Puerto Plata Regional Visitors Guide All the ¡HOT! spots in the Puerto Plata area
Puerto Plata
!Hot! Magazine
Don’t miss... The Bravissimo show at Ocean World A kaleidescope of costume, dance, music and total entertainment! Puerto Plata
!Hot! Magazine
Discover the diverse destinations of the Puerto Plata Region
Cabarete • Cabrera • Cofresi Costambar•Jarabacoa • Luperon Playa Dorada • Playa Grande • Puerto Plata City • Santiago City • Samana • Sosua and more!
Puerto Plata Hot!
From the Publisher: We often hear the question... what’s better, Punta Cana or Puerto Plata?
Puerto Plata’s Historical Zone
If your vacation is about hanging out in a resort and on a beautiful beach, then go to Punta Cana. But if you want beach, and culture, and local people, and adventure, and a sense of traveling to a place that’s real, then come to Puerto Plata. Is a beach all about white sand and palm trees? Or is it about mixing with the locals, like on Puerto Plata’s Long Beach or on Sosua Beach... Is a beach all about turquoise water? Or is it about the life... the lobster vendors on Playa Grande Beach... the kitesurfers on Cabarete Beach... the pleasure of discovering so many authentic and beautiful places.... In a contest, Punta Cana would win the prize for pretty, but Puerto Plata would definitely win the prize for action, fun and variety. It’s hard to plan your vacation from your desk at home, and you don’t want to miss out on the possibilities. So print out this guide and bring it with you so that once you’re here and have your bearings, you can enjoy your vaction to the fullest! Enjoy your vacation! Tim Hall Publisher
Above: Puerto Plata’s oldest hotel is a classic example of colonial architecture Left: The turret at Fort San Felipe, built in 1506 Far Left: Puerto Plata’s central square
Look for... a bustling city center situated around Central Park, fun to stroll around this historic part of town... lots of Victorian style colonial architecture... street vendors... beat-up old cars... it’s an eyeful - and lots of fun taking the pictures Stroll along the Malecon... the wide oceanfront the promenade runs along the shoreline and ends at the 500 year old San Felipe Fortress Consider Mt. Isabel de Torres... a cable car takes you up to 2800 feet to botanical gardens, cool mountain breezes and some spectacular views! Don’t miss... The Amber Museum and Sam’s Bar & Grill, a favorite ex-pat hangout, or the Mariposa for some real Italian ice cream
Above: A cable car takes you up 2800 feet to the summit of Mt. Isabel de Torres. Left: Puerto Plata’s ocean front boulevard, the Malecon, is a favorite place for a breezy stroll, jog or cycle
Photo: Mark Fernandez / Sea Pro Divers
Puerto Plata Hot!
Best Beaches...
Playa Dorada: This Golden Beach is where most of the big resorts are Playa Dorada is located on the eastern outskirts of the city of Puerto Plata. There are 14 hotels here situated in a country club setting on the beach and around the 18-hole Playa Dorada golf course. Each hotel has a beach club that serves its own guests with food, beverage and a variety of watersports activities. Due to the fact that most hotels in Playa Dorada work on the all-inclusive program, you will find it difficult to explore the grounds of other resorts or use their beach bars. But on the far west of Playa Dorada just past Holiday Village there is a local crafts market and a couple of small restaurants and bars. You can also walk east to Bergantin Beach where you buy cold beers from the vendors. Playa Dorada feautures a mall right in the center where you can find all types of souvenirs, convenience stores, banks, bars and restaurants. For a little session with Lady Luck, check out the American Casino at the Playa Dorada Hotel.
Puerto Plata Hot!
At Ocean World you swim with the dolphins, the rays—and the sharks! OCEAN WORLD ADVENTURE PARK is the most advanced marine interaction park of its kind. Boasting the largest manmade dolphin habitat in the world, Ocean World is a must-see attraction for everyone visiting the Dominican Republic. Visitors get to touch, pet and feed dolphins, sea lions, sharks, stingrays, exotic tropical birds, meet tigers, walk through a tropical rain forest and much more. Ocean World Adventure Park emphasizes personal experiences between guests and marine animals through interactive programs. There are only a handful of such facilities in the world, and none that rival the variety and quality that Ocean World Adventure Park provides. So take advantage of your visit to Puerto Plata to live this once in a lifetime experience!
Ocean World
Cofresi, Puerto Plata For Reservations see our promoters in all resorts or call 809 291-1000
Ocean World by night...
