Only 45 minutes away from our home is the town of Samaná, where you can stroll along the harbor, do some souvenir shopping or stock up on some fresh produce at the local market.
For a bit more sophistication, head to Las Terrenas about 1 hour and a half away. Las Terrenas is more developed and a bit more upscale than Samaná. It offers a large selection of both local and expat restaurants, gorgeous white-sanded beaches (though with a stronger surf!) and more opportunities for shopping.