Uvero Alto, Dominican Republic - The Caribbean Coastline that's worth the extra 40 minutes drive

Uvero Alto sits bang in the northeastern part of the Dominican Republic's La Altagracia Province - a 40 minute bus ride or taxi from Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) along what's affectionately known as the Coconut Coast. This 50 kilometre stretch of Atlantic-facing beach is one of the Caribbean's best kept secrets - a relatively untouched and uncrowded premium resort corridor that has been left behind by the more hectic areas like the Bavaro hotel strip. Most people flying into PUJ will transfer straight to the Bavaro strip and spend their entire trip within a 10 kilometre radius, but the ones who make the effort to carry on to Uvero Alto are in for a real treat. A version of the Dominican Republic that was once the norm, but has since been lost in the past 15 years is what you get in this unspoiled corner of paradise.

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The Beach - the real deal

The beach itself is a stunner - a long wide stretch of soft golden sand with a firm foundation, perfect for long leisurely walks.

If you're after a natural, untouched Caribbean experience then Uvero Alto is your place - a refreshing change from the overly commercialised and crowded beaches you'll find in most popular vacation hotspots. The beach faces the Atlantic rather than the Caribbean Sea, which gives it that bit more of a challenge for swimmers, although the trade-off is the occasional seaweed that washes up on the shore and varies by season. Sunrise photography in this part of the world is simply top-notch - the Atlantic Ocean makes for some seriously stunning shots - and the natural beauty of the place is just begging to be photographed during the golden hour.

Accommodation - a high end experience at a lower price

Accommodation in Uvero Alto ranges from around $200 to $600 per night - still pricey, but not as much as what you'd pay on the Bavaro strip. But here's the thing - the quality of the resorts here is top-notch, with excellent pools and beach amenities of course. And if you're an adult or have a special someone to share it with, you'll find some of the best adults-only all-inclusive properties in the whole of the Dominican Republic - the likes of Live Aqua Beach Resort Punta Cana, Secrets Tides Punta Cana and Royalton Chic Punta Cana. And for families there's the wonderful Grand Sirenis Punta Cana Resort with its brilliant Cocotal Waterpark. The great thing is that the resorts here are far fewer in number than in Bavaro - around 8 to 12 major properties compared to over 50 - which makes for a much more relaxing experience.

Doing other things beyond the resort

For families looking for things to do beyond their resort, Macao Beach is a must-see - its soft sands and crystal-clear waters make for the perfect day out. And if you're an adventure-seeker then horseback riding along the coastline is an absolute must - the views of the landscape are simply breathtaking. And if you're eager to get up close and personal with the local marine life then take a snorkel trip - the colours and variety of fish you'll see will amaze you. The nearby Indigenous Eyes Ecological Park is another great spot to get some peace and quiet - with its lush vegetation and freshwater lagoons its an ideal spot for a picnic or a dip in the water. If you're in to golf or want to try your luck at the tables then there are a couple of courses and 3 casinos within 20 kilometres. And if you really want to make your day special then try one of the area's top-rated beach horseback rides at the Uvero Alto Ranch.

When to Go

If you're on a tight budget, you should probably think about visiting Uvero Alto in September through November when hotel prices are usually rock bottom.

On the other hand - the peak tourist season is from December right the way through to April. This is the driest part of the year with warm temperatures hovering between 25°C and 28°C and hardly any risk of hurricanes. May to August is the wet season; don't let that put you off though - you'll probably catch a bit of rain in the afternoons but it's nothing too nasty and it wont ruin your holiday experience. And just a heads up, if you do plan on visiting in August to October - be sure to get yourself some travel insurance, as these are the worst months for hurricanes in the Dominican Republic.

Getting There

Punta Cana International Airport ( PUJ ) is your gateway to Uvero Alto and its serving direct flights from loads of major US East Coast and Midwest departure cities. From PUJ to Uvero Alto it'll take you around 40 - 50 minutes in a private shuttle - and if you're staying in an all-inclusive resort, your transfers are likely to be taken care of. The main reason people normally end up skipping out on Uvero Alto is because of the extra driving time from Bavaro... which is a shame - because its beach is a lot less crowded when you actually get there.

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