The Dominican Republic, or simply the Dominican Republic, occupies most of the island of Haiti, and also has a number of small islands under its jurisdiction, which looks extremely attractive from the point of view tourist recreation. Being the second largest state in the West Indies (after Cuba), the Dominican Republic has a long coastline - almost 1,300 kilometers, which indicates an impressive number of large and small resorts. Since the Dominican lands are washed by the waters Atlantic Ocean And Caribbean Sea, travelers often have questions - are there any differences between these coasts, what are they, and in this case, which part of the Dominican Republic is better to prefer for a vacation? Let's try to figure it out.
Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic
The Atlantic Ocean washes northern and eastern parts Dominican Republic. The very first thing that can be said about the resorts located on these shores is that they should be the first choice for all windsurfers, advanced divers and devotees of other marine activities. The Atlantic carries stormy waves, and if the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic is covered by an extended shield of coral reef, then on the northern shores, it happens that tourists do not even risk swimming for several days.
Geographically to northern part Atlantic coast includes the coastline from the border with Haiti to the Samana Peninsula. Another unique feature of the region is that in a relatively small area there are many climatic zones. On the western "outskirts" of the northern coast it is very dry - even arid. The terrain here is quite monotonous and flat. Vegetation does not tend to rise either: green spaces are represented mainly by shrubs. The apparent dullness of the area is diluted by two magnificent national parks with thickets of outlandish mangroves and beautiful sea views.
The piece of land between Cofresí and Nagua is also called the Amber Coast due to its rich deposits of amber. Golden beaches here are interspersed with lush mountain forests, which is why most of the hotels on the northern coast are concentrated in this region. Mountain biking, horse riding, ocean fishing, surfing, diving and other extreme sports are most widespread here. Speaking of diving: the Dominican Republic as a whole is considered best place Caribbean for snorkeling and scuba diving: the coral reefs and underwater meadows in this region are distinguished by an amazing diversity of flora and fauna (the local waters are home to beautiful tropical fish and stingrays, even manatees and humpback whales swim!), the bottom topography is very picturesque and rich in cavernous formations, but the most interesting and exciting things came to the bottom from the surface - these were sunken ships of different eras. Behind last half century In the region, about four hundred ships were in distress, so there is plenty for divers to admire. It is not surprising that under such conditions, in any resort in the Dominican Republic, a reputable diving center will be waiting for you, or even more than one. The Atlantic coast of the country is worth choosing for experienced divers, but beginners can practice and gain experience in the much calmer waters of the Caribbean Sea.
The Samana Peninsula ends the northern part of the Atlantic coast. Perhaps this is the most picturesque part of not only the Dominican Republic, but the entire Caribbean. This is exactly how we usually imagine an exotic paradise: many kilometers of deserted expanses of white sand, tired coconut palms tilting over turquoise water. While relaxing on Samana in January-March, you can see whales splashing in the distance: at this time they swim here from the cold waters of the North Atlantic to reproduce.
The best resorts on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata
The heart of the northern Dominican Republic, the place where Christopher Columbus landed, is Puerto Plata, located along the Amber Coast. This resort is the second most popular in the Dominican Republic after Punta Cana, although it is strikingly different from it: here you can relax in silence, relax, enjoy nature and learn how to tame the Atlantic wave on a surfboard. Active lovers nightlife Puerto Plata will certainly disappoint you with a long and unsuccessful search for a working discotheque. Founded at the end of the 15th century, the city invites its guests to explore a number of ancient buildings (the old city center, the fort and the Cathedral of San Felipe) and visit several good museums. The main wealth of the resort is given to it by nature. For example, Isabel de Torres is the highest mountain in this area, the top of which can be climbed by car, on foot or by road. cable car. From the top of Isabel de Torres, with outstretched arms, looking at the city... the statue of Christ the Redeemer! A smaller copy of the masterpiece from Rio de Janeiro was presented to Puerto Plata by the Brazilian authorities.
To visit Puerto Plata and not visit the 27 Fountains Nature Reserve would be a huge miss. This is a natural water park with twenty-seven, as the name suggests, cascading waterfalls. Tourists are invited to climb up seven, twelve or all twenty-seven waterfalls along secret paths and rope ladders, and then go down through the water.
