Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
PLAYA COFRESÍ
Five kilometers west of Puerto Plata lies the quiet, condo-dwelling hamlet of Cofresí. At
a Dominican version of Sea World with dolphins, sharks, sea lions and manta rays, an avi-
ary and more that will certainly keep the kiddies entertained. You can also swim with the
dolphins (per person US$155) or the sharks (US$60). For a trippy Las Vegas-style show, a
sort of 'around the world in 120 costumes', there's
Bravissimo
($45, $75 including dinner)
in the Ocean World marina complex. The garishly clad, hard-working dancers perform
high-energy tributes to Lady Gaga, Elvis Presley and a number of Latin pop stars. To make
it a double-header evening, head several floors up to the
Lighthouse Lounge & Disco
, one of
the best places for dancing in the area, especially on Saturday nights. The complex's
Posiedon restaurant
has a recommended all-you-can-eat Sunday brunch (US$35) that in-
cludes prime rib and lobster.
At the other end of Cofresí sprawls
Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort
( 809-586-1227;
www.lhvcresorts.com
;
all-incl r per person US$150; )
, an enormous complex with an array
of compounds with a variety of levels of membership-like benefits, though regardless of
your class, from elite to hoi polloi, all share a beautiful half-moon bay and white-sand
beach. Sandwiched between Ocean World and Lifestyle is a tiny community of expats and
condo dwellers, and a couple of restaurants.
Chris & Mady's
(mains RD$350; 8am-11pm; )
has a wide-ranging menu with reasonable prices and a Sunday barbecue popular with locals
and expats alike. The menu at
Los Charos
(mains RD$200; 11am-late; )
is full of Mexican
fare, and German-run
Le Papillon
( 809-970-7640; mains RD$550; 6-11pm Tue-Sun)
, up a
small hill 100m east of Cofresí, is a fine-dining option with specials like leg of rabbit,
smoked yellowtail and vegetable curry.
Three large resorts, all under the Riu banner, line the pretty Bahia Maimon around 6km
west of the access road to Cofresí. Construction was underway next door on a large dock-
ing facility to handle Carnival Cruise Line ships (possibly Royal Caribbean as well).
TUBAGUA PLANTATION ECO LODGE
To take a break from the north coast sun and sand, head inland on Rte 25 to Tubagua Plantation Eco-
Village (
Click here
) for a scenic trip that takes you through the Cordillera Septentrional all the way to
Santiago.
