Beaches Dominican Republic

Beach at Sosua Dominican Republic

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 Dominican Republic

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.

In Sosua, Looking to Puerto Plata DR

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! North DR Coast 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.

Popular Dominican Resort Area 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 DR water sports  include Windsurfing

Surfing is another big draw here, with the best waves are just west of the beach shown here.

Cabarete 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 East Of Sosua, Puerto Plata Dominican

This view is looking back towards Sosua, some 11 kilometres (7 miles) to the west.

There are some B&Bs (bed and breakfast) 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.

I have more photos of the changes at Sosua: will post as soon as I can :-)

MORE: See left menu for complete list of Dominican photos, information:

• Dominican Republic Information
• Dominican Resort areas
• Santo Cerro Church and Pottery
• Day trips to Waterfalls near Santiago
• Packing for holidays in Dominican
• Sosua Domincan travel story