PUERTO PLATA
Area: Dominican Republic
Country: Dominican Republic


Location:
On the Atlantic N coast, 4 miles W of Playa Dorada. 14 miles NW Puerto Plata airport by a reasonably good, fairly straight road.

Telephone code from UK:
1 809

Position:
Nestles at the foot of Torre Isabella, a verdant peak of 2,620 ft, on land which slopes gently down to the shore.

Description:
The country's third largest city, it is more of a working town than a resort, with the nearby purpose-built Playa Dorada providing the bulk of tourist accommodation and the best beaches. Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, it became a major port and trading centre for the Spanish colonies for a short period until richer lands were discovered. With the exception of the port and the 16th-century stone fort of San Felipe (the oldest European fort in the New World) little remains of this period due to a fire in the 19th century. Quaint gingerbread Caribbean-style houses sprang up, with brightly painted boarding and wide shady verandas. Few original examples survive, but the legacy lives on in many of the older houses in the bustling centre and along the seafront boulevard (Malecon). The W end is now occupied by several industrial installations, while the centre is a bustling morass of narrow streets and traffic _ although there is an attractive square with an old-style bandstand.

Suitability:
A working town popular as a local excursion destination for those seeking local history, shopping and the opportunity to ride up to the summit of Torre Isabella Mountain.

Accommodation:
Predominantly small budget pensions in town, augmented by a couple of well-equipped resort complexes at the E extremity, a long hot walk from the centre. Many properties said to be in Puerto Plata are actually situated 4 miles away inside the secure confines of Playa Dorada.

Shopping:
A full range of outlets for all kinds of basics and necessities, but few well-stocked gift or souvenir shops other than around the fort or at one or two museums. Local handicrafts include wood carvings, ceramics, amber jewellery and cigars.

Beach:
Playa Long (Long Beach), at the E end of the resort, is a small, fairly unappealing curving bay of sand with less than crystal-clear waters not far from the two main hotels. Much better at Playa Dorada 4 miles E.

Entertainments:
Daytime: Amber museum and Taino (native arts) museum; several rum distilleries. Nightlife: the clubs and discos are mainly out of town and cater for local rather than tourist crowds. The two main hotels have their own entertainment programmes, often with live shows, while Playa Dorada offers the biggest selection.

Eating:
Many intriguing possibilities in the little bars and eateries. Some good, specialised restaurants near the hotels. Don't drink the tap water (brush your teeth with bottled water). It's advisable to avoid salads or cold meats that are displayed without the benefit of chilling devices.

Public-transport:
A hub for the guagua, or public minibus, which covers all locations within a 20-mile radius or so. Also a station for Metro bus, an efficient longer distance operator. Car hire is available from international firms, but town-centre driving is frantic, local driving skills often appalling and the few main roads invariably potholed and bereft of signposts.

Local-excursions:
Cable car ascent to the summit of Torre Isabella with its colossal statue of Christ. Town tour including museums, rum factory and San Felipe fort. Keen archaeologists might consider a rough 2-hour jeep journey to La Isabelle, site of Columbus's first town in the Americas, though not much to see now. Highland towns of Jarabacoa and Constanza (long day). E along the coast to Laguna Gri-Gri, unspoiled Playa Grande Beach. Samana peninsula (overnight stop); jeep safari tours to countryside and isolated beaches.