El Encuentro Surf Lodge & Restaurant — Hotel in La Hispaniola

I stayed at this lodge in late March 2023 as a solo female traveler and, unfortunately, had a deeply distressing experience, which still prevents me from traveling alone without first checking the security measures in place. Early one morning, around 4 a.m., a male guest attempted to break into my room after he had seen me outside filling up my water bottle. He was intoxicated and belligerent, violently banging on my glass door, demanding to be let in. I had never interacted with this man before and was terrified by the situation.

Despite my fear, I managed to calm him down and convince him to leave. What was most alarming, however, was the complete absence of security during this ordeal. When I reported the incident to the management, their only response was that the man was due to check out that day. Even more concerning, they allowed him to sit near me at breakfast the next morning, showing a total lack of regard for my safety and well-being.

I felt disrespected and unsupported by the way the lodge handled this situation, and I left for another hotel that same day, one with better security measures in place. Luckily the lodge gave me a refund for the days I did not stay, which should be the minimum. I want to warn other solo female travelers that this establishment seems to lack proper security protocols and fails to take guest safety seriously.

While this review is delayed, I believe it’s important to share my experience so others can make an informed decision about staying here.

Additional note: Adding to what the hotel responded to my review: I repeat that no security staff was present nor they intervened during this instance and it was 4 AM when this happened. The fact that it never happened before nor after, is not a valid excuse. Furthermore, when reporting the incident in the morning, I was briefly dismissed and no attention was paid to the fact that the man who caused that big distress was sitting at breakfast next to me, unbothered. No preventative measures, discount or gestures of good will were offered and it was even discussed whether I should be given a refund for the days I was not going to stay if I were to leave. This is highly representative of the double standard and misogynistic mentality of this place. The hotel continued deflection and lack of accountability is worrying and I want to warn again any female solo travelers who are thinking of going here. It is not...

We had an excellent experience at the Ocean Villa at Encuentro Surf Lodge. Our company provides service-based retreat programs in the central mountains of the DR, and we end our trips with a couple nights on the coast to work with another service organization, decompress, and process the experience. We've been working in the area for more than 20 years and know it well. We've had our groups stay in a wide range of places: retreat centers, basic lodges, private AirBnBs, etc.||For a while now, we'd been looking for the right balance of privacy and proximity to amenities. Sometimes one comes at the expense of the other. Not so at Encuentro. We found that the Ocean Villa provided us with plenty of space, great facilities that were in excellent condition, and easy access to amenities in the area. ||The on-site restaurant was excellent, and was an easy 2-minute drive (or ten minute walk) from the Villa. (The Villa is separate from the main hotel property). The included breakfasts were excellent. The staff was very helpful but not overbearing. ||We had only a few very minor recommendations – again, very minor things:||1) the private pool at the Villa was a few degrees too warm – the water was probably 100 or so, and therefore not very refreshing. Maybe just a matter of the filtering system or building in some shade structure over part of the pool? ||2) it would be good to put some new, larger-sized safes in the rooms (the size that could contain a laptop). ||3) the outdoor shower by the pool didn't work (maybe it was just shut off)||4) the kitchen was very well appointed but only a couple of the burners on the stove worked, and you need some more pots and pans, as well as a strainer for cooking pasta||One important note: If you're looking for a quiet beach where your kids can swim and play in the gentle waves, Encuentro's beach is not for you. It's a high-surf beach (hence this is a surf lodge ;)||Let me wrap this up by saying that the Villa experience at Encuentro was excellent and the price was fair for the provided space, amenities, and services. We have already requested to return with two future groups in 2024. ||Thank you to the staff for welcoming us and providing an excellent experience. ||Paul |Principal, Camino...

A Perfect Retreat for Families – Relaxing, Beautiful, and So Welcoming

We stayed at El Encuentro Surf Lodge for two weeks and honestly wish we could have stayed longer. It was the perfect combination of relaxation, beauty, and community, making it one of the best places we’ve ever stayed.

From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at ease. The lodge is peaceful, surrounded by nature, and impeccably clean with everything we needed. The staff went above and beyond to make us feel at home—especially the manager, Line, and the entire team, including Carlos, Angelo, Luisa & Gael. Their warmth and hospitality made our stay unforgettable!

One of the biggest highlights for us was having The School House right next door. Our kids were able to join and take part in incredible outdoor activities, learning and playing in a way that felt completely natural and fun. It was such a gift to have a space where they could thrive while we relaxed and enjoyed the surroundings.

Another bonus is that just across the road, the Parallel team offers yoga, mobility classes, skateboarding, and, of course, surfing—since the beach is only a five-minute walk away. There’s truly something for everyone, making it easy to enjoy both adventure and relaxation.

Staying here is a little slice of paradise. El Encuentro Surf Lodge is not just a place to stay—it’s a place to connect with great people, unwind, and experience the best of this beautiful area. We can’t wait...