Things To Do and See on The North Coast
Sosua is a great home-base to truly enjoy your time in the Dominican Republic.
There are so many things to do and see, and of course you can choose to do nothing more than relax by the infinity pool or enjoy a cocktail on your oceanview balcony!
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous, here are just a few ideas to make your stay here even more special:
Beaches
With over 70 miles of coastline and dozens of unique beaches to explore, you’re sure to find the perfect place to drop your towel! You’re only problem will likely be picking your favorite spot!
Within the property, you have access to our exclusive beach, Playa Imbert. Want a little more action, within walking distance you’ll find Playa Alicia, Playa Chiquita, and the region’s most famous beach, Playa Sosua.
A few other notable beaches worth checking out are Playa Cabarete, Playa Grande, Playa Dorada, and Playa Preciosa.
Shopping
If shopping is your thing, you’ll find plenty of options in Sosua.
From souvenir shops, clothing stores, and artisan galleries on the beach, to the cigar shops, liquor stores, and American-style supermarkets in town, you can find everything you need to enhance your stay, and some great treasures to take home to remember your time here.
Nightlife
Whether you’re in the mood for a packed dance club with local music or international DJ’s, a sports bar with multiple big screens and ice-cold beer, an International gastro-pub with live music, or High Stakes Casino action, you’ll find them all here…and more!
For a totally unique and unforgettable night out, check out the open-air beach bars and discos of Cabarete, a 10 minute taxi or car ride from Sosua. You can drink, dance, and party till the wee hours…shoes not required!
Dining
From fresh caught local seafood on the beach served under shady almond trees, to Gourmet dining in town or with an ocean view, the dining options in Sosua are almost limitless. Within a short walk from your condo you’ll find restaurants featuring sushi, pizza, BBQ, Island specialties, even authentic, freshly baked Italian, Belgian, and German pastries, breads, and other goodies!
Want fine dining while dipping your toes in the sand? An authentic Italian pizza while watching 100’s of kiteboarders fly across the waves? How about watching the big game on sevaral big screens, munching on great pub grub, all while wearing your bathing suit? Head to Cabarete where you’ll find a stretch of about a dozen restaurants directly on the beach, all open late into the evening.
Water Sports
There is amazing snorkeling and scuba diving right from the main beach, Playa Sosua. Here you can Stand-Up Paddleboard, go deep sea fishing, or have some fun on the banana boats and glass-bottom boats.
Just a few minutes to the East is the town of Cabarete, world-r
enowned for Kite Surfing and Windsurfing, as well as some great wave surfing at Playa Encuentro. You can also rent Laser sailboats on the main beach of Cabarete.
There are dozens of shops and school that provide lessons and rentals in all things water-related.
Golf
Just minutes away in Puerto Plata is the Playa Dorada Golf Course. This Championship level course was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is open to the public.
About an hour to the east is the Playa Grande Golf Course, also designed by Robert Trent Jones and recently underwent a complete refurbishing. Considered the “Pebble Beach of The Caribbean”, this course is not to be missed!
Tennis
There are numerous facilities in and around Sosua offiring clay and concrete courts. All are open to the public with a nominal renatl fee.
Sosua Tennis Club at Hotel Voramar
The Tennis Club at Sea Horse Ranch
The Courts at Sosua Ocean Village
Terramar - Sunset Valley, Sosua
Horseback Riding
Sea Horse Ranch has a full Equestrian Facility, featuring Stables, Riding Arenas, and many miles of amazing riding trails.
There are also numerous horseback tours through the mountains and along the beach, these can be booked at one of the numerous tour operators in town.
Deep Sea Fishing
Directly from the beach at Playa Sosua you can charter one of several modern, fully equiped fishing boats for a half-day or full-day fishing trip.
You decide if you want to release your catch...or have it cleaned and fileted right on the boat and bring it back to your condo to grill it up on your BBQ!
The waters just off the beach are packed with game fish including tuna, marlin, mahi, and others!
Site-seeing and Other Excursions
The North Coast of the island is where Columbus first set foot In Hispañola, making this part of the Dominican Republic rich with historical significance. In addition, the varied landscape and eco-system here makes for some incredible opportunities to explore nature at it’s most beautiful.
Below is just a sampling of the excursions you can book from local tour operators, or venture out on your own to enjoy:
Ocean World - Swim with the Dophins, have an encounter with Sharks...or take in the Vegas Style Show and Casino
Monkey Jungle and Zipline - One of the best Ziplines in the Caribbean and an unforgettable Monkey Encounter
27 Waterfalls - Hike to the top of the 27 Waterfalls and repel, slide, and jump down the falls
Telerifico - This cable car takes you to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres, providing an incredible view of the North Coast
Fortaleza - This Fort dates back to the 1500's and is located directly on the Atlantic Ocean
La Isabela - The site of the very first settlement in The New World
Paradise Island and other Catamaran tours - Several options to hop on a boat, go snorkeling and take in the sun
White wáter rafting - In Jarabacoa, there are some very challenging courses as well as relaxing and scenic courses
Mountain Biking - Literally hundreds of miles of mountain and ocean trails await you
ATV Adventures - Along the beach, through the woods, or deep in the mud, you'll have a blast
Factory Tours - Highlights include The Brugal Rum Factory in Puerto Plata and La Aurora Cigars in Santiago
Annual Events - 2020
January
January – March: Whale Watching in Samaná: Watch the 3,000 to 5,000 whales that migrate to the waters of the Samaná Bay on a guided boat tour or from the land at the observatory in Punta Balandra. The official whale watching season runs Jan. 15 – Mar. 15, but tours are available as long as whales are in the Bay.
