"Dominican Republic-Puerto Plata " a Dominican Republic Travel Page by jodssmile

Friendly local people in Puerto Plata-relaxed and slow. But when they get on their roads-drive like crazy!
Love their mopeds/motorcycles (which are their taxi's). In DR the more people on a motorcycle, the better.
Found locals from Puerto Plata, Sosua, and northern coast are very friendly and happy.
The visitors we met (more well to do, not poor though) from Santo Domingo with "New York like" colder/rude attitudes.
Play in ocean, bargain in town for souvenirs, just watch the town go by, hang out at resort, boogie board, visit Amber Museum and Fort Felipe, or Isabella de Torres Mountain, Brugal rum factory.
Take a tour or venture out on your own, any knowledge of Spanish helps a ton!
Bring school supplies for the kids, drink a ton of rum ( or Presidentes), buy cigars.
Biggest thing-plan ahead and your trip will be awesome.
Stay away from the water.
Bring U.S. dollars, of course they take them. Travelor checks a pain in the neck, they don't give you the true exchange rate and if exchange-DO NOT do at your rip-off hotel rate with fee. Bring many one U.S. dollars bills for tips if stay at Inclusive Hotel. Tip your maid more, she doesn't get paid well, and she will appreciate it way more than anyone could!
Pack light, bring umbrella when you go out in evenings even when looks clear. Rain never lasts long.
Stayed at Sun Village in Puerto Plata. Beautiful resort but not much for nighttime entertainment. Ants will be in each room, but not that big of deal not to stay here.
Don't forget the sunblock, every crowd had many badly sunburned people that tried to tan without the sunblock-find sweatproof and waterproof. Used 45 and worked great!
Took 2 tours in 7 days there, just right amount. Took Outback Jungle Safari-major awesome. Then Prieto Tours-not cool.
Heard Domincian Joes good but less than Outback. Joes tour had more snorkeling. Expect to be bothered by peddlers, part of life here. Make less eye contact and say "no necesito" and they will leave. If they get pushy tell them you don't like what they are selling " no me gusta" and the pushier ones will go away.
Keep eye on money and passport in town.
Pack a pen for the airport arrival, or you will stand in line with the others waiting for the one pen the airport has to fill out the whole planes tourist cards.
Let the locals drive, it is crazy.Yes those 2 lanes are really four. No they don't care if they pass when car is coming head on.
Potholes are big.
May have to have exact US dollars departue tax on way out of country.Lush green beautiful country,locals happy, friendly.

Had a blast! It is a contagious place- (no not talking about the high HIV rate). Once you go here, you want to come back again and again......