Things to do — Puerto Plata

The Puerto Plata and the North region offers rare versatility combining culture, beach, water sports and nature.

At Puerto Plata: Pico Isabel de Torres cable car (essential, €10/person, 2-3h), Fortaleza San Felipe (1577, 2nd oldest military fort in the Americas, 1h visit, 100 RD$), historic centre (pastel Victorian houses, Independencia park, Iglesia San Felipe Apóstol), Amber Museum (exceptional specimens with insect inclusions, 350 RD$), Casa de la Cultura, Malecón (renovated seafront). Outside the city: Damajagua Waterfalls (27 falls, €30 with equipment and guide, half day, the region's flagship adventure), Brugal Rum Distillery (visit and tasting, €15-20), El Choco National Park (caves and cenotes, access from Sosúa).

At Sosúa: crescent beach (free, 1 km of white sand in lagoon, ideal swimming, snorkelling from shore with mask-tube bought at kiosk), Sosúa Jewish Museum (history of 1940s European refugees, 200 RD$), diving and snorkelling at neighbouring reefs (€50-90 the 2-dive outing, Northern Coast Diving Center is the main operator), seafront restaurants (beach lunch €15-25).

At Cabarete: kitesurfing, windsurfing, wing-foiling (the absolute must — World Cup regularly organised here, world-class conditions, 30+ professional schools, €200-450 per week of lessons depending on level and school). Surf at Encuentro Beach (1-3 m waves, 5 min east, surf schools €30-50 the lesson, board hire €25/day). Wing-foiling (the rising discipline, lessons available, €60-90/h). Morning yoga on the beach (free or €10-15 for studio class), mountain biking in the Cordillera (€50-80 the guided day), Damajagua waterfalls 30 min by taxi (often included excursion).

Excursions from any base: Cabarete-Sosúa-Puerto Plata loop (one-day car hire to explore the three towns, cable car, fortaleza, Sosúa beach, dinner at Cabarete), Monte Cristi National Park (1h30 west, day €60-90 with guide, El Morro, mangroves, pink flamingos, deserted Punta Rusia beach), Santiago de los Caballeros (1h30 south, Cibao capital, Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration, Amber Museum, authentic Dominican vibe), whale excursion from Samaná (3h drive but possible as day trip in January-March).

Nightlife: Cabarete has the most international and healthy atmosphere — seafront bar-restaurants (Lax Ojo, José Oshay's Irish Beach Pub, Onno's Bar), discos (Mojito Bar for salsa-bachata), informal beach fires. Sosúa has livelier nightlife but to be avoided on the sensitive district (Calle Pedro Clisante at night). Puerto Plata is quieter.

Shopping: buying amber and larimar (the two Dominican semi-precious stones, world exclusives) — prefer recognised jewellers (Harrison's, Galería de Ámbar) to beach vendors. Craft mercados (Taíno crafts, Dominican cigars, mamajuana, Brugal rum).