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East of Barahona toward San Cristóbal and the capital stand
a string of colonial-era towns that appear congested and
unappealing at first sight, but hide beaches that make
stopovers worthwhile.
First up is Azua, 60km east of Barahona on Highway-2.
Though there's nothing left of the original city, Azua is
one of the oldest European cities in the New World, founded
by future conqueror of Cuba Diego Velázquez in 1504.
What is still here, though, is the fie-kilometer-long
Playa Monte Río a short drive south of town, which
offers beautiful views of the rolling El Número mountains.
There's very little development around the beach; rather,
the calm waters are lined with fishing boats and a few
locally run outdoor restaurants.
Another 40km east on the Carretera Sánchez, less than 20km
east of the turn-off to the mountain town of San José,
coastal Baní has in recent years turned relatively
prosperous, an upswing that has spurred much population
growth, if not exactly prettified the place.
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There are few diversions within the town, but the nearby
beaches are the main draw. Best of the bunch is Las
Salinas, a small town consisting of little more than a
few dozen houses scattered about a white-sand beach, 16km
southwest at the end of the Carretera Las Calderas.
Sand dunes, saltpans and rolling hills surround the village,
which makes for a fine place to do some windsurfing;
taking advantage of these conditions is the Salinas High
Wind Center, Puerto Hermosa 7 (phone 809/310-8141 or
471-9463; US$25-50), a small but extremely nice resort
catering mostly to wealthy Dominicans.
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Dominican
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