Puerto Plata Travel Guide

Getting There -- The international airport is east of Playa Dorado on the road to Sosúa. American Eagle (tel. 800/433-7300 in the U.S. and Canada; www.aa.com) has daily 2-hour flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Puerto Plata. Flights cost from RD$5,600 to RD$11,760 (US$168-US$353/£84-£176) per person round trip from San Juan to Puerto Plata. American Airlines also flies daily from Miami (2 hr., 10 min) and from New York (3 hr., 30 min). Most of the Puerto Plata resorts are about a 40-minute drive from the airport.

From Santo Domingo, the 3 1/2-hour drive directly north on Autopista Duarte passes through the lush Cibao Valley, home of the tobacco industry and Bermudez rum, and through Santiago de los Caballeros, the second-largest city in the country, 145km (90 miles) north of Santo Domingo.

Getting Around -- Avis (tel. 800/331-1212 in the U.S. and Canada, or 809/586-0214; www.avis.com), Budget (tel. 800/472-3325 in the U.S. and Canada, or 809/586-0413; www.budget.com), and Hertz (tel. 800/654-3131 in the U.S. and Canada, or 809/586-0200; www.hertz.com) all have offices at the airport.

You probably won't need to rent a car, however, if you're staying at one of the all-inclusive resorts. You might just like to get around Puerto Plata by motor scooter, although the roads are potholed. You can rent a scooter at the guest services kiosk at just about any large hotel in Puerto Plata.

Minivans are another means of transport, especially if you're traveling outside town. They leave from Puerto Plata's Central Park and will take you all the way to Sosúa. Determine the fare before getting in. Usually a shared ride between Puerto Plata and Sosúa costs RD$45-RD$60 (US$1.35-US$1.80/70p-95p) per person. Service is daily from 6am to 9pm.

If you take a taxi, agree with the driver on the fare before your trip starts, as cabs are not metered. You'll find taxis on Central Park in Puerto Plata. At night, it's wise to rent your cab for a round-trip. If you go in the daytime by taxi to any of the other beach resorts or villages, check on reserving a vehicle for your return trip. A taxi from Puerto Plata to Sosúa will cost around RD$580 (US$17/£8.70) each way (for up to four occupants).

Visitor Information -- There's an Office of Tourism on Calle José del Carmen Ariza 45 (tel. 809/586-3676). Hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 3pm.

Fast Facts -- Round-the-clock drugstore service is offered by Farmacia Deleyte, Calle John F. Kennedy 89 (tel. 809/586-2583). Emergency medical service is provided by Clínica Dr. Brugal, Calle José del Carmen Ariza 15 (tel. 809/586-2519). To summon the police in Puerto Plata, Calle Luis Ginêbra, call tel. 809/586-2331.