Puerto Plata  
Puerto Plata has a faded glory with Victorian gingerbread-like mansions from the late 1800's, located in the older part of the city and its many parks and cafes offering Dominican specialties. Many visit the city to see the historic fort, Fuerte de San Felipe. There is a 2 km boardwalk, or Malecón, lined with typical Dominican restaurants, where you can take a walk and enjoy views of the port and the Atlantic Ocean. Above the town sits Mount Isabel de Torres, accessible by a cable car which affords spectacular views of the city and coastline and the surrounding botanical gardens. If you are considering a home in the Dominican Republic this might be for you.
Sosúa    Sosua is located around 15 kilometers east of Puerto Plata on the northern coast of the island and, over the last few years, has developed into one of the most popular coastal resorts in the Dominican Republic. Sosúa is situated between the main coastal road (Puerto Plata to Samana) and the Atlantic Ocean. Sosúa remained a small sleepy village until the tourist trade and real estate buyers discovered it at the beginning of the 1980s. This was not surprising, as Sosúa has several excellent sandy beaches, including Playa de Sosúa, Playa Chiquito and La Playita. This small town is situated around a large bay and consists of two quarters: El Batey and Los Charamicos, which are linked together by Playa Sosúa. The area to the east of the beach, El Batey, focuses entirely on tourism and includes an attractive commercial centre with a large number of shops, restaurants, bars and terraces etc. The nightlife is fun and exciting, especially for such a relatively small town. The beach, Playa de Sosúa, has good water-sports facilities and consists of an unbroken line of small shops selling souvenirs, snacks, drinks etc. There is even a local hairdresser, who will cut and style your hair while you sit under the shade of a palm tree on the beach. The quarter known as Los Charamicos is poor in contrast to El Batey. It consists of narrow streets with run-down houses, small shops, lots of street vendors etc. This area will give you a good idea of the authentic Caribbean atmosphere. A centre of commerce, Sosúa has ease of living for most Expats looking for a centre with shops, banks, supermarkets, pharmacies and day-to-day necessities. Catering to its international residents, it offers Swiss bakeries, Italian trattorias and German sausage makers. It can also boast some of the finest soft white sand beaches on the north coast and is as friendly and welcoming as it can be. For families, some of the best schools are available close by. Cabarete Cabarete is a small Caribbean village nestled some 12 kilometers from Sosúa. The town, with its beachside bars, restaurants and hotels, appeals to all ages but comes to life in the evening as one of the 'hottest' destinations in the Caribbean. This is home to the kite and wind surfers, but offers scuba diving, quad and mountain biking or just sun worshipping on one of the best beaches on the north shore. Ideal for those looking for a beachside real estate investment that will rent with ease. Samana is a destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Green, green mountains, long beaches, solitude, lively little towns in between, turquoise waters. Samana is also a romantic destination, and several of its small hotels are perfect for honeymooners. Samana is also a good choice for experienced scuba divers. And the place to stay if whale-watching is high on your agenda. It is the place to sit on a porch or in the shade of a palm tree, sipping something cool and discover the rare feeling of being happy just being alive.
The exuberance of the area, the variety of natural attractions makes it the preferred choice of those seeking an active vacation. Oh, there is action if you want it. Horseback riding, swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing - all the activities that come with beautiful nature.
It is possible to spend your days, vegging out at the beach in front of the hotel, but Samana is truly for explorers. Samana has a distinct European flavor - The French were first, but now many Italians and Spaniards have opened up businesses to cater to tourists in the area.
Important to note, Samana is one tourist area in the DR where credit cards are not as readily accepted. It is best to bring cash, travel checks or use your ATM card at one of the banks in town. If you are considering a purchase of Dominican Republic Real Estate, we are here to help you in these locations and elsewhere.
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