Why visit Puerto Plata?
12 good reasons to visit the
Dominican Republic's north coast

Beaches that don't quit... Most of the north coast is beach and most of the beaches are unspoiled and undeveloped.

Breathtaking countryside... More than just a strip of sand in sea, this is the second largest island in the Caribbean with an ever changing terrain and non-stop unspoiled natural beauty.

Friendly people, (and good looking, too)... Almost all visitors comment on how Dominicans are the friendliest people they have ever met when travelling.

Lively Latin culture... counterbalanced by the familiar faces and flavors of many Europeans and North Americans who have relocated here.

Raw nature... but you don't have to rough it. You can be four-wheeling through jungle roads by day and, at night, be sipping sipping French wine and eating lobster in your cottons beside the beach.

All-inclusive resorts... There are dozens of all-inclusive beach resorts, where food, drinks, beach equipment and a long list of amenities are all part of a one-price package including airfare conveniently organized out of major European, American and Canadian centers. This is a highly competitive business and there are lots of great deals available. 

Adventure Travel... Dozens of specialty vacations are being offered by people who came as tourists and then moved back to set up shop because they discovered that this place is great for... horseback riding in the mountains (several excellent ranches), getting scuba diving certification (one of the least expensive places to get it), windsurfing (excellent shools for learning and all services for pros), white water rafting, whalewatching (the largest Atlantic ocean gathering of humpback whales spawning January to March in Samana Bay), hiking trips (the tallest mountain in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte, 10,000 ft, with guides and mules available), mountain biking (bikes and guided tours for all levels), motocross and four-wheeling (dirt bikes and jeeps for rent and you’ll find endless, unmapped backroads). There are plenty of guided daytrips and excursions that make it easy to have a tropical or third world adventure and get back to the comfort of your hotel by the end of the day.

Backpackers... Lots of pensiones, cheap hotel rooms and inexpensive public transportation. Easy hops from place to place with something different to experience at each one.

Luxury... This is not a high gloss destination yet it attracts many very well heeled people who want to get away from all that. You won't find Marriot or Sheraton but you do find some very exclusive and comfortable owner-operated small hotels and you can also rent million-dollar villas by the week. Most of the large resorts are predominantly filled with economy travellers on all-inclusive vacations; a handful are four-star. Meanwhile, you can get just about anything you want, from private car and driver to helicopters and yachts.

Good Overall Value... No matter your style of travel, you encounter relatively good value. With few exceptions, dinner costs US$5-$10 and drinks are about $2 apiece. Typically prices in the Caribbean are 30- to 50% higher than at home: this only holds true here when you are engaging services like private planes and purchasing imported goods. Virtually all local services and supplies are as cheap or cheaper than at home.

Easy to get to... Daily American Airline flights from Miami (2 hrs), New York (3 hrs), Puerto Rico (1 hr), weekly charters from dozens of Canadian and European cities.

Relocating and Investing... Each year more people come and don't leave. As one of our friends says, “my cost of living is equivalent to my tax and utilities budget back home.”  People looking for a place to retire, or who simply dream of living in the Caribbean will find that there are a lot of good reasons. price and friendly people being the main ones, to consider this part of the Caribbean. Top of Page

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