Originally a small fishing village, the town today is not much more than a shambling, 3½-ml-long ribbon of development, merging imperceptibly with nearby Guayacanes, and comprising jumbled hotels, private resort complexes and shacks with a scattering of shops and bars in and around the "centre". The dominance of all-inclusive packages has resulted in little development of infrastructure.

Middlemarket families, couples and honeymooners looking for a moderately quiet holiday.

Mainly all-inclusive hotels with only 1 or 2 approaching luxury status. The emphasis is on organised games, entertainments and sports.

Narrow stretches of fine, light sand shaded by palms. Near the village "centre" the sand is not very clean, and is strewn with driftwood, seaweed and odd pieces of litter. The water is mostly shallow and protected by an offshore reef. Larger hotels provide a choice of water sports.

A small, unsophisticated commercial centre with scattered shops and services. Other small local plazas offering basic services are dotted along the coast road, running parallel to the highway. Numerous beach vendors sell various tourist souvenirs and beach paraphernalia. Look out for local rum, cigars and amber products.

Daytime: beach, water sports including scuba diving and organised hotel activities; golf. Nightlife: hotel bars, live shows and discos; number of independent offerings, some with local "merengue" music; casino.

Hotels provide the main options as there are few acceptable eateries outside. Don't drink the tap water (wash teeth with bottled water) and avoid salads or cold meats that are displayed without the benefit of chilling devices.

Taxi, "motoconcho" (back seat of a moped) or unreliable guagua (bus). Car hire is available from international firms, but town-centre driving is frantic, local driving skills often appalling and the few main roads invariably potholed and bereft of signposts.

Full day: boat trips to Saona and Catalina islands; East National Park including caves with pre-Columbian petroglyphs; visit to a working sugar-cane mill at La Romana; Altos de Chavon, artists' village with regional archaeological museum and amphitheatre; scenic tour of Rio de Chavon, where Apocalypse Now and King Kong were filmed; Santo Domingo for shopping and sightseeing; inland jeep safari; deep-sea fishing trip; yacht charter.

Towards the E end of Caribbean S coast. 40 mls E of Santo Domingo, 25 mls E of its airport.

Flat, uninspiring coastal plain backed by scrub and tropical farmland. Palms run along much of the length of this coast, which is protected by a reef.

Website: www.juandolio.com

Airport : Punta Cana
Airport Code: PUJ
Flight time from ther U.K.: 9 hrs