Paradise Island — Local services in Monte Cristi

Cayo Arena, affectionately known as Paradise Island, stands out as one of the most unique and awe-inspiring destinations in the Dominican Republic. Unlike any ordinary beach, Cayo Arena is a fleeting, living sandbar that materializes off the coast of Punta Rucia—its shape and size eternally sculpted by the whims of the tides and seasons. What truly sets Cayo Arena apart and earns it a place among the world’s top recommendations: • Ephemeral Beauty: This sandbar’s impermanence is its magic. With every visit, you’ll encounter a subtly different landscape, making each trip truly one-of-a-kind. • Natural “Aquarium” Experience: Surrounded by pristine coral reefs, the island offers an unrivaled chance to interact with a dazzling spectrum of fish. Glide into shallow, crystalline waters—barely waist-deep—and hand-feed sergeant majors, angelfish, and yellowtail snappers in their natural habitat. Nowhere else feels quite so much like stepping inside a living aquarium. • Intimate and Adaptable Retreat: The island features movable wooden cubicles for shade and storage, ingeniously designed to move as the sandbar evolves, enhancing comfort without sacrificing the untouched charm of the setting. • Breathtaking Scenery: Trek out early to savor untouched stretches of soft white sand bordered by endless turquoise waters. The combination of shifting sands, tranquil ocean, and vibrant marine life creates a magical sense of peace and wonder. • A Rare Hidden Gem: Tucked away in the Atlantic, Cayo Arena remains one of the region’s best-kept secrets. Its ever-shifting presence and natural splendor make it a destination deserving of global acclaim and a must-experience for any traveler seeking beauty beyond the ordinary. No other spot captures the fleeting, enchanted soul of the Caribbean quite like Cayo Arena—each visit is an adventure you’ll remember forever. This truly is a highlight of the Dominican Republic and an absolute recommendation for any traveler in search...

This is NOT an ISLAND and Far From Paradise

I first want to commend the tour guide, bus driver and bus host for providing great customer service and going above and beyond to accommodate everyone.

Please beware that this is a very SMALL SANDBAR NOT AN ISLAND. The majority of the photos you see of this place online are very misleading and the majority of them are fake and purely deceptive! This is the worst excusion I have been on in my 20+ years of traveling to other countries! It's sad because the staff is great but everything else is horrible.

This excusion at best should cost no more than $25 USD per person. I paid $19,500 DP which is about $360 USD for my family of 4.

I was able to have photos of my family taken for an additional $45 which is the only thing I don't regret paying for. My 11 yr old son said it was the worst day of his life and wanted to write his own personal review to warn other children.

1)The waves are incredibly strong and make it impossible to enjoy snorkeling. 2) The fruit is laid out in the open and a safe haven for germs. 3) The boat ride to the location was a white knuckle experience and would probably make an atheist whisper a silent prayer. 4) The buffet at the end was ok 5) If you are taller than 5 feet 10 inches you will be uncomfortable on...

Absolutely gorgeous. This is an ideal snorkeling spot! We were only out for about 25 minutes and saw eel, a crab, jelly fish, trumpet fish, some large puffer fish, and lots of smaller tropical fish. The boat ride out is not for the faint of heart, but totally worth it! The views are phenomenal. The water is crystal clear. The day we went, the water was pretty rough. If you are brave enough to swim out past the shallow end, the edge of the reef is breathtaking and you’ll see more variety of fish and some really cool sea life. You aren’t allowed to wear shoes and you’re not allowed to lay down towels and whatnot because it’s a preserved area. But there are a few small benches if you need to sit.

Also, if you’re thinking about going I ask a favor: PLEASE DON’T FEED THE FISH. It’s soooo bad for our reef. It messes up the food cycle and we need the parrot fish to eat the dead coral. Thanks for...