Escape the Hustle & Bustle of City Life - Warm Beaches, Friendly People - The Caribbean on a Budget By Pieter Le Roux At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Puerto Plata is the capital of the Dominican Republic province of the same name. With a total population of under 500 000 people, this quaint Caribbean town is famous for its tourist resorts and stunning beaches. These resorts include the acclaimed Playa Dorada and Costa Dorada. Along with these resorts, Puerto Plata boasts a total of 100 000 hotel beds, meaning plenty of room at this popular tourist hotspot.

Visitors can enjoy a unique trip to Pico Isabel de Torres via an aerial tramway. This novel mode of transport glides to the mountain that is almost 800 metres high. Once at the top, the views of the city are incredible. Botanical garden and a replica of the Rio de Janeiro Christ the Redeemer statue are popular sights that also appear at the top of this mountain. During your time in Puerto Plata, it is recommended that you visit the Fort, Ocean World and El Faro amongst other attractions. The Fort, Fortaleza de San Felipe, was completed in 1577, and was built in order to protect Puerto Plata against bandits and pirates. It was named in honour of Felipe II, who was reigning at the time of its completion. It was declared a national monument in 1980.

Ocean World is a water park right amidst the Cofresi reef. This is the largest park of its kind in the whole of the Caribbean. This $45 million project includes a yacht marina, a beach, and a forest that is home to an exotic array of birdlife and other animals. Ocean World is also home to 14 beautiful dolphins.

The Ocean World Dolphin Swim allows visitors the unique opportunity to swim with one of these 14 resident dolphins. Dolphins are known for their high levels of intelligence and, during your 30-minute session with one of these animals, you will be able to communicate with, feed, dance and swim with one of the planet's most intuitive animals. An educational presentation precedes your swim so that you are aware of the 'do's and do not's' before entering the tank. In addition to swimming with these magnificent animals, visitors will also be able to snorkel in the tropical reef aquarium, watch and touch sea lions and touch and feed nurse sharks and stingrays.

El Faro lighthouse was built to guide ancient ships to the city of Puerto Plata as they crossed the vast Atlantic Ocean. In 2000, plans to restructure and restore this old lighthouse were submitted in order to re-establish it as an attraction to Puerto Plata.

While travelling around in Puerto Plata, tourists are urged to keep an eye on their belongings. It is also advisable to learn some phrases in the local language so as to be able to communicate with residents more effectively. Hot days spent on the beach and warm nights under black South American skies are the order of the day in Puerto Plata. Those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of hectic city living are warmly invited to have a taste of the Caribbean, where time slows down and everything moves to the heartbeat of the land.

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