Beaches ~ Cabarete & Sosua Dominican Republic
Windsurfing, Festivals, Carnival, Day trips and more
The Beaches at Sosua are 25 km (15.5 miles) east of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, and it was here that I stayed. From Sosua, I took a taxi one day, about 11 km (7 miles) further east to the beach at Cabarete, and a day trip that took in the cigar factory at Santiago and the waterfalls near Jarabaco, then historic Santo Cerro. I also hired a van and driver and went to Cap-Haitien, in Haiti. Going to the Dominican? This northern part of the DR is home to several popular festivals, including Carnival, usually in February, in many cities. Sosua marks Holy Week (Semana Santa) -- the week between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday; Puerto Plata had a cultural festival in June; Cabarete hosts February's sports activities and national windsurfing championships, and in June, they host one of the top windsurfing events in the world. See my Sosua Dominican travel story.
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 Beach at Sosua
Sosua's great charm lies in its lovely beaches and warm waters. This area is a great favourite of package tour groups, as are many of these north coast resorts. This area appeals to families rather than the party set. The town itself -- about a half-hour's drive east of Puerto Plata, and about 45 minutes from the airport -- has little nightlife outside the resorts, and the streets can be a little rough. Probably a good idea to content yourself with the safer alternative of the evening entertainment offered at your resort. |
 On Sosua beach
This photo was taken on the beach at Casa Marina, Sosua. From here, you are facing west. Puerto Plata is across the bay. When the tide comes in, the waters in this little cove are fairly choppy. There's a seafood restaurant just around the headland, and past that is the town's main public beach, with several market stalls for souvenir shopping. (Access both from the road in front of the hotel area.) Some visitors bring with them large suitcases filled with school supplies and sports equipment that they donate to Sosua schools. (You'll recall the Dominican Republic has exported some great ball players.) Hotel staff can assist you should you choose to do likewise. |
 Looking at Puerto Plata
From the beach in Sosua, you can see to Puerto Plata, which may well be worth a visit to look around the city, and see the Amber Museum and the Taino Art Museum. (The Tainos are the island's indigenous people.) In Puerto Plata, you can take a cable car to the top of 850-metre (2800-foot) Pico Isabel de Torres, or shop at the large market (closed Sundays). Look for Dominican and Haitian paintings and carvings, and the blue amber that's unique to this area. |
 Sometimes, it pours rain
With clouds threatening rain, I headed out of the complex to have a look at the street leading down to the market at the main Sosua beach. With a clap of thunder and flash of light, the heavens opened, and I took shelter under a storefront awning. When it let up, I did some shopping for paintings and sculptures across the street. One of the shops sold Barbancourt rum, from Haiti. See the motorcycle? These are rampant in Sosua, their male drivers constantly cruising for paying passengers. Give them a miss. |
 Cabarete Beach
About a 20 minute cab ride east of Sosua lies the fabulous bay and windsurfing beach at Cabarete. The best winds occur from May to July, though they are good much of the year. Rent your gear at the beach. The town is all tourism -- T-shirt shops, sarong shops, fast food kiosks and the like. A much younger crowd here than in Sosua. Organized day trips start their pickups here around 6 a.m., then head into Sosua and the Playa Dorada resorts nearer Puerto Plata before crossing the fields of sugar cane and heading inland for the day. |
 Cabarete water sports
Surfing is another big draw here, with the best waves are just west of the beach shown here. This area hosts the national windsurfing championships each year at the end of February, and the Encuentro Classic windsurfing event the third week of June. |
 On Cabarete beach
This view is looking back towards Sosua, some 11 kilometres (7 miles) to the west. There are some BandBs here for those looking for a holiday away from the resorts. Playa Dorada is another popular resort complex just east from Puerto Plata. There are a number of properties located within its compound. |
 Casa Marina hotel resort Sosua
The grounds at the Casa Marina resort, looking out to the beach, and west to Puerto Plata. There are two pools in the courtyard. A standard package-tour hotel -- nothing special, nothing bad. A short walk off the resort takes you an internet cafe, then up to the main coast highway, where you can catch a bus or a shared cab into Puerto Plata. Pay the little bit extra to get the roomier front seat. You may also be interested in :
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Hi Mark,
Good question! I don't know that there is an easy answer, but here are some ideas to toss about. The Canadians I've talked to who are working in the area generally are employed by a tour company or hotel, etc. in Canada first, then get transferred to the DR for a work term there.
It would also depend on what type of work you are looking for -- cutting cane is hard, working for a dive company requires certification etc.
I did find some information about foreigners who want to work in the Dominican at this site http://dr1.com/living/work/2.shtml
Hope this helps!
Hello:
I am a Canadian citizen and I'm curious 'how easy (or difficult) it is for someone from another country to gain employment in the Puerto Plata region?
Thanks,
Mark Glover