To dress up the skies for the DREAMin Live WimBash Cabarete event on Saturday, 12 May 2012, and prepare for the excitement of the weekend, the Cabarete Classic team has prepared a small free sports event for windsurfers and kiters. The forecast is for good wind 15-20 knots. There will be both slalom for windsurfers and a long distance race for windsurfers and kiters.

Upcoming next is the Seventh Annual Cabarete Classic from 12-15 July at Cabarete Beach. Categories for the slalom are: mini juniors, juniors, sport class, women's class, and open class. Categories for the formula class are: sport class and open class. There will also be a long distance race for advanced windsurfers and kitesurfers.

Other upcoming Cabarete kiteboarding events are the Butterfly Effect, set for 28 July 2012. During this all-women event, there will be windsurf, kiteboard, kayaking and standup paddleboard competition from Cabarete's center to the Encuentro surf beach. The Butterfly Effect starts off with a giant beach cleanup that is followed by a fundraising party.

And then on 18 August 2012, Cabarete's charity fundraiser, Kiteboarding 4 Kids, takes off. The event seeks to raise money to support programs that seek to improve the lives of children living in poverty in the area. A kitesurfing competition, with all its air-bound acrobatics, is the main event, held in front of Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding (LEK) at the Millennium Resort & Spa. www.kb4k.org

For more information, call 809 867-5423.

Cabarete in the Dominican Republic has long been known for its improbable kite surfing beaches that attract droves of college ancient travelers from around the world. Cabarete is a well-liked destination where the young advance to surf, drink, tan, and party.  This fun town is only an hour drive from Playa Dorada.

By day Cabarete is a aloof minute beach town, only a few miles long. By night it becomes a happening beach strip. Unlike its neighbor Sosua, Cabarete is known more for its European travelers than for the working girl locals.

There are a strip of restaurants along that beach with outdoor seating. These restaurants are a ample state to procure dinner and survey the sunset. Once the sun goes down the restaurants turn into nightclubs. There is Casanovas, Ohm, Blue, and a handful of others that offer behind night drinking and dancing.

The party does not terminate at these clubs though. Once these clubs shut down the truly vibrant head over to the Casino where the action goes well into the morning. The Casino is the after hours set that offers a trendy nightclub and gambling. What else do you need?

Cabarete is a puny town and if you gather yourself up for adventure you are unbiased a fast cab flow away from Sosua where the streets are filled with “beach bars.” Beach bars are tiny inaugurate bars, mostly frequented by Dominican working girls. Even if that doesn’t sound like your scene its worth it fair for the experience.

Transaero has announced that it will operate its first Moscow-Puerto Plata route as of October 2012. The flights will offer Russian tourists an alternative to the already very successful six-weekly flights from Moscow to Punta Cana. Deputy Tourism Minister Magaly Toribio, who attended the MITT International Travel Fair in Moscow last week, said that the flight opens up the destinations of Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete to the Russian market. She said that if the destination catches on with Russian tourists, another frequency could be added to the north coast route.

The days of flying off to the Dominican Republic with a driver's license and a birth certificate are about to end. As of May 1, Canadian visitors will have to present a valid passport. They must also be in possession of a return airline ticket. The Dominican Republic was the fifth most-visited destination for Canadians in 2010, according to Statistics Canada. Leading it, in order, were the United States, Mexico, Cuba and the United Kingdom.

The best diving on the North Coast of the island takes a little time getting to. There are a number of shallow water reef systems, however in Sosua, about 20 minutes from Puerto Plata, you will find reefs, canyons, shipwrecks, and gardens. Average water temperatures are about 80 degrees, and dive depths are usually 50 to 130 feet. The area of Playa Grande, about an hour and a half away, also features the Gri Gri lagoon for snorkeling. A colorful historical story of one shipwreck is the Concepción. The North Coast tossed this Spanish galleon into the Silver Banks about 60 nautical miles from Puerto Plata. The ship carried a cargo of freshly minted silver coins. An American with British support recovered about 69,000 pounds of it in 1689. It was not until 1979 that an American teamed up with the Dominican government to recover tons of silver that remained (they split the findings 50/50). Ask at either Gran Ventana Beach Resort or Casa Colonial Beach and Spa to help with diving and snorkeling.  This pic was taken at Cayo Arena.

The Luperon road’s own tourist attractions along its span linking Santiago with Puerto Plata, between the towns Gran Parada and Gurabo, have been showcased in a guide to promote the route’s enchantments, from the Cibao Valley to the Atlantic coast.

This new ecotourism option has been launched with the publication of a guide which promotes the attractions along the mountain route.

