Tourist Attractions in Provincia de Puerto Plata

When we took a taxi from our hotel we were given the name of a store we wanted to visit. The taxi took us to three different locations when we finally told him that we were not going to pay unless he took us where we wanted to go. We found out that the tourist shops pay 25-30% commission to them. The place we wanted to go did not, so you know you are going to get overcharged.

Unique Suggestions: If you get a map, you can take the gua-gua or public busses which are cheap. You will have to be a bit adventurous because very few people speak English. It was really cool though, we got to see and meet a lot of very nice Dominicans, great people.

Also we found if we had the address and name of the location written in Spanish we could just show the taxi driver and they were more cooperative.

Travel agent representative tell you to take the taxi to go to town (9$) rather than taking the local bus (wawa at 0.20$). What a nice way to make money on the side. Take the wawa, what a great experience

Unique Suggestions: Negociate

Fun Alternatives: Wawa - wawa - wawa - wawa

I'm lucky I haven't been caught to it but I was told that it is risky to try to exchange money out of any stand because they count the money so fast and in a manner that let you think you get what you expect but in fact, they trick you in giving you less then agreed.

Few minutes later, they take off and never see them again.

Unique Suggestions: Exchange only small amount, very small amount.

Fun Alternatives: Go to bank downtown or at the hotel, at least you know how much they are robbing you!

Because it is the most common place for finding amber in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata is also known as the Amber Coast. With that in mind, it easy for some dominican to sell fake amber stone.

Unique Suggestions: If you wanna buy a amber stone in the street or in a mercado, I suggest you to follow this little trick that can help you prove the authenticity of the piece:

1-Put the stone in a water recipient.
- if the stone float, the stone is natural
- if the stone go to the bottom, the stone is actually a plastic stone!!!

Everything cost something, a chair, a space to sit. The price of any souvenir are 6-7 times higher than everywere else in the country.

It's a crowdy touristic beach.

Unique Suggestions: Don't buy anything!!!
Enjoy the waves...one of the bigger of the dominican republic.

Fun Alternatives: Try to buy your souvenirs in some small cities you go trought.

I haven't done this before, and still have to, but I thought that $125 for swimming with dolphins was a bit stiff for the Dominican Republic.

The price was the same whether you booked it at the resort, or at the 'experience' itself, and 'included' a bus ride from the hotel (3 mins.)

There are some dominicans selling all kind of stuff on the beach (back of the pictures dressed with blu shirts), if you dont buy!!! they make you feel guilty, dont bother with it. The salesmen are in pretty good shape, they are not poor. There is a wonderfull market in sosua where you ll find everything you need. They have all those copies of levis, tommy, kelven klein, watches, jeans beautifull golf wear, arts, etc..... good shopping

They want to you to hire them to show you around. Not needed. Also barter barter barter. Go real low as they are making a mint. I always trade for things I brought like makeup perfume toys. Bring medicines to give to them like tylenol, pepto bismo,cough syrup