2 weeks in Puerto Plata

The Victoria was recently renovated and is nice. IF you are willing, get out of the resort and explore the area. Get into Puerto Plata and see the fort, central park, the church, the Teleferico (cable car up the mountain) do some shopping, have lunch at a local restaurant.

Ocean world appeals to many, as does any of the jeep safaris. But my favourite is the catamaran trip with snorkelling in Sosua.

It really all depends what you like to do! Do some searches on here and read other people's experiences.

Hello ex-navy

In Puerto Plata I would suggest "La Ponderosa" lobster restaurant.
12 de Julio No. 156 (809) 586-1597

A very interesting place where to buy jewelry is "La Canoa" Beller No 18 (809) 586-1223. They have a large inventory, (they cut and fit stones on premises)
of Larimar, Black Coral and Amber (with and without insects), very interesting if you remember the movie "Jurasic Park". They also have, and probably will invite you to a glass, Mamajuana.
Just make sure that after they offer you the customary 20% discount, you negociate some more.

In Playa Dorada, we enjoyed very much "Al Fresco" a gourmet restaurant just across the street from Hemingways, but much, much better.

In Cofresi, about 5 miles west of Puerto Plata, we also enjoyed very much a couple of restaurants.
"Cofresi Bar & Grill" (809) 970-7366, just before you enter Ocean World. We have visited this restaurant about 8-9 times in our last 2 trips to the area.
The lobster is very good and the "mero" is sensational. The manager, Angel Martinez, will take care of you, just mention my name (The guy who introduced the "Grey Goose martini dirty" in the area.
In the same road and town you will also find "Teddy's BBQ" right on the beach. Great place for ribs and what I believe maybe the only one in the area serving authentic american rib eye aged meat. Fantastic young professional dominican bar tender/waiter. I can't remember his name, but you could not miss him by his height, shaved head and big smile.
While you are there, visit the new casino at Ocean World, maybe the upscale new restaurant "Poseidon" and the best show in the Island "Bravissimo"

For a more natural adventure, I'd like to suggest a trip to "Cayo Paraiso", a very small (300 x 100 feet) sand island in the middle of the ocean (8-10 miles from land) where you will experience some of the finest sand anywhere, great coral reefs for snorkling, you will be feeding exotic and colorful species of fish in a waist deep green water, while you sip a rum and coke or whatever.
Privately, this trip will cost you $130 USD (round trip from Puerto Plata) for the taxi, plus another $150 USD for a private speed boat, which holds up to 12 people. The price includes, while at the cayo, fruit snacks (pineapple, coco and bananas) and refreshments with some local rum. You are free to bring your own liquor. It also includes lunch, when you get back to land in Punta Rusia, in a very modest but nice dominican restaurant at the beach.
If you do this trip with a tour operator, it probably will cost you $70 to $80 USD per person, with a limited time at the cayo.

I just experienced all these places within our last 2 trips to the north coast and I recommend all of them, if possible.

In addition, and if you have time, also visit Cabarete and have lunch or dinner at "La Casa del Pescador" (809) 571-0760, great seafood combo (their special)

In sosua, we liked very much the hotel "Piergiorgio" their restaurant and the views.

enjoy your trip and let us know.

Victoria Resort

ex-navy said:

Hello all,

Has anyone stayed at the Victoria before???

Toronto

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Hi,
My husband and I had our honeymoon there. It is a nice resort, the food was pretty good and the rooms were clean. It is a nice romantic get away but if you are looking for more to do than eat, drink and have crazy amounts of sex you will have to wander off the resort to the common area. I have friends who go every year to the Victoria Resort and wouldn't go anywhere else which is why we went there(on their recommendation). Wouldn't do it again when I can go to a cheaper resort, more a la carte restaurants and all the entertainment you could possibly need all on the same location.

Hi ex-navy

I almost forgot:

In our last two trips we used the services of a taxi driver called "Capirolo", his real name is Miguel Diaz. He's based at Riu Hotels in Maimon.
Capirolo, his wife and entire family have become our friends.
He's very professional, punctual, respectful, good driver and knows the entire area very, very well.
I would strongly recommend that, as your first trip, always use the services of someone like him. My wife, our friends and myself, have enjoyed his service, loyalty and friendship.
His phone # (809) 256-4990
Just be honest with him, tell him about your budget expectations and he will try to acommodate.

Rafael: your driver cannot go into the Playa Dorada area to pick up guests. There is a taxi union there and it would cause him HUGE problems!

Also Ponderosa restaurant is overpriced. They pay taxi drivers and anyone else who will recommend them a 30% commission. This is tacked onto their menu prices!

There are other options with good food and decent prices.

The other suggestions are excellent. If you go to Canoa ask for Juan.

ex navy, in case you are rather poor i suggest "portofino" restaurant in POP, it's close to the malecon. not too expensive but very good.
also "armando" restaurant close to metro station, yummy.
look up some excursions provider in playa dorada, from 50 to 100 dollars you can have safaris, catamaran trips, waterfalls, caya paraiso etc.

if you visit malecon in the evening ask for chimigordo place, just off the malecon. cheap as chips and tasty!

The Victoria Resort

Hi Ex Navy,

My husband and I have been to The Victoria Resort 3 times and we are retuning Jan 16th for 3 weeks. The Resorts was renovated last year and we think it is A1. It is a small intimite place situated on a golf cours. You have to walk (7 min) to the beach. There is the option to ride on a golf cart. The beach has shade and a new beach bar. We have found the food to be just fine and we enjoy the specialty resturants. The staff are very nice and this is one of the reasons we go back every year. We have prior to 2004 tried 3 other resorts in the Playa Dorado complex but once we found the Victoria we stayed. It is quiet, few kids, there is an adult quiet pool and when we are there the clientel are mostly Canadians and Brits and over 30. We are in our 60's and just love the layed back pace of this place.

Maybe we will see you there. You can find us under the trees just infront of he beach bar every day from Jan16th to Feb 6th.

Ruth and Pete

Eat at Las Almendras on the Malecon... for breakfast, lunch or a fine dinner.

Hi Ex-Navy...

I have a small video online of some Puerto Plata highlights. You might want to check it out and if you see anyting you like just ask the good folks here as you are in good hands. The video was shot when our bike club visited there last June. We crossed over from La Vega to Jamao and from there went to Puerto Plata and then left through Imbert and Santiago.

In the video you will see the malec?n, the fort?n and small lighthouse, the telesf?rico and Ocean World. Hope you enjoy your visit to Puerto Plata a bunch...

:chinese: Motorcycler Videos - Puerto Plata

Motorcycler said:

:chinese: Motorcycler Videos - Puerto Plata

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Luis? Que pasa? Saludos desde Salsa y Bachata............

Saludos...que bueno verte aqui. I stopped in the other day at our other meeting place and saw it was being renovated. I hope all is well with everyone and that things are going well. My regards!