Stop 1: Visit a sleepy country plantation for an intro on some of the Dominican Republic's most sought after produce: cacao, coffee, tobacco and Mamajuana (a Dominican aphrodisiac elixir) Yes, you can drink and drive here …Back into the rocky off-road and then …

Stop 2: Descend into a picturesque cave replete with a subterranean river perfect for swimming. Jump in, cool off and wash off!

Then, the longest stretch of your drive is also the largest contrast. From the hidden countryside cave, we retrace our muddy path, and then some, to the beach! Where else would we go?

Stop 3: Take in Macao Beach. One of the last ‘resort free’ coastal stretches of Punta Cana, Macao is the idealistic Caribbean shore with amber sands, rows of coconut palms and azure waters.