Although there aren’t a lot of choices in the area since tourism is still quite relegated to the Bávaro area, this could be good news for the independent traveler. It means there are smaller hotels where you can stay for a fraction of the cost of the mega-complexes in the Punta Cana and Bávaro area. The two listed are in or around Miches and are run by the same Swiss group.

Coco Loco Beach Club (Playa Miches, Miches, tel. 809/553-5920, www.abatrex.com/cocoloco, US$35 d) is a 10-cabin hotel right on the beach that offers simple but clean accommodations, each with two double beds, bathroom (no hot water), fan, table with chairs, and a private porch. Cabins do not have a TV, phone, or air-conditioning. This area is particularly good for kids; there is no traffic and the plush grass is great to jump, play volleyball, or run around on. The main building is a two-story structure with an open-air lounge and restaurant serving fish, shrimp, pasta, salads, and sandwiches. It’s directly on Playa Miches just across the river from the town.

The main selling point of Hotel La Loma (Miches, tel. 809/553-5562, www.hotel-laloma.com, US$50 d) is its view, without a doubt. You can enjoy the panorama of the breathtaking Bahía de Samaná, where sunsets are amazing. The rooms are simple and quite comfortable, each with one king-size and one twin bed, air-conditioning, TV, a private bath, and balconies looking down over the small pool and the vista. The hotel’s restaurant is open for all meals, and breakfast is only US$5 per person, served with the same amazing view as a backdrop. Hotel La Loma is in the hills overlooking the Bahía de Miches.

The hotel at Hotel-Restaurant La Cueva (El Cedro, tel. 809/470-0876, http://miches.ifp3.com/, US$40–50 per day) is nice enough for a couple of nights. It is clean with electricity all the time (that’s big news here!) and a seafood restaurant. The real gem of it is the setting. Hotel La Cueva is in one of the most gorgeous areas in the Southeast and can arrange for a multitude of ecotours, such as horseback riding or a visit to a local coffee and cocoa plantation. La Cueva is near the village of El Cedro (on Carretera 104, 24 km east of Miches), 300 meters to Playa Limón.