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East of Barahona toward San Cristobal and the capital stand a string of colonial-era towns that appear congested and unappealing at first sight, but hide beaches that make stopovers worthwhile. First up is Azua , 60km east of Barahona on Highway-2. Though there's nothing left of the original city, Azua is one of the oldest European cities in the New World, founded by future conqueror of Cuba Diego Velazquez in 1504. What is still here, though, is the five-kilometre-long Playa Monte Rio a short drive south of town, which offers beautiful views of the rolling El Numero mountains. There's very little development around the beach; rather, the calm waters are lined with fishing boats and a few locally run outdoor restaurants. Another 40km east on the Carretera Sanchez, less than 20km east of the turn-off to the mountain town of San Jose, coastal Bani has in recent years turned relatively prosperous, an upswing that has spurred much population growth, if not exactly prettified the place. There are few diversions within the town, but the nearby beaches are the main draw. Best of the bunch is Las Salinas , a small town consisting of little more than a few dozen houses scattered about a white-sand beach, 16km southwest at the end of the Carretera Las Calderas. Sand dunes, saltpans and rolling hills surround the village, which makes for a fine place to do some windsurfing ; taking advantage of these conditions is the Salinas High Wind Center , Puerto Hermosa 7 (tel 809/310-8141 or 471-9463; US$25-50), a small but extremely nice resort catering mostly to wealthy Dominicans.
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