IN 2004, ALMOST 3.5 million tourists visited the Dominican Republic, making it one of the most popular vacation destinations in the Caribbean. Perhaps this is because of the pristine white-sand beaches found throughout the Dominican Republic's 1,000 miles of coastline. The popular beach areas in this region include Playa Grande, Punta Cana, and Saona Island. You'll find a wide range of water-based activities, such as windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing, scuba diving, and deep-sea fishing. Even if you're just looking to relax in the sunshine, there's plenty for families to see and experience here.

With the exception of an occasional hurricane (which could hit during hurricane season, between July and October), the weather throughout the Dominican Republic is typically warm, sunny, and utterly enjoyable. The temperature seldom drops below 60 degrees or rises above 90.

Most of the hotels, resorts, and tourist attractions can be found on the northern Atlantic side of the republic, along a forty-mile zone that stretches between Puerto Plata and Cabarete. You will also want to explore the other parts of the island to see many of its historical sites.

By airplane, the Dominican Republic is a three-hour flight from New York, less than two hours from Miami, and a mere forty-five minutes from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The population of the Dominican Republic is about 8 million.