2 Best Sights in Southeast Coast, Dominican Republic

Cave of the Miracles is one of the island's most incredible cave networks with the requisite stalactites and stalagmites, and hundreds of primitive Taíno cave paintings to boot. There are walkways and ramps, a tram, and even an elevator that can accommodate wheelchairs. State-of-the-art lighting utilizes sensors, illuminating the artwork only as you approach. The cave can safely accommodate groups, which is the only way you can visit. If driving between, say, Santo Domingo and La Romana, make a pit stop and the multilingual staff will pair you up with others to form a group for a one-hour guided tour. The semi-arid gardens are well maintained, as are the restrooms, museum, shop, snack bar, and “herd” of oversized iguanas. Tropical Tours runs a trip here out of Casa de Campo (minimum six people); they also make a stopover in the town of La Romana.

You can walk far out into warm, calm, clear waters protected by coral reefs here. On weekends, the strip with the mid-rise resorts is busy, drawing mainly Dominican families and some Europeans. But midweek is better, when the beaches are less crowded. Expect a parade of roving vendors of jewelry and sunglasses, plus hair braiders, seafood cookers, ice-cream men, and masseuses. The best section of the public beach is in front of Don Emilio's (the blue hotel), which has a restaurant, bar, decent bathrooms, and parking. It's recommended you go to one of the nicer waterfront restaurants—Boca Marina Restaurant & Lounge, El Pelicano, Neptuno's Club—and skip the public beach altogether. Amenities: food and drink; parking; toilets. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.