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Ticket No. 0035

One-way ticket

Playa San Rafael

Barahona

A river that comes down in cascades and meets the Caribbean, freshwater pools and a beach of white stones, right by the road.

  • Leaves fromZona Colonial
  • Distance217 km
  • Driving3 h 11 min
  • WaterRiver and sea
  • ProvinceBarahona

StubNo. 0035

25 kmFrom Barahona
BarahonaPoloLaguna de Oviedo
Beaches
Playa San Rafael
Barahona
Zona Colonial
Zona Colonial217 km, 3 h 11 minPlaya San Rafael
  • Where it isRight by the coast road
  • The swimFreshwater pools from the river
  • To eatSeafood, coconut water and fruit
  • SurfGood waves, especially in the morning
KM 0, Zona Colonial

217 km to the Barahona coast

You leave the Zona Colonial and drive 217 km, about 3 h 11 min, to the coast road between Barahona and Enriquillo. The beach is right beside it.

It's in the municipality of Paraíso, in Barahona. From downtown Barahona it's about 25 km, 30 to 40 minutes by road.

River and sea

The San Rafael River cascades down to the Caribbean

Here the San Rafael River comes down the mountain in cascades and reaches the Caribbean Sea.

At the shore it forms natural freshwater pools, next to a beach covered in polished white stones.

Most people swim in the river's fresh water.
30 to 40Minutes from Barahona
San RafaelRiver down to the sea
Once there

Most people swim in the river water

The sea has strong waves and deep water, and most people swim in the river's fresh water. Surfers find good waves, especially in the morning.

There are food and drink vendors with Dominican seafood dishes, coconut water and fruit, and a bar with gazebos.

On weekends

One of the most visited beaches in the south

It fills up on weekends and holidays. The parking lot isn't big enough, and a lot of people leave the car on the shoulder of the road, on a slope.

KM 217, before you go

A weekday, and early

  • If you can, go on a weekday and early, to find parking and room in the pools.
  • If you go into the sea, stay close to shore.

Next stops

Sources

  1. Road distance and drive time: OSRM, calculated by ConoceRD on Sep 15, 2026
  2. Go Dominican Republic, Playa San Rafael
  3. El Nacional, San Rafael, un balneario distintivo de Barahona
  4. Visitar República Dominicana, Playa San Rafael