“From the sea to the mountain, to enjoy thirty kilometers of pure nature,” says the map-guide, which compiles the services, attractions and activities found on the road also knows as La Cumbre, such as amber mines, zone coffee plantations and a tradition sugar cane plantation at the town of Montellano.

The road signs were installed jointly with the recent start of the road’s reconstruction, which will boost visits to the area and its spectacular view of the Northern Mountain Range, and buy the region’s famous organics products, including sweets, cheeses, and yogurts, exotic flowers in more than six nurseries, handicrafts and furniture.

The new, $30 million Ocean World located in the exclusive Cofresi resort area isn’t about just sitting around and watching “Flipper” dance on his tail in the water — it’s about jumping in and dancing with him.hh

And it’s not about strolling past gigantic aquariums teeming with coral reefs and tropical fish and sharks— it’s about actually getting inside the aquarium and swimming with them.

“This is the first park of its kind, where you’re interactive with all the animals sea lions, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, tropical fish and tropical birds,” says Eric Bogden, director of operations.  Eric is an18-year veteran of Sea World parks in the States. He was netted by Ocean World’s owners to manage the design and completion of this unique park’s exhibits.  Ocean World is brand new and some of the exhibits will open over the next several months. “We’re training the sharks right now. Just this morning I had one sitting on my lap,” says Eric proudly. When the shark pool is ready, your friendly shark will stick his jaws out of the water for a photo op with you.

“These animals are super sociable and want to have a good time,” explained one of the three trainers who were assigned to our group. “So the more you whoop it up, clap and have fun, the more they will respond and interact with you.”

Indeed, this isn’t about sitting in bleachers and watching animal tricks from a distance. This is about getting into your bathing suit and sitting with just a couple dozen people on a floating deck, with three trainers attending and three dolphins sharing an enclosed pool not much larger than a jacuzzi.

This is about standing in shallow water as a 400-pound dolphin comes up erect in front of you. You hold his fins, and, as the trainers whistle a quick five bars of merengue, you feel the power as he dances in your outstretched arms.

This is about standing in shallow water as Boomer, the newest arrival at Ocean World, comes right up to you for a hug, pressing his body against your chest, head on shoulder. And you feel the strength, the power and the gentle affection of these incredible mammals as they wiggle their snouts against your cheek for a friendly kiss.

“I was amazed with the quality of the whole event,” said Jan Maclean, a veteran diver who has swam with dolphins and whales in the open sea. “It was obvious the trainers were completely wrapped up in what they were doing. They really care about the animals”

“I found the setting to be spectacular,” said Jean Hall on vacation from Montreal. “It looked like a magazine picture of the Caribbean. I’ve never been to a place where the public is invited to touch, dance, stroke and feed the animals. Being that close to such a large animal, standing stomach to stomach with him was incredible.”

Ocean World has become a must-see in Puerto Plata. It’s open every day but you’d do well to reserve in advance.

***

OCEAN WORLD ADVENTURE PARK is the most advanced marine interaction park of its kind.  Boasting the largest man-made dolphin habitat in the world, Ocean World is a must-see attraction for everyone visiting the Dominican Republic.  Guests of Ocean World Adventure Park have the opportunity to touch, pet and feed dolphins, sea lions, sharks, stingrays, exotic tropical birds, meet tigers, walk through a tropical rain forest and much more. Ocean World Adventure Park emphasizes personal experiences between guests and marine animals through interactive programs.  There are only a handful of such facilities in the world, and none that rival the variety and quality that Ocean World Adventure Park provides.

Sea Lion show & Encounters. The Patagonian Sea Lions featured in this program originated from Uruguay.   Two of them are male and six are female.  Guests are provided with an opportunity to touch, feed, pet and play with these wonderful animals in the Sea Lion Encounter Program. The Sea Lion Show draws great reviews as guests watch the animals perform amazing behaviors and stunts.
Sea Lion Facility Features
•    Total Area 780m2
•    Stadium seating 350 guests
•    Water volume 60,000 gallons in 4 pools
•    Filtration system high rate sand filters, protein skimmers, ozone treatment

Snorkel Reef. In the coral reef aquarium, snorkelers swim in a colorful reef teeming with hundreds of exotic fish.  The snorkeling here is available everyday of the year.  Visitors are most likely to encounter angel fish, puffers, grunts, tangs, jacks, butterfly fish, spade fish, look downs and lobsters.
Snorkel Reef Facility Features
•    Total area 305m2 and 2.0m average depth
•    Water volume 150,000 gallons
•    Estimated number of fish 2,000
•    Filtration system, high-rate sand, protein skimmers, biologic, ozone treatment, temperature controlled
•    Split level underwater viewing panels 1.5m high and 15m long

