Travel: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata is located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, which occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola. Haiti occupies the western one-third. Puerto Plata is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean.

Most beaches in Puerto Plata are a beautiful amber colour, thanks to the world's richest deposits of amber found in the hills near Puerto Plata. The entire north coast of the Dominican Republic is commonly referred to as the "Amber Coast."

On this amber coast there are many soothing beach days to be had. Annual daytime highs in Puerto Plata range from 28 to 31 degrees Celsius, and the sun is almost always shining.

Arriving at the Puerto Plata Airport, tourists can start their souvenir shopping right away at the many duty-free shops and boutiques right on-site.

A short drive from the airport will bring you to Playa Dorada, a suburb of Puerto Plata, which has become a popular resort area because of its fabulous beaches, discos, casinos and nightclubs.

Another suburb, Sousa, is a beach vacationer's paradise. Here you will find sandy shores, crystal clear waters, coconut trees and fantastic diving.

In the suburb of Cabarete, meantime, windsurfing is the water sport of choice. In fact, Cabarete is considered one of the best places in the world for windsurfing.

Culturally, the Dominican Republic is all about music and dance. The most popular dance is the merengue, and if in Puerto Plata the first week of October be sure not to miss the "Merengue Festival." In June, Puerto Plata hosts the week-long "Cultural Festival," featuring jazz, blues, merengue and folk concerts throughout the city.

"Primitive" art, which relies on colour and action, is also popular in the Dominican Republic and can be found at many shops and sidewalk booths in Puerto Plata.

Tourists should be aware that the rainy season along the north coast of the Dominican Republic is October to May. There can be quite a few good soakings during this period, so be sure to bring your umbrella.

Puerto Plata can also be hit by tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes during the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30.

What to know before you go!

Current Condition
	24°C / 75°F

Weather Forecast
	Max: 29°C / 84°F Min: 25°C / 77°F

Documentation:
Canadian citizens require a valid passport or proof of citizenship (birth certificate) with valid photo ID, as well as a tourist card to enter the Dominican Republic.

Language:
Spanish

Currency:
Dominican Peso

Some information courtesy of the Consular Affairs Bureau of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

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