Paradise Adventure in Puerto Plata
Introduction
Greetings, fellow wanderers! Join us as we recount the captivating tale of our Caribbean escapade in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. This travel blog isn’t just a recounting of our journey; it’s an invitation to discover the vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and unexpected adventures that this slice of paradise offers. Get ready for a trip filled with recommendations, candid reviews, and the unwavering spirit of adventure.
Day One: The Tropical Welcome
The end of July 2023, we embarked on a thrilling birthday adventure with a redeye flight from Phoenix. After a 6-hour layover in Miami (where we used our backpacks as pillows on the airport floor), we finally caught our connecting flight to Puerto Plata. Customs was a breeze, and we were eager to start our journey. Our smart decision to pre-book an airport transfer via Viator (check it out here) turned out to be a game-changer. They greeted us at the airport with a sign bearing our names and whisked us away in a comfy AC-equipped van to our resort.
Our temporary home was the Lifestyle Holiday Vacations, nestled in the Crown and Suite Residence section. After checking in around 4 pm, they informed us about the daily ritual of making dinner reservations between 9 and 11 am for each evening. They also handed us resort bracelets that determined our “package” privileges. Although we didn’t have access to the entire property, we still had a fantastic discounted rate for an all-inclusive 7-night stay for two (we love finding deals!). While the room showed its age, it exuded character and charm – the kind that immerses you in the local culture. With a cozy kitchenette, a king-sized bed, and a quaint living room, it felt like our personal oasis. The only downside was the concrete couch and the lack of a TV in the bedroom, but we improvised by setting up one of our laptops at the end of the bed. Just a heads-up, be prepared for an extra expense as the internet comes with a price tag. Unfortunately, we needed it to do some work.
Feeling the vacation vibe, we stopped at a pool bar for drinks on the way to dinner. We met a nice couple that introduced us to the shot of mamajuana, a local specialty. Read about it here: https://www.dominicancooking.com/mamajuana
At 6 pm, we had our dinner reservation at El Pilon, an Authentic Dominican Cuisine restaurant. While the entire meal was good, the black bean potage stole the show with its incredible seasoning. The Dominican Republic was not a food lover’s paradise, so good thing we were there for the adventure too, not just the cuisine. Later in the evening, we stumbled upon a schedule for nightly shows and decided to check one out. The theme for the night was “Decades,” where they showcased songs from various eras. The performance was entertaining and, conveniently, there was a bar in the vicinity – just what we needed for our first all-inclusive resort experience.
As the night rolled on, we decided to explore further. To our surprise, many bars closed early, but our quest led us to a casino! However, our enthusiasm waned when we discovered it was equipped with slot machines – we’re blackjack enthusiasts. After losing $20 in 5 seconds, we enjoyed pina coladas (with an extra rum floater!) and nachos at the bar. We had quite a few drinks there, including more mamajuana. We were tired from the day’s journey and opted for a semi-early night, planning to sleep in and relish a relaxing beach day for our first full day at the resort.
Day Two: Beach Vibes and Sales Pitches
Day Three: Unveiling Puerto Plata's Treasures
We had a city tour on the agenda for day three, booked through the resort’s excursions desk, thanks to a coupon we received upon check-in. Before setting off, we enjoyed a delightful breakfast at the buffet, where we made some unexpected feathery friends – peacocks! They sauntered right up to us, hoping for a tasty treat. (we may have fed them)
Our adventure kicked off with a cable car ride to the top of Mount Isabelle, offering panoramic views and a glimpse of a smaller version of the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. The cable car ride itself was an experience to remember. At the summit, local photographers captured some quirky and fun moments against the stunning backdrop.
Our journey continued with stops at a jewelry shop, umbrella street, the aptly named “pink street” Paseo de Dona Blanca, San Felipe Apostol Cathedral, an ice cream shop, and the Amber Museum. Here, we delved into the fascinating world of amber and even witnessed the art of cigar making. The next destination was a rum factory where we indulged in a delightful rum tasting experience. After sampling various types and flavors, we stumbled upon a true gem – coconut rum that we couldn’t resist taking home. It was a jam-packed day filled with incredible experiences, and we wholeheartedly recommend this tour.
Back at the resort, we had a dinner reservation to look forward to. We opted for Mexican cuisine at Trapiche Paradise. While it was good, it didn’t quite match the Mexican flavors we were accustomed to in Arizona. Post-dinner, we embarked on a mission to discover more bars, armed with the promise of a multitude of bars and restaurants on the resort. Our search led us to the President area, a part of the resort we technically didn’t have access to. However, the bartenders welcomed us with open arms, creating the most fun night of our vacation. Laughter, singing along, and dancing ensued, making it our favorite bar by far, all thanks to an exceptional bartender. Eventually, we called it a night and returned to our room for some TV time and much-needed rest.