Playa Dorada
Located just east of Puerto Plata resort complex Playa Dorada. It is very popular among tourists, including due to the airport, located just 15 minutes away, which is very convenient for families with children and pensioners who find it difficult to endure long journeys. But, of course, this is not the only advantage of Playa Dorada. The fabulous-looking beach with a gentle entrance to the water is marked with the Blue Flag and is considered one of the best in the Dominican Republic. Amazing nature, the highest service in local hotels, unlimited space for active and extreme pastime, a large selection of restaurants and bars, a famous 18-hole golf course and a casino - all this together makes Playa Dorada an ideal holiday destination for any category of tourists.
Cabarete
A resort for young, active, full of energy and adrenaline people. He himself is young - just a dozen years ago, fans of surfboards chose the tiny fishing village located here for their activities, and now Cabarete beach is included in the world's Top 10 places ideal for surfing. All thanks to the fact that the waves of the Atlantic Ocean are not impeded by any coral barrier, and vigorous trade winds delight lovers of marine extremes all year round. Cabarete annually hosts world windsurfing competitions, as well as tournaments in the increasingly popular kiteboarding. Coastline The resort is abundantly dotted with various bars, because where else, if not in a noisy establishment with a glass of strong drink, can you relax after taming the Atlantic waves?
For those who do not belong to the cohort of extreme athletes, we can recommend visiting national park El Choco, which is not much older than the resort itself: only 25 years ago it was given this official status. In El Choco you will find the richest flora, many orchids, tropical birds and even a dozen species of bats, but the main asset of the park is the system underground caves with the Caribbean Karst pools, where you can go on a tour and swim. The territory of the reserve is large, and it’s easy to get lost on foot without a guide, so it’s better to hire a guide or go around El Choco on horseback or in jeeps.
Sosua
Another youth place on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic is comfortably located in a calm bay between Cabarete and Puerto Plata. Small resort is the party center of the region: Sosua has many bars and discos; mostly bachelors relax here. The local white sandy beaches are quite wide, so despite a large number of vacationers, everyone can stay here in comfort. Not far from the coast there is a compact but densely populated coral reef where you can go snorkeling: the local diving center will provide tourists with a vivid experience. Other attractions in Sosua include: Botanical Garden and the old market, as well as the Jewish quarter: back in the 1940s, Jews fleeing Europe found refuge here. In winter, the main entertainment here is boat trips to pods of humpback whales, which swim here to procreate.
Samana
This peninsula is highly recommended for visiting independent tourists. Despite the presence of two international airports and three major cities At the same time, Samana remains a quiet, peaceful place and is famous for its pristine nature: coconut groves, caves, waterfalls, clean rivers and deserted beaches - complete relaxation. There are several national parks on the peninsula, the largest of which is Los Haitises with mysterious caves in which Indians previously lived (as evidenced by the paintings on the walls), and now only bats. Another local attraction that would be extremely unfair to ignore is the 30-meter El Limon waterfall. They say that countless riches await everyone who bathes in it. Tasting excursions to ranches where coffee and cocoa are grown are very popular.
Part of the province of Samana is the small island of Cayo Levantado, also known as Bacardi Island - it was here that the first commercial for this popular brand was filmed. And if you are lucky enough to be on the peninsula in February, then your path must definitely run through the capital of the province - the city of Santa Barbara de Samana, where a cheerful salsa and merengue festival is taking place at this time.
Eastern Bank The Dominican Republic, washed by the Atlantic Ocean, is considered the most popular and sought-after recreational region of the country. Here are the most major resorts and there are practically no cities in the usual sense of the word. It is here that the hotels with which tour operators from the CIS countries work most actively are located. A large coral reef stretches almost along the entire coast, protecting the land from the energetic waves of the ocean and simultaneously creating excellent conditions for memorable diving. In other words, the resorts of the eastern part of the Atlantic coast of the Dominican Republic will be an ideal place to relax for both active and restless tourists and contemplative couch potatoes.
