(Updated September 2020) Apart from the information I previously wrote, here with the drone I ventured a little further than usual. This place is literally 90 minutes from Santo Domingo, there are a few things you can do here. You only really need to spend 1 night here to do and see everything, however, as a tourist new to this place, I would recommend not paying more than $50USD a night per couple in a hotel, (as they are not really up to standards as it is more local tourism than foreigners coming to spend a few days), which should include breakfast as well. We paid $130 and it was not what we believed it to be, but that was my mistake. Anyway, here you have the Sand Dunes, which you can see in the photos below. For me as you go past the sand dunes and head past the salt farms and drive until you come to a car park, here you have the beach on either side, palm trees/ coconuts the lot. You can buy food, drink and so on, however, a picnic would be more suitable, as we are in times of covid and the beaches are closed at 6 and curfew at 8 (Bani only) you can get a little more out of your day. The beaches are quite nice.
Bani is the capital of Perravia. Residents also know it as the poet’s home – and there is a lot of what makes this one. The population is relatively small – just over 217,000 people. It is an interconnected community that has built its house and neighborhoods for centuries. It is known for its dunes, and why wouldn’t it be? Do you know what it feels like walking barefooted on that silk sand? However, please be careful as there was no way in hell was I barefooting it when it was over 30º as the sand burns your feet, so sandals are you best bet.
The sand which hugs your feet or as they say…
The dunes of Bani are unique in the Caribbean Sea, and if you are in search of it, then it can be found in the south of Bani, about an hour’s ride from the capital of Santo Domingo in Las Calderas Bay. People who have a thing for getting lost in the sand, as they see their feet dissolve deep into it, come from different parts, both locals and international tourists, to view it. The dunes cover about 15km in length, and are up to 35 meters high, you can walk for hours in the dunes, however don’t forget water, hats, and tight shoes because the sand is hot). The desert landscape of sand, cactus, and other shrubs is contrary to the rest of the country. You do have to pay a small fee to get into the sand dunes, but we are talking about a few dollars.
Bani Dunes and Las Calderas Bay have unique biodiversity in the Caribbean. There are a few tourists compared to other tourist spots in DR. Question is, how do I get there? Here you have a few options. Rent a car, which would be the best to give you the freedom to venture a bit further past the sand dunes to the salt farms and possibly have lunch, however, the village is quite small and not much on offer but the salt farms are quite cool, usually you can see them push the train like carts transport the salt. The photos are quite nice too. You can also go by public transports, but it might be a pain from getting from Bani to the dunes then to the salt farms, as there is little movement down that end.
Above is the sunsetting on the horizon, and you can see the entire salt farms. This salt is distributed throughout the entire Dominican Republic.
It is typically windy here too so make sure even though it is hot, that you bring a jumper so you do not end up with a cold later on. Sunglasses, hats and suncreams are a must in DR, whatever part you visit.
When you go past the salt farms, you come to the end of Bani’s beaches, here on either side is quite nice to spend the day, bring a cooler and enjoy the warm waters and collect your rubbish.
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