Day Four: Beach Bliss and Braided Memories
Day four was dedicated to one thing – indulging in the sheer bliss of the beach and cabanas. The rhythm of the day was set by alternating between the cabana, where we savored Banana Mamas (pina coladas with a delightful banana and grenadine twist), and the warm embrace of the ocean. Our beach day took an exciting turn when we decided to explore the beach vendors, especially the ones offering hair braiding.
After some friendly haggling over prices, we decided to get our hair braided with extensions. Why, you ask? Well, we had an exciting excursion planned for the following day, involving a lot of water-based activities. Given our naturally curly hair and the humid climate, braids were a smart choice. Plus, it made for some great beachside photos. For dinner, we dressed up a bit and headed to the Asian restaurant, which surprisingly turned out to be the second-best meal of our entire trip.
Day Five: Blue Lagoon Expedition
Day five was one we eagerly anticipated – an excursion to the Blue Lagoon. We were up at the crack of dawn (almost!) for our 6 am pick-up. Little did we know that the reason for the early pick-up was the three-hour drive from our hotel to the Blue Lagoon. If you’re planning a similar excursion from Puerto Plata, brace yourself for a lengthy journey. We realized why our pick-up was so early after spending two to three hours picking up other excited adventurers along the way.
Our day-long adventure was packed with thrilling stops. First up, we visited a fruit plantation, and oh my, the fruits were an absolute delight! We sampled cacao, coconut, mamoncillo, guava with honey, mango, banana, starfruit, watermelon, cantaloupe, and more – it was a tropical fruit extravaganza. Our next destination was Playa Caleton, boasting crystal-clear blue waters and intriguing white-headed cliffs.
The pièce de résistance, the Blue Lagoon, awaited us. We took the plunge, jumping off cliffs into the cave water. One of us even braved the zip line into the water (the other had an arm injury). Our only regret? Running out of time to visit the waterfalls due to our jam-packed schedule.
After a day filled with adventure, we headed back to the resort and indulged in Italian cuisine at the Pearl Buffet for dinner. It was a good meal, though not exceptionally memorable. Eager for the evening show, we arrived early since it was a Friday and the theme was “Michael Jackson.” The performers showcased incredible talent, but some acts left us wanting more, especially the iconic Thriller performance. Post-show, we returned to our room, where we indulged in some TV time and comfortable rest.
Day Six: Parasailing, Chicken, and a Twist
On day six, we were excited about our parasailing adventure. After getting picked up and embarking on a 30-minute ride, we reached the beach. However, an unexpected storm rolled in, forcing the operators to postpone our adventure until the following day. On the bright side, they treated us to what they claimed was the best chicken in the city, and it was delicious. However, later that night, we both fell ill.
Back at the resort, we retreated to the beach, secured another cabana, and spent the day lounging. For dinner, we dressed up and opted for Rodizio, the Brazilian steakhouse, which turned out to be the culinary highlight of our trip. We went in search of our favorite bartender at the President bar but he was nowhere to be found, so we headed back to our room after a drink or two. On the way to the room, we passed through a silent disco, interesting!
Day Seven: Massages, Coconuts, and Farewells
Day seven was a day of pampering. We had massages scheduled – hot stone massages for couples, to be precise – and they were nothing short of AMAZING. Pro tip, you don’t have to be a couple to get a couples massage! If you and your best friend are comfortable to get them in the same room, you usually get a better deal. After the rejuvenating massage, we were handed fresh coconuts filled with rum, and we made our way to the beach. For our last dinner, we chose The Blue Lagoon, a beachfront gem. Unfortunately, one of us was still under the weather, so we hurried back to the room. We started packing and settled in for some TV time and a good night’s rest.
Day Eight: Homeward Bound
The bittersweet realization that our adventure was coming to an end greeted us on day eight. We completed our packing, and the bellhop arrived to collect our luggage. Our pre-arranged transportation to the airport was on time, and the process at the Dominican Republic airport was pleasantly smooth. We had layovers in Miami and Dallas, where we even grabbed a budget-friendly room at a nearby Motel 6 to catch some sleep during our 7-hour layover.
Conclusion: Cherishing Puerto Plata
Our Puerto Plata adventure was a perfect blend of excitement, relaxation, and a dash of the unexpected. Despite minor hiccups along the way, we left with hearts brimming with unforgettable memories. We wholeheartedly encourage you to explore this captivating destination, just be prepared for a timeshare presentation and keep your culinary expectations in check. Puerto Plata is a treasure trove of unique experiences waiting to be uncovered by intrepid travelers like you.
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