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With majestic
mountains at its
back and the
sparkling Atlantic
and soothing trade
winds at its face,
Puerto Plata
is the Caribbean's
up and coming
destination. The
entire shore is
known as the
Amber Coast,
named for rich
deposits of the
lustrous stone. The
town bustles with
shops, restaurants
and patio cafes. A
rich blend of
cultures and
architecture make
this scenic retreat
ideal for your
Caribbean vacation.
You can find a
global culture
here with a unique
Dominican twist.
French dance and
ballet can be found
in the Cibao and
Santiago and
Victorian and
English
architecture
still can be found
in Puerto Plata.
This intermix of
cultures is best
expressed in the
meringue dance
and music of the
island. A rhythmic
mix from African and
Caribbean origins,
merengue is very
much part of life
here!
- From January
through March,
Samana Bay is
one of the best
places in the
world for
whale watching.
It offers
something for
everyone - the
outer bay is
where you might
find aggressive
males competing
for the females,
and the
sheltered inner
bay is one of
the most
important
humpback
nurseries in the
world. Humpback
whales have been
wintering near
Samana
for centuries.
Cave drawings
made by the
aboriginal
inhabitants of
Los Haitises,
long before
Columbus
arrived, depict
the spouting
whales. Columbus
saw them too, as
the log of his
travels along
the north coast
in 1493 makes
clear.
- If
windsurfing
along the coast
of a lush island
sounds appealing
to you, then
take note. About
30 minutes from
Puerto Plata is
the quaint
resort community
of Cabarete. A
host to world
championship
windsurfing
events, the
smooth waters of
this bay with
consistent winds
makes it a
magnet for
water-sports
enthusiasts.
- Ocean
World in
Puerto Plata is
the world's
first fully
interactive
ocean park. It's
not about
strolling past
gigantic
aquariums
teeming with
tropical fish
and sharks. It's
about actually
getting inside
the aquarium and
swimming with
them. This is
the first park
of its kind,
where you're
interactive with
all the
animals: sea
lions, dolphins,
sharks,
stingrays,
tropical fish
and tropical
birds.
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