west of Puerto Plata, Cofresi's first claim to fame dates back to 1962, when Dominican entrepreneurs created El Sombrero Restaurant on the shore of an North Coast cove, providing the largest saltwater pool in the Caribbean at the time. Dominicans from all over the country arrived there to dance, eat and swim in the giant pool, or just to take in the wonderful views. This burst of domestic tourism prompted the North Coast's initial promotion as a tourist destination.