Amber Coast Ambience
The North Coast of the Dominican Republic
is the granddaddy of tourism for the island. Generations upon
generations of travelers have come to Puerto Plata and
the nearby areas of Sosúa and Cabarete to bask
in their charm, beauty and ambience. Named the Amber Coast because
of the abundance of the semi-precious gem in the region, this
is the area where Christopher Columbus landed during his first
voyage of discovery. And the discoveries continue to this day.
Every year, visitors come to taste the delicious Brugal rum
right from its factory here, fly through the sky on a
kiteboard in Cabarete, soak up the culture with a stroll
through the Victorian architecture of Puerto Plata or
hit the links in the mega-resort complex of Playa Dorada.
Here, all of the delights of the island meet amid lush jungle
forests, soaring mountains, gold sand beaches and breathtaking
blue waters. With one foot in the past and one foot firmly in
the future, Puerto Plata and its neighboring destinations
continues to be a major attraction for the island.
Getting There
Gregorio Luperón International Airport is just west
of Puerto Plata, about a 15-minute drive from the Playa Dorada
hotel complex.
Where to Stay
The Playa Dorada complex is located just a few miles
east of the city of Puerto Plata and is home to 15
hotels (most of them all-inclusive, value-added bargains for
travelers), a mall, restaurants, its own 18-hole Robert
Trent Jones golf course and, of course, great beaches.
This was the first true vacation destination on the island and
continues to welcome thousands of visitors from around the
world. Most of the resorts here range in size from about 190
to 500 rooms. As the tourist destination continues to expand,
more hotels are opening up beyond the walls of this famed
complex. Nearby Costa Dorada is now home to some
magnificent new all-inclusive properties, and higher-end
luxury properties have opened in Cofresi. For travelers
looking for a real bargain and more intimate experiences,
smaller properties continue to draw visitors to Sosúa and
Cabarete.
Also new is Casa Colonial, which opened in early
2005. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and a
project of Dominican-owned VHHR hotels, it is already becoming
known among the celebrity circuit – its Presidential Suite
is a favorite with Donatella Versace. Future plans include the
mega-resort Atlantica near Luperón, which will feature
seven smaller villages among protected mangroves, limestone
cliffs and coral canyons, a 450-slip marina and three golf
courses.
What to Do
The biggest concern about what to do on the North Coast of
the island is trying to decide where to begin. Whether one is
looking for some family fun interacting with dolphins, more
adventurous outdoor activities, or a bit of history and
culture, there is something for everyone to do here. In the
town of Puerto Plata, visitors can soak up the Dominican
culture and friendliness by spending some time simply
wandering through the Parque Central and its side
streets. With its gingerbread motifs and welcoming cafés and
restaurants, this area is ideal for a bit of culture when
visitors need a break from the sun. Also located here is the Amber
Museum, a must-see experience for any visitor to the
region where guests learn about the history of the stone while
viewing a wide selection of amber.
No visit to the Dominican Republic is complete without
tasting some of its rum, a highlight of touring the Brugal
rum factory in Puerto Plata. History buffs will also enjoy
strolling through the 16th century San Felipe Fort, which
was built by the Spaniards as protection against seaborne
invaders. For a breathtaking view of the surrounding lands,
visitors can ride 2,565 feet to the top of Mount Isabel de
Torres via a cable car (teleferico) or work off the rum
they've enjoyed by hiking up to the summit.
Another major new draw in this area is Ocean World marine
theme park. Here visitors can interact and get up close and
personal with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, birds, iguanas and
even tigers. Ocean World is home to the world's largest
dolphin lagoon as well as the world's first shark inter-action
pool.
Golf remains a popular attraction and will continue to be
so as new courses designed by Jim Fazio and Arnold Palmer near
opening and will soon join the aforementioned Playa Dorada
Golf Club and the Playa Grande course.
Damajagua Falls is a series of 27 cascades near
Puerto Plata. The currents can be strong so it is not
recommended for children or weak swimmers. Swim, climb up
narrow limestone canyons then jump or water-slide down. Water
shoes are suggested because of the slippery conditions.
For an added treat, visitors can time their vaction to
coincide with exciting events such as the annual Cabarete
Kiteboarding World Cup in June 2006, where riders and
manufacturers from around the world come together for four
days of product testing, competitions and parties. For music
buffs, there's the lively Annual Dominican Jazz Festival in
the fall (www.drjazzfestival.com).
