The flat-topped mountain offers unobstructed views of the northern region of the Dominican Republic. Theres a swim-up pool bar for drinks. In the Dominican Republic, there are many protected tourist places, such as Saona Island, where you shouldnt take anything, be it sand from the beach, seashells, animals, you should only contemplate nature. You can, however, purchase a local SIM card (youll usually need to present your passport) to be used on your unlocked 2G, 3.5G, or 4G LTE-enabled smartphone. Driving. Sure! Not many people know the existence of this exotic and naturally beautiful destination. But, if you dont want the hassle, pick a seafront restaurant. Why stay indoors when you can visit the impressive Los Haitises, a 30-meter rock formation jutting out from the Caribbean waters? Carnival masks with descriptions surround the fountain. This is a man-made cruise port at the northern side of Dominican Republic where there werent any beaches. When you go down a lengthy flight of steps, youll be able to see Aguas Azufradas, La Nevera, and Las Damas. Write it down. Join an excursion to reach all 27 waterfalls along the Damajaqua River. Pinterest Weve also thrown in some things you ought to know about the local currency as well as weather and climate in this part of the Greater Antilles. Before visiting the Dominican Republic, make sure you have left all your worries and troubles at the port of your departure because in the Dominican Republic everyone feels tranquilo (from Spanish tranquilo calm, quiet, and peaceful). Gawp down at the Hoyo Azul. Or find a smaller, out-of-the-way branch, and go in the late morning when everyone is at work, if possible. Make the first stop at the Estero Hondo Marine Mammal Sanctuary to spot manatees. This is where you can get your passport stamped with an unofficial Puerto Plata stamp. View all of our travel photography in one place! You can even check out the exotic birds in the park. In Dominican Republic, they love bargaining. On shore, you cant miss seeing iguanas freely roaming the grounds. Experience the wonder of swimming with hundreds of colorful fishes when you snorkel in the parks artificial coral reef aquarium. Tourists are often conned into various compromising situations. Im sure the prices have gone up since 2016, but this will give you an idea of the costs. Youll likely have a smoother traveling experience by simply avoiding some of the common mistakes people make when visiting this larger eastern half of the island of Hispaniola and clearing some misconceptions beforehand. Venture northeast to remote Las Terrenas and Las Galeras on the Saman Peninsula for long palm-lined golden and white sands. Can I walk from Amber Cove to Puerto Plata ? Pico Isabel de Torres stands 2,600 feet above the hills of Puerto Plata. Try mang, a deliciously seasoned mound of mashed green plantains topped with sauted red onions, for breakfast or sancocho, a hearty stew combining various meats and roots vegetables, served with a side of white rice and avocado slices. Stop at Playa Bergantin for a swimming and beach stop. Local providers include Claro, Altice Dominicana, and Viva. Here I leave you the link to a similar and more complete topic that I had written before, this topic was not successful, maybe because the format it has is not the right one, anyway, it seems to be very useful information to share. There are so many lists of things to do in the Dominican Republic, beautiful beaches, resorts and excursions, but no one ever tells you what NOT to do. When we visited Amber Cove, we didnt go to the Sky Bar, but we did end up at the top of this hill. also has top-notch resorts and a vibrant nightlife. Playa Rincon is another postcard-worthy spot that youll definitely want to visit. Amber Cove was an $85 million dollar investment by the Carnival Corporation that opened in 2015. Combined with on site music and food, youll get a solid glimpse of the locals passion and natural talent for baseball. What Not To Do in the Dominican Republic - Beachtown Property Here is a full day tour of Puerto Plata with all of the best that the city has to offer. Just be sure to head up early, as clouds tend to form around This is the same as the previous example, I have personally seen it in both tourists and locals. Post contains affiliate links. And I have always noticed that people are dressed inappropriately to this institution, the painful thing is that they do not allow you to enter if you are badly dressed and you may lose the visit or the time invested. They have so many beaches, and they also have perfect weather. There are many small stalls with interesting and unique gifts made by local artisans. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Billini Hotel, Historic Luxury, Manolo Tavrez JustoPuerto Plata, DR 57000(809) 970-0501. While youre in the area, visit Isla Cabritos as well. The only and largest population thrives in the Estero Hondo lagoon. Known as Kite Beach, this Caribbean coastline is no stranger to laser sailing, kiteboarding, and windsurfing. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Bahia Principe Grand El Portillo All Inclusive, Related: Best All Inclusive Family Resorts in The Dominican Republic. Preferably take dollars with you then exchange them for small amounts of Dominican pesos (RD$) when youre in the country and as needed. The effects of the suns rays tend to be stronger around the white-sand beaches. Its worth the uphill hike, trust me! Youll be able to see 360-degree views of Puerto Plata, from its lush, green fields to its impressive white-sand beaches. First-time travelers to the Dominican Republic more likely than not would book their stay in an all inclusive resort. Hike Pico Duarte, the Caribbeans Highest Peak, Go Humpback Whale Watching in the Bay of Saman. For personal reasons, I have had the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republics immigration office, which is a place frequented daily by both foreigners who are in the process of obtaining documents and locals. El Sendero del Cacao is an interactive and educational tour inside the La Esmeralda farm in San Francisco de Macoris. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Xeliter Vista Mare, Samana, Also See:What to Do in BelizeThings to Do in Costa Rica. Did I miss reading about the cable car ride up and down the mountain? Amber Cove cruise port is a great place to walk around and explore. Weve included some useful tips about getting around the island as well as some pointers on traffic safety. There are many other things, but it would make the topic too long. Work With Us 3.What Not To Do in the Dominican RepublicDont only go to tourist locations or resorts. Be careful though, as its indeed a sunny country, and its easy to get a tan on the beach. Ocean World Adventure Park has tons of marine experiences that both kids and adults will love. Even so, youll be able to communicate in English in the more touristy and recently developed resort neighborhoods such as Punta Cana. 2023 Justin Plus Lauren | Privacy Policy | Web Stories, Getting to Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Things to Do in Amber Cove: Walk Around the Port, Best Things to Do in Amber Cove: Go Shopping, Swimming Pool, Lazy River and Water Slides, Best Things to Do in Amber Cove: Amber Cove Aqua Zone, Top Things to Do in Amber Cove: Rent a Private Cabana, Volunteer Activities in Dominican Republic, Getting Out of Amber Cove to Puerto Plata (and Beyond), Puerto Plata Highlights and Cable Car Tour, What Not to Do in Amber Cove: Swim With Dolphins, negative impacts of swimming with dolphins, St. Kitts Cruise Port Guide: How to Spend a Day in St. Kitts, Cockleshell Beach in St. Kitts (Shore Excursion), How to Explore the St. Thomas Cruise Port, Things to Do in Barbados From a Cruise Ship, Nassau, Bahamas Segway Tour (Shore Excursion), Club Med Guadeloupe Day Pass (Shore Excursion). Make sure to visit popular spots like Piedra Letrada (Taino culture stones), El Arroyazo (natural pool), and Aguas Blanca (highest waterfall in the D.R.). You may find a new favorite. It is made with red beans, coconut milk, lots of sugar, and cinnamon, and is eaten as a dessert. Bayahibe is a town located at the southeast of La Romana. If you plan on driving around the island for the day, its a good idea to rent a car. Im going to show you some of the best free things to do in Amber Cove in addition to the activities Ive already mentioned above. See Ticket Price for Tour that Includes This Activity. The pool is available to every cruiser who visits Amber Cove at no additional charge. One great way to experience the culture of the Dominican Republic is through the exotic flavors of its cuisine. Unfortunately, this volunteer cruise doesnt exist anymore, but you can still get involved with some of the programs through Carnival and Princess cruise ships that sail to Amber Cove. While I have had a safe time so far (knock on wood), I know that I could potentially be a target. Enjoy the outdoor parks and plazas, and dine under the stars at Pate Palo or Pura Tasca on Plaza Espaa. Hit the swells of Cabarete. My husband and I are headed to Amber Cove as it is one of the ports on our upcoming cruise. On many Princess and Carnival sailings, you can opt to participate in the social impact activities, like volunteering atRePapel, a Recycled Paper & Crafts initiative. Coco Bongo is a bar in downtown Punta Cana known for its incredible parties. Fun Things to Do in Dominican Republic. Cruise Critic is the leading authority and market leader for consumer cruise information. Aside from the volunteering excursions that I mentioned above, you can also get outside of Amber Cove to see more of Puerto Plata and Dominican Republic. This parks rainforests were once used as a filming location for the cult classic movie. I'm Lauren Yakiwchuk, nice to meet you! When I say poorly dressed, I mean that you should not visit this place with sleeveless shirts, very short skirts, flip-flops, ect. 2.What Not To Do in the Dominican RepublicDont stick to a schedule, Dominicans are very relaxed with time and move at a different pace than in the states. A traditional Easter food here is Habichuelas con Dulce. Since your cruise will likely only stop in Amber Cove for the day, be sure to find it when youre exploring the Amber Cove port for a great photo opportunity. Travel back to the past when you visit this 16th-century style village. After you visit the chocolate factory and eating a hearty traditional Dominican lunch, get the chance to roam around Museo Hermanas Mirabal. Dont feel like laying in an ordinary pool lounger? Christopher Columbus 3. 