People who go to resort areas in the DR are not really seeing the real DR. What is the point of going to a country to hang out in a contained resort with other tourists?
Traveling is about experiencing the country and meeting the people is it not?!

I go to the DR regularly and having visited several area find myself returning to the small town of Las Terrenas on the Samana Peninsula. Here you'll find the unspoiled, natural Caribbean still. The many Europeans who reside in the area have brought good bars and restaurants to the area. Here one can sit under a thatched roof and drinf espesso and eat croissant from the French bakery, whilst mingling with the lovely locals and multinationals in the area. It's a special spot.

One still has to fly in to Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata and then take a road trip (now 2.5 hrs. from SDQ) or fly to the very small El Portillo airport from La Isabela but oh so worth the extra effort. Look at http://www.samana.net
for info on the area and accommodations in the area. There's accommodationa for all budgets. I recommend RESIDENCE LAS PALMAS, 150 yrds from one of the nicest beaches in the area with good beach life! Good value 2 bedroom cottages. http://www.vamosalaspalmas.com
Residence Las Palmas
The fisherman come by with the (inexpensive) catch of fresh camarones (shrimp). With 23 cottages it's also a great place for groups with a great barbecue/eating area in the garden.