Juanillo Beach

Juanillo is a calm, reef-protected white-sand beach on the east coast of Cap Cana, the gated development south of Punta Cana, about 25 to 35 minutes by road from the Bávaro hotels. The beach itself is public by law, but you reach it through the Cap Cana security gate, where you should expect to show photo ID; a reservation at a beach club or restaurant makes entry easier. The water is usually glassy and shallow over sand, which suits children, and the palm-lined beach is quieter than the resort strips in the morning. Midday and weekends are busier. Marina Cap Cana, next door, has more than 150 berths and is a sportfishing hub. The driest months are December to April; like much of this coast, Juanillo can be hit by sargassum seaweed from May to September. Plan on half a day or a full beach day. No excursion we photograph comes here, so photos at Juanillo are a private shoot, arranged in advance.