Most who visit the Southeast do so with the intention of never leaving the beach or their all-inclusive resort. There is a lot to be said about a vacation where you are pampered at a resort, all food and drink included, amid palm trees and some of the most beautiful and well-maintained beaches around.

But for those who tire of the same atmosphere, this region has much more to offer. Even if you are staying in a resort complex, one way to combat “resort fever” is to check out the excursions desk. They frequently offer exciting activities and day trips that can be added to your vacation for an extra charge. It is yet another worry-free way to vacation in an all-inclusive package and get some additional thrills; it won’t even take a lot of planning on your part.

But check what your options are soon after your arrival as reservations may be necessary, especially if the excursions require you to leave the Southeast. For instance, taking a day trip to the Ciudad Colonial in Santo Domingo requires a four-hour bus ride and could be done in one long day or overnight, with a stay in one of the charming hotels in the first city of the New World.

However, if resorts just aren’t your cup of tea, guaguas are a very cheap and exciting way to travel. Keep in mind that they only run during daylight hours. The towns of Bayahibe on the southern coast, El Cortecito (near Punta Cana) on the eastern Costa del Coco, and Miches or Sabana de la Mar, both on the Costa Esmeralda on the southern coast of the Bahía de Samaná, make great stop-offs for the independent traveler who seeks either rest and relaxation or action and adventure.