So, its really up to you if youd like to take the risk. A one-way fare from Amber Cove to Puerto Plata downtown is $35.00 USD (25 minute drive). Post contains affiliate links. Unfortunately, this volunteer cruise doesnt exist anymore, but you can still get involved with some of the programs through Carnival and Princess cruise ships that sail to Amber Cove. 4 4-Showing off in public. Nature lovers and history fans will enjoy their stay in the Dominican Republic. It is possible to go to the beach by taking an Amber Cove shore excursion. She started Justin Plus Lauren in 2013 and has travelled to 45+ countries around the world. A colmado is primarily a local convenience store. You can also spend some time in Bavaros shopping mall, Plaza Palma Real. Drive through the historic area of Puerto Plata to Golden Beach (Playa Dorada) where youll have a complimentary lounger, complimentary rum punch and two hours of beach time on this half day tour. I'm not sure how far it is, but I don't think you could easily do it with only a day in port. There are palm trees, fountains, man-made waterfalls, and flowers all around. But the Habichuela con Dulce was actually pretty good! Amber Cove is great for couples, families, and friends and theres always something to see and do. Its great for beginners, so its no problem if youve never driven a dune buggy before. After you visit the chocolate factory and eating a hearty traditional Dominican lunch, get the chance to roam around Museo Hermanas Mirabal. If you have many errands to run, block out an hour or two just to take care of business at the bank. Holding dolphins captive at aquatic parks is torturous as it separates them from their pods. Great information. Gawp down at the Hoyo Azul. Unless you say un poquito which is kind of a bit. Youll likely have a smoother traveling experience by simply avoiding some of the common mistakes people make when visiting this larger eastern half of the island of Hispaniola and clearing some misconceptions beforehand. In the Dominican Republic, there are many protected tourist places, such as Saona Island, where you shouldnt take anything, be it sand from the beach, seashells, animals, you should only contemplate nature. Youll hike, slide your way down, jump, and wade through beautiful azure and turquoise waters gushing over and around you. In Santo Domingo, head to Jet Set Club for weekly concerts on Monday nights. Try mang, a deliciously seasoned mound of mashed green plantains topped with sauted red onions, for breakfast or sancocho, a hearty stew combining various meats and roots vegetables, served with a side of white rice and avocado slices. Playa Rincon is a 5-kilometer undeveloped white-sand beach in the Samana Peninsula. Be careful though, as its indeed a sunny country, and its easy to get a tan on the beach. Go on exciting beach excursions to get a glimpse of dolphins and whales playing in the waters. Therefore, the best option for renting a car is by taking a taxi to downtown Puerto Plata to pick up your rental car. Finding all the street art, touring cigar factories, and seeing monuments are all great things to do in the city. Playa Rincon is another postcard-worthy spot that youll definitely want to visit. Its one of the best things to do in the Dominican Republic, especially if you love chocolate. In an effort to earn some money for my time and effort, I often link to various products. Your cruise ship will sail into the Bay of Maimon, located just northwest of Youll need some small change in the local currency for things like transportation and refreshments. Wear adequate clothing and slap some sunscreen onto exposed parts of your body. I recommend that you try to use the wifi from the coffee shop in Amber Cove, Cafe El Cibao. Dance and music are an intrinsic part of Dominican culture. Its definitely one of the top things to do in the Dominican Republic with kids. Its safe to say that you wont ever get bored while youre here. Two ships are able to dock at the Amber Cove cruise center at the same time. Los Tres Ojos is very close to Santo Domingo and thus a nice day trip to escape from the busy city. Enjoy the trip to Hoyo Azul, as youll be doing a lot of zip lines. What I have noticed, many people inside the pantheon behave inappropriately, talking loudly, posing for photos, some laughing, this behavior may be reprehensible. I mean, I have noticed that many people from abroad who visit the Dominican Republic, are extremely confident, they carry expensive jewelry in their suitcases, display modern cell phones in public, etc. Swim around or engage in exciting water sports. Please see the image below for water sports pricing when I visited in 2016. Just so you dont misunderstand me, this is not a problem in reputable tourist areas, such as hotels, this is a street problem, in neighborhoods and clandestine places. 