Active Pursuits

Hitting the Beach

Although they face the sometimes-turbulent waters of the Atlantic, and it rains a lot in winter, it's the beaches that put the north coast on the tourist map. The beaches at Playa Dorada are known collectively as the "Amber Coast" for the deposits of amber that have been discovered here. Playa Dorada has one of the highest concentrations of hotels on the north coast, so the beaches here, though good, are almost always crowded, both with tourists and locals. The beaches have lovely white or powdery beige sand and the waters are very popular with water-skiers and windsurfers. Many concession stands along the beach rent equipment.

Another good choice in the area, Luperón Beach lies about an 80-minute drive to the west of Puerto Plata. This is a wide stretch of powdery white sand, set amid palm trees that provide wonderful shade when the noonday sun grows too fierce. It's better for windsurfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling than swimming. Various watersports concessions are found here, along with several snack bars.

Sports & Other Outdoor Pursuits

The north coast is a watersports scene, although the sea tends to be rough. Snorkeling is popular, and the windsurfing is among the best in the Caribbean.

Golf -- Robert Trent Jones, Jr., designed the 18-hole Playa Dorada championship golf course (tel. 809/320-4262), which surrounds the resorts and runs along the coast. Even nongolfers can stop at the clubhouse for a drink or a snack to enjoy the views. Greens fees are RD$1,820 (US$55/£27) for 18 holes; RD$1,260 (US$38/£19) for 9 holes; a caddy costs RD$336 (US$10/£5.05). It's best to make arrangements at the activities desk of your hotel.

The 4,888-yard Playa Grande Golf Course, at Playa Grande, Km 9, Carretera Rio San Juan-Cabrera (tel. 800/858-2258 in the U.S. and Canada, or 809/582-0860), is generating a lot of excitement. Some pros have already hailed it as one of the best courses in the Caribbean. Its design consultant was Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Ten of its holes border the Atlantic, and many of these are also set atop dramatic cliffs overlooking the turbulent waters of Playa Grande Beach. Greens fees are RD$3,360 (US$101/£50) in winter, RD$1,400 to RD$1,820 (US$42-US$55/£21-£27) off season.

Tennis -- Nearly all the major resort hotels in this area have tennis courts.

Watersports -- Your watersports options in Puerto Plata are numerous. Most of the kiosks on the beaches here are ultimately run by the same company and prices don't vary among them. If there isn't one close to your hotel, try Playa NACO Centro de Deportes Acuaticos (tel. 809/320-2567), a rustic clapboard-sided hut on the beachfront of the Dorado NACO Hotel. Prices are as follows: bana-boat rides, RD$280 (US$8.40/£4.20) for a 10- to 12-minute ride; water skiing, RD$560 (US$17/£8.40) for a 10- to 15-minute ride; sea kayak and Sunfish sailboat rental, RD$560 (US$17/£8.40) per hour; sailboards, RD$560 (US$17/£8.40) a day; and paragliding, RD$1,400 (US$42/£21) for a 10-minute ride.

There are watersports kiosks about every 100m (330 ft.) along the beach, any of which will rent you snorkeling gear and tell you the best spots for seeing fish. Puerto Plata isn't great for snorkeling, but you can take a boat trip to some decent sites.