The Dominican Republic's SILVER COAST , 300km of prime waterfront property on the country's northern edge, is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean. With a seemingly unending supply of great beaches around the booming towns of Puerto Plata and Cabarete , such a designation is no surprise. The Carretera 5 skirts the coast all the way east from Samaná to just past Puerto Plata, making getting around this part of the region a breeze. The country's two major bus companies ply the highway, along with the guaguas and plentiful público taxis. Heading west of Puerto Plata is more of a challenge (but not impossible) if you don't have a four-wheel-drive.