January 15 - 18: Caribbean Laser Midwinter Regatta, an annual sailing event where some of the world’s best come to train and compete. http://caribwind.com/
February
Sundays in February: Dominican Carnival: With origins dating back to 1520, Dominican Carnival is a tradition inherited from Spanish forefathers. Celebrated every Sunday of February, Carnival Parades and entertainment vary by city, among them Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Río San Juan, Constanza, La Vega, Montecristi, Samaná, Higuey, La Romana, Santiago and Santo Domingo. La Vega Is home to the most popular celebration in Dominican Republic.
February 15 – 20: Procigar Festival: More than 300 people from around the world gather at the Procigar Festival in La Romana, Puerto Plata and Santiago. Events include a golf tournament, beach excursions, Merengue classes, cigar workshops and more. www.Procigar.com
February 23 – 28: Master of the Ocean: An annual kiteboarding competition held in Cabarete on Dominican Republic’s North Coast. The event declares a “Master of the Ocean” or “Team Master of the Ocean” based on four categories - surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding and Stand Up Paddle (SUP). www.MasteroftheOcean.com
March
March 17: St. Patricks Day: celebrate the Luck of the Irish with this annual beach party and parade in downtown Cabarete.
March 20: Caribbean Cigar Night: This annual event takes place at the Playa Dorada Resort Complex in Puerto Plata. It features cigars from the top manufacturers in the Dominican Republic, premium spirits and wine, and gourmet food from the famous Casa Colonial Resort and Spa. http://cigarnightpop.com
April
April 5th - April 11th, 2020 – Semana Santa: Easter Holy Week is a festive and celebratory religious event. In Cabarete, the beach bars and restaurants set up stages and tents for the week-long party, with dancing and music attended by thousands every year.
Events TBA
May
Events TBA
June
June 2 – 9: 100K of the Caribbean: A seven-day 100 km Caribbean marathon that spans from Cabarete to Samaná. The race will break into five stages between the towns Sosúa (8 km), Puerto Plata (17.5 km), Cabarete, (18 km), Las Terrenas (44.5 km) and Samaná (12 km).
Date TBA: Puerto Plata Cultural Festival: Normally held the third week of June, the Puerto Plata Cultural Festival offers an insight into Dominican culture with folk music, traditional African tribal dances, Salsa and Merengue. There are also many crafts exhibits from local artists.
July
July 11: The Butterfly Effect – an international series of water sports events for women. Since its beginning in 2007, the Butterfly Effect has evolved into a worldwide movement, hosting 26 different non-competitive events and workshops in 10 countries, with thousands of participants. http://betheeffect.com
Date TBA: Pablito Guzman’s Windsurf Classic, Cabarete Beach. The Cabarete Classic is a four-day long windsurfing event offering racing and freestyle categories for competitors of all ages and abilities. http://www.cabareteclassic.com
August
Events TBA
September
Date TBA: Multicultural Food Festival of Sosua – Restaurants of Sosua come together to celebrate the multicultural heritage and gastronomic delights of Sosua. The festival includes artistic performances, exhibitions, children’s programs and food tastings.
October
October – January: Dominican Winter Professional Baseball: The Winter season kicks off with the Dominican Professional Baseball games taking place all across the country starting in October. One of the league’s top teams, Las Alguilas, are based in Santiago, about 90 minutes from Sosua. Upon the end of the season, the Caribbean Series features the champion teams of Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Venezuela.
October 7 - 9: Discover Puerto Plata Marketplace: The annual event promotes Puerto Plata among the national and international markets, highlighting it as a complete and diversified Caribbean destination with a wide variety of accommodation options, excursions and tours. www.DiscoverPuertoPlata.com
October 11: Sosua 8K Charity Run: This will be the second annual run through the streets of Sosua. Last year nearly 200 people participated. There are several categories with trophies for the competitive runners, and a great day of fun and exercise for those that want to walk the route and just enjoy the event.
November
Date TBA: Puerto Plata Golf Classic: ASHONORTE (Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Association of North DR) presents the Puerto Plata Golf Classic Invitational, to be held at the renowned Playa Dorada golf course (designed by Robert Trent Jones) to benefit ASHONORTE’s tourism culture
November 5 – 8: Dominican Republic Jazz Festival: Annual cultural event held in Cabarete, Puerto Plata, and Sosua; attracts large audiences who come to hear the best from international and national jazz musicians. www.DRJazzFestival.com
December
Events TBA