The best resorts on the east coast of the Dominican Republic
Punta Cana
It's huge resort region, located at the “junction” of the Atlantic Ocean with the Caribbean Sea. The largest, the most popular, the most beautiful - you can spend a very long time selecting adjectives in the superlative degree of comparison to describe it. The main pride of Punta Cana is its wide beaches, strewn with coral paper-white sand, planted with thick coconut palms and lined with exotic bungalows covered with dried palm claws. And all this beauty is municipal property, so you can sunbathe and swim freely and free of charge. Punta Cana is also lucky with the weather: the rainy season here is very short, and average monthly temperature almost unchanged all year round - around 30 degrees, which is moderated by the lungs ocean breezes. This resort for newlyweds is becoming increasingly popular: the days spent here will be remembered by the newlyweds for the rest of their lives as a truly honeymoon.
A few words about the national Dominican pastime - diving: the coastal waters are very clear, and visibility under water in the summer season reaches 30 meters. The most popular part of the reef for swimming is considered to be the “Marinarium”, where eagle rays and even harmless baleen nurse sharks live. There is also a “own” sunken ship here: even from the shore you can see the mast of the cargo ship Astron sticking out of the water (by the way, listed on the balance sheet in Russia), which ran aground during a storm in 1978 and sank. Another active, exciting and very popular entertainment among tourists from the CIS countries is a jeep safari, with which you can travel for a day from a cool hotel civilization to the riot of a tropical jungle and feel like the hero of an action adventure movie. Also in the vicinity of Punta Cana there are a dozen first-class golf courses, some of which, like Punta Espada, are included in various world rankings. And if someone doesn’t like these bourgeois excesses, then welcome to the world of agritourism: near the resort there are several villages in which travelers can touch the life of ordinary local residents and personally take part in harvesting sugar cane or other home crafts.
Those who like to party and dance in Punta Cana will not have to lose heart: in addition to the discos available at each hotel, the resort offers a lot of original clubs, the most popular of which, perhaps, can be called Imagine, located in a natural cave: three dance floors framed by stalactites you will definitely find remember for a long time!
Bavaro
In the very southeast of the Dominican Republic there is the Bavaro resort, which can be classified as a “luxury” resort. Just some 30 years ago, the winds simply rustled here in the mangroves, and today the area has all the attributes of an aristocratic vacation: five-star hotels, tennis courts, casinos, golf courses, stables, expensive shops and even a dress code in a number of establishments. For those who are satisfied with comfort and respectability, Bavaro is ready to offer a lot of entertainment in addition to the traditional diving, snorkeling and jeep safari throughout the country: for example, an excursion to the “Palm Cemetery”, where strange birds are found in the mangrove dead wood, or to the Oleg Bat House cave - home to several species of bats. Those who come on vacation with the whole family have the opportunity to take their children to the dinosaur park or to Manati Park, where they can swim with dolphins. A new level of nightlife is offered by Bavaro's most famous club, Coco Bongo - this is not just a disco, but a real show with large-scale choreographic performances, vocal numbers and acrobatic sketches.
Cap Cana
If you are rich, then why not visit Cap Cana? This is a small and very young resort, one of the co-founders of which is Donald Trump. Just ten minutes from Punta Cana Airport, you can stay in a luxurious bungalow with private access to the ocean. The beauty, cleanliness and level of service in Cap Cana go far beyond the generally accepted five-star scale. The cost of all this happiness is quite high, which is why only businessmen and Hollywood stars come here.
Caribbean coast of the Dominican Republic
The Caribbean Sea washes the southern part of the Dominican Republic, so the two most obvious differences between the local resorts and the northern and eastern ones are the absence of waves and higher water temperatures. The capital of the state, the city of Santo Domingo, is located on the Caribbean coast, and the famous islands of Beata and Elephant are also located here.
The best resorts on the southern coast of the Dominican Republic
Boca Chica
Located near the capital of the Dominican Republic, the Boca Chica resort can be classified as affordable and democratic. At the same time, the moderate cost of tours here does not in any way affect the conditions of recreation or the level of service. First of all, families with children flock to Boca Chica: the resort has the unofficial title of the largest bath in the world thanks to its always warm and calm water and a very gentle entrance to the sea. Boca Chiqui beach is considered the cleanest on the entire southern coast: the coral reef absorbs everything that the waves can bring here, and natural underwater springs constantly feed the bay with crystal clear water.
