Luperon (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

A port town of approximately 20,000 inhabitants is located in a large bay, approximately 50 km west of Puerto Plata.  It is predominantly known for its marina, Puerto Blanca Marina, located on the outskirts of town and is considered to be the safest harbor in the Dominican Republic.  The earliest foreign residents were predominantly Belgian and Swiss and there is a small development of good quality housing in the area of El Castillo, with its beautiful, tranquil beaches.  This is a developing area where land is still very affordable.

Cofresi (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

Located on a beautiful bay approximately 10 km west of Puerto Plata, is a resort community consisting of higher-end hotels, such as Sun Village, and exclusive private villas with picturesque ocean and mountain views, mainly situated in the hills of Altos de Cofresi.  One of the area’s major attractions is the Ocean World Marine & Water Park with its much loved dolphin encounter.  There is scope for further investment in this desirable area.  Schooling is in Puerto Plata.

Puerto Plata (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

A somewhat faded glory to Puerto Plata with Victorian gingerbread-like mansions from the late 1800’s, located in the older part of the city and its many parks and cafes offering Dominican specialties. Many visit the city to see the historic fort, Fuerte de San Felipe. There is a 2 km boardwalk, or Malecón, lined with typical Dominican restaurants, where you can take a walk and enjoy views of the port and the Atlantic Ocean. Above the town sits Mount Isabel de Torres, accessible by a cable car which affords spectacular views of the city and coastline and the surrounding botanical gardens.

Costambar (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

This  is a self-contained, gated project with a beautiful beach and calm waters.  Many residents from around the world have made their home here.  The area boasts a 9 hole golf course and club house, international bars and restaurants, a more than adequate supermarket, internet cafes and low maintenance fees.  Villas, condos and small hotels/bed and breakfast properties mix together appealingly to give this area an established feel.  Property prices are still at a good level and are expected to rise if anticipated changes to the port in Puerto Plata occur.  Schooling is also in Puerto Plata.

Sosua (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

The small town of Sosúa is located around 24 kilometers east of Puerto Plata. Over the last few years, it has developed into one of the most popular coastal resorts in the Dominican Republic. Situated between the main coastal road (Puerto Plata to Samana) and the Atlantic Ocean.

It has several excellent sandy beaches, including Playa de Sosúa, Playa Chiquita and La Playita. This small town is situated around a large bay and consists of two quarters: El Batey and Los Charamicos, which are linked together by Playa Sosúa. The area to the east of the beach, El Batey, focuses entirely on tourism and includes an attractive commercial centre with a large number of shops, restaurants, bars and terraces etc.

The nightlife is fun and exciting, especially for such a relatively small town. The beach, Playa de Sosúa, has good water-sports facilities and consists of an unbroken line of small shops selling souvenirs, snacks, drinks etc.

A centre of commerce, Sosúa has ease of living for most Expats looking for a centre with shops, banks, supermarkets, pharmacies and day-to-day necessities. For families, some of the best schools are available close by.

The northern town of Sosúa was founded by Jewish immigrants. These groups were victims of persecution in Europe during the late 1930’s and 1940’s. Former Dictator Rafael Leonidas Trujillo, offered Dominican visas for Jews escaping the trouble in Europe. Though theories vary on why Trujillo offered the visas, some refugees did take him up on his offer and founded Sosúa; in the northern part of the DR.

On the road between Sosúa and Cabarete, there are numerous residential areas; either partially or fully managed gated communities:

Cabarete (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

Cabarete is a small Caribbean town nestled some 12 kilometers from Sosúa. The town, with its beachside bars, restaurants and hotels, appeals to all ages but comes to life in the evening as one of the ‘hottest’ destinations in the Caribbean. It can also boast some of the finest soft white sand beaches on the north coast and is as friendly and welcoming as it can be.  This is home to the kite and wind surfers, but offers scuba diving, quad and mountain biking or just sun worshipping on one of the best beaches on the north shore. Cabarete is ideal for those looking for a beachside investment that will rent with ease.  There is even a local hairdresser, who will cut and style your hair while you sit under the shade of a palm tree on the beach.  At night, the place becomes alive with the sounds of merengue and bachata playing from the many restaurants and bars along the beach.  Local Dominicans sit alongside the road playing dominos oblivious to the busy traffic threading through the center of town.

Rio San Juan (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

This is an up and coming fishing and farming town about 100 km east of Puerto Plata. There are a few hotels and beautiful beaches in this area, as well as the Gri Gri Lagoon, where you can take a boat tour to see the unusual rock formations and magnificent mangrove trees. The Playa Grande/Cabrera area, about 120 km east of Puerto Plata, has a spectacular white powder sand beach lined by tall palm trees and surrounded by rugged cliffs. Big waves make it a popular spot for water sports but the undertow can be strong. There are many beautiful villas in the area. The Robert Trent Jones-designed Playa Grande Golf Course is located here, with 10 holes of the golf course being along the cliffs, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. This is arguably one of the most impressive courses in the Caribbean and certainly a must for all golfers.

Playa Grande and Cabrera (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

The area offers a superb return on investment, possibly the best in the Caribbean.  Playa Grande beach and some of the smaller, more secluded beaches in the area are idyllic.  Cabrera really must be seen to be appreciated and is especially popular with those who like a quieter pace of life and a natural environment.  The town of Cabrera itself is a delight, being exceptionally well maintained.  The considerable European
influence and investment in this area makes a noticeable difference to the quality of services and infrastructure and the whole area has a clean, fresh feel.

Las Terrenas (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

Located approximately 245 km east of Puerto Plata, must be accessed by one of two mountain roads. Upon arrival in Las Terrenas, you’ll be awed with the calmness of the area and the beautiful white sand beach lined with tall palms and pastel-colored wooden fishing boats. The next thing you may notice is its Mediterranean-influenced atmosphere. There are plenty of cafés and oceanfront restaurants where people can be found sipping wine over long, leisurely lunches, or having a mid-day break over a café latte. Shops there offer a variety of arts and crafts, many of them unique handmade items that can be difficult to find elsewhere in the Dominican Republic.

Samana (North Coast of the Dominican Republic)

Samana is a destination for nature lovers and adventurers. Green, green mountains, long beaches, solitude, lively little towns in between, turquoise waters. Samana is also a romantic destination, and several of its small hotels are perfect for honeymooners. It is also a good choice for experienced scuba divers. The place to stay if whale-watching is high on your agenda. It is the place to sit on a porch or in the shade of a palm tree, sipping something cool and discovering the rare feeling of being happy just being alive.
The exuberance of the area and the variety of natural attractions make it the preferred choice of those seeking an active vacation. Horseback riding, swimming, snorkeling, diving, sailing – all the activities that come with beautiful nature, – Samana is truly for explorers. Samana has a distinct, European flavor – The French were first, but now many Italians and Spaniards have opened up businesses to cater to tourists in the area.