Can resorts block beach access? Dominican tourism minister gives a clear answer
Santo Domingo.- Tourism Minister David Collado reaffirmed that private security personnel at hotels, resorts, and real estate developments have no authority to block or restrict public access to Dominican beaches, provided visitors comply with the law and use the areas peacefully.
Collado announced the creation of an interagency working group involving the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Interior and Police, and the Attorney General’s Office to review beach access disputes and establish clear guidelines that balance public access, environmental protection, safety, and property rights.
The minister said the policy will apply to all tourism and real estate developments where similar conflicts arise, with the goal of protecting citizens’ rights while supporting sustainable tourism.
Collado emphasized that public beaches belong to all Dominicans and reiterated that expanding public access to coastal areas has been a key objective of his administration. He pointed to several beach restoration projects—including Sosúa, Guayacanes, Macao, Las Galeras, Los Patos, Los Quemaitos, Nizao, and Bayahíbe—as examples of that commitment.
The resorts cannot block beach access is law. However, it is common knowledge resort security personnel have an understanding to discourage public access to beaches fronting the resorts they are charged to protect. It should be part of the law that resorts and/or property owners having beach fronts cannot obstruct existing public access lanes to beaches. It there are no nearby existing public accesses the laws should be amended to dictate that resorts have a reasonable duty to allow public access through their properties without fees.
It is noteworthy to say beaches are public up to 60 meters – 197 feet from the high-water mark.
I understand that beaches are public 60 meters from the high tide mark. That part is simple. Now lets use the Barcelo complex in Bavaro as an example. I pull up to the gate, either by foot or by car, and I want access to the beach. I am denied. Barcelo’s argument can be that they do not block public access. Because I can walk or drive “N” kilometers East, then walk back that same “N” kilometers to the beach in front of Barcelo. Thus, there is no restricted access. So what is restricted access? Has that even been defined? If not, Resorts can continue to block access like they have been since the beginning of time.
I just thought of some better examples, I want to go to Juanillo in Cap Cana, or Playa Blanca in Punta Cana. Define restricted access in that scenario?