous spot to surf and have a delightful and incredibly delicious meal on the beach- grilled fish to order with beans and rice, plantains....wash it down with a Presidente. Swimming isn’t recommended because of rip tides but go up by the river to swim in clean and clear pools. You may meet some Peace Corp volunteers taking a well-deserved break and learn about some communities off the beaten track.
Written 2 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roberto M
New York City, NY5 contributions
Apr 2016
I live the San Rafael beach! being able to relax in the cold water of the river while looking on into the ocean is a unique experience. The food is good too, loved the fried fresh fish and the overall atmosphere.
Written 7 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wayne C
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic22 contributions
Dec 2014 • Family
This is the best place to go to the beach along the Barahona coast. The cascades and pools make a wonderful setting, and the mix of colder mountain fresh water and warmer sea water is a great feature. And a good selection of micro-restaurants with anything a Dominican might want to eat, often well-prepared.
Written 27 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edseeger
Morgan's Point Resort, TX24 contributions
Mar 2015 • Friends
This is not an ancient "Club Med" resort spot. Nor are there servers bearing piña coladas down to the beach-lounge set. This is where the dominicans go; if you need it to be like home, then why not just stay home?
A brief drive out of Barahona and look for a steep road off to the left and down to the beach. Surf is rough. Changing rooms are spare. Beach is gravel rather than sand. But the fresh water barreling down from the mountain and into four tiered pools was for me and my group a godsend after a week in a forgotten barrio doing community development.
Table-clothed spots with umbrellas and chairs, fresh seafood, beer and an inspiring view beyond the surf and on out to an unblemished horizon make Playa San Rafael a worthwhile stop for visitors willing to step beyond the sanitary packaged accommodations from on-line tour agencies...
A brief drive out of Barahona and look for a steep road off to the left and down to the beach. Surf is rough. Changing rooms are spare. Beach is gravel rather than sand. But the fresh water barreling down from the mountain and into four tiered pools was for me and my group a godsend after a week in a forgotten barrio doing community development.
Table-clothed spots with umbrellas and chairs, fresh seafood, beer and an inspiring view beyond the surf and on out to an unblemished horizon make Playa San Rafael a worthwhile stop for visitors willing to step beyond the sanitary packaged accommodations from on-line tour agencies...
Written 22 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brit J
23 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
If you are in the area you HAVE TO come to San Rafael eco tours. Not only is Raylin the best guide on the island and full of charisma but his tours are all so diverse and he can adapt them to work for anyone .
I went once in March with family and loved it so much I went again in June. I felt very safe and welcomed there the entire time , not only by him and his family but by the community. Raylin and his family are trustworthy and I felt very comfortable leaving things like my wallet , cell phone etc with them even when I was gone for hours.
There is no better way to put it than magical.The vibes are unmatched anywhere I have ever been, this area shows a true richness of life . Any tour you take will completely amaze you and overwhelm you with beauty.
Raylin’s farm tour is amazing and you can pick fresh fruits to eat along the way, it meets a river / canyon area and finally ends in villa Miriam. The view overlooking the water and other mountains is amazing !
La plaza - a hike up a crystal clear blue river , has some small rapids , we cut through the river and up many adventurous trails . The end is worth it ! Not an easy hike but so worth it.
bahia las aguilas- crystal clear sand beach , the journey there is long but exciting , you leave the lush jungle scene and enter a desert with huge cliffs and canyons . Pretty secluded since you need 4x4 or boat to arrive .
Surf lessons- myself and my friend took surf lessons , she stood up on her 2nd time . You have to give it a try for sure
Beach camping - Tent camping on the beach with comfy mattress bedding , listen to the waves crash the shores . They always have someone on the beach with you so you are secure.
While there make sure you eat some of the delicious food prepared by Elisa or Salvador, the fish is amazing .
Also ask to see the Larimar jewelry raylin makes , it comes from the only mine in the world that had Larimar and he cuts,polished and sets the stones for all sorts of unique jewelry.
Playa San Rafael itself (where SRSS is stationed) is cool because it’s a beautiful turquoise stone beach , with a crystal clear river that flows into the ocean 100 m from his spot . And if you love dogs then you will love that there is tons of friendly dogs around to keep you company .
San Rafael is literally my favorite place on earth and a big part is due to the people , like raylin. Whatever your interested in , I genuinely feel like he could make it happen for you ! I can’t rate it highly enough
Look him up on Facebook or Instagram ( San Rafael surf school and eco-tours )
I went once in March with family and loved it so much I went again in June. I felt very safe and welcomed there the entire time , not only by him and his family but by the community. Raylin and his family are trustworthy and I felt very comfortable leaving things like my wallet , cell phone etc with them even when I was gone for hours.
There is no better way to put it than magical.The vibes are unmatched anywhere I have ever been, this area shows a true richness of life . Any tour you take will completely amaze you and overwhelm you with beauty.
Raylin’s farm tour is amazing and you can pick fresh fruits to eat along the way, it meets a river / canyon area and finally ends in villa Miriam. The view overlooking the water and other mountains is amazing !
La plaza - a hike up a crystal clear blue river , has some small rapids , we cut through the river and up many adventurous trails . The end is worth it ! Not an easy hike but so worth it.
bahia las aguilas- crystal clear sand beach , the journey there is long but exciting , you leave the lush jungle scene and enter a desert with huge cliffs and canyons . Pretty secluded since you need 4x4 or boat to arrive .
Surf lessons- myself and my friend took surf lessons , she stood up on her 2nd time . You have to give it a try for sure
Beach camping - Tent camping on the beach with comfy mattress bedding , listen to the waves crash the shores . They always have someone on the beach with you so you are secure.
While there make sure you eat some of the delicious food prepared by Elisa or Salvador, the fish is amazing .
Also ask to see the Larimar jewelry raylin makes , it comes from the only mine in the world that had Larimar and he cuts,polished and sets the stones for all sorts of unique jewelry.
Playa San Rafael itself (where SRSS is stationed) is cool because it’s a beautiful turquoise stone beach , with a crystal clear river that flows into the ocean 100 m from his spot . And if you love dogs then you will love that there is tons of friendly dogs around to keep you company .
San Rafael is literally my favorite place on earth and a big part is due to the people , like raylin. Whatever your interested in , I genuinely feel like he could make it happen for you ! I can’t rate it highly enough
Look him up on Facebook or Instagram ( San Rafael surf school and eco-tours )
Written 15 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sajomero P
7 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
This beach is very impressive with clear turquoise waters and a fresh water river emptying into the sea. Safe for tourists, lots of food vendors and overall fun place. The surf is rough and very serious so be careful if you do go into the water.
Written 28 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buenas Quiero Hacer Una Gira Para Ya Me Gustaria Saber Si Se Paga Entrada ,Si Se Entra La Comida y Si Puedo Llevar Vevidas Alcholicas..
Written 20 January 2019
Es gratis. Puede llevar su comida y bebidas. Si quiere sombra y sillas tiene que consumir en el negocio o pagar por ello.
Written 9 June 2019
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