The history of Boca Chica dates back only a few decades, so the resort is unable to offer its guests any special attractions. The most interesting place of the city is Calle Duarte, where most of the entertainment establishments are concentrated.
Diving in Boca Chica is a must: the region offers ideal conditions for your debut in scuba diving, and underwater park La Caleta has two shipwrecks! In the immediate vicinity of the shores of Boca Chica there are two tiny islands - La Matica and Los Pinos, which you can even reach on your own by renting a sea motorcycle. The first is covered with mangroves, the second with pine, in which you can hide from human noise and feel like Robinson.
La Romana
Describing the beach beauties of La Romana is a thankless task: the fine white sand, turquoise water and coconut palms here are just as incredible as in the already described Dominican resorts. The main focus of La Romana is quiet and peaceful family holiday. Despite the fact that the city is over 500 years old, it is also not very rich in attractions: living a quiet life of a hard worker, La Romana was known throughout its history as a center for sugar cane processing. However, there are several interesting places in the vicinity of the resort that are worth visiting. For example, the village of artisans and artists Altos de Chavon. Its construction was completed only in the 1990s, but all the buildings in it correspond to the canons of Italian architecture of the 16th century. The picturesque area (elevation above the gorge) and man-made beauty often attract newlyweds here for a marriage ceremony.
The Chavón River flows near La Romana, where you can kayak. You should definitely visit Cueva de las Maravillas (“Cave of Miracles”), which the skillful hands of architects turned into a real underground palace with several halls, stone bridges and stalactite arches.
Saona
While vacationing in La Romana or Punta Cana, you can go on a one-day excursion to Saona Island. Once upon a time, a commercial for the Bounty chocolate bar was filmed on this island, and since then the heavenly views of Saona have been firmly imprinted in the memory, and even the term “Bounty Island” has appeared in everyday speech, which can briefly and clearly describe the unearthly beauty of any shores. Unfortunately, it is impossible to stay here: there is not a single hotel on Saona, and the island itself is a nature reserve.
Santo Domingo
The capital of the Dominican Republic, located where Osama flows into the Caribbean Sea, more than compensates for the lack of attractions in other cities in the region. Founded in 1496 by the younger brother of Christopher Columbus, Saint-Domingue is the first city of the New World. The rich architectural heritage of the 15th-16th centuries allowed it to be included in the UNESCO registers. The abundance of colonial-era attractions earned Santo Domingo the title in 2010 cultural capital North and South America, so get ready: there will be a lot of interesting things here!
The perfectly preserved Osama fortress, which protected the city from pirate raids, the Alcazar de Colon palace, the first in the New World Cathedral- all these structures appeared on the shores of the Caribbean Sea at the very beginning of the 16th century! The symbol of the city is the Columbus Lighthouse; the remains of the great navigator are also buried here. Alleys, parks, beautiful streets, a seaside promenade framed by palm trees - walks around Santa Domingo will be long and pleasant. Nature lovers will also not have to regret that they chose the most suitable place for their vacation. Big City Dominican Republic: there is a botanical garden, an aquarium, a unique cave complex and a zoo.
Juan Dolio
Between Santo Domingo and La Romana, on the shores of a beautiful bay, there is another popular resort in the Dominican south - Juan Dolio. The town is small and calm, so mostly those who like peace and quiet relax here. Along the wide sandy strip of the continuous beach there are comfortable hotels of various price categories. Diving and snorkeling of the highest Dominican quality, hiking and cycling in the surrounding area, and a visit to a nearby flower farm will diversify your relaxing holiday. The excellent location of Juan Dolio allows you to go sightseeing in Santo Domingo or admire the caves of La Romana at any time. It remains to add that the Dominicans themselves prefer to relax in Juan Dolio, and the residents of this country know a thing or two about resorts.
