Playa Cosón stretches for several unbroken kilometres east of Las Terrenas, backed by coconut palms that lean over the sand in the classic Caribbean fashion. It is generally considered the best of the beaches in the area: longer, less developed, and with calmer water than the main beach in town. The sand is fine and golden, and the water ranges from pale turquoise close to shore to a deeper blue further out.
Getting there requires a drive or motorbike ride east from Las Terrenas, past El Portillo and along the coast road. The journey takes about 20 minutes. A handful of beach restaurants and bars sit at the western end of the beach near the road access, but much of the rest of the length is empty — no vendors, no music, just the beach. This is the rare Caribbean beach where you can find genuine solitude even in high season.
Swimming is good along most of the beach, though conditions vary. The eastern end is more exposed and can have stronger surf. The west end, near the road, is the most sheltered and most visited. For the best experience, walk east from the access point until the restaurants disappear behind you.