10) Dont Stop Being Cautious Since youre already in the Samana Peninsula, make sure to visit its incredible beaches like Cayo Levantado, Playa Rincon, and Playa Bonita. Play a round of golf in the lush courses over at the White Sands golf course in Bavaro. Here, if you say chin once, that means a little bit, but if you say chin-chin then it means a tiny bit. Wonder at the beautiful cave system inside the park. You can also take photos with the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer. Dont ask prices with a clueless face, and it is valid to bargain prices, I have written many guides on this website about it. Sometimes, when you pay in dollars at small shops, youd often get change in RD$. This is one of the best things to do in Amber Cove for free. 2023 Hotels.com is an Expedia Group company. Theres a 650 foot zip line that runs across the Aqua Zone of Amber Cove. When I say poorly dressed, I mean that you should not visit this place with sleeveless shirts, very short skirts, flip-flops, ect. Nearby, Parque Duarte is a favorite of the LGBT community. Sure. Take a tour of La Aurora Cigar Factory in Santiago, where youll learn about the entire cigar making process. Why stay indoors when you can visit the impressive Los Haitises, a 30-meter rock formation jutting out from the Caribbean waters? Do you want to see one of the best views of Amber Cove? 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Once you reach the top, youll get off the cable car and see a giant Christ of the Redeemer Statue, similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro. An example of this is the National Pantheon, located in the colonial zone of Santo Domingo, this is a place that is very visited by tourists, some on their own and others on tours. Order una fria or an ice-cold beer at the counter and grab a chair or two to enjoy outdoors while listening to music. The Las Colinas Mall is not only a wonderful shopping spot but also offers multiple best things to do in Santiago Dominican Republic. Aside from better drinks and a tastier menu (hello, lobster! Recommended Hotel Nearby: Grand Bavaro Princess All Suites Resort, Spa & Casino. Beans with sweet? Off the coast of Puerto Plata, Cayo Arena is the tiniest offshore caye, its surrounding waters teeming with tropical fish. You will certainly like it and you should plan to capture several photos of it. On many Princess and Carnival sailings, you can opt to participate in the social impact activities, like volunteering atRePapel, a Recycled Paper & Crafts initiative. They have so many beaches, and they also have perfect weather. Lebawit Lily Girma is an award-winning travel writer, photographer, and author of several Caribbean guidebooks for Moon Travel Guides. I know many people close to me that have bought this type of alcohol for consumption, just because it is very cheap and easy to get in the streets, nothing has happened to those people, but many others have lost their lives. $1402 In Resort Credit per room Trip Details Experience the beautiful scenery and culture this island has to offer. Its one of the hottest nightlife attractions in the country. Part saline, part fresh water, its remarkable features attract the only population of American crocodiles in the DR. Since its beginnings in 1995, no other single resource covers the world of cruising as thoroughly as Cruise Critic. Aside from the volunteering excursions that I mentioned above, you can also get outside of Amber Cove to see more of Puerto Plata and Dominican Republic. The country's museums shed an important light on the countrys fascinating history. I am sure my granddaughters will love the zip line and the shoppingthey will be 19 & 17 on that cruise. Sarah K. is a New York native who moved to the Dominican Republic to teach and to experience living abroad. Fun Things to Do in Dominican Republic. Or visit the Conquista Park for its beautiful collection of local art and artifacts. For personal reasons, I have had the opportunity to visit the Dominican Republics immigration office, which is a place frequented daily by both foreigners who are in the process of obtaining documents and locals. They are obtained by methods called drive fisheries. So if you have a Other shops around the port feature local specialties, jewelry, clothing, and more. Here, you can still experience the joys of the sea without getting wet. Hope you enjoy it and if you want to read more by Sarah visit her blog here. Roam the Zona Colonial of Santo Domingo. Damajaqua Cascades is also known as 27 Charcos de Damajagua. Laze around the fine white sands of Bavaro Beach or cool off in its beautiful blue waters. One day, there was a free coffee tasting in port where we learned about coffee production in the Dominican Republic. On a hot day, why not order an iced coffee? Its plaza, fountain, and stone facade make it a popular wedding venue in the country. Web1) Don't Forget to Relax The Dominican Republic has an easy-going rhythm of life accentuated by the sea. Make the first stop at the Estero Hondo Marine Mammal Sanctuary to spot manatees. Thanks for all this great info! Another addition