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Dominican Republic: North Coast, Family Vacations on the Amber Coast. Home to the popular family vacation towns of Puerto Plata, Cabarete and Sosua, the beautiful north coast of the Dominican Republic is teeming with great activities and family fun. The north coast has everything from lush jungle to rolling mountains, turquoise water to golden sand – it’s one of the most versatile and rewarding areas of the Dominican Republic for traveling families.

Surf the Waves. Roughly an hour away from Maimón, Cabarete is one of the top destinations in the world for windsurfing, kite surfing and surfing. Physical elements of the geography, along with the location of the offshore reef create a unique thermal effect in Cabarete, resulting in an unusual synthesis of outstanding wind and wave conditions. Cabarete is a fantastic destination for water sports enthusiasts – and as the saying goes, “Once experienced never forgotten!” Windsurfers of all skill levels will enjoy Cabarete – experts should head to Cabarete Beach, while beginners should check out the less windy Bozo Beach. The best season for windsurfing in and around Cabarete is between May and July when winds are often in excess of 25km per hour. Kite Beach is the place to be if you’re a kite surfing enthusiast. Surfers, on the other hand, should head to El Encuentro Beach, where waves break both right and left and can reach 4 meters in height. Bonus points: For those looking to take a break from the water, Cabarete also hosts a multitude of other outdoor activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding and golfing. www.activecabarete.com

Go Wild at World Adventure. Ocean World Adventure Park is a “must-see” for families traveling to the Dominican Republic. Located in Cofresí, just a few kilometers from Maimón, he park offers more than 50 scheduled events daily, including unique interactive animal programs. Visitors have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with dolphins, sea lions, sharks, stingrays, exotic tropical birds, and majestic tigers. Discovery: The park is home to the largest man-made dolphin habitat in the world; the largest pool is comprised of 12 million gallons of seawater. In addition to the multitude of animal encounters, Ocean World hosts a tropical forest, pools, an enclosed beach area, restaurants and tropical-themed bars. Bonus Points: The park has a great enclosed snorkel reef that’s suitable for children as young as six. Barrio Playa Oeste, Puerto Plata. 1(809) 291-1111 or www.oceanworldadventurepark.com
 
Explore the Fort. The Fort of San Felipe, also known as El Morro de San Felipe, is the main colonial monument of Puerto Plata, around which much of the city’s history developed; in 1980 it was declared a national monument. Construction on the fort began in 1549, but the fort was not completed until 1577, during the reign of Felipe II, for whom the fort is named. Originally the fort was indeed to protect Puerto Plata from the bandits, corsairs and pirates who harried the city’s residents. The fort’s location, high on a hill at the Puntilla Del Malecón, allowed it to protect the city’s seaport. Today the fort serves as a museum which showcases the role played by the forth throughout the history of Puerto Plata and the Dominican Republic. Malecón, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. 1(809) 261-6043

Look Inside the Amber. The Dominican Amber Museum of Puerto Plata is located in a restored Victorian mansion known as Villa Bentz, near the Church of San Felipe in the center of Puerto Plata. The north coast of the Dominican Republic is nicknamed the Amber Coast, because of the prevalence of the gem throughout the area. The museum is home to an impressive collection of amber, an organic stone formed from the fossilized resin of an extinct species of pine tree. The museum also has an exhibition on two of the Dominican Republic’s most historically important products, rum and tobacco – tasting included! Discovery: One of the coolest pieces of amber encases a 30cm long feather, the longest fossilized feather found to date. Bonus points: Guided tours of the museum are available, and the museum shop offers beautiful amber jewelry for sale. Calle Duarte 61, Puerto Plata. 1(809) 586-2848 or www.ambermuseum.com

Scale the Peak.  Easily Puerto Plata’s most impressive feature, Mount Isabel de Torres, standing at 2600 feet, offers breathtaking views of Puerto Plata and the surrounding coastline. Mount Isabel can be reached by cable car, a quick seven minute ride up the nearly vertical slope. Apart from the view, visitors to Mount Isabel will enjoy botanical gardens. Tours of the gardens are can be done on foot or horseback. On the top of a large domed building within the gardens, visitors can see Puerto Plata’s own Christ the Redeemer, similar to the famous statue in Rio de Janiero. Discovery: Adventurous sorts may want to try one of several hiking tours that scale the peak by foot.

Hit the Beach. The Puerto Plata region is home to a great number of beautiful beaches, with sunny golden sands and turquoise water. Beaches to check out include: La Poza del Castillo, Cofresí, Costámbar, Long Beach, Marapicá, Playa Dorada, Maimón, and Bergantín. Discovery: Maimón Beach is a protected “natural monument” because of the unique natural aspects of the area, while Playa Dorada is also home to the famous Robert Trent Jones Golf Course.

Make it Happen. Check out www.godominicanrepublic.com.

Information gathered by Travel Communications, Inc. Images courtesy of The Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism. Copyright 2011.

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