"Wow!" "Breathtaking!" "Best in the Carib!" These are typical comments from visitors at this four-kilometer-long beach that remains free of major development. Because it's not simple to access -- ferry trip from Las Galeras or 45 minutes or so on a bumpy road -- it often retains a secluded feel.
Rincon Beach, Samana Peninsula —
"Wow!" "Breathtaking!" "Best in the Carib!" These are typical comments from visitors at this four-kilometer-long beach that remains free of major development. Because it's not simple to access -- ferry trip from Las Galeras or 45 minutes or so on a bumpy road -- it often retains a secluded feel.
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In addition to gorgeous beaches, Samana Bay is famed for its hundreds of humpback whales. Visitors can view them in a concentrated area of the bay during their mating rituals and in winter calving season.
Samana Bay —
In addition to gorgeous beaches, Samana Bay is famed for its hundreds of humpback whales. Visitors can view them in a concentrated area of the bay during their mating rituals and in winter calving season.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
On the eastern end of the country, Punta Cana is one of the Dominican Republic's most popular tourist destinations. Juanillo Beach is a little more secluded and little bit harder to find than some of the area's more well known spots. That keeps it relatively quiet.
Juanillo Beach, Punta Cana —
On the eastern end of the country, Punta Cana is one of the Dominican Republic's most popular tourist destinations. Juanillo Beach is a little more secluded and little bit harder to find than some of the area's more well known spots. That keeps it relatively quiet.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Diving, snorkeling, para-sailing -- if you can do it on, in or above the water, you can do it with one of Punta Cana's many tour operators. The fishing's hot too, apparently.
Punta Cana —
Diving, snorkeling, para-sailing -- if you can do it on, in or above the water, you can do it with one of Punta Cana's many tour operators. The fishing's hot too, apparently.
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One of the DR's most popular attractions (and a day trip from Punta Cana), Saona Island is renowned for turquoise waters, pristine beaches, groves of coconut palms and one of its earliest visitors: Christopher Columbus, who supposedly named it after a friend from Savona, Italy.
Saona Island —
One of the DR's most popular attractions (and a day trip from Punta Cana), Saona Island is renowned for turquoise waters, pristine beaches, groves of coconut palms and one of its earliest visitors: Christopher Columbus, who supposedly named it after a friend from Savona, Italy.
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Home to a number of beaches, parks, markets and a cable car system, Puerto Plata is a popular resort destination. It's also home to one of the best adventure trips in the Caribbean, the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fedition.cnn.com%2F2015%2F11%2F12%2Ftravel%2Fdr-waterfalls-of-damajagua%2Findex.html">27 Waterfalls of Damajagua</a>.
Puerto Plata —
Home to a number of beaches, parks, markets and a cable car system, Puerto Plata is a popular resort destination. It's also home to one of the best adventure trips in the Caribbean, the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Though the coral-formed Catalina Island is small -- less than 10 square kilometers -- it supports a diverse array of marine, bird and plant life. Coral formations close to shore mean great snorkeling and diving.
Catalina Island —
Though the coral-formed Catalina Island is small -- less than 10 square kilometers -- it supports a diverse array of marine, bird and plant life. Coral formations close to shore mean great snorkeling and diving.
Shutterstock
In the southwest corner of the country, removed from major tourist zones, Barahona sees few tourists. But the landscape is stunning, with three national parks in the area and a wild, beautiful coastline. This one's for the off-the-trodden-trail types.
Barahona —
In the southwest corner of the country, removed from major tourist zones, Barahona sees few tourists. But the landscape is stunning, with three national parks in the area and a wild, beautiful coastline. This one's for the off-the-trodden-trail types.
Ricardo Arduengo/AP
A fishing village with colorful houses, increasingly popular Bayahibe offers a number of activities -- kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, paddle-boarding -- but some say it has the best scuba diving in the country.
Bayahibe —
A fishing village with colorful houses, increasingly popular Bayahibe offers a number of activities -- kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, paddle-boarding -- but some say it has the best scuba diving in the country.
Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism
Because it's usually just a 45-minute drive from Santo Domingo, Playa Caribe and nearby Juan Dolio are popular day trips for residents of the capital. Playa Caribe is a small beach with usually calm waters. There are no bars or restaurants, only an area for umbrella and chair rentals.
Playa Caribe —
Because it's usually just a 45-minute drive from Santo Domingo, Playa Caribe and nearby Juan Dolio are popular day trips for residents of the capital. Playa Caribe is a small beach with usually calm waters. There are no bars or restaurants, only an area for umbrella and chair rentals.
Luis G Lacau/Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism