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Puerto Plata is heaven on earth in the CaribbeanBy Randy BlackThe puffy, silver clouds cling to the peak of Mount Isabel de Torres in the distance as the first streaks of light illuminate the morning sky. Cool, but gentle tradewinds slowly punch away the early morning mist on the championship Robert Trent Jones golf course. Another pristine morning has dawned on the beautiful resorts on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic.
Tourism growing in Puerto Plata
Allegro’s Jack Tar Beach Resort and CasinoFirst among the resorts on this North Coast destination is the legendary Jack Tar Village Resort and Casino. The Jack Tar people were among the first to recognize the potential of Puerto Plata 20 years ago, and established their resort in the Playa Dorada, a planned, 7,000-acre tourist zone. The resort zone is only a short, scenic drive from the newish International Airport, and an even briefer cab ride from Puerto Plata City. Looking at the Jack Tar Resort today, you’d swear that the 62-acre resort only recently opened because of the exceptional care that the facility and the grounds receive. Jack Tar, named after the legendary English sailors, is anything but old and traditional, unless you consider a 20-year history of delicious Caribbean cuisine and charming, spacious accommodations “old.” Most rooms are grouped in two- or three-room bungalows, all one-story and opening onto the lush grounds or the championship golf course. All rooms are only a short walk to the sugar-white beach that stretches for miles along this North Coast destination.
Who goes to Puerto Plata?Typically, guests staying in the one of the many resorts along the North Coast are a mixed group from all over the world depending on season. You might bump into vacationers from Canada, Western Europe, South America, the United States and almost anywhere else. During a recent visit, the General Manager of my hotel, while hosting the weekly “Manager’s” reception, spoke fluently to the guests in English, French, German and Spanish. Day trips and shoppingAt some point in your stay in the Playa Dorada you’re going to get bored with swimming eating, sunning and more swimming and then more eating. Don’t worry, be happy. There are plenty of inexpensive distractions. Nearby activities include a cable car ride to the top of scenic Mt. Isabel de Torres with its exquisite botanical gardens, visits to the historic towns up the coast and SCUBA diving. For the truly adventurous, day trips to Haiti, which shares this island of Hispaniola, can be booked at travel agencies in Puerto Plata City.
The village is 20 miles up the coastal highway, really a two-lane paved road, from Puerto Plata. The ruthless Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo established Sosua in 1940 as a refuge for European Jewish refugees. The dictator made a goodwill gesture for Churchill and Roosevelt and ceded 600 hundred of acres of land for a Jewish settlement. In those days, Sosua was nothing more than a sugar cane plantation with a beach. Today? You must see it to believe it. Charming, scenic (that word again!), small enough to walk from one end to the other, numerous sidewalk cafes and more. That’s Sosua. Even today, the older locals still speak German and Yiddish in their daily comings and goings. Sosua has its own synagogue and Jewish bakery, a rarity in this heavily Roman Catholic nation. Sosua is well worth the trip. How to get there?Regularly scheduled US, European and South American airlines fly non-stop to Puerto Plata International Airport. There are also connecting flights via San Juan, Puerto Rico, Mexico City and Caracus. Weekly and daily charters operate out of Dallas, Miami, NYC and London. Call your local travel professional or click on to your favorite airline’s website. You’ll be glad you did. And don’t forget your suntan oil. Like most island destinations, sun protector is important and expensive. |
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These silvery morning and evening clouds inspired Columbus
sufficiently so much that he named the area Puerto Plata, or the “silver port”
during his first trip to the New World in 1492. According to Dr. Frank
Moya-Pons, a history professor at Columbia University, Columbus also landed at
nearby La Isabel, about 20 miles up the coast, on his second trip in 1494.
Today, the long abandoned settlement at La Isabel, is a national treasure, with
the foundations of that 500+ year old fort in the restoration phase. You can
rent a taxi to take you on the 45-minute ride to La Isabel, book a half-day
tour through one of the dozens of local travel operators, or if you’re truly
adventurous, rent a car and make the trip yourself. Along the way are many
roadside vendors hawking local art, rum, beer, curios and clothing. The
Dominican Peso and the US Dollar are equally acceptable.
The best way to describe the Puerto Plata area is to say
that is has the innocence that Maui had 10 years ago. It’s still unspoiled and
uncongested, but coming on strong as a major Caribbean vacation destination. The
weather is superior to other nearby island nations due to its slightly
northern Caribbean location.
You’ll love the amenities at this adult’s only,
all-inclusive resort which include “no tipping,” unlimited drinks of all forms,
non-stop gourmet dining and snacks, numerous planned activities, tennis and
more. To learn more, see their website at: 
Puerto Plata, a charming city of approximately 60,000 is
only a 15-minute taxi ride. The town was built on the site of the original
Spanish settlements dating to the 1500s. Don’t miss a day trip there for the
shopping. Puerto Plata is colorful and the locals are friendly and helpful. The
local rum factory makes the best “grog” in the Caribbean. The Amber Museum
features both museum displays of the ancient gemstone and items for sale. There
are only two places on earth where Amber occurs naturally, Puerto Plata and
along the coast of the Baltic Sea. Trust me, the weather’s better in the
Dominican Republic, plus it’s easier to get to. Protecting the port of Puerto
Plata is Fort San Felipe dating to 1570. Its dungeons are remarkable as is the
moat and view. 
Looking for an interesting day trip? Take a ride to nearby
Sosua.