Playa Canto de la Playa

A stretch of Saona Island beach with no vendors, no loungers, and no road in, only a boat. The sand runs soft underfoot, the water goes a shade of turquoise that looks implausible in photographs, and a coral reef sits close enough to swim to without much effort. It landed at number 20 on the World's 50 Best Beaches list, which at least confirms you're not imagining things. Bring everything you need, because nothing is sold here.