Thinking of visiting the Dominican Republic? Reader and Traveler Yvonne Jimenez recounts her Dominican adventure below:

If you seek a bit more adventure, independence and character during your stay in the Dominican Republic you’ll want to skip the DR’s most famous vacation destiny Punta Cana and head straight for the less-commercialized and less expensive Samana Peninsula.

Despite its reputation as being the DR’s most remote area, the Samana Peninsula is quite easy to reach by road due to the relatively recent construction of a highway that cuts directly across the island connecting the peninsula and its cities and beaches to the Dominican Republic’s capital Santo Domingo.  Most international flights are going to take you into Santo Domingo or Punta Cana; the more convenient of the two for reaching the peninsula would be Santo Domingo (3.5 hour drive v. 6 hour drive from Punta Cana).   If you would like to avoid renting a car and driving you can opt to catch a ride on one of Aerodonca’s (Dominican Republic’s small regional airline) small airplanes that traverse the island in about 40 minutes.  Schedules seem to vary and you must call to schedule a flight and pay at the airport before departing.

**Fearful fliers be weary…you are very likely to end up on a tiny three passenger prop plane; fortunately the pilots and staff are friendly and reassuring, hopefully easing your nerves a bit.   There is very little in the way of public transportation connecting the Peninsula and Santo Domingo or Punta Cana aside from taking local ‘Guaguas’ that can require half a dozen transfers and add hours to your trip.

We flew into Las Terrenas from Punta Cana and arranged pickup with our hotel owner.  This is advisable as the single airstrip ‘airport’ does not appear to be serviced by any ground transportation.  Once in Las Terrenas you will find dozens of lovely beach front hotels, villas and apartments, the small streets heading away from the beach also contain a good number of lodging options.  We researched a lovely villa/casita style hotel offering free daily breakfast for the bargain price of $110 a night for two.

The city of Las Terrenas boasts a very large European (mostly French and Italian) expatriate and tourist community.  Many have set up restaurants, bars, and hotels providing the town with a unique Euro-Dominican character.  While the beaches may not be quite as picturesque and sea foam clear as those in Punta Cana, the beach-side bars, diverse dining options and mixture of residents provide a charming and unique atmosphere that Punta Cana’s formulaic resorts simply cannot.  In addition to this, the peninsula and its towns are able to provide a level of independence and adventure not available at the all-inclusive resorts of Punta Cana.

You are not limited to dining options only available at your resort and are able to go on excursions when are where you want at a fraction of the price you’d pay at a resort.  Since the roads are still quite rudimentary en Samana the best and most popular way to get around is on motor-bike or ATV (four-wheelers).   These are easily rented in town or through your hotel for reasonable rates and provide you with a practical and fun way to get around town and even to neighboring towns for day excursions.

One such excursion that is well worth the approximate half hour trip on ATV, is to Limon-a small town lying about 20 km east of Las Terrenas.   Here you can enjoy a large authentic Dominican meal at a great price and then embark on a half-day trip on horseback to the beautiful waterfalls hidden deep within the mountains and forests of Limon.  Our hotel owner arranged our excursion through a Spaniard who owns a restaurant in Limon and arranges tours to the waterfall with native guides who are eager and pleased to take you to the falls for a tip of your choosing at the end of the trek.

The vistas are breathtaking and vendors along the way will sell you anything from coffee and cacao to jewelry made from the Dominican Republic’s wonderful blue gem-larimar.  Their rates are reasonable and they are always willing to haggle!

All in all we found our time spent on the Samana Peninsula to be more enjoyable and appealing than that spent at Punta Cana. The people are warm and welcoming, the beaches and scenery gorgeous, and the food delicious and diverse.  Most importantly the peninsula and its towns provide visitors with a much more authentic experience in the Dominican Republic than any all-inclusive resort ever could.

For some Latin American locations worth a visit, check out Mexico City, Panama City, the beaches at Costa Rica, or Nicaragua.

Article image courtesy of: Jay Look

If you’re not the type who enjoys planning bus rides, booking hotels in different cities and finding the best tours and excursions, an all-inclusive resort may be the way to go, especially if you’re just looking to relax for a a week or so. Besides, why not let someone else do all the work for once? Known for adventure travel, protected rain forests and idyllic beaches, Costa Rica is Central America’s most popular tourist destination, so it makes sense that this tiny, peaceful country boasts a number of impressive all-inclusive resorts. So sit back, dial a few numbers and prepare to let yourself be pampered and catered to an one of Costa Rica’s luxury all-inclusive resorts.

Barcelo Playa Langosta: Situated in Tamarindo on Costa Rica’s popular northern Pacific Coast, the Barcelo Playa Langosta is a 4-star, eco-friendly resort offering guests amenities such as a full-service spa, jacuzzi, fitness room, business center, entertainment theater, conference rooms, boutique jewelry shop, casino and pool. The Barcelo offers children’s shows and babysitting as well as large suites, so it’s a good option for families with young children. (www.barcelolangostabeach.com; (506) 2291-1027 Ext. 283 / 284 / 274 / 729; vacacionesbarcelo@barcelocr.com)

The Barcelo Playa Langosta

Paradisus Playa Conchal: An all-suite luxury resort also located on Costa Rica’s Pacific northwest, the Paradisus Playa Conchal is a good lodging option for couples looking for a romantic, upscale vacation getaway. The resort is conveniently located close to beautiful beaches and pristine rain forests, and offers guests amenities such as lagoon-style pool, fitness center, nightly entertainment, 18-hole golf course, full-service spa. cooking classes, wine-tastings, bird watching excursions and other jungle/adventure excursions. (www.paradisus-playa-conchal.com; 1-888 741-5600)

The Lagoon pool at the Paradisus Playa Conchal.

