Fodor's Expert Review Playa Dorada

Playa Dorada is one of the island’s most established resort areas. Each hotel has its own slice of the beach, which is covered with soft nearly white sand. Reefs for snorkeling are right offshore. Gran Ventana Beach Resort, which is on a point, marks the easternmost end of the beach, followed by Casa Colonial and Blue Bay Villa Doradas. If you're not staying at one of the resorts in the Playa Dorada complex, then it's best to enter the beach before this point. Zealous hotel security guards try to keep you off "their" stretch of beach, but by law they cannot if you walk along the water's edge. They can, however, keep you off the chaise longues and the resort's property. This is a good swimming beach with mild wave action. Amenities: none (though resorts on the beach offer full service). Best for: fishing; swimming; walking; kitesurfing; windsurfing.