Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata and Puerto Dorada offer a mass of tourism as well as historic architecture and nightlife. The main area or the Old City which lies next to the port, is a narrow grid of streets that was once the finest neighbourhood in the country. Around the original town sprawls a maze of industrial zones known as the New City.

Most visitors, though, are here for package holidays to Playa Dorada which is located a kilometre east of the city and entertains over a half-million tourists each year.

The Puerto Plata beach is often crowded by locals and tourists looking for sand and turquoise waters as well as the local music and beachside resorts.

Watersports are popular here and tourists can try their hand at everything from windsurfing and scuba diving to waterskiing and snorkelling.

This resort is geared towards tourism and visitors can experience a multitude of watersports, golf and entertainment venues. Try out some salsa or merengue dancing at night or just sit and relax with a rum-based drink at one of the many bars in the area.

For those who like shopping there is the Playa Dorada Plaza shopping centre or locally made goods can be found at the various markets and one-off stores dotted around the province.

There are many excursions available including trips to the El Morro National Park at Monte Cristi, a region located several hours' drive from Puerto Plata, to see a wide range of birds and other wildlife. For those visiting between January and early April, a trip to Samana to witness the return of the humpback whales is a must.