Newcomer

Interested in why you chose Puerto Plata? I think you will have a difficult time finding what you want in Puerto Plata proper. Probably one of the resort towns, i.e. Cabarete, may offer more of what you are looking for. Night life in Puerto Plata is not for the faint of heart.

tomd63 said:

We am planning to stay in the puerto Plata area from October 1, 2011 until the week before Christmas. Not having any information or knowledge about the area I plan to visit the area April 10-17 this year to get a feel for the area. First where is the best/most reasonable place to stay during that time and what is the best area to rent a 2br unit for Oct-Dec. We are two seniors that presently spend 6 months each year in Puerto Rico and want to try anothe are. Naturaly cost is inportant to us and location. Some place within walking distance of shopping, beach and night life is important. Any assistance will be greatly apprediated. Thanks

Click to expand...

Tom, I sent you an email.

Try flying into Santiago airport instead of Puerto Plata. We can have a reliable taxi pick you up and get you to the north shore.

Definitely not Puerto Plata.

Try looking at Reviews of Hotels, Flights and Vacation Rentals - TripAdvisor

Yanandu

Depending on where you are located in the States: Jet Blue and Spirit have great prices for flying into STI. The big beef is that they get here in the wee morning hours.

I say: "So what? They are cheap flights and I can always sleep some other time!!"

If you do not have health issues that require top of the line medical care, you are well advised to think places like Cabrera, R?o San Juan, Nagua, even Las Galeras and Las Terrenas and other locations. Do not forget Montecristi and Luperon (an interesting crowd in Luperon) Even my sacred Punta Ruc?a has a lot to offer for a 3 month stay.

So you are very well advised to look around those few days you are here and explore all of the great possibilities..

IF you have health issues, then come and stay in Santiago and have the beach 1:15 to 1:30 away...but health care just 3-5 minutes away.

HB

I agree with Hillbilly. And also you may find Cabarete to your liking. It tends to attract a more diverse crowd,lots of restaurants and beach front places. BUT slightly more expensive then some other areas.

For your first trip, why stay in one place? Why not do a month in Cabarete, a month in Santiago and a month in Samana? Then next year you will know what you really like.

tomd63 said:

Not knowing anything about DR I chose Puerto Plata but now know it is not the place to start. I have made contact with people in other areas that are a bit better for what we need. I am however having difficulty finding any flights from San Juan (SJU) to Pureto Plata (POP) most go from SJU to JFK and then POP any suggestions on that delima. Thanks for all the responses

Click to expand...

American Airlines flies from San Juan to Puerto Plata. A new airline is supposed to start soon -- Turks and Caicos Air.

If their schedule fits you, may I suggest you take Metro bus instead of Caribe Tours? Better and cleaner buses, no loud music for hours playing on the speakers, less stops, safer drivers, just a dollar or two more expensive. I took this bus recently but can't remember the exact cost; it's around RD$350.

Metro leaves Santo Domingo to Sosua at: 7am, 11am and 4pm only though.

A cab from Santo Domingo (if you mean the airport SDQ not somewhere in town) is going to cost you between USD30-35. Travel time, between 30-45 minutes depending on the time of the day and traffic.

Make sure you bring a light sweater with you for your bus ride and try seating in the front rows. It gets awfully cold in the back rows.