Dolphin Swims and Encounters. For many guests, the highlight of a visit to Ocean World Adventure Park is the rare opportunity to swim and play with beautiful Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.  The Dolphin Swim experience begins with a brief orientation and educational program.  Then guests enter the water for their introduction to dolphins.  Guests learn about dolphin behavior and discover how Ocean World Adventure Park trainers use hand signals and positive reinforcement to communicate with them.  Taking the experience one step further, guests encounter, kiss, hug, pet, and feed dolphins one on one in their environment.
West Dolphin Lagoon Features
•    Total area 2,400m2
•    Volume 4,000,000 est. gallons, up to 4.5m deep
•    Filtration turnover rate 4 hours
•    Stadium capacity estimate 450 seats
•    Filtration system high rate sand, protein skimmers, ozone treatment
East Dolphin Lagoon Features
•    Total area 24,000m2 average depth 3.5m
•    Water volume 14,000,000 gallons
•    Turnover rate 4 hours, 24,000 gallons per hour
•    Filtration system, protein skimmers, ozone injection, system first of its kind in the world
Ocean World Adventure Park’s dolphin habitat is the largest of its kind in the world.

Shark Encounters. The sharks at Ocean World Adventure Park are an exciting variety of nurse, bonnet head and brown sharks; all indigenous to local waters. This rare award-winning interactive program includes touching, petting, feeding and snorkeling with the sharks.
Shark Pool Features
•    Water volume 200,000 gallons
•    Total area 360m2 and 2.5m deep
•    Filtration system high rate sand, protein skimmers, ozone and U.V., biologic filtration and temperature control
•    Two viewing windows 2m high and 8m long
•    Artificial reef structures decorate the bottom
•    The only shark pool specifically designed for human shark interaction

Stingray Encounters. Guests wade into the Stingray Basin, float and interact with the stingrays.  These fishes, which glide gracefully through the water, will provide you a really unique and memorable experience.
Stingray Basin Features
•    Total area 142m2
•    45,000 gallons of filtered sea water
•    2 separate water falls

Rainforest & Aviary. Ocean World Adventure Park has created the perfect rainforest.  The exotic tropical oasis is complete with waterfalls, sandy beaches and rocky lagoons.  In this area there exists a large free flight aviary, where guests are able to feed, touch and mingle with over one hundred colorful tropical birds.  Aquariums here feature exotic and unusual freshwater fish including arapaima fish.
Rainforest Features
•    Total area 3,650m2
•    Aviary 156m2 walk-through facility with tropical trees and waterfalls
•    Large Amazon fish exhibit of 24,000 gallons, 1.5m high 8m long view panels
•    Small Amazon fish exhibit of 25,000 gallons, demi-tube underwater view 7m long

Tiger Grotto. The highlight of the Tropical Rainforest is the tiger grotto.  Here, guests are invited to take a refreshing dip in the water next to the tiger habitat separated only by glass!  The pool stretches out toward what is reminiscent of ancient ruins overgrown with thick vegetation and waterfalls.
Tiger Grotto Features
•    26,000 gallon pool and total area of 450m2
•    Four rapid flow waterfalls
•    Rainforest stream entry
•    Swim cave

Trainer for a Day. Trainer for a Day will ensure a true dolphin trainer’s experience. From playing animal chef to issuing dolphin commands during a regular program with regular guests!!  Education is a significant and valuable part of this unforgettable day.
Trainer for a Day Features
•    Includes Ocean World T-shirt, hat, Trainer for a Day Certificate
•    Lunch with the Trainer
•    Dolphin Encounter interaction as a guest

SCUBA with the Dolphins or Sharks. New and exciting programs have begun at Ocean World Adventure Park; the fantastic once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to interact with dolphins or sharks underwater.  In these incredible programs visitors put on a wet suit and SCUBA gear then become immersed in an underwater paradise. The staff of Dolphin SCUBA offers instructional programs that prepare guests with the PADI open water SCUBA certification required for these programs.
Depending on experience levels; programs feature 5 different SCUBA adventures.

A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!

Location: 

Puerto Plata is located in the North coast of theDominican Republicand limits to the North and West with the Atlantic Ocean, to the East with Espaillat province and to the South with the provinces of Santiago, Valverde and Monte Cristi.