Hilton Papagayo: Another good family option, the Hilton offers standard guestrooms, suites and bungalows and is situated in the Guanacaste region on Playa Arenilla. Guest amenities and services include children’s activities, business center, fitness center, beach access, pool, water sport activities, excursions and conference rooms. The Hilton Papagayo is located near Tamarindo Beach, Arenal Valcano, dozens of beaches and Santa Rosa National Park among other attractions, making it a fun family lodging option.  (www.hilton.com/en/hi/promotions/hi_papagayoresort/index.jhtml; 506-2-672-0000)

Around the Papagayo Resort.

Turtle Beach Lodge: A jungle resort situated just five minutes outside the town of Tortuguero, the Turtle Beach Lodge also offers access to a secluded beach and is best for travelers looking for an all-inclusive travel adventure rather than travelers looking for an uber upscale getaway. Activities include jungle tours, canopy tours, bird-watching, turtle-watching excursions and more.  The Turtle Beach Lodge’s cabins are rustic  but airy and comfortable and can house 2-4 people each. Hotel amenities include a turtle-shaped pool, gardens, restaurant and bar. (http://www.turtlebeachlodge.com)

A cabin at the Turtle Beach Lodge.

Villas Sol Hotel and Beach Resort: Also situated in the Guanacaste region, the Villas Sol Hotel and Beach Resort offers affordable rates and standard guestrooms, one, two and three bedroom villas. Guest amenities include full-service spa, water sport activities, jungle tours and excursions, souvenir shop, fitness center and convenience store. The Villas Sol Hotel and Beach Resort offers rock bottom rates as low as $70 per person during low season, and is a good lodging option for both couples and families with young children. (www.villassol.com; (506) 2257 0607)

For more information on the beauty of Costa Rica, check out its best beaches.

View from the Villas Hotel and Beach Resort.

By Jisel Perilla

Contributing writer to Latinworld.com

Panama isn’t exactly Mexico when it comes to all inclusive hotels and resorts, but if you’re looking for a few carefree days on the beach and don’t want to worry about booking excursions or picking where to dine, there are quite a few excellent all-inclusive resorts ready to cater to your every need. Most of Panama’s larger resorts are located on the Pacific Coast, only a 30 minute to two hour drive from the city, but there are a number of smaller (and more expensive) options scattered throughout the country.

Some of my favorites are:

The Royal Decameron Beach Resort, Spa and Casino (www.decameron.com): Located on the Pacific side on Playa Farallon, the Decameron is one of the best value all-inclusive resorts in Panama at just $75-$95 per person – be sure to ask about discounts! Kids are about half the price. You can book excursions to Gamboa and the Valle de Anton, but if you don’t want to wonder far from the hotel, there’s a great pool, beach, casino and night club right on site. There are over 800 units here and it can get a bit noisy, so if you’re looking for a quiet, very private resort experience, the Decameron may not be for you. The Playa Blanca Resort (www.playablancaresort.com), also located on Playa Farallon, is a good alternative if you’re looking for something a little smaller.

Editor’s note: Watch out for Bartender Donny and his famous Coco Loco drinks.  You have been warned.

What’s included: Accommodations, taxes, meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), non motorized water sports.

Special amenities: 18-hole golf course, 8 restaurants (2 buffet, 6 specialty), 7 bars, casino, 7 pools, spa, gym, night shows.

Tranquilo Bay (www.tranquilobay.com): You might feel like you’re in a remote island paradise, but there’s nothing rustic about Tranquilo Bay, located on the beautiful and lush Isla Bastimentos. The six stand-alone cabins are all air-conditioned with large, modern bathrooms and tactful, tropical decor. Getting here is a bit of an adventure – you’ll have to fly from Panama City to Bocas del Toro and take a 45 minute water taxi from the marina to the lodge, but all this is taken care of for you by the staff. The lodge caters to couples, so you’ll have all the privacy and quietness you can dream of here. Three night packages start at $945, 4 night packages at $1,150, and 7 night packages at $1,690 per person.

What’s included: All transportation, accommodations, all meals, use of equipment.

Special amenities: Jungle hikes, kayaks, snorkeling.

Villa Camilla (507-232-6721): This ecologically-minded lodge on the Azuero Pacific coast is perfect for couples looking for a romantic weekend getaway. All 7 rooms are beautifully adorned and furnished and face the beach. I recommend you visit during the week – you’ll probably pay about 1/3 the price compared to weekends. All meals are made with ingredients from the on-site organic gardens, and you barely have to leave the grounds to enjoy a number of outdoor and water activities. Expect to pay about $200-$450 per double. Note that it’s about a 7 hour drive from Panama City to Villa Camilla, and transportation isn’t included in the price.

What’s included: Accommodations, three meals a day.

Special amenities: Tennis courts, pool, excursions, bikes for guest use, horseback riding, fishing excursions.

Flickr photo by http://flickr.com/photos/vidman/