New in Puerto Plata

[OttawaGuy2]

Hi

I will be 2 weeks in Puerto Plata looking to know a bit more this area and possibly to move there.

I like to meet local people and to practice my Spanish. I will stay in a hotel in Playa Dorada.


Can you please suggest me nice places where I can go during the day/evening? Can be bar/restaurant/clubs or any other places nice to visit and make friends?

Which areas/ clubs should I avoid and what should I pay attention? I will apply common sense - don't show jewellery/watch/phone, etc.


Do I need to hire a guide?



I speak English, French and I’m currently learning Spanish.



I would like to discover new places, to learn about the Dominican culture and to especially to meet new people and learn Dominican expressions.



I understand that I can use Uber or taxi.



I also intend to travel to Sosua and Cabarete at least one or two days.

Thank you

 

[keepcoming]

Welcome!!!

 

[JD Jones]

Too far away for me, but lots of our members are residents in the area. Welcome!

 

[OttawaGuy2]

What are the best restaurants in town (local or international food) and the best clubs?

Thank you

 

[josh2203]

What are the best restaurants in town (local or international food) and the best clubs?

Thank you

I can't help you much with this question, but other than, that, I've lived in POP for years, my wife practically her whole life (born in the capital), we're currently abroad but if I can be of any help, happy to...

For taxi, I would consider the local Tecni Taxi, has been reliable for all my time there... For areas to avoid, anything behind the cruise ship port and the immediate are to west of that... The area in front (the other side of the street) of Supermercado Jumbo... Those I would classify as barrios where entering is not a very good idea... My wife once sold a bunch of clothing to a person in the barrio close to Jumbo, we took the stuff there with car and even she was afraid of getting out of the car...

If you like walking, I would not use any guide, everything is close once you get into the city... Please note that as you stay in Playa Dorada, there will be a bunch of white (I think) tourist taxis that are "very helpful" in trying to take you to the city and charge way too much for that. If possible, I would call the Tecni Taxi central (or ask someone to call), they are reliable and charge as they should. The central will always be able to tell you the exact fare... If the driver says something else, refuse payment and tell them to call central... They might not be able to enter your hotel though, but the road inside of the Playa Dorada complex is fine to walk, so you can get to your taxi there... Playa Dorada is a rather old but a very nice complex...

 

[monfongo]

The area around Jumbo is hardly a dangerous barreo.

 

[josh2203]

The area around Jumbo is hardly a dangerous barreo.

Please read carefully, I did not say around, I said in front, on the other side of the street. Between the main road and the ocean. Around, more or less, you have Torre Alta, definitely not a bad area...

 

[Gadfly]

Barrio padre granero, typical DR barrio not so bad

 

[Gadfly]

torre alta rich folk there robbers know that

 

[frankly]

In Puerto Plata I always use Taxi "VIP". Very reliable, never had a discussion about the price. Playa Dorada to Puerto Plata or back is 300 Pesos I think, maybe you have to walk a bit away from your hotel because the taxi drivers there might get angry seeing a much cheaper taxi. Within the town VIP costs 200 Pesos. With Uber here I had a bad experience but maybe that was only me.

In the so called casetas along the Malecon sometimes you can meet expats, I don´t know if there is one frequented especially by Canadians.
At the "Parque Central" in the center of town there is a very nice bar/cafeteria/icecream shop called "Mariposa". There you also can meet expats and Dominicans.

In the daytime in my opinion you can walk around everywhere without problems. At night I take taxi or motortaxi.

 

[Gadfly]

Ignore the barrios and tore alta. Boring.

Post #10 I agree. Option to taxi/uber is a gua gua, catch them on main road in front of PD, take the F or B bus (not the C) to parque central for 30 pesos and the full experience if you feel adventurous or thrifty.

Start at parque central in centro de ciudad. Explore that area on foot, much to see/eat/drink/shop in that area. No guide needed unless you want to pay the guy. They are there hustling for customers.

Then walk north to ocean, stroll the malecon, nice ocean walk, east 15 minutes to La Sirena, leave the malecon there. Or walk malecon west first to see other sights before eastward stroll. Head south towards LS, go up, pass it by or stop in, 1 or 2 blocks to Beller street it has drink joints, nite clubs.

Then drive/ride gua gua moto or taxi; go west on Luis Ginebra street it has clubs and restaurants. It starts just above/adjacent to LS, before Beller street

 

[OttawaGuy2]

wow...good information!

Thank you sooooo much! I will use your advice.

 

[NALs]

Please read carefully, I did not say around, I said in front, on the other side of the street. Between the main road and the ocean. Around, more or less, you have Torre Alta, definitely not a bad area...