Barahona
This resort is located in the southwest of the Dominican Republic, near its border with Haiti on the Pedernales Peninsula. It cannot be included in the list of the most popular ones due to the fact that it is a little more difficult to get to. Yes, and there are no huge hotel complexes here either, but the main wealth of Barahona is its stunning nature. Firstly, these are deserted wild beaches in a bay surrounded by mountains. Secondly, the variety of picturesque water bodies - rivers, lakes, waterfalls. Thirdly, Barahona is surrounded by unique natural parks and nature reserves where you can find iguanas, flamingos, lizards and crocodiles. There is also a mysterious place here - Polo Magnetico. If you leave a car in neutral gear in this anomalous zone, you can observe a rare optical illusion: the car itself will crawl... up!
Last time I wrote about a vacation on the southern coast of the island in the village of Bayahibe, and now the Dominican far north is next. Puerto Plata is both the name of the region and its capital. Therefore, confusion arises here as often as in the case of Juan Dolio and Boca Chica. Let's figure it out.
The city of Puerto Plata is famous for its majestic fortress, preserved Venetian architecture and art districts near the waterfront. It’s definitely worth a day trip here if you’re vacationing nearby. There is a beautiful promenade on the embankment, but it is better to swim at the resorts in the neighborhood.
There are three main resorts in the province of Puerto Plata: Sosua, Cabarete and Playa Dorada. Tour operators only sell the latter. There are almost no large hotels in Sosua and Cabarete, it is more of a backpacker story. But the distance between all three is 20-40 km. If desired, they can be easily overcome by taxi or rented car.
Hotels
All the fashionable hotels on the northern coast are concentrated in Playa Dorada, which translates as “golden coast”. Each hotel will offer you all-inclusive food and drinks, a private beach, lively animation, all kinds of water activities and excursions. Win-win options are the five-star Iberostar Costa Dorada, Sunscape Puerto Plata and Viva Wyndham V Heavens. In the more budget segment, pay attention to Be Live Collection Marien. Be careful with Riu Merengue: I've heard a lot of negative reviews.
Hotel Sunscape Puerto Plata
Beaches and water sports
In Playa Dorada (on the Gold Coast), the sand is, logically, yellow - it cannot be compared with snow even after a couple of bottles of Caribbean rum. But this does not detract from the beauty of the beach. Thick emerald palm trees make a musical noise, the water sparkles in the sun, the sandy expanse itself cannot be seen at all - the total beach area of the resort is almost 115 km.
From the north, the island is washed not by the Caribbean Sea, but by the Atlantic Ocean. This means there are waves here. For surfing, it is better to go to Cabarete, but kitesurfing and windsurfing are practiced along the entire coast. Winds blow all year round. Peak skiing season is February and March. World-class competitions take place in winter. And for beginners there are many private instructors and schools, including at hotels.
Neighborhoods and activities
There is plenty to do at the resort hotels. Here you can not only catch waves, but also play golf, ride horses, taste seafood in a la carte restaurants and dance in discos. But the northern coast really requires a more dynamic holiday: there are a whole bunch of attractions within a half-hour to an hour drive from Playa Dorada.
This is the city of Puerto Plata, where you can climb Mount Isabel de Torres using the only cable car in the Caribbean. This is the natural water park “27 waterfalls”, featured in “Eagle and Tails”. These are the haunted Mundo King castle in Sosua and the Maldivian-style bridges going into the water in Punta Rusia. These are the lagoons of Gri-Gri and Dudu. This is a huge Ocean World entertainment complex with dolphins and sea lions. This is the tiny paradise island of Cayo Paraiso (or Cayo Arena), where you can sail as part of an excursion or on your own, having agreed with one of the boatmen. Finally, these are the legendary beach parties in Cabarete with the most fashionable music and colorful characters. In short, the choice is huge - everyone will find entertainment to their liking.
Puerto Plata's central square and St. Philip's Cathedral
picturesque 27 waterfalls in the natural complex of the same name
Public
The public in Puerto Plata is also diverse. Most of the hotel guests in Playa Dorada are Europeans over 50, but there are almost always Russian-speaking tourists here. There is an international youth party in Cabarete. A Russian community of different ages has lived near Sosua for many years. And tourists come to the port of Amber Cove on huge cruise ships- they usually stay in hotels for no more than one or two nights.
such a liner carries several thousand passengers
Prices
Prices in Playa Dorada are slightly lower than in Bavaro, but I would not call the difference significant. But in Sosua and Cabarete, all tourist activities are cheap by Dominican standards: meals in restaurants, taxis, sports activities - for the same thing in Bavaro you would spend 1.5-2 times more.
