If you want to venture outside of a resort
I would seriously recommend Juan Dolio, which is AI heaven or Boca Chica if you want to visit the capital. Santo Domingo is a great city to explore and so much to do or see there. The Botanical Gardens, Historical Buildings, The old Catholic Cathedral, sorry the name slips me, I believe 3 museums there, I have went to two there, shopping the main area on the street calle de conde, many bars/discos. Juan Dolio is very nice if you want the AI thing but is farther to Santo Domingo than Boca Chica. The night life isn't as good there either. Both BC and Juan Dolio have great beaches, not dirty at all. On Sundays the beach in Boca Chica is packed with people from Santo Domingo and the surrounding areas and it is great to watch the little children playing in the water, etc. I have heard Bayihibe(spelling) has a nice beach as well but isn't close to Santo Domingo but I have never been there so I can't comment on it. Boca Chica has 3 AI's but why settle for an AI. Rick who is very knowledgeable about BC has recommended the Costa Lunga and so do I. I have stayed there and it is a great hotel with an Italian restaurant and internet center right there. The Europa is nice as well but if you are thinking of staying there, almost on the beach, don't get the street side rooms and not the 1st floor. It can get a little noisy but is a nice hotel if you follow the recommendations I have given concerning what rooms to get. Costa Lunga is my 1st choice though. There are vendors at all beaches but if not interested say No, and waive your finger side to side, if they are persistent be more forceful and say Vaya. For a more relaxed AI atmosphere try out Juan Dolio it will cost more than other areas but is more tame so to speak but for less money and non AI atmosphere with more nightlife, try out BC and the beach there is great and the port is so far off in the distance(miles away on North east side) it doesn't block anyview, CMS that is my view on that, you are making it seem like it is right in the way is the way I took that comment. I am being non opinionated but Bayahibe isn't close to the capital and I don't think as much to do there as Juan Dolio or BC. I recommend on my experiences: 1st choice BC, 2nd choice Juan Dolio. If not concerned about going to a must see city, (Santo Domingo)
1st choice: BC
2nd choice: Bayahibe because Juan Dolio is AI heaven and I don't like AI's.