Provincia de Puerto Plata Tourist Traps

 
by lewistfo
 
  •   Tourist Traps
    by lewistfo
  • Amber Stone
      Amber Stone
    by amsterdam_vallon
  • Sosua Public Beach
      Sosua Public Beach
    by amsterdam_vallon
  • playa dorada
      playa dorada
    by serge_fortin2001
  •   Tourist Traps
    by monica78
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Beware of Time-Share guys

by madmary71

While staying at Blue Bay, we were approached by yellow shirt guy and tried to sell us the idea of if we want to come back again, we can get a special discount! wow, that was a nice sale pitch, and we went for it! We were ushered into a condo-like bungalow located just before the pathway to the beach, and I was suspecting time share... I was already warning my friends about it, until a new guy sat with us in a round table and started asking stuff about us. We started to feel uncomfortable, that I have to use my sharp tongue just to get to the bottom of the whole thing...and yes he was selling time share. We got up and just said "not interested". So if you see one of these "Yellow shirt wearing guys" just stay away if you don't want to waste your vacation time with these sharks. If you love to purchase time-share, then by all means go for it.

Taxis

by AlexH2004

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. 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.

Taxi or wawa, take the wawa!!!

by lewistfo

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 Negociate Wawa - wawa - wawa - wawa

Money exchange

by lewistfo

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. Exchange only small amount, very small amount. Go to bank downtown or at the hotel, at least you know how much they are robbing you!

Tip Photo
Buying Amber Stone

by amsterdam_vallon

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. 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!!!

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Everything associated with the Sosua public beach

by amsterdam_vallon

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. Don't buy anything!!!Enjoy the waves...one of the bigger of the dominican republic. Try to buy your souvenirs in some small cities you go trought.

Tip Photo
Dolphin experience

by Grootpiet

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.)

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Where to buy gifts and stuff

by serge_fortin2001

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

Tip Photo
They want to you to hire them...

by marylou11

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

The tipical tourist trap is...

by Old_Soul

The tipical tourist trap is your travel rep telling you that their tours are the only ones you should take. It's very safe and fun to sign up for a tour through your hotel (which uses local tour guides) There guides are licenced and give the same tour or better for at least $10.00 us/person cheeper.

Tourist Attractions in Provincia de Puerto Plata

Top 3 Hotels in Provincia de Puerto Plata

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BlueBay Villas Doradas  Puerto Plata

 1 Review and 1695 Opinions  In early October of 2010, I stayed at the Blue Bay Villas Doradas. All the staff was wonderful,... 

 Hotels in Puerto Plata

130 Hotels in Provincia de Puerto Plata
 
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Tourist Traps: Cities in Provincia de Puerto Plata
  1. Cabarete Tourist Traps
  2. Sosúa Tourist Traps

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Questions and Answers

highheeleddoll profile photo

Q:  Hi. I am thinking about renting a vehicle when I visit the DR, but I hear that the drivers are maniacs and don't follow the rules... 

GrumpyDiver profile photo

A: My experience in driving in the DR is a bit dated now, but I expect that things have not changed for the better. We rented a car that looked like it had seen better... 

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