Located on the Dominican Republic’s Samaná Peninsula, Samaná is the Caribbean’s most popular port for whale-watching tours. Back in 1493, Christopher Columbus landed here on what is now Playa Rincón, the last stop of his first voyage to the New World and the only place where he was greeted with armed resistance. Today, you can rent a beach chair and umbrella and just relax on this beautiful, white-sand beach, lined with rows of swaying coconut palms. Snorkel the bay’s crystal-clear, multi-hued waters. Zipline through Samana’s dense rainforest. Or hike along the thundering waterfall Limon.