Conde Nast Traveler rates Playa Rincón the top beach in the Dominican Republic.  But this palm-covered, eight–mile stretch of beach is no piece of cake to discover.  

A long, rocky road makes for a rough and rutted ride that will send your vehicle’s shock absorbers into crisis mode (four-wheel drive is the best bet).  Instead of enduring the discomfort, hire an independent boat captain from the village of Las Galeras to ferry you over.

(Photos: Jonathan Prime)