No one has any business in that barrio (or in any barrio for that matter) and Torre Alta is a residential area. Though nice, there is nothing to see there. One time I was driving to the main road from Torre Alta from my uncle's house (very nice sea breeze up there, like natural air conditioning, I would sit on their patio and would be asleep in no time, lol) and guess what? Encountered a small "traffic jam" because a bunch of cows came out of some unbuilt plot to my right and decided some would sit on the street and others stare at me as if I was the one creating the problem. Good thing I had not to be sonewhere in a hurry!

I know PP since a long time ago, though. Still remenber when I was kid and there were several traffic circles on the main east-west road which now has dividers but back then there was a sparse line of cana palms in the center and the road itself was made of cement or concrete, not asphalt.

 

[cavok]

Except for Parque Central and the Malecón, I wouldn't walk anywhere in Puerto Plata - and only during the day. There are some restaurants along the Malecón and Avenida Luis Ginebra. Puerto Plata just isn't the type of city to go for a stroll.

 

[josh2203]

No one has any business in that barrio (or in any barrio for that matter) and Torre Alta is a residential area. Though nice, there is nothing to see there.

Thank you, yes, this was my point and advise. I only mentioned Torre Alta as the "surrounding" area of the supermarket was mentioned, clarifying the confusion. Not that there is anything to see there.

 

[Ecoman1949]

Go down to the Puerto Plata malecon on the weekends. Lots of locals, expats, tourists, snowbirds, etc., and Big Lee’s bar on the right hand side about half way down is a great place to hangout, drink, snack, and meet everyone. Walk out to the main Playa Dorada gate and jump aboard a gua gua, the small slow moving minivans, and head into POP. I give the driver $1 US. A lot cheaper than taking a taxi and a lot safer than using a motoconcho.

Walk the Playa Dorada beach slowly and listen for the accents. When you hear Canadian, Newfoundland, and Québécois accents, stop and have a chat. I’ve met loads of fellow Newfoundlander’s there and they like to party.

Drop into the bar at El Pueblito apartments on the upper end of Playa Dorada beach heading towards Puerto Plata. Lots of Canadian snowbirds and tourists hang out there.

Take the gua gua to Costambar, a small gated community on the outskirts of Puerto Plata. Nice beach, a few good bars and cafes, lots of US, Canadian, UK, EU snowbirds and expats. Great place to rent an apartment near the beach at a reasonable price. Not crowded like Playa Dorada.

Don’t get bitten by the real estate bug. Rent in a few areas, then decide if you want to buy. I’ve spent many winters beating the North Coast roads and love the climate, people, and culture. Just be aware that you’re a gringo and some will try to take advantage of you. Take the usual precautions, don’t flash money, don’t wear expensive watches, jewelry. Don’t buy anything from street vendors that could be laced with toxic or dangerous chemicals.

Good luck and safe travels.

 

[monfongo]

I have friends that live in that barrio, i used to own a house behind the stadium. You people have to get out more.

 

[XQT]

Except for Parque Central and the Malecón, I wouldn't walk anywhere in Puerto Plata - and only during the day. There are some restaurants along the Malecón and Avenida Luis Ginebra. Puerto Plata just isn't the type of city to go for a stroll.

If you take it this way, most of the DR isn't the type of place for a stroll.
Dilapidated sidewalks, neighbourhoods, chaotic traffic.

I drove to P.P. 6:30 this morning avoiding motors without lights and the almost invisible people and objects.
Unless one lives in an exclusive area and never leaves, that's what one has to deal with living here.
In addition many uneducated and rude people one is forced to do business with, as they can't be avoided.
Any clerk at Eden Norte, Coraplata, Hospital feels important and empowered, yes there are the exceptions.

The cows are still roaming free, popping up wherever.
Those that live on the North Coast have to conduct business in the capital P.P.
Cabarete, Sosua, Montellano are not the hub.
Not to say that Santiago or Santo Domingo are a great pleasure to conduct business in or move around.
Yes there are exceptions and some exclusive pockets, but those are not the majority of the regular DR.

Yet the area between Jumbo and Malecon is a normal DR neighbourhood with hospitals and businesses.
I never feel unsafe or threatened, including when driving or walking with the family.

The DR is a poor developing country, with poorly educated people and will remain so for our lifetimes.
Some have visions of a free and uncomplicated tropical paradise.
Those visions will be tempered after living here for a while.
You can either take it full-time, part-time or just for a vacation.

 

[USA DOC]

Wecome...to find new friends, I would reccomend the Malecon.

 

[daisypolanco]

Puerto Plata

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