Boca Chica - Culture

Boca Chica is a beautiful bay with a gleaming white beach. Unfortunately, it’s been overdeveloped: the beach is often packed, especially on weekends, with vendors hawking their wares and meringue music blaring from portable radios. (The music seems to be used as a form of advertising by the merchants, who apparently believe that the louder the music is, the more business they’ll attract). Those who don’t mind the bustle will find plenty of water sports going on in the shallow, protected waters. Sailboats, paddleboats and jet skis are available for rent, and fishing, water-skiing and scuba diving excursions can be arranged.

Days in Boca Chica are quiet compared to other popular destinations such as the Bahamas or Cancun. Boca Chica is a small town and the main strip is just a few blocks long, yet the beach stretches for nearly a mile. 

The town is filled with bars & shops, most of the shops are selling T-shirts, souvenir kitsch or the local beers, which are quite good. Raul Valette’s G. R. Gallery (on the main street a block off the beach) has an interesting collection of works by Dominican and Haitian artists.

Visitors can enjoy excellent scuba dive at nearby La Caleta Underwater National Park at the Hickory wreck, considered by Skin Diver magazine as one of the best five dive sites in the Caribbean. Boca Chica draws international travellers in large numbers who (especially on weekends) mingle with the locals in what must be described as a classical tropical beach setting of swaying palms, lustrous sun and an inviting picture-perfect aqua bay. In fact, Boca Chica's beach is the largest reef-protected lagoon in the Caribbean and sun-seeking swimmers enjoy the protected waters, as they dart back and forth seeking a frosty glass of beer from one of the casual restaurants, bars, and cafes owned mainly by Europeans.

Any day is a good time to visit Boca Chica, the weather is similar year round. Expect highs in the upper 80’s during the day and lows at night in the low 70’s. Temperatures vary by less than 10 degrees F year round, a little cooler in the winter, warmer in the summer, rainiest in September and October. High season is from November through March. Prices usually drop in April. February and March are the most pleasant months to visit because the nights are a bit cooler. 

Storms are frequent in September but they usually amount to no more than a brief afternoon shower.  Many people prefer September because of they practically have the beach to themselves. Boca Chica is virtually empty on weekdays.