Miches, an emerald in the Dominican northeast

Miches, Dominican Republic, is finally easy to get to. If you live in or near Santo Domingo and you want to visit Miches, the best way is to do a complete tour of the northeastern part of the country.

I took the Las Americas highway and its extensions Eastern Motorway and Coral Highway to Higuey, from there to Otra Banda, and to the area near Macao beach, where the rebuilt Miches-Punta Cana road starts.

If you have some extra time try to visit the lagoons Redonda and Limon before reaching Miches, nestled in the Eastern Range foothills, with the breathtaking Arriba and Esmeralda beaches right there.

Those two beaches alone are a great excuse to wander about the area and take a dunk in their calm waters and fine, pure sand, and even several streams that flow from the mountains.

To complete the big circle, take the also rebuilt road to El Seibo, a quaint town founded during the Colonial Era, with the impressive church to prove it. The scenery from several points high on the mountains is must-see.

I chose to return through El Seibo south to La Romana, to hook up with the Eastern Motorway to return.

Sounds like a lot of rolling but the great highways make the trip a breeze, while the mountain road offers you adventure and yes, even a fix for thrill seekers.