Total
I'll tell you about one thing important nuance. There are several airports in the Dominican Republic. Usually, tour operators, when selling a trip to Puerto Plata, make sure that you fly to a nearby airport. But there have been several cases where people have ended up at the Punta Cana airport. This is a problem: if you have a hotel booked in the north, you will spend a good 8 hours on the road. So be sure to check your arrival airport.
Well, now let’s summarize the pros and cons of a holiday in Puerto Plata:
Punta Cana and Puerto Plata are the two largest tourist center in the Dominican Republic. Which resort should you choose? Today we will talk about the pros and cons of each of them. You will also learn about where the resorts are located, how to get to them, which hotels are better and what to see nearby.
Location
Punta Cana
The resort is located in the east of the Dominican Republic and belongs to the province of La Altagracia. It is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Located near the resort international Airport Punta Cana. The distance to the capital (Santo Domingo) is about 180 km.
Puerto Plata
The resort is located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic at the foot of Mount Isabel de Torres near one of the oldest cities in the country - Puerto Plata. There is an airport not far from the city. Distance to Santo Domingo - 235 km.
Climate
Punta Cana
Punta Cana has a mild tropical climate. In summer it is more humid and there is precipitation. In winter (from November to March), the weather is clear and comfortable, so by summer the ocean warms up very well (up to +29 degrees)
Puerto Plata
In Puerto Plata the climate is also very comfortable, but precipitation falls more often than in the east and south of the Dominican Republic. At the same time, this affects the appearance of nature, which in these parts is characterized by lush vegetation. Well, in the summer months in the northern region it is not as hot and stuffy as it is in other provinces of the country.
Beaches
Punta cana
The resort of Punta Cana stretches along the Atlantic coast for tens of kilometers. Exactly snow-white beaches with the softest sand and palm groves once inspired investors to build a magnificent resort here. The entrance to the water here is very gentle, and the swimming area is separated from the open sea by a coral reef, which makes swimming in these places safe and comfortable even with small children.
- Juaniyo Beach
- Macau Beach
- Bavaro Beach
Puerto Plata
In total, Puerto Plata has 120 km of wonderful sandy beaches located east of the city. It should be noted that the beaches closest to the city cannot boast of impeccably clean and white sand - it is a little darker and coarser here. One of the first beaches located outside the city is called Long Beach, which opens up a golden series of picturesque beaches for many kilometers.
- Playa Grande Beach
- Long Beach
- Costa Dorada beach
Hotels
Punta Cana
In Punta Cana, club hotels of 4 and 5 stars, operating on an all-inclusive basis, predominate. Most of them have a huge territory and rich infrastructure: restaurants, bars, swimming pools, shops, discos, casinos, spa centers and much more. Here every tourist will find a hotel to suit his taste: in Punta Cana there are hotels aimed at a wide variety of people:
- for newlyweds
- families with children
- adults only
- for those who love luxury holidays
Puerto Plata
It was in Puerto Plata that Dominican tourism once began. Therefore, it should not be surprising that hotel base This is not the newest one, although it is being updated. Just a few kilometers from the city is the Playa Dorada resort complex, which includes 13 hotels, as well as many bars, restaurants, discos and casinos.
Newlyweds, families with children, as well as lovers of active recreation and history love to relax in Puerto Plata.
Attractions
Punta Cana
Punta Cana has a very well developed industry tourism services. From there they will organize a trip for you to any corner of the country.
Here are the most popular excursions in Punta Cana:
- Saona Island and the City of Artists
- Mount Redonda
- Santo Domingo
- Samana
- Cap Cana town, Juaniyo beach and cave Blue Lake
- Jeep or hummer safari through the Dominican countryside
- Adventure Park
- Dolphin Explorer Dolphinarium
- Yacht trips in the Caribbean or Atlantic
Puerto Plata
The city of Puerto Plata itself will be very interesting to travelers, because its history goes back hundreds of years.