Sunset cocktails looking over the marina... gourmet dinner at the Poseidon Restaurant... front row seats at the Bravissimo spectacular... some fun at the slots and tables at the casino... Ocean World offers enough for a full night’s worth of entertainment, with your night ending at the Lighthouse Disco Lounge. Call to reserve or ask your hotel concierge or tour representative about our evening packages including transportation.
Puerto Plata Hot!
COSTAMBAR APARTMENT Available for Weekly Rental 1minute from beach completely furnished. Cosy Studio includes air, fully equipped kitchen, cable TV, maid service, 24 hour internet with PC, security, parking,
Travel Tips... Photocopy your passport and other documents, store them in your room safe and carry the photocopies when you go to the beach or town ATM Machines are readily accessible in Playa Dorada and in town and provide a favorable exchange rate... Taxis are unmetered... always settle on a price before hiring. Prices are posted in or near most hotel lobbies
Tel: 809 223 2295 E-Mail: luzcace@codetel.net.do
The beer
Jump on the Party Bus for a Nite on the Town
Visit bars in Puerto Plata, Sosua & Cabarete • Open bar onboard our private air conditioned coach • Pick up and return to your hotel • Complimentary meal included • Fun for everyone aged 18 to 80! • English speaking guides Regular price $65 pp...
$5 Dollars OFF when you book direct Call 809 586-7923 or 809 696-6932 No question... there’s something special spicier - hotter - about Latin American night clubs. Beautiful hostesses, throbbing latin music... erotic dancers... it’s all waiting for you at Puerto Plata’s premier night club, Cristal, where the action keeps going until everybody goes home. Adult shows, dancers, executive room, disco full bar, ladies and couples are welcome. Don’t miss Cristal - for your hottest night in Puerto Plata! Check out our afternoon pool parties! Hermanas Mrabal Street • Long Beach • Puerto Plata •Tel. 254-3969 Open every night from 9 pm to 5 am • Major credit cards accepted
Present this ad for a free rum cocktail at Cafe Cito
A Dominican countryside adventure for the whole family!
Fish for blue and white marlin, mahimahi, wahoo or sailfish depending on the seaon in the waters off the Dominican Republic. Two trips daily offered with pickup from all resorts
for here
Call in Puerto Plata: 809 586-1239
Great Grill... Vintage Rock’n’Roll... Café Cito is Puerto Plata’s jumpin’ joint!
Rated ‘Best in Town’ by Rough Guide and Lonely Planet Km 5 Puerto Plata Sosua Highway, next to Avis Rent-a-Car, 1/4 mile west of Playa Dorada main gates Tel. 809 586-7923.• VISA MC AMEX
Puerto Plata Hot!
Puerto Plata Hot!
Best Beaches...
Cabarete: the Caribbean’s beach of the moment
Cabarete Beach is probably the hottest, most happening beach in the Caribbean right now. Having gained its initial fame as a windsurfing and kiteboarding destination, it’s now packed with great restaurants, bars and stores lined along the beach. At night the sports equipment is put away, out come the tables and chairs... and the whole strip becomes a great big party that lasts well into the night. Cabarete is just down the coast 20 minutes east of Sosua and 40 minutes east of Puerto Plata... a great place to spend a day, a night, or an entire vacation. Located on the beach right in the center of the village of Cabarete, José O’Shay’s lives up to a promise of being a truly authentic Irish pub. On the menu... Shephard’s pie, corn beef & cabbage, Irish Stew, fish’n’chips, bangers and mash... and of course Guinness stout and a selection of fine Irish whiskeys.
Bring in this page for a FREE Cuba Libre! José O’Shay’s Irish Beach Pub Cabarete Beach Tel. 809 571-0775 VISA • MASTER CARD • AMEX
Cabarete’s Boutique Hotel. 50 comfortable rooms and suites all with a magnificent view of Cabarete Beach. Calle la Punta, Cabarete, Tel: (809)- 571-9727 www.velerobeach.com
Best Beaches...
Sosua: where visitors and locals mingle
Sosua Beach, located just five kilometers east of the airport, is a natural place for locals and tourists to mix. Set in a cove protected by coral cliffs, Sosua Beach is a kilometer of white sand and a great place for snorkeling, jet skiing, swimming and people wathcing. The beach is lined with shacks housing gift shops, bars and restaurants. This is a great place to hang out and meet people. Did you know... Sosua was a World War II refugee settlement for European jews who escaped the holocaust and emigrated to this north coast village. A fascinating museum located in town tells the story. Getting to the beach: lots of winding one way streets can be confusing... just ask for “Restaurant La Roca” then drive down beside La Roca to the beach parking. When in Sosua don’t miss... On the Waterfront Restaurant for romantic oceanfront dining... PADI certified Northern Coast Divers for all your diving needs... Britannia Pub is a great local hangout on Sosua’s main street... Rock’n’Roll all the way at Ruby’s Lounge
Locals and tourists socialize on Sosua Beach Sosua Beach’s coral reefs make this a snorkeling sanctuary. Above: The beachwalk runs alongside bars and handicraft shops.