to your list of things to do in the Dominican Republic for couples is to visit the beautiful St. Stanislaus Church. On shore, you cant miss seeing iguanas freely roaming the grounds. It is ranked among the most visited sites in the Dominican Republic. Youll travel from Amber Cove to this series of spectacular waterfalls, all transportation and national park fees included. Here is a full day tour of Puerto Plata with all of the best that the city has to offer. She also focuses on outdoor adventure travel, eco and sustainable travel, and creating amazing travel itineraries for cities and small towns. We participated in the Turkey Trot fun run as our cruise was around Thanksgiving. It is one of the main attractions in the Dominican Republic. Yes! We docked at the Amber Cove cruise terminal for three days as we participated in volunteer activities to benefit communities in the Dominican Republic. Enjoy your vacation! A traditional Easter food here is Habichuelas con Dulce. Write it down. Amber Cove was an $85 million dollar investment by the Carnival Corporation that opened in 2015. Whenever a commercial brand or a person calls their product the best in the world it is something that really borders on the absurd since, The Dominican Republic has more than 55 dolphin species in captivity. This means that you can have a general idea of your plans, but dont count minutes or expect social plans to begin on time (or anywhere even close!). Its calm waters are crystal clear that you can see meters below the surface. I love writing about outdoor adventures, exploring cities and small towns, hiking, yoga and wellness, coffee, and the best vegan food from around the world. There are many other things, but it would make the topic too long. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from Qualifying Purchases. Stay a little while when you reach the other cable car station at Mount Isabel de Torres. Learn how your comment data is processed. Alcanfor is a plant that they use for medicinal purposes to treat arthritis, asthma, back-ache, bronchitis, flatulence, headache and many other conditions. 1. You can also level up your nightlife by opting for the premium drinks as well. Make sure to sample some of their Mediterranean-inspired dishes like the glazed lamb shank and caprese salad. ), youll even see some of the lesser-known, untouched spots on the island like El Peon and Mano Juan. 3 3-Buying cheap or adulterated alcohol in a clandestine manner. Get our travel tips Delivered to your inbox. Hey, sharing really is caring. Collect 10 stamps, get 1 reward* night. The Dominican Republic has an easy-going rhythm of life accentuated by the sea. Make sure to bring your camera when wandering around this village. Playa Rincon is another postcard-worthy spot that youll definitely want to visit. Hop on a boat tour led by a park ranger, and youll spot crocs of all sizes lurking beneath. 0 Comments, Category : Blog &Dominican Republic &Travel. Enjoy a cafecito during the day, preferably while sitting outdoors and catching up with friends. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Billini Hotel, Historic Luxury, Manolo Tavrez JustoPuerto Plata, DR 57000(809) 970-0501. With coffee plantations around the countrys mountainous regions, its not hard to understand why coffee plays such an important part in Dominican culture. Located in the remote southwest, Lake Enriquillo lies 60 feet below sea level, and is the largest lake in the Caribbean region. Youll still have plenty of sun beyond summer. Read more about the negative impacts of swimming with dolphins, and ethical choices for excursions that are fantastic alternatives. If youre going all out, make sure to get the premium tours around the islands. There are also several resorts in the country. You cant leave Amber Cove without posing for a picture in front of it! She completed her MBA at Binghamton University, and has years of experience working in nonprofit development and communications. Youll even see some of the countrys best spas while youre here. 2023 Justin Plus Lauren | Privacy Policy | Web Stories, Getting to Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Things to Do in Amber Cove: Walk Around the Port, Best Things to Do in Amber Cove: Go Shopping, Swimming Pool, Lazy River and Water Slides, Best Things to Do in Amber Cove: Amber Cove Aqua Zone, Top Things to Do in Amber Cove: Rent a Private Cabana, Volunteer Activities in Dominican Republic, Getting Out of Amber Cove to Puerto Plata (and Beyond), Puerto Plata Highlights and Cable Car Tour, What Not to Do in Amber Cove: Swim With Dolphins, negative impacts of swimming with dolphins, St. Kitts Cruise Port Guide: How to Spend a Day in St. Kitts, Cockleshell Beach in St. Kitts (Shore Excursion), How to Explore the St. Thomas Cruise Port, Things to Do in Barbados From a Cruise Ship, Nassau, Bahamas Segway Tour (Shore Excursion), Club Med Guadeloupe Day Pass (Shore Excursion). 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