Dominican Republic Court Reaffirms Public Access to Beaches Over Hotel Restrictions

Musician Mariano Lantigua and communicator Sergio Carlo raised concerns about hotels limiting entry to Dominican Republic beaches, reviving a long‑standing debate on public versus private rights. The Dominican Constitution (Article 15) and Law 305‑68 designate beaches and a 60‑metre maritime‑terrestrial strip as public domain, prohibiting permanent private construction except when authorized for public or tourism purposes.

In December 2023 the Constitutional Court (decision TC/0751/23) ruled that free access to beaches is a fundamental right, ordering the restoration of access to a beach in Samaná that had been improperly blocked. The ruling clarifies that ownership of adjacent hotels or villas does not confer ownership of the beach itself, though hotels may restrict use of their private amenities such as pools, restaurants, and lounges.