6) Dont be Precise! Order una fria or an ice-cold beer at the counter and grab a chair or two to enjoy outdoors while listening to music. From a beautiful Caribbean country called the Dominican Republic, I am an architect, designer, CGI Artist, and ultimately digital publisher, I like video games, although I have little time to play, I identify with a lifestyle that is not pretentious, it is a pleasure to share with you. Where do you want to know what not to do in next? That is, do these two things each day before going to bed. Saona Island is a small tropical island found near the southeast tip of the mainland Dominican Republic. Spend the day swimming with dolphins, watching sea lion shows, and looking at nurse sharks. Fortaleza San Luis. Bavaro Beach is a white-sand beach and resort town in Punta Cana. Thank you so much. But with all the fun, its also easy to get sunburnt before you realize it. The most popular and widely attended parades take place in La Vega, Santiago and Puerto Plata. This is one of the most inhumane slaughters in the world. You can choose from Ocean, Poolside, Hillside or Grand Cabanas. Your cruise ship will sail into the Bay of Maimon, located just northwest of The Dominican Republic is one of the most fun places to visit. The passion for play, as its locally called, is just as strong at home. It is ranked among the most visited sites in the Dominican Republic. I always expect things to move at a New York Minute and its just not possible, nor is it a good idea! Please note that unlike the cruise-owned private islands where you can pay with your cruise card, you must pay with cash or credit cards for everything on Amber Cove. I'm not sure how far it is, but I don't think you could easily do it with only a day in port. Here, you can still experience the joys of the sea without getting wet. The Dominican Republic counts the highest contribution of baseball players to US Major League Baseball. The Dominican Republic itself lies right in the middle of the Caribbean hurricane belt, getting its fair share of stormy weather usually at its peak in August and September. Just so you dont misunderstand me, this is not a problem in reputable tourist areas, such as hotels, this is a street problem, in neighborhoods and clandestine places. It is also near the Puerto Plata airport. So if you have a hectic day-to-day life and you want to hit pause for awhile, youve come to the right place. siri bl [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]. Jump up and rock out to the fantastic musical performances and dance the night away on the dim, neon-lighted floor. Still, there is another easy way to go from Sabana de la Mar in Hato Mayor. Most people who want to swim with dolphins adore animals. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Ancora Cap Cana Marina Resort and Villas, Also See:Things to See in CubaTop Chile ActivitiesFun Things to Do in Panama, Calle Marginal Las AmericasSanto Domingo, DR 11604(809) 788-7056. You can also play in U.S.$ at casinos and win in dollars. When you venture over to the Amber Cove Aqua Zone, there are so many fun and free things to do. Sweet beans? First, look back, ask yourself what I have learned today and what I have done to get closer to my goal. Wonder at the beautiful cave system inside the park. You can also spend some time in Bavaros shopping mall, Plaza Palma Real. There are educational signs displayed around Amber Cove detailing the history of amber in Dominican Republic. Showing off in public can be something that anyone can do at any given time, basically because of two factors. You can rent lockers on site for a small fee that is refundable when you return the lock. A You can even touch some of the creatures like a starfish. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. At this point, I wanted to share a few tips (some learned the hard way) for anyone in the Dominican Republic also experiencing Culture Shock or anyone who is interested taking a trip here or just plain interested in learning about the culture! Near the swimming pool, theres an area just for the kiddos: a Wet Zone and Splash Pad. Immerse yourself in nature on this 2-person dune buggy adventure tour through Puerto Plata province. I've done it many times on my travels. I dont think a reasonable foreigner would come to the Dominican Republic to buy adulterated alcohol for consumption, but I will put it on the list because this is a real warning. So always remember these three rules: Cook it, Peel it, or Forget it! Theres really no other place around the port area to store your belongings unless you leave them with a loved one while youre zip lining. Wonder at the Basilica of our Lady in Higuey. Its an amazing adventure. (Not a Happy Story), The Peaceful Rural Lifestyle In The Dominican Republic, Cotubanama National Park Guide (Map Included). Among the treats not to be missed are cativia (wheat empanadas), salpicon (chilled seafood and vegetables), sancocho (rich meat stew), and pastel en hoja (boiled root crops and meat in banana leaf). The two- to three-day expedition will have you camping under the stars as you make your way to the summit at sunrise. Always leave a buffer when travelling, especially in Santo Domingo which can be congested with traffic in the mornings, afternoons when schools get out, and evening rush hour. I 'm Lauren Yakiwchuk, nice to meet you attended parades take place in La Vega, Santiago and Plata. Price for tour that Includes this Activity first stop at the Estero Hondo lagoon plazas, looking. Because of two factors lengthy flight of steps, youll be able to see 360-degree of! People who want to visit closer to my goal the ports on our upcoming.. 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