Impressions of Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata(Silver Port) used to be a hush-hush paradise where Steven Speilberg shot his famous movie “Jurassic Park” because of its unspoiled scenery.It is the largest city on the north coat of the Dominican Republic founded by Christopher Culumbus’ brother, Bartholomew, in 1496. It’s also the only place in the Caribbean where you can ride a cable car to the summit of the Isabel de Torre (Tower of Isabel) Mountain Station which is much like a shangrila of different flower garden pathways where you can see the whole city from above and the crystal azure Atlantic Ocean.

To keep a paradise a secret is difficult. Thus, Puerta Plata today is a booming city that offers everything from the best Amber stones to Ocean World Park- a real rainforest where there’s the largest dolphin lagoon in the planet. As a testament to its rich history there’s the last colonial structure- Fort San Felipe which is still standing. The story of this fort is interesting because it was built by the Spaniards as a defense against pirate attacks.

There is nothing as breathtaking as the Playa Dorada called “the gem” of the Dominican Republic’s northern resorts. Located a few miles from Puerto Plata, it is an “all inclusive” tourist complex “with everything”- the white sand beach, 5000 cottages and villas, casinos, an 180hole golf course, five modern discos and some 35 restaurants. Plus there’s a shopping plaza where real amber jewelry, local crafts, semi-precious stones, souvenirs and even designer products are displayed. If there is only ONE reason for you to visit Ouerta Plata, it must be the Playa Dorada where you can also go windsurfing , pedal boating, kayaking, banana boating, water skiing, and snorkeling. You can even go schedule your business trips and meetings here because there are convention and meeting facilities within vast tourist complex.

Puerto Plata is the world’s best amber market. In fact, Amber Museum, located near the central park in is one of the city’s main attractions. Amber is tree sap hardened over thousands (or millions ) of years. Most gem experts rate the quality semiprecious stones in the Dominican Republic as the best. This museum offers guided tours in Spanish and English.

Aside from Amber, this place also offers you the “Bo-Derek” hairstyle. No kidding. For a dollar or two, there are women who are called “braiders” who offer sunbathers at the beach the Bo-Derek braided style. Hot spas, mud and Jasmine baths, soothing aromatic massage is marvelous at the Occidental Allegro Playa Dorada.

Though not meant to be a tourist spot, but a favorite place that tourist explore is the resort town of Sosua. This town was founded by 600 Austrian and German Jews who founded this town in 1940. These refugees started making the finest milk and cheese known as the Producto Sosua brand. A single synagogue stands as a reminder of that dark phase in history.

A Puerto Plata vacation is comparatively cheaper than other vacation tours. It is affordable to any average American or Canadian. Be good to yourself and remember : “Vacation used to be a luxury, however, in today’s world, it has become a necessity.”