Behind our villa is the Isabel de Torres Mountain with its peak lit at night. In the daytime you can barely make out the cable car that travels up to the gardens above.
This spectacular mountain is the backdrop to your beach setting and offers the Caribbean's only cable car ride to an elevation of 2,595 feet. The cable car is radio-controlled and manned and is one of the most modern in this hemisphere. The breathtaking ride to the top of the mountain takes just 10 minutes but rewards visitors with 360 degree panoramic views of the countryside, beaches, ports and shoreline of the north coast.
During the era of Rafael Trujillo, the dictator who ruled the country for 30 years until his assassination in 1961, work had begun to make the top of this mountain his summer residence. You'll find acres and acres of gardens featuring orchids, poinsettias and a wide variety of rare tropical flora. A 20 foot high statue of Christ towers over a dome shaped building that houses local arts and crafts and gifts. Visitors can also enjoy food and refreshments in the cafeteria.
Be certain you can see the top of the mountain clearly before you go up. If the top is cloudy, postpone the trip until another day or you will eliminate the view. Also check the current hours of operation since times can vary depending upon the season. In April, 2001, the admission was 100 pesos per person. Note; Around the entrance area at the foot of the cable car station, young men offer to guide you around the top. Some are quite persistent. We suggest you decline their offer since guides are not at all necessary once you reach the top of the mountain. We recommend that you don't concern yourself with them.
Playa Cofresi has a mini casino. 12 slot machines in a small building at Hacienda Resorts, in the central complex with the amphitheater and disco.
Puerto Plata's casino at the Puerto Plata Beach resort on the Malecon
Playa Dorado, which is about 6 miles from Playa Cofresi, boasts 3 casinos located at The Jack Tar Village, The Eurotel and the Hotel Playa Dorada.
Playa Cofresi has an air-conditioned disco called The Hurricane in the central entertainment complex of the Hacienda Resort. You must be 18 or over to enter and admission is free. Puerto Plata has numerous discos in town and around the vicinity. Check with our people for suggestions.
Available on public courts at Playa Dorado. Check for current rates and court times. You may also check at the reception desk at The Hacienda Resort in Playa Cofresi to find out if you can purchase time on their courts. This is not likely to be available in the peak winter season.
Costambar, the community next door to Playa Cofresi, has a nine hole golf course called Los Mangos. It is approximately 2,500 yards long, par 32. In the past it has not been as well maintained as Playa Dorado, but its condition is improving. It is a narrow golf course built on gently rolling terrain. Greens fees are reasonable and caddies are available. Nice course to take the kids if they're learning the game.
Playa Dorado, about 6 miles from Playa Cofresi, has a Robert Trent Jones golf course, pro shop, club house with bar and limited menu, and driving range that is lit for evening practice.
The golf course measures 6,300 yards for men and 5,400 yards for women. It is kept in good condition and while it is wide open, there are enough water holes and dog legs to keep it interesting. Tourists are welcome and tee-off times are not necessary. Greens fees are about USD $36.00. Electric carts are about USD $20.00, but each cart must take a caddie. If you are going to walk, each golfer must have his own caddie (caddies do not carry double unless no other caddies are available.) The caddie fee is about USE$18.00 including tips. Most caddies speak enough English to communicate. Golf clubs are available to rent. Tee off times start around 7 am.
Playa Grande, about 40 miles away, has what those in the know consider the Caribbean's best golf course, surpassing the well-known Teeth of the Dog course at La Romana. Fees are higher here than at Playa Dorado. But it is worth it.
Swim with dolphins, enjoy water rides. Plenty of fun for kids. More . . .
Located on Luis Ginebra Ave, facing Plaza Turisol, this plant is one of the oldest rum-bottling factories in the country. Admission and tours are gratis. Free samples are provided in the form of daiquiris. Open Monday through Friday, 9 am until noon, and 2 to 4 PM. The tour takes about 20 minutes but some guests found it disappointing.
Watch for signs Club Gallistica to identify local cockfight arenas. Check with our employees for recommendations of the best places to visit.
The Amber Museum occupies the second floor of a magnificent turn of the century gingerbread house built in the 1860's. On display are fossilized wood resins with inclusions such as mammalian hairs,insects, plants, lizards,, etc dating back 30 million years, and more. This is the only place in Puerto Plata where you know you are buying genuine amber, rather than plastic. They tell you how to tell the difference. Open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Admission charge is only 40 pesos.
The first floor, which is open to the public, features room after room of local artisan hand crafts, original jewelry and gifts, amber jewelry and art by Dominican and Haitian artists. Fun to see.
The fort is located on the western end of the Malecon (ocean boulevard) near the power plant. This is Puerto Plata's only XVI century structure. It was originally used to defend against pirate raids and later as a prison during the Trujillo era (1933-1961). Guided tours offer a brief history of the fort and the country. The fort is open daily except Wednesday from 9 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 9 am until noon. The admission fee is 10 pesos.
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Updated 17 August 2006