Sosua Ocean Village

We recently had the pleasure of staying at Sosua Ocean Village, renting a lovely two-bedroom bungalow through Airbnb. The experience was overwhelmingly positive, with a few minor areas for improvement. Overall, we would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a safe, relaxing, and family-friendly getaway in the Dominican Republic. Our Stay: The bungalow itself was fantastic—spacious, comfortable, and featuring its own private pool. It was located just across the street from the Maria restaurant, which made dining out incredibly convenient. The ground, pool and cleaning staff were amazing. The village is impeccably maintained, with clean pathways, lush greenery, and a strong sense of community. It is also safe. I would not hesitate to bring my grandchildren here. LOTs of stuff for the kids to do, from waterparks to roaming around on bikes, playgrounds, etc… The staff were always friendly, professional, and ready to assist with anything we needed, adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Note that there is ongoing construction here as the complex expands, but this didn’t affect us in our villa. For longer-term stays, note that the villa did not have basic cleaning supplies, laundry detergent, dish soap, etc. One roll of toilet paper per bathroom, and one jug of water per week are provided (you can get more water at 250 DOP per jug)…So if you’re here for any length of time, you will need to go to the supermarket on your first day to stock up! We really wanted to book again for next year while we were there, but gave up after asking to speak to the reservation manager three days in a row… Dining Highlights: Maria restaurant was one of the highlights of our trip. The food was fantastic, and the setting was breathtaking, with an infinity pool and an incredible ocean view. It was the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a great meal in a peaceful atmosphere. They deliver to your villa too! Santa Fe restaurant, on the other hand, was a bit of a mixed experience. While the food was decent, the prices were quite high, and the atmosphere was too loud for us. Areas for Improvement: While we thoroughly enjoyed our stay, there were a few aspects that could be improved: • Internet Speed: The Wi-Fi was very slow, topping out at 1.2 Mbps. If you need reliable internet for work or streaming, this could be an issue. Buying a sim card with data is probably the solution (there is an LTE signal). • Kitchen Appliances & Utensils: While the fridge was excellent, the dishwasher didn’t work, and the gas stove wasn’t the best. The pots and pans were very basic, and the kitchen knives were so dull they were nearly unusable. Short-term renters may not mind, but if you’re planning to cook at home frequently, this could be frustrating. • Hot Water Issues: The master bathroom had no hot water for the first 10 days. Interestingly, while trying to fix the dishwasher, we discovered that the hot water valve for it was turned off under the sink—so it might be worth checking this if you run into similar issues. Tips & Recommendations: • Car Rental Advice: Rent a non-descript, small car and opt for all the insurance coverage. Driving here isn’t much different from a big city, but be mindful of motorbikes, as they don’t always follow traffic rules. We used OK Motors to rent on the weekends. They were fantastic! Don’t forget to bring photocopies of your passport and keep them in your car (leave the real ones locked up in your safe). • Taxi Costs: Taking cabs frequently can get expensive. A 5km round trip to the grocery store cost us $30 USD. • Electricity Costs for Long-Term Stays: If you’re staying long-term, be prepared to pay for electricity. We inquired about this beforehand but didn’t get an answer. Expect to budget around $600 USD a month for a two-bedroom house rental. • Choosing your villa: If you’re looking for peace and quiet, we’d recommend staying a bit further from Santa Fe, as the music starts mid-morning and doesn’t stop until 9 PM. The oceanfront villas are spectacular, but remember they are perched on a 50-foot cliff absorbing the Atlantic swell! We’re across the street, and the wave action rattled the windows! • Essentials: There is no convenience store on site. There are two places to get essentials within a 20-minute walk, both of which take credit cards. And don’t forget to visit the German butcher on the main road! Note the butcher only take cash… • Beach: As mentioned by others, there is no swimmable beach here. We went to Playa Alica a couple of times and had a great experience. 700 DOP gets you sun chairs and an umbrella on this private beach. Final Thoughts: Sosua Ocean Village is a wonderful place to stay, offering a secure, well-maintained environment with excellent amenities and friendly staff. Despite a few minor inconveniences, we would absolutely return. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly getaway, this place has a lot to offer!