Be sure to visit:
- Ancient fortress - Fortaleza de San Felipe
- Church of San Felipe
- Malecon
- Amber Museum
- Brugal Rum Distillery
- Take the country's only funicular up Mount Isabel de Torres and admire the Christ statue and views of the city and coastline
The northern coast is also famous for such attractions as
- Samana Bay
- 27 waterfalls
- Cayo Paraiso Island
In addition, from Puerto Plata it is not difficult to get to the central part of the country and visit the town of Jarabacoa, which is famous for its clean air, rivers and waterfalls.
Leisure
Punta Cana
For lovers of active recreation, excellent conditions have been created both in the resort hotels and beyond.
Here are the types of entertainment awaiting you in Punta Cana
- Surfing
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Golf
- Zip line flights
- Buggy
- Fishing
- Kayaking
Also in Punta Cana you have many opportunities to admire the Dominican Republic from above by flying
- Parachute behind a boat
- Helicopter
- Hot-air balloon
- Airplane
Puerto Plata
Very close to the resort there are 2 small towns - Sosua and Cabarete. This is a real mecca for surfers, as well as for kite and windsurfer lovers in the Dominican Republic!
From Puerto Plata you can also go inland and try rafting, taking a rubber boat along winding mountain rivers.
Well, for those who decide to conquer 27 waterfalls, a real natural water park awaits: such kayaking will be remembered for a long time!
Diving, fishing, as well as sailing on yachts and catamarans are also practiced in this resort.
Well, in the famous Ocean World aquarium you can not only touch and feed animals, but also swim with dolphins, sharks or fur seals, and also watch a performance with sharks and rays.
Restaurants, bars and nightlife
Punta Cana
Most Punta Cana hotels have their own à la carte restaurants, offering dishes from a wide variety of world cuisines. However, if you do want to dine somewhere new, we recommend the following places:
- Restaurant JellyFish: Specializing in seafood, located right on the beach where you can relax and unwind on comfy cushions.
- Fish restaurant Captain Cook: ideal value for money seafood.
- Restaurant Kuku a: An outdoor terrace, a swimming pool, a gorgeous view of the ocean - an ideal place for a romantic dinner. In addition to seafood, the menu also includes chicken and meat.
Well, the best way to get acquainted with local cuisine is in small family restaurants on the coast. They cook according to original recipes, and the establishments themselves have a cozy, homely atmosphere. This option is also suitable for those who want to save money.
As for nightlife, it is quite rich in almost every hotel. But even outside the hotel you can have a great rest and get a lot of new impressions.
Here are the best nightclubs in the resort:
- Coco Bongo- a vibrant show with performances by celebrity doubles, acrobatic stunts, and broadcast of what is happening on big screens!
- Oro- performances by the best DJs and world celebrities in the luxurious atmosphere of the club!
- Imagine - night club, built right in a real cave!
Puerto Plata
What restaurants should you visit in Puerto Plata? Our advice:
- restaurant La Perillada: Famous for its grilled dishes
- restaurant Papillon: offers excellent lobsters and shrimps
- Cafe Cito: Canadian Consul's restaurant serving local cuisine and cocktails
But the most best restaurants Local and fish cuisine is concentrated in the towns of Sosua and Cabarete. There is also a vibrant nightlife there. There is a line of bars and clubs lined right along the coast where the fun never stops. Energetic music and international dating await you at these exciting parties!
Well, as you can see, both resorts are excellent and worthy of attention. Well, each of them has its pros and cons, of course.
Punta Cana is a newer resort and, at the same time, more expensive, compared to Puerto Plata. It is better to go there for those who want to relax at the highest level without thinking about anything, because the hotel itself has everything you could want.
Puerto Plata will appeal to those who like to travel a lot and spend time outside the hotel, especially since there are so many attractions available very close to the resort!
Guests of Punta Cana are deprived of the opportunity to walk around the medieval city, enjoying its atmosphere, but a much richer selection of excursions and entertainment awaits them.
Well, another important point is the beach and the ocean. For those who dream of a calm ocean and snow-white sand on the beach near the hotel, it is better to go to Punta Cana. Well, for those who like waves and wind, the northern coast awaits!
