The jungly Península de Samaná has a new airport and highway, making the relatively undiscovered area on the Dominican Republic’s northern coast more accessible than ever. This 25-mile finger of land is home to some of the Caribbean’s most celebrated beaches, a humpback whale sanctuary, and the gorgeous 130-foot Salto el Limón waterfall. Better yet, there are still ample chances to grab a beer with locals at the nearest corner store.  A trio of castaway-worthy beaches sits at the peninsula’s far western end: 1. On Playa Rincón’s two pristine crescents of sand, a handful of vendors sell empanadas and piña coladas. 2. Tiny Playa Madama fronts a protected cove with gentle surf that’s great for swimming. 3. Playa Frontón has a coral reef that makes for excellent snorkeling. Recharge at the beach shack with grilled grouper, plantains, and beans. —Meeghan Truelove This appeared in the January/February 2012 issue. Photo by Philip H. Coblentz/Alamy.

Paradise Island is one of the many excursions you can enjoy while visiting the north coast of Dominican Republic. The day begins with being driven out to a beach near Monti Cristi and dropped off. From there you are taken by speed boat to Paradise Island. Paradise Island is a sand bar about two miles off the coast that is surrounded by crystal clear water, perfect white sand, and excellent snorkeling reefs. On the island there are a few huts to put your things in and the locals provide some pineapple and coconut to snack on. After a few hours of island bliss, you are whisked back to shore, but not before being taken through a some gorgeously tangled mangrove trees half submerged in the sea. After an awesome Dominican lunch (included) in a local restaurant, you are then taken to a cigar factory to watch some dudes hand roll cigars made from tobacco grown right in their own backyard. After buying a pack of 10 vanilla flavored cigars and maybe a bottle of "mamajuana" (the local drink said to make you a real Casanova in the bedroom) it's back to wherever you came from. The best part: it only costs $60. If you're ever on the north coast of Dominican Republic, do it. Seriously, do it.

A resort within a resort, Tortuga Bay has 30 suites and 13 villas designed by D.R. native Oscar de la Renta. Villas face the Caribbean and feature wicker canopy beds and coralline stone bathrooms. Drive your golf cart to the open-air restaurant, La Yola, in time for the sunset and a pineapple cocktail. From $710. (809) 959- 2262. Photo courtesy of Tortuga Bay. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue.

Set among gardens and hammock-strung trees, Hotel Bahía Las Ballenas is a stylish and utterly laid-back retreat. The 32 sherbet-colored rooms feature private terraces, tiled outdoor showers, wooden shutters, and thatched roofs. From $110, including breakfast, Playa Bonita, Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic, 809/(1) 240-6066 —Meeghan Truelove This appeared in the January/February 2012 issue. Photo courtesy of Hotel Bahía Las Ballenas.

Trade your beachwear for wetsuits, climbing harnesses, life preservers and helmets. Then go jump off a cliff... Or 10! The whole thing kicks off with a short hike down into the valley before you come to the river and the first jump… Twenty-three feet straight down! That’s like jumping from a second story window! Keep your body straight and hands at your side, then just go for it! Your reward is splashing down into freezing water below! Having fun yet? It's an awesome feeling, but only the beginning… It takes about an hour to climb over rocks, splash through pools and jump and jump and jump. Some of the cliffs are lower, around 10 or 15 feet, but plenty are 20 feet or more! And then you get to The Duck Jump. The Duck Jump is a short triangular shaped rock that jutts out over a dark turquoise pool THIRTY FEET DOWN near the foot of a tall waterfall. What can I say? Go for it! I can’t recommend this excursion and the great people at Iguana Mama enough. The Ciguapa Falls trip is fast (you’ll be back on the beach by noon), fun filled, action packed and pushes you just far enough to make it a thrill you won’t soon forget!

