The southeastern part of the country probably has the loveliest all-inclusive resort zones, Bávaro and Punta Cana, both holding pristine coastline stretching for kilometres on end. These are slightly overshadowed, if not in attractiveness then in sheer magnitude, by the complex at Playa Dorada along the north coast. Fortunately, this is close by Puerto Plata, an historic city worth examining for its wealth of Victorian architecture and proximity to developed stations like windsurfing capital Cabarete, to the east.

More great beaches are scattered about the Samaná Peninsula, poking out at the country's extreme northeast, from where you can also check out migrating humpback whales. In the mountainous interior, a few national parks make for good hiking terrain; while midway along the southern coast, Santo Domingo is an obvious draw, for its history and big urban feel.