The resort called Puerto Plata is located in the north of the Dominican Republic, on the Atlantic coast and is very different from the popular and crowded Punta Cana. Puerto Plata should be chosen by those people who do not like crowds, are not interested in vibrant nightlife and want a calm, measured holiday in silence. There are not very many hotels here, the beaches are often deserted, and sometimes there was not a soul on the beaches where we were.
As mentioned earlier, there is no vibrant nightlife in Puerto Plata, of course, there are a couple of bars, but it is difficult to find a disco there. Despite this, the resort has many cafes and restaurants to suit every taste and budget - you can go to inexpensive cafes on the coast, which mainly serve local cuisine, there is an inexpensive German restaurant owned by a German (this restaurant is located about 15 - 20 km from Puerto Plata itself), there is a rather expensive and beautiful Italian restaurant that also offers Mexican cuisine. Food lovers will find a restaurant there to suit their taste.
Those wishing to go to Puerto Plata should keep in mind that the resort is located on the Atlantic coast and on the vast majority of beaches the ocean is choppy, there are medium and even large waves. Those who like to swim calmly are unlikely to like this, but the resort is ideal for surfers, especially since there are surfing schools where they will teach you how to properly catch a wave with a board.
The rest of the entertainment at the resort is mainly closely related to nature - not far from the city... read more
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Is the answer helpful?
Is the answer helpful?
Is the answer helpful?
Weather in Puerto Plata by months:
| Month | Temperature | Cloudiness | Rainy days / Precipitation |
Water temperature in the sea |
Number of solar hours per day |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| During the day | At night | |||||
Have you heard a lot of good reviews about these resorts and are now choosing between Puerto Plata or Punta Cana? They are indeed two quite different regions within the Dominican Republic, although they are often confused with each other.
Since both of these resorts are popular holiday destinations, there is often confusion between the two areas. Some people mistakenly think Puerto Plata and Punta Cana are similar and interchangeable, but they are actually two distinct Dominican paradises.
Let's start with Puerto Plata.
Puerto Plata is generally considered "older" than Punta Cana in terms of hotels. That is, the hotels there are older, but this does not mean that they are bad. Accommodation prices in Puerto Plata are also slightly lower than in Punta Cana. However, Puerto Plata can offer you first-class resorts, including: Casa Colonial Beach and Spa, Barcelo Puerto Plata and Victoria Golf & Beach Resort.
Along the northern coast of Puerto Plata there are a number of small reefs that create good conditions for diving. Windsurfing is also a popular sport along the northern coast, especially in Cabarete.
The undoubted advantage of Puerto Plata is that local attractions are very close, no more than half an hour away. For example, just take a taxi from the hotel, and in 10 minutes you will already be in the city itself, where shopping, numerous museums and excursions are at your service.
The resorts of Sosua and Cabarete, located very close to Playa Dorada, are actually very different in terms of entertainment, lifestyle and recreation. Thus, a quick and easy change of environment is guaranteed to you. It is unlikely that anywhere in the Dominican Republic this can be done as easily as here.
Now let's talk about Punta Cana.
In Punta Cana there is no such compactness; you will have to spend much more time moving around. Sights are accessible mainly through excursions (read our review of excursions in Punta Cana). And the resorts in this area are not so different from each other. And this area itself was built and exists only for the sake of and for tourists. Therefore, of course, there can be no talk of any local flavor here; you won’t see the “real” Dominican Republic here. And there is no city itself here - just a chain of hotels.
Punta Cana is newer tourist place than Puerto Plata, since hotel chains appeared there relatively recently. Given the relative newness of the hotels, prices for holidays there are usually higher than in Puerto Plata.
Unlike Puerto Plata, where the sea under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean is not always calm (no wonder they actively windsurf there), the waters of the Caribbean Sea surrounding Punta Cana are much calmer.
This may appeal to someone looking for a relaxing beach holiday or vacationing with children. However, on the beaches of Playa Dorada in Puerto Plata the sea is quite calm, and on the beaches of Punta Cana you will have access to many active water activities. For more detailed information you can read our article