About Puerto Plata: 

Puerto Plata has an area of 1,856.90 square kilometers surrounded by the beautiful beaches of theAtlantic Oceanand by the green valley of the northern mountain chain located in the South of the province.

This town is one of the most important and famous tourist zones of theDominican Republicon its great development since the 80’s. It is known for its gorgeous beaches and the “All inclusive” hotel infrastructures surrounded by the coast.

Puerto Plata has a diversified economy where tourism plays an important role for the creation of jobs. It’s also supported by the agricultural production of sugar cane and coffee.

Its beauty had made people to call Puerto Plata as the ‘Atlantic Ocean’s girlfriend’. Also, Puerto Plata is honored to be the place that has the exotic stone called Amber which is found in few countries in the world. 

Climate:
Puerto Plata has a tropical weather and its temperatures ranges from 25° C to  29° C all year long.

How to get there?

• By Air: The Closest airport is located in the same province which is the Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP). Other near by airports are: Cibao International Airport (STI) located inSantiago, and the Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) inSanto Domingocity.
• By car: Direct access fromDuarte Highwayand is two and a half hours away fromSanto Domingo. 

Cable Car:

You can make the journey on cable car from the ‘Isabel de Torres’ hill above 700 meters high and can see all the beautiful vegetation of the hill next to the gorgeous view of the coastal city of Puerto Plata and the Atlantic ocean’s waters. The cable car is open Monday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

National Park Isabel de Torres Hill:

The Hill is located in the southwest of the Northern mountain chain. The highest point reaches a height of 799 meters and is one of the most beautiful geographic attractions of Puerto Plata. This protected area has an approximate area of 15 km2. The park has a botanical garden, a cable car, and a statue of Christ built in 1974 similar to the one inRio de Janeiro,Brazil. It is open Tuesday to Sunday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm with a restaurant and shopping area for souvenirs and handicrafts. 

28 Cascades of Damajagua:

Damajagua is a geological fault whose jump starts on the top of the hill about 7 miles Bajabonico traveling through the mountains. These pools are impressive waterfalls of 13 meters, located on the declineDamajaguaRiver, which flows from theNorthernRangeMountains. Located in the town ofImbert, Damajagua has 28 waterfalls with different elevations and shapes and in his tour will have to swim, jump, slide and climb.

Amber Museum:

The museum is one the most visited attractions of Puerto Plata where you can find a variety of this fossilized resin called Amber. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 p.m. and here you will find samples of the most popular hues of yellow-honey and also other ones less common like green, brown and blue.

San Felipe Fort:

The San Felipe Fort is one of the first of its types in theAmericas built in the XVI century and is only remain of colonial infrastructure in Puerto Plata. It was used to defend the island from possible invaders and here you can enjoy the beautiful view of theAtlantic ocean. It has an area where is exposed historic photographs, weapons and cannons used during the battles for independence. 

The Malecon:

The famous Malecon is the street located in thePuertoPlataBay in route and next to the Ocean where you can find numerous cafes, bars, restaurants and street vendors. The beach surrounding the area is not suitable for bathing but only for contemplating the caribbean breeze while walking or standing. The Malecon is frequented by tourists and locales during the weekend.

Brugal Rum Factory:

The Rum is part of the Dominican culture and proud of our Rum, there is available to visit the Brugal Rum Factory in Puerto Plata. The factory is one of the oldest in the country since 1888 and bottles more than 360.000 liters of rum a day. You make a short visit, observe the process, taste a free sample and probably buy your own bottle of rum at the end of the journey so you can take home. The factory is open free of charge to visitors from Monday to Friday.

Beaches, Scuba Diving and Water Sports:

Puerto Plata is chosen as one of the best places to enjoy the beach and water sports like windsurf and kitesurf. The most famous beaches in the province are: Playa Dorada, Sosua, Cabarete and Luperon.  

Playa Dorada: Located 10 minutes East of Puerto Plata, is the area that since long time ago offers the variety of “All Inclusive’’ hotels.

• Sosua: In this small town, you can enjoy a more relaxed ambiance for the beach enjoyment and can rent vacation homes or apartments.
• Cabarete: The ideal and best place for Windsurf and Kitesurf in the island.
• Luperón:  Located 50 km west of Puerto Plata with beautiful hotels and famous for the marina and fishing activities.

Golf: 

The most visited place for golf lovers in located in Playa Dorada called “Playa Dorada” designed by Robert Trent Jones. 

Tips:

• Don’t forget your camera, sunblock and repellent for mosquitoes.
• Take with you clothing suitable for: summer, beach and resort area, disco and ecotourism.
• It is advisable to take your prescribed medication that could be difficult to get there.