Casa Rosada Beach Front

The island itself is great, and the locals are really warm, but I wouldn’t stay here again. The room was tiny for the price, smelled bad, and the bathroom was dirty. It also needs better upkeep. It’s close to the beach, though it isn’t beachfront. I’d look somewhere else.

The hosts are wonderful, and the house sits right on the beach. There are sunbeds, hammocks, a dining spot and a lounge patio, plus kayaks, paddleboards, surfboards and bikes to use. The food is tasty and portions are generous, though it costs a bit more than other island options. Service can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half. Getting here takes some planning: there are only two public boats from Bayahibe, at 1,000 DOP each way, while private boats are plentiful but expensive. The rooms and bathrooms are small, and regular cleaning would help since things get dirty easily. Wi-Fi is available but can be weak, and there’s warm water.

Those sunsets looked like something off a holiday postcard, and our four nights at Casa Rosada ended up being the highlight of our trip to Republica Dominicana. We felt right at home, thanks to Gaby, whose cocktails were amazing, and Peter, who was so welcoming and took great care of us. The rooms were modern and clean for an island of 400 people, and the hammocks, chaise longs and beach gear were new and comfortable. Casa Rosada and Isla Saona feel like a hidden gem, especially since plenty of people don’t realize you can stay overnight on the island. For the boat, we took the public transfer from Bayahibe. It leaves Bayahibe daily at 09h and Mano Juan at 14h. Ask for “Bienve” at the Bayahibe dock. A round trip cost us 2.000 pesos for two people. We loved Playa “El canto” most. It has white sand and clear blue water, and you can reach it by bike in about 30 minutes. Casa Rosada lends bikes for free. Go early or around 12h, when the day trippers are heading out. Playa “el Toro” was overrated to us, and the smell from “la laguna” was awful, so we wouldn’t recommend going there. This is a small island where only 400 people live, so it’s a good place to unwind away from resort crowds. Just don’t expect much luxury or nightlife. We had no hot water, and the bathroom water at Casa Rosada was seawater because there isn’t currently a desalination plant on the island. Still, staying here felt like a dream and was easily the best part of our trip. Thanks, Gaby, for sharing your piece of paradise with us!

The food and drinks were really good, including breakfast and dinner. There’s plenty of space to relax with chairs, sunbeds and hammocks, and you can use paddleboards and bikes for free. The bedrooms are right by the beach. Casa Rosada has a lot to offer, which is pretty impressive on an island with just 400 inhabitants. I’d definitely recommend staying here.