Dreams Resort – formally Sunscape Casa del Mar (Playa Bayahibe, ☎ 809-221-8880, fax 809-221-2776, email info@dreamsresorts.com; www.dreamsresorts.com) $$$$. This 568-room all-inclusive resort sits on the nicest stretch of Playa Bayahibe. You’ll find water sports, a pool, beach bar, three restaurants, a disco, and horseback excursions here. All rooms are spacious, well-appointed, and feature poolside terraces or balconies.

Villa Iguana (in the center of the village, ☎ 809-833-0203, cell 809-757-1059; www.villaiaguana.de, hotelvillaiguana@yahoo.com) $$. Family ran German style bed and breakfast, located 2 minutes from the beach, 3 apartments and 7 rooms, 1 Dominican style loft with palm tree roof, ocean view, terrace, sundeck, small private pool. Family atmosphere

Hotel Bayahibe (Calle Principe, ☎ 809-833-0159 or 809-833-0045; http://www.hotelbayahibe.net, hotelbayahibe@hotmail.com) $$. This is an extremely good deal considering the location of this hotel – right in the center of town and just a short walk to the beach – and room amenities such as balconies, TV, and hot-water showers. Rooms are fan-cooled.

Cabañas Trip Town (Calle Principe, ☎ 809-833-0082, fax 809-883-0088)

Hotel Llave del Mar (Calle Principe, ☎ 809-883-0081, fax 809-224-6270)

Cabañas Francisca (Calle Principe, ☎ 809-883-0016) $. Nothing really distinguishes these three lodgings from each other. All are run by local families, all are located within close proximity on Calle Principe, and all offer similar accommodations: squeaky-clean rooms with fans and hot-water showers. They even look the same from the outside except for variations in the exterior paint.

Oasis Canoa (Coral Canoa Dr., Bayahibe, ☎ (888) 774-0040, 305-774-0040, 877-464-4586 or 809-682-2662, fax 809-688-5799, http://www.oasiscanoa.com) $$$$. With 532 rooms, this all-inclusive is one of the biggest resorts in the Bayahibe area. It has two swimming pools (plus one for kids), four restaurants and a 24-hour beach barbecue, four bars, three tennis courts, disco, spa and fitness center, mini-golf, kids’ club, evening entertainment, and various waters ports on the docket. You won’t lack for action. The resort gets high marks for cleanliness and friendly staff.

Iberostar Hacienda Dominicus (☎ 888-923-2722, www.iberostar.com). Opened in 1991, this 496-room resort spreads back from the beach with two buildings surrounded by tropical gardens. Four restaurants include one buffet-style and three à la carte (featuring Mexican, Japanese, and steak). Kayaking. catamaraning, sailing, windsurfing, and swimming in three pools are among water activities; you can get your scuba certificate here, too, for an extra charge. A kids’ club watches over children aged 4 to 12.

Viva Dominicus Beach and Viva Dominicus Palace (☎ 800-898-9968 or 809-686-5658, fax 809-687-8583, www.vivaresorts.com) $$$$. The all-inclusive Viva Dominicus Beach, with 530 rooms, and Viva Dominicus Palace, with 330 rooms, are situated next to each other on a beautiful stretch of beach, with guests of one able to share facilities of the other. (Guests of some other nearby hotels also have beach privileges here.) Windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, snorkeling, and introductory diving are among watersports included in the rates; guests can earn their scuba certification for an extra fee. The “Beach” property has three fresh-water pools, two theaters (one for live stage shows, the other for movies), a disco, a supervised kids’ club, and four restaurants, two buffet-style and two à la carte (of the latter, one is Mexican, the other a pizzeria). The “Palace” property has a full service spa and fitness center.

El Eden Village (Avenida La Laguna, ☎ 809-688-1856, fax 809-688-2485; www.santodomingovillage.com, edencxa@hotmail.com) $$$. This all-inclusive vacation village spread across a full block offers three types of accommodations: two-bedroom villas, two-bedroom apartments, or basic rooms with king-size or double beds. All are cooled by air-conditioning and feature both hot and cold showers. A pizzeria adds variety to the cuisine, which includes burgers and local dishes, and the karaoke bar and billiards table make it a lively place in the evening hours.

Cabaña Elke (Calle Principe, ☎/fax 809-689-8249; www.viwi.it) $$. These basic cabañas come with hot-water showers and an onsite swimming pool. A screened-in sitting area is another nice touch, even though it faces the wall of the Viva Dominicus complex across the road. Guests here also have access to the Viva Dominicus beach and restaurants. Additional amenities include a bar and an Italian restaurant.