Why Honeymoon in Puerto Plata and the North Coast
Variety is the case for the north coast. In one week you can ride a cable car into cloud forest, jump and slide down a canyon of waterfalls, learn to kitesurf and spend a lazy afternoon on a beach with hardly anyone on it. The mountains of the Cordillera Septentrional are only minutes from the sand.
The coast also has more local life than the big resort zones. Puerto Plata is a working city with a malecón, markets and historic streets. Cabarete has a young, international crowd of surfers and kiters with beach bars and cafés to match. Sosúa has an unusual history as a settlement for Jewish refugees who arrived in 1940, a story told in a small museum.
Prices are often lower than in Punta Cana. The boutique and independent hotels give the region a less packaged feel.
When to Go
February through June is usually the best stretch. Days are sunny and warm with highs in the low to mid 80s°F. Showers are short.
Wind is steadiest in summer, especially June through August, which is prime kitesurfing season in Cabarete. Winter, from December into March, brings bigger Atlantic swells that surfers love at Encuentro beach.
The north coast gets more rain than the south, with the wettest weather typically from November through January, when Atlantic fronts can bring gray, showery spells. Hurricane season runs June through November and peaks from August to October.
If you want beach time with calm water, the months from April to June are usually the most reliable. Whale watching in Samaná is a long but possible day trip from here in winter, though it is easier to spend a night there.
Where to Stay
Playa Dorada, just east of Puerto Plata city, is a planned resort area with all-inclusive hotels around a golf course. A few smaller boutique hotels nearby offer a quieter, more adult feel than the big resorts.
Cabarete suits couples who want energy and activity. Small beachfront hotels and condos line the bay, with restaurants and bars a short walk away. Stay at the eastern end for more calm.
Sosúa has a mix of small hotels and resorts around a sheltered bay that is good for snorkeling.
For a splurge, look east to Playa Grande near Río San Juan. Amanera, an Aman resort, sits on the cliffs above the beach with casitas facing the sea and access to the Playa Grande golf course. The setting is spectacular and private. The price reflects it.
Romantic Things to Do
Ride the cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres. The cars climb about 2,500 feet in roughly eight minutes to a botanical garden and a large statue of Christ, with views down to the city and coast on a clear morning.
Visit the 27 Charcos of Damajagua, a river canyon south of Puerto Plata where guides lead you up and then down a series of waterfalls, sliding and jumping into pools. Helmets and life jackets are supplied. You can choose how many falls to tackle.
Take a kitesurfing or surfing lesson in Cabarete, or just watch the kites from a beach bar.
Spend a day at Playa Grande or neighboring Playa Preciosa. Nearby, take a boat through the mangroves of Laguna Gri-Gri in Río San Juan.
In Puerto Plata, walk the Victorian streets, see Fort San Felipe on the waterfront and visit the Amber Museum.
Getting There and Around
Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP) sits about 15 km east of Puerto Plata, between the city and Sosúa. It has nonstop flights from New York, Newark and Miami, with seasonal service from other cities. Santiago's Cibao International Airport, about an hour inland, has more nonstops from New York, Boston and Florida. Check current routes before booking.
Taxis from the airport take about 20 minutes to Cabarete or Playa Dorada and around an hour to Playa Grande. Prebooking a transfer saves haggling.
The coastal highway connects all the towns. Guaguas, the local shared vans, run frequently along it and are cheap. Renting a car gives you freedom for day trips, but avoid driving at night and watch for motorbikes, which weave through traffic constantly.
Food and Drink
Cabarete has the liveliest food scene on the coast. At night, restaurants set tables right on the sand along the bay, lit by candles and lanterns. Menus range from fresh seafood to Italian, Asian and grills.
In Puerto Plata, look for local spots serving la bandera, the classic plate of rice, red beans, stewed meat and salad. Fresh fish is served along the malecón. The Brugal rum company has a facility in town that offers visits and tastings.
Sosúa has many casual restaurants and bars around its bay and main street. In smaller fishing villages, beach shacks fry fish and lobster to order, served with tostones and lime.
Order a cold Presidente, try a sip of mamajuana and sample the local chocolate and coffee, both grown in the nearby Cibao region. Fresh coconut water from beach vendors is a cheap pick-me-up after a day on the water.
Honeymoon Tips
Book the 27 Charcos with a licensed guide through the official visitor center or a reputable operator. Wear shoes that can get wet and leave valuables at the hotel.
Ride the cable car early in the day. Clouds often cover the summit by midday, which hides the view.
Atlantic beaches can have strong currents and waves, especially in winter. Swim where locals do, check for flags and be cautious at Playa Grande and Encuentro.
Agree on taxi fares before getting in. Prefer licensed taxis or hotel cars to motoconchos.
Carry cash in pesos for small restaurants, guaguas and beach vendors. Cabarete's nightlife can be loud on weekends, so choose a room away from the bars if you value sleep. Pair this coast with a few nights in Samaná or Punta Cana for a varied two stop trip.