Puerto Plata Hot!
Puerto Plata Hot!
Plaza Las Americas Buy gold jewelry by the gram at this Caribbean pawnshop
Selecting tobacco at the Artisan factory near Santiago, Dominican Republic
What could be more fascinating than a pawnshop jewelry store in a Caribbean port city? Discover a great selection of jewelry from all over the world! American Robert Hildreth runs the largest one in Puerto Plata, and invites visitors to take advantage of his no-nonsense policy of selling gold by the gram. Pricing by gram and not by design or designer means discounts up to 60 and 80 per cent. Plaza Las Americas Jewelry Boutique is located right beside the Caribe Tours Bus Station in downtown Puerto Plata.
Photos: Owen Franken
Artisan Selection Cigars
Looking for an honest cigar? Discover our “try before you buy” cigar bar outlets Looking for high quality cigars at reasonable prices? In Puerto Plata you’ll discover many bootleg vendors and many stores that don’t conserve their stock properly. This means that it’s so easy to end up buying junk. 25 years ago, the Cuevas brothers moved from Cuba and set up their own
plantations and factory near Puerto Plata. Today they are renowned in the business, having being described by Cigar Aficionado as “an excellent example of the boutique manufacturers art. “ Looking for an honest cigar? Come by and try us out at selected “try before you buy” cigar bars and outlets where you can sit, relax and enjoy one before buying a whole box.
Puerto Plata
Cafe Cito on the Hwy 1/4 mile west of Playa Dorada main gates. 809 586-7923
Sosua:
Hideaway Bar, Pedro Clisante St. Downtown Sosua Pedro McMurphy’s Irish Pub, David Stern St. near Harrison’s Jewelers On the Waterfront Restaurant, David Stern St. in front of the ocean
Plaza Las Americas. Jose E. Kunhardt No. 7, Downtown Puerto Plata 1km from Central Park • Tel. 809 586-6516 • Open Mon- Fri 8 am - 6 pm • S at 8 am - 4 pm • Sun 9 am - 1 pm Visa • Master Card
CIGAR DISCOUNT FIND THE BRANDS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR FREE DELIVERY TO YOUR HOTEL! EMAIL US, BUY ONLINE OR VISIT OUR SHOP!
Cigar Discount offers you a wide variety of FIRST-QUALITY Dominican Cigars, at the best prices available in Puerto Plata. We have all the major brands and offer you free delivery to your hotel, you can purchase online direct from our website, or visit our shop
Plaza Turisol No 40 Puerto Plata, Tel: 809-320-8243 Email: marclorez@codetel.net.do Website: zonapuertoplata.com
¡HOT!
Playa Dorada...
Cofresi...
Puerto Plata...
Saturday night karaoke at Ahora Beach Bar & Grill....
Monday night jazz at La Esquina Bar near Central Park Aleph... On Tuesday nights, classical guitar and 2x1 wine all evening Up and down the Malecon... party with the local people in the seaside rumshacks El Manquito, the best for typical Dominican food Dancin’ girls at Cristal Night Club
Mexican food and shows at Charro Ocean World.... Gourmet dining at Poseidon Restaurant Bravissmo Show Ocean World Casino Lighthhouse Lounge Chris & Mady’s for popular American style menu
To Santiago
Sosua...
Puerto Plata
!Hot!
Costambar
SPOT
10 minutes
Puerto Plata
The nightlife heat is up with a bunch of new places to party at night... Spice Disco at Holiday Village In the Plaza... Coco Bongo Hemingway’s bar & grill
5 minutes
Lounge
Ruby’s Lounge... jam nights on Tuesdays, ladies night on Wednesday... classic R&R all the time
Also in town Embocca Bliss Waterfront Restaurant for beachfront dining...
Dinner at Al Fresco... Just outside the gates, Cafe Cito, a favorite expat hangout, vintage R&R, saellite sports, low prices
Puerto Plata
!Hot! !Hot! SPOT
Cabarete
The Caribbean’s HOTTEST party beach on the beach... Lax... to relax Jose O’Shay’s Irish Pub... to eat and drink Onno’s ... to dance
Rocky’s for cold beer and world famous bbq ribs
Montellano
Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata
!Hot!
