Dominican Rep - Puerto Plata holidays

Things to do

Explore your destination

Outback Jeep Safari
A firm favourite, taking in the island’s real tastes, sights and way of life by open-top jeep, you’ll scramble through villages and tropical scenery before boogie-boarding at a beautiful beach. With an open bar all day, this is non-stop fun.

North Coast from approx. £42pp (adult); £21pp (child)
Bavaro from approx. £42pp

Helicopter Rides
A sightseeing tour in the sky, this is an unforgettable and thrilling experience. The best way to see the island, you’ll spot turquoise waters, picture postcard beaches and dancing palm trees with a bird’s-eye view of Punta Cana or Puerto Plata.

North Coast from approx. £37/£103pp (adult)
Bavaro from approx. £37pp (adult)

Ocean World Dolphins
Making friends with Ocean World’s playful dolphins is the experience of a lifetime: you’ll feed them, hug them and even steal a kiss. A memorable day, you’ll also see acrobatic sea lions, fearsome sharks and a white tiger taking a dip.

North Coast from approx. £78/£87pp (adult); £45/£67pp (child)

Saona Island
To taste the real Caribbean, a trip to Saona Island is perfect; you’ll cruise in a catamaran, chill on soft white sands, swim in crystal waters and zoom across the sea in a speedboat, in true James Bond style.

Bavaro from approx. £48pp

Please note: for further details, please speak to your Representative in resort. This is an example guide only and excursions and prices will be subject to change according to season, availability and demand.

Highlights

• Coming face to face with the gentle nurse shark at Ocean World, Puerto Plata, where you’ll find the world’s first shark interaction pool
• Seeing Puerto Plata’s historic fort, Fuerte de San Felipe, built in the 16th century to ward off pesky pirates
• Hoping for a free tipple at the Brugal Rum distillery, on a guided tour to see how this local spirit is made
• Taking a cable car up Mount Isabela de Torres from Puerto Plata to see spectacular views, the botanical gardens at the top and a statue of Christ the Redeemer, like the famous one in Rio de Janeiro
• Enjoying a relaxing round of golf on your holiday in the Dominican Republic; try the 18-hole Playa Dorada Golf Course, created by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones
• Speeding down the 14 fantastic waterslides at Columbus Aguaparque in Sosua, the biggest waterpark in the Caribbean
• Hovering above the island in a helicopter tour from Puerto Plata, for a bird’s eye view of beautiful coastline and lush jungles
• Swimming in the same pool as white tigers separated by a glass wall at Ocean World, as well as snorkelling in coral reefs and meeting sea lions and tropical birds
• Getting an adrenalin rush trying the fantastic choice of watersports in Bahia Maimon and Playa Dorada, from waterskiing to windsurfing
• Having a great night out in Playa Dorada’s cocktail bars, casinos and open-air discos
• Looking through some of the world’s clearest amber at the Amber museum in Puerto Plata

Food and drink

Food on the Dominican Republic’s North Coast is all about hearty stews and curries, packed with spices and coconut milk. Sancocho, a meat and vegetable stew, is a big favourite.

As with most beach destinations, the seafood is fresh and tasty. Try Pescado con coco, fish in a creamy coconut sauce.

There’s nowhere better for sunset drinks than the Caribbean; sip the local beer, Presidente, or try a tasty Dominican cocktail. A favourite ingredient is the local rum; stick to the brown version as the white rum, called 151, is around 75% proof and known as the 'local gasoline'.

Evening Flavour

There’s loads of fun to be had at the live shows and discos at most of the North Coast’s hotels, but if you feel like doing your own thing, wander to the local boardwalk for typical Dominican restaurants overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Enjoy delicious seafood dishes on the waterfront, soaking up the Caribbean atmosphere and dramatic sunsets over Sosua bay.

Or head to the bars of Plaza Playa Dorada, where Hemingway’s Café bar and grill is a popular choice, with live bands performing every weekend.

Shopping

Playa Dorada’s shopping mall, Plaza Playa Dorada, has plenty of places to pick up gifts, as well as restaurants, bars and a movie theatre for a bit of fun afterwards.

Best buys include gorgeous jewellery made from locally mined amber, malachite and the unique milky blue gem, larimar, Dominican coffee and cigars, and you can even take home the sound of merengue on CD. Keep an eye out for local arts and crafts like paintings, woodcarvings and leather goods too.

Dates for the Diary

Experience the rhythm of the merengue at the annual Dominican Republic Jazz Festival. Concerts are held in late October, in Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata.

For the Family

• Let the kids take a dip with the dolphins at Ocean World – the world’s largest dolphin lagoon.

• Bob along the lazy river at Columbus Aquapark – kids will go bonkers over the beach boat, floating animals and Pirates’ Island.

• Zoom around the north coast’s tropical landscape on a mountain bike adventure.

• Go watersports wild at Playa Dorada’s golden sandy stretch.

• Rumble through the jungle on an exciting jeep safari and finish up with a spot of boogie-boarding on the beach.

• Hop on a Creole horse for a canter around the tropical countryside – they’ve been trained to go slowly just for the little ones.

Information

Language: Spanish. Currency: Dominican Peso. US Dollar travellers cheques are recommended. Credit cards are accepted. Credit cards and Cirrus cards can be used in a number of cashpoint machines. Standard GMT: - 4 hrs. Dominican Republic Tourist Office: 18-21 Hand Court, High Holborn, London WC1V 6RZ. Tel: 020 7242 7778. www.dominicanrepublic.com

For essential information on visas, departure taxes, vaccinations and other issues {please read page xxx} click on info at the top of the page.

Travel money

Peso

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.

Travel foundation

Supporting farmers in the Dominican Republic

When you book a holiday with us we’ll ask you to make a small donation to the World Care Fund. With your donations, we’re setting up links between hotels and local food producers in this Caribbean country so you can enjoy fresh, local produce and support the farmers at the same time.



Our World Care Fund project partner, The Travel Foundation, is an independent sustainable tourism charity that works in close partnership with the UK travel industry to fund these projects.