| For this March of 2008 trip, we flew in to the Santiago airport. We were not aware of one of the entrance requirements. We found that before entering - you will have to buy a tourist entrance card for $10.00 per person.
Be sure and purchase this card prior to getting into the immigration line or you will have to exit immigrations and purchase the card. Then you will be at the back of the line once again.
Unfortunately, there are few signs to let you know about the tourist card requirement. Aside from that, it was one of the smoothest immigration and customs experiences I have ever had entering a third world country.
We stayed in Puerto Plata and arranged with a driver to take us to our destination. This hour and a half drive on the Tourista Highway takes you through many small communities nestled in the mountains and offers several outstanding views of the mountain ranges.
Our driver, Joseph was very professional and handled the mountain pass with no problem. Driving this route could be very treacherous for someone who did not know the area and it seemed for worse than even Jamaican roads. If you decide to rent a car and venture out yourself, be wary of the Motorconchos (motorcycles). They pass you on the left, right, and seem to have a death wish!!
 We finally arrived at our destination for the week in Puerto Plata at the Iberostar Costa Dorada. Nestled on the north coast, this all inclusive resort is very large and has several restaurants to choose from.
The food was not top quality but there were many choices. It was kind of your standard faire buffet style food you could find stateside - nothing spectacular.
The Iberostar Costa Dorada is also close to other popular north cost destinations such as Cabarete and Sosua.
So far so good at this resort. It is very large and seems to have all the amenities of your standard large scale all inclusive resort.
One thing that is very good here is the spa. The prices are very reasonable in comparison to other resort areas and they offer a wide variety of services. My masseuse Leo (odd name for a girl) did a aromatic one hour massage for $60.00 USD. Go to any half way decent resort and you will pay at least $100.00 for the same service.
We were set up for a garden view room but we were upgraded to a complimentary poolside ground floor room (bonus!! :o) the rooms were a little small but clean and very usable so no problem there. The towel game was in full effect here but if you place your stuff by 8:00 am you had no problem.
The ocean left a lot to be desired. We like the turquoise blue water that you get in most places in the Caribbean but because Puerto Plata lies on the north cost you get the Atlantic tides and it churns the water. It was kind of disappointing but what can you do.
Try Punta Cana for better water quality if you have to have turquoise blue water.
We took our 8 year old on this trip and he seemed to have a good time. They do have a kids club here (Lucy's Club) and it had many activities to keep the kids occupied however they seemed to cater the activities mostly to the age range of 4 to 7 year olds.
The kids club does give the parents a little time to themselves. You simply sign your child in at the kids club, let the attendant know where to find you, and when you will be back. There is no charge for this service and the kids seem to be well supervised (we hung out under a palapa at a distance to monitor the level of supervision).
This resort seems to cater to many European customers and South American customers. You get a very diverse crowd at this hotel. Although there are many signs stating that topless sunbathing is prohibited, you will see many people topless sunbathing out on the beach so if this is a concern for you just be forewarned.
Dominican Republic Real Estate Opportunities In The Sosua - Cabarete Area
We also wanted to check out the investment and retirement home opportunities in the area and met with a couple of real estate agents for a tour of different available properties. We focused on apartment style developments in pre construction phases along with completed projects.
 For about eight months prior to the trip, we had been talking with a married couple that work for Re-Max in Sosua. Arthur and Sally Byrd are a couple of part time ex-patriated New Jersey folks that really know the lay of the land down here and if you are looking for real estate down here and want to avoid many of the pitfalls of investing in foreign property, I cannot recommend anyone more than Arthur and Sally Byrd.
They work for Re-Max in Sosua and operate out of Coral Bay Real Estate. Real estate in the Caribbean comes with many twists and turns and no one can explain and guide you better than these two wonderful people.
Cabarete Beach - Dominican Republic
On one of our stops at Cabarete we went down to the beach. With some of the biggest waves and highest winds in the area, Cabarete beach serves as a platform for the world kite boarding championships. We saw  several people kite surfing, and trying to kite surf with many instructors in the area available to help.
We also saw fishermen selling their fresh catch of the day. You could purchase fresh lobsters in varying sizes at very reasonable prices. These lobsters were approximately 12 ounces a piece and went for ten dollars US.
Sousa and Cabarete offer many things to do on and off the beach. We also visited the Velero Beach Club and had a very good lunch - probably the best meal I had on the island. If you make it there, try the tortilla pizza.
Velero Beach Resort is a beachfront resort condo/hotel located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic within the town of Cabarete.
They have twenty-two apartments and seven penthouses offering luxury accommodations.
Velero Beach Resort is a condo/hotel resort. This means that each of the units in Velero are owned by individuals who have invested in the Dominican Republic. But the beachfront resort is managed by a highly regarded and experienced hotel operation. This unique blending of individual investor with competent, experienced management provides you with the perfect vacation destination. Its a great looking place and it seems to be highly recommended by the people down there we spoke with. Trip Advisor also gives the Velero Beach Resort high marks for customer satisfaction.
Dominican Republic Outback Jungle Safari Tour
This is a good choice for young or old and is very professionally run. The vehicles are very new and in great condition. Currently the Outback Jungle Safari Company operates approximately 45 vehicles all over the Dominican Republic and its easy to see why they are the most popular outback vehicle tour operation on the island.
 You will make several stops and be able to see and tour a hillside home that is sponsored by the Outback Jungle Safari Company, a working schoolhouse that is also sponsored by the Outback Jungle Safari Company (bring school supplies and you can give them to the kids), and a fruit plantation where you get to sample sugar cane, oranges and grapefruit.
Then it was back on the road for a trip to a inland fresh water river for a swim. With the backdrop of a huge mountain behind us, you would have thought you were in a scene from Jurassic Park - minus the dinosaurs!!
From there it was off to lunch - also provided. The lunch consisted of hot dogs, tortillas, red beans and rice, a  taco style meat and cheese mix, plenty of toppings, and fresh fruit - all prepared very well and very delicious. We also got up close and personal with baby crocodiles that we could hold and take pictures with.
Then we went on a short river trip where we saw tarantulas, snakes, several wild birds, and other animals. Drinks are provided and plenty of them. Our bartender / tour guide (Ruddy) yes - with two d's in his name, was very good and actually hung off the back of the truck while pouring drinks.
We thought he was going to fall off a couple of times but he was able to navigate the back steps of the truck with no problem. The drinks consisted of beer, water, rum, cokes in glass bottles (Real old school glass bottles!!)
Then we were taken to a remote section of Cabarete beach for a little boogie boarding. The waves are excellent in this area and it has been said that Cabarete beach is the windsurfing capitol of the caribbean.
After that it was back on the road for a short stop at a rum, wine, and cigar shop. This day trip started at 8:45 and we returned at 4:30 in the afternoon.
This trip was one of the highlights for my eight year old son and I highly recommend the Outback Jungle Safari to anyone looking for a interesