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 at high prices. Try to go along the streets in Sosua or Cabarete and deal with the local tour vendors. They provide better value and are very informative. Iguana Tours in Cabarete is a great place to start and learn about the country.

• Sosua Beach; a great place to walk and it’s 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. I always go to the caseta called Leo Bananas. Leo and his staff there are excellent. Big beers are normally 100 pesos at this location. Ask for the dominoes and get a lesson from Rubio. 
  
  
• Colombo Aquapark outside Charamicos on the highway was closed in March 2011.
  
  
• Chicken fights at a Gallera pronounced GAJERA; now on Saturday in Charamicos in March 2011. Go at   3p.m. but it will likely start at 4. The moto concho should cost between 40 and 50 pesos to get you there. The entrance fee cost is determined by the row where you sit. Lower down costs more. I paid 300 pesos for a second row seat.  Check to make sure the fights are on as so many have been closed by the BIRD FLU.   These fights are legal.  I bet one to one, on either red or white. Start by betting 100 pesos only.  
  
  
• 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 quickly in Sosua and elsewhere. The early closing laws to prevent excess drinking  have hurt the discos as well. High Caribe was still closed in March,2011, 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 a local CAR WASH. Sosua Car Wash was still for sale in March 2011   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 2011.  El Flo on the main street of Sosua was a blast in March of 2011. Best to buy a bottle of whisky and go dancing at the back of the place. Give some whisky to the disc jockey; he loves whisky and will play your favorite pieces.
  
  
• Discos are 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 dirty dancing from the locals who have been to New York, as the night wears on.
  
  
• There is a casino past the High Caribe night club in Sosua, fun for those who like a quiet casino. Local coins are used. THE BEST CASINO IN MARCH OF 2011 WAS IN PUERTO PLATA RIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AS YOU GO IN TO THE CITY FROM SOSUA. WE PLAYED ALL NIGHT FOR A FEW THOUSAND PESOS, BUT WERE REWARDED WITH GOOD FREE WINE AND FOOD. The casino downtown in Sosua is also a good bet. Do go and enjoy their free red and white wine.
  
  
• 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 called Isabella de Torres in Puerto Plata was open in March of 2011. 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 local boys who want to be your guide.

There are caves you can visit just on the edge of Cabarete. The admission is $15.00 US per person. So beware. You go down about 75 feet into 3 very small caves. Definitely a rip-off to be sure.

*NOW FOR THE BEST TRIP EVER, TAKE THE TOUR TO THE WATERFALLS OUTSIDE PUERTO PLATA ON THE WAY TO SANTIAGO. IT IS A MUST EXPERIENCE. IT IS NOT FOR CHILDREN.