The picturesque coast of the Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by the mountains of the Cordillera Central, is called by the locals “Costa del Ambar” (Costa del Ambar), which means “Amber Coast”. The region got its name because of the amber deposits discovered here. Throughout the Costa del Ambar are the most popular resorts in the country.
The center of the region is the city of San Felipe de Puerto Plata. (San Felipe de Puerto Plata), which is simply called Puerto Plata. Here is the oldest fort of the New World – Fort San Felipe, the Casa de la Culture Palace, where exhibitions of Dominican artists are held and concerts are given, the Church of San Felipe and mansions that were built back in the 19th century. The museums of the city are interesting: the Museum of the Taino Indians and the Museum of Amber. It is also worth visiting the Brugal rum factory (this is the largest company in the Dominican Republic that produces rum).
According to Thereligionfaqs, South of Puerto Plata rises Mount Loma Isabel de Torres (805 m), to the top of which there is a funicular. The mountain and its surroundings have been declared a natural reserve. At the top of the mountain there is a botanical garden with about 600 species of tropical plants, and there is a statue of Christ the Redeemer, which is a copy of the monument in Rio de Janeiro. From here you have a beautiful view of the city and the coast. There are good beaches in the villages of Costambar, Cofresi and Luperon located on the western outskirts of Puerto Plata. In Cofresi, in addition to the beach, it is worth visiting the Ocean Word water park (Ocean World water park). This vast park is considered one of the best on the planet. In the local pools you can swim with dolphins, sea lions, sharks, stingrays and even tigers (the tigers are on the other side of the glass wall separating the pool from their enclosure), snorkelling, and in the park you can also walk around the bird sanctuary, look at exotic animals and taste seafood dishes in restaurants. In the vicinity of Luperon , the archaeological park of La Isabela is interesting (La Isabela historical park), which was formed on the spot where the oldest settlement of Europeans in America, the village of La Isabela, was once located. The village was founded in 1493 by Christopher Columbus during his Second Expedition. Here you can see the ruins of the House of Columbus and the church where the first Christian Mass was held, the oldest cemetery in the New World, and visit the museum, which exhibits archaeological finds.
Even further west along the coast (135 km from Puerto Plata), near the border with Haiti, is the city of Monte Cristi. The coastline here is a range of white limestone cliffs that break off to narrow sandy beaches. Near the city on an area of 550 sq. km stretches Montecristi National Park (Montecristi national park). It covers coastal waters with coral reefs and islands and the delta of the longest river in the country – Yaque del Norte – with mangroves. The park is inhabited by 10 species of reptiles, including crocodiles and turtles, and about 160 species of birds (herons, pelicans, etc.). The hallmark of the park is the 237-meter El Morro mountain, towering above the sea. The islands of the park are also popular: the island of Isla Cabrita with a lighthouse and a beautiful beach, and 7 islands of Cayo Siete Hermanos surrounded by reefs, on the beaches of which turtles come from November to February to lay their eggs.
However, the most popular resort areas of the northern coast are located on the other side of Puerto Plata, near the eastern outskirts of the city. This is the Costa Dorada area with the resort of Playa Dorada (Playa Dorada); Sosua resort(Sosua), from where you can go on a trip on a boat with a transparent bottom, in winter – go on whale watching excursions (January-March) or get into the largest water park in the Caribbean, Columbus (Columbus) with a wide variety of water attractions; and the resort of Cabarete, one of the best places in the world for windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing. In the vicinity of Cabarete is the El Choco National Park. On the territory of the park there are underground caves, where ancient drawings and inscriptions of the Taino Indians have been preserved.
On the north coast, the fishing village of Rio San Juan is also worth a visit. In addition to sandy beaches, it is interesting here lagoon Gri-Gri (Gri-Gri lagoon), through the mangroves of which excursions are arranged on motor boats. Near the village of Cabrera is Playa Grande beach, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. From here you can go to two freshwater lakes Dudu and Blue (Dudu lagoon, Blue lagoon). The water in the lakes is very clean, tourists are invited to swim in the lakes and jump into the water from the bungee. These places are also known to golf lovers, because there is a beautiful golf course, most of which is located in close proximity to the ocean.
