Sosua

Charamicos

Cabarete

Where to go and what to do  is a difficult question to answer. All-inclusive hotels offer tours to their guests all the time all at high prices. Try to go along the streets in Sosua or Cabarete and deal with the local tour vendors. They provide better value. Iguana Tours in Cabarete is a great place to start and learn about the country. For what it is worth, here are some off the beaten track suggestions:

• Sosua Beach . . . great place to walk , better than Cabarete Beach for sitting and being looked after by the renter of the chairs..  35 to 60 pesos for a chair is normal.
  
  
• Colombo Aquapark outside Charamicos on the highway is now closed. Too bad it was a great place.
  
  
• Chicken fights at a Gallera pronounced GAJERA; now on Sunday only outside town at Cangrejo...should start at 3p.m. but might start at 4. The moto concho should cost between $100 and $200 pesos. The largest fights are in Puerta Plata or just outside POP. . In November 2006, the chicken fight arena was closed in Charamicos. Check to make sure the fights are on as so many have been closed by BIRD FLUE.
  
  
• Snorkeling is widely available along the Sosua Beach. Go for it if you like to have fun under the water. There is a reef out further from the beach area where snorkeling is the most fun. You will see the catamarans stopping there at the reef all time from the Puerta Plata hotels.
  
  
• Discos rise and fall just as quickly in Sosua and elsewhere. The early c losing laws to prevent excess drinking have hurt the discos as well. High Caribe was still closed in March,2008, as was the Latin Club on the main street of Sosua. There is always one Disco open on the main street of Sosua. Check with a local person to find out what place is open. You do this by chatting up one of the local hotel employees. If you are lucky, a local musician such as Luis Vargas or Anthony Santos may be playing at the huge Discoteca Monte Llano, or the CAR WASH in Sosua, The CAR Wash was still for sale in march 2008   One twelve piece band will play from 11 p.m to 1 a.m. without stopping and then the discoteca will bring in a second band associated with Luis Vargas which will play until 3 or 4 a.m. Once the all-inclusive tourists are in bed the employees go out to dance and party . . . not sure how hotel employees do it but they go to 3 or 4 a.m. and are at work the next day. You are usually safe to go in a group to a disco with a hotel employee as that employee will see that nothing happens to you or your friends. Motoconchos and taxis are readily available any hour of the day or night; however, make sure to strike a price before you take the ride. There was no disco open in Charamicos, in March of 2007.
  
  
• Discos are just worthwhile even if you do not dance to the Bachata or the Merengue. Some Salsa is played as well as House music. Part of the evening is likely devoted to Rap as well and you will see some fine dancing from the locals who have been to New York.
  
  
• There is a Casino past the High Caribe night club in Sosua, fun for those who like a quiet casino. Local coins are used.
  
  
• Wind surfers and kite flyers go to Cabarete and rent their sails there. Great beach and great kiting and windsurfing. Do visit Cabarete.
  
  
• The Teleferico in POP was open in March of 2008. It is well worth a visit on a clear day. Cost is 200 pesos to go to the top of the 2600 foot mountain. Do not pay one of the lacal boys who want to be your guide.