!Hot!
SPOT
SPOT
SPOT
Airport 25 minutes
15 minutes
To Samana
Puerto Plata Hot!
Cabarete Central
Cita Del Sol is nestled in the heart of Cabarete, the wind, kite and surfing capitol of the world. In the middle of town and just across the street from Cabarette Beach, newly renovated apartments, beautiful gardens, 24 hour electricity and security, great mix of Dominicans, and travelers, Cita Del Sol is the perfect place to chill out. Great prices too! Call Peter anytime 809 608 4511. www.citadelsol.com
Aleph RESTAURANT
a fusion of Caribbean and Latin sensations from Rafael Vasquez
Plaza 1, Luis Ginebra Ave. near the Puerto Plata Courthouse. Tel. 809-244-4528 • mail@alephrestaurant.com • www.alephrestaurant.com
Renowned chef Rafael Vasquez has created Aleph, a new, minimalist dining room, in which to bring his world class culinary talents to the table, in a fusion of Caribbean and Latin cuisine. Rafael has represented the Dominican Republic officially at many culinary events worldwide, including three times invited guest chef at Disneyworld. Open daily except Mondays for lunch and dinner. Sundays Paella and Sangria Brunch; Tuesdays live classical guitar and 2x1 prices for wine.
Fun City, the largest gocart park in the Caribbean, features 3 great racing tracks,gocart, sprint and cyclone, as well as a kids playground, bumper cars, pichers challenge and more! Check out our unlimited racing pass and spend a day with us! Great family fun! Free taxi transportation from your hotel and back! FUN CITY ACTION PARK Puerto Plata-Sosua Hwy Km 8 near Playa Dorada Tel: 809-320-1031 Email: info@funcitygokarts.com Website: www.funcity-gokarts.com FREE TAXI TRANSPORTATION ROUNDTRIP
We produce and commercialize hand made Dominican art. Beautiful necklaces made of natural seeds and recyclable materials Exclusive pieces of terracotta fired in a pre Hispanic tradition. Come and visit as at our work shop
Ceramic art & fashion jewelry made with natural seeds and recyclables
Calle Eduardo Frei # 9 in Urbanizacion Atlantica • Tel. 809 261 0295 Email:luzcace@codetel.net.do • Website: www.luzcace.info
Puerto Plata Hot!
Ruby’s Lounge, Sosua’s music central Cool, comfortable, cosy.... Ruby’s personifies Canadian hosts Steve and Melanie and their passion for music. Located right on the top of the beachway road, Ruby’s attracts its clientele for its collection of classic rock and for the live music and events going on all the time. Added bonus is the breezy terrace barbecue. Check it out!
SUN & THU
KARAOKE
TUESDAY
LIVE JAM!
On the Waterfront Restaurant
Sosua’s only location for fine beachfront dining
Lounge
With this ad: Ruby LADIES NIGHT FREE Shooters! WEDNESDAY
AT THE ENTRANCE TO SOSUA BEACH
Succulent seafood, sizzling steaks, fine wines and premium cigars are the fine fare offered at the Waterfront Restaurant, where beachfront breezes and spectacular sunsets make this the ideal location for a romantic, memorable evening out. Come for dinner, or just for sunset cocktails at the bar or on the seaside deck.
Perfect for lunch • Free Wi-Fi
Bring this ad for a complimentary Rum Cocktail Oceanfront on David Stern St, down from Codetel Reservations 809 571-3024
Rocky’s Bar & Hotel: a favorite in downtown Sosua
Isaira Tours Isaira Tours, for excursions, transfers and car rental! We offer lazy days at sea on catamarans, shopping to Santiago and Santo Domingo, adventures on jeeps and fourwheelers, cultural visits to historial areas, river rafting and helicopter flights! Transfers for individuals and groups all across the island. Join us and explore the Dominican Republic!
Plaza El Doral, near Iberostar, Puerto Plata Tel. 809 320 1433 www.isairatours.com
Inexpensive food, great music and valuepriced rooms top the list of why people go to Rocky’s; while great people and good times keep them coming back. This downtown eatery and garden hotel is a walk to everywhere —a perfect place to get settled in and well oriented when visiting Sosua.
FREE WI-FI
Try our World Famous BBQ ribs Come in with this ad and get a cocktail — on the house!
Telephone: (809) 571-2951 • Cellular : (809) 481-2951 Calle Dr. Rosen # 22, El Batey - Sosua • www.rockysbar.com