Guide to Bayahibe

"If you're into relaxation - big time - there's a sunlounger with your name on it at Bayahibe."

Kick off your flip-flops, let the warm, soft sand tickle your toes and free your mind of worries. That's the kind of thing you do in Bayahibe, one of the Dominican Republic's most laid-back resorts. It's really just a dinky fishing village with a scattering of well-equipped resort hotels - not forgetting the six miles or so of glorious beaches, dotted with palms and lapped by balmy blue Caribbean waters. The sands here are the stuff of dreams so it probably goes without saying, activity of any kind is definitely not compulsory. You probably won't want to do anything more strenuous than unfurl your beach towel and smooth on the suncream. That said, if you do feel like something to get the adrenaline pumping, try some of the watersports. There's everything from water skiing to sailing. And if you're a diver, you'll be in your element, with crystal clear waters and shoals of multi-coloured fish. For a grand day out, take a speedboat to Saona Island, where you can swim in natural pools, have a beach barbecue and generally enjoy the amazing Robinson Crusoe-style scenery. You might even catch a glimpse of a manatee or bottlenose dolphin sunning itself on the rocks. Alternatively, hire a jeep and explore the National Park of the East at La Romana. The pre-Columbian cave drawings and rock carvings are fascinating, and at the south-eastern tip of the park there are saltwater lagoons with mangrove swamps, home to all kinds of birdlife. Sun-drenched days aside, night-time shines the spotlight on your hotel. Dining is almost entirely hotel-based, and when you're ready for an after-dinner tipple, your best bet is the hotel bar. Looking to take home a few reminders of your stay? You can walk along the sands to the village where you'll find a few little shops selling rum, cigars and local crafts.

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