The first thing you notice when you sidle up to the approximately eight foot bar (that’s pretty much all there is to Mojito Bar, besides some chairs on the beach) are the melons. The pineapples. The oranges, papaya, watermelons and more—all beautifully on display. Thankfully, all those round goodies aren’t just for show either. Nope, every drink you order is made fresh from a little squeeze of this or a pinch that. For me on my last visit, I couldn’t fathom ordering anything but the namesake drink, and with co-owner Sonia behind the bar, I knew I’d also be getting that special ingredient. Instead of just lime juice, it also has lime slices in it’s beautiful depths, but that’s not what makes it so special… I pick up my bright mojito and take a sip—all the while under the smiling gaze of Sonia. Ahhhh… There it is. Love. The not-so-secret ingredient found in every drink at Mojito Bar. Even better, in this case love comes cheap! One mojito costs just 100 pesos! That’s around $3 US! If you’re hungry (which you should be when visiting) you can get an Italian ciabatta sandwich on fresh baked bread and an equally fresh fruit juice for just 120 pesos. And as if all this inexpensive love wasn’t enough, Mojito Bar even does a two-for-one happy hour every day from 3 to 5 (except Tuesday’s when they’re closed). Two love laced mojitos made with all fresh ingredients for just $3! You simply can’t go wrong.

Located right on Kite Beach in Cabarete, this place is home to many activities on site including a jiu jitsu dojo, yoga loft, cross fit gym, flying trapeze, pool, and beach front restaurant/bar, and best of all: a kite school. Whether you want to find your inner zen, or get in the best shape of your life, this place accommodates all aspirations. Its the greatest vacation for someone who wants to grow, learn, or develop a new skill.

Velero is a relatively small resort sporting just 60 rooms ranging in size from 50 to 200 square meters. All rooms feature direct views of the ocean, plus all the amenities you’d expect: central air, internet access, cable TV, etc. To be sure, my room was pleasant on a recent stay, but the real draw is beyond the confines of the suites. On the grounds there's a huge palm tree motif created by artfully designed walkways. Around 12:30 or 1:00, the winds pick up and the kiteboarding faithful head for the water filling the skies over Cabarete are full of billowing kites—dancing this way and that. It’s a pretty amazing sight. Plus, at night Cabarete comes alive with local flavors, expat bars, and clubs that pound out rhythms into the wee hours of the night.

Say you REALLY want to get off the beaten path in the Caribbean. No other experience in the islands affords such a decidedly UN-island vibe than climbing Pico Duarte in the Dominican Republic. Ascending Pico Duarte is a hike and half. It starts around 3,600 feet above sea level, then over the course of 23 miles, it climbs steeply to a cloud topping altitude of 10,130 feet – a height that bests all other mountains in the region. Up there it's cold (in the mid 50's F), there are Hispaniolan pine woods, and frost has even been known to blanket the ground over night. Should you decide to make the trek, definitely, definitely, definitely grab five fit friends to make it a bit more fun, and call an outfitter like Iguana Mama Eco-Tours in Cabarate to make it happen.

Believe me, kiteboarding is as awesome as it looks, and there’s no place better to catch the fever than in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, and no better school than Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding. Courses will run you around $66 per hour, but the feelings of freedom and speed as you skim across the waves under kite power are priceless. Before opening the best kiteboarding school in the Dominican Republic, Laurel was a rider on the pro-kiteboarding circuit, even being named 2002 Woman of the Year by the Kiteriders Professional World Tour and winning the 2003 North Sea Championship! And on top of being so accomplished, she’s probably the nicest person you’re ever likely to meet. It was probably the single most awesome sporting experience I’ve ever had and I’ve already begun planning my next kiteboarding experience!

OK, so there's this Italian eatery named Pomodoro Pizzeria right off the beach in Cabarete, Dominican Republic run by a couple born-and-bred Italians and it's one of the best places in the bay for mamajuana? Crazy, but true and Paolo would be happy to show you why! What's mamajuana? The native bush rum of the Dominican Republic, mamajuana’s origins stretch all the way back to the days when Taino Indians ruled Hispañola. A lot has changed since then, though. Today’s mamajuana combines rum, red wine, honey and various tree barks, herbs and other assorted sticks, roots and leaves to create a powerfully-pungent flavor experience best left to the fearless. But who wouldn't trust that face? Belly up to the bar and give it a shot. You'll be happy you did.

Mike Braun is leading our group on a canyoning expedition in the mountains south of Cabarete in the Dominican Republic. For almost three hours, we’ve been humping it over boulders, climbing over fallen trees, rappeling down waterfalls, and leaping 50 feet into prehistoric pools carved by the river. This particular route is called the “Big Bastard,” and that little pool below us is a good 100 feet down. “When I first came here and saw this hole, I said, 'Wow, that’s a big bastard,’” informs Mike. So we jump down into the Bastard hurtling at breakneck speed past jagged rocks and splash hard into the chilly water. Then at the Magic Mushroom waterfall, I slip during the rappel and slide sideways along the rock face before disappearing under the waterfall torrent. When the ravine finally flattens out, we have to cross the shallow river without stepping on the slippery moss-covered rocks. “Stay off the green rocks,” Mike shouts out. Helpful. Whoosh, I slip off one of the rocks and fall on my knees. My thighs are screaming and my backpack has fallen over the front of my head. “There's no grace and dignity in canyoning,” laughs Mike. This coming from a man with the ankles of a rhino. When we stumbled out of the canyon after three hours, I'd pushed myself to the limit. It’s a real catharsis to feel so fully spent, even if you can’t feel your legs. Since then, Mike moved to Zanzibar. Iguana Mama Eco-Tours in Cabarete now leads groups into the Bastard.

Cabarete is called "the action sports capital of the Caribbean" for a reason. On any given day, the bay is packed with kites towing boarders every which way. Just up the street are excellent surf breaks and in between paddleboarders chill or chase waves themselves. It's a special place that draws a special kind of traveller and few places cater to that crowd better than the Millennium Luxury Resort. From the moment you walk through the front door at its convenient location in the center of the beach, you get this place. Billowing fabrics hung around the circular welcome area let you know that this is a different kind of adventure sports hotel… The kind that pulls off the amazing trick of feeling like South Beach Delano “Simple Chic” meets the Dominican Republic. The rooms feature sharp lines contrasted by layered curves, immaculately white… well… everything, and tasteful kiteboardering photography. Somehow, in stark contrast to all that simple chic (served up DR style), the rates are actually quite affordable. Rooms begin with garden view suites as low as $100 per night and go up to around $550 per night for the Penthouse during high-season. So, whether you're a pro kiteboarder or just a guy who spends most of the time dragging himself, face first, through the surf (like me), you won’t want to pass up The Millennium Resort in Cabarete. You may go for the kiteboarding, but you’ll fall in love with the style.

Sometimes you have to really make an effort if you plan to meet interesting people. Such is the case with getting to spend some time with Juan Pablo Duarte... Well, at least this bronze bust of him. Widely considered the architect of the Dominican Republic and its independence from Haitian rule in 1844, Señor Duarte now spends his days gazing off into the east 10,164 feet up atop the the tallest mountain in the Caribbean and his namesake: Pico Duarte. All it takes it two days and some good boots to make his acquaintance.

The 86-villa Balcones del Atlántico opened two years ago in Las Terrenas in the mountainous Samana Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. This is one of the most postcard-perfect spots in the northern Antilles. The remote setting is mythical. The road to get here passes through lush, wet high mountain passes carpeted with thick palm trees and massive ferns. Rumor has it that ex-CIA agents often retire to Samana to escape into hidden homes high up in the mountains. It’s the stuff of spy novels, but for real. Maybe. A perfectly idyllic, natural beach extends from one end of Las Terrenas to the other, with dozens of thatch shops, restaurants and seafood purveyors lining the sand. You're more likely to see a fisherman throwing a net just offshore than a t-shirt shop. The emerald water is calm and clear, and the only sound you can hear is the tradewinds coming off the tropical Atlantic. The eco-luxe Balcones features 1- to 3-bedroom villas with gigantic balconies (hence the name), filled with plump pillows, modern Balinese-style furniture, thick hand-hewn wood tables and long fancy BBQs. “When people want a real Dominican experience they choose Terrenas,” says GM Pedro Sanchez during our lunch at the seaside Porto restaurant. “Yet the area was built by the French, Italian, German and Dominicans who lived and worked here for decades. So it’s very multicultural, but at the same time lush and natural, so you feel very in touch with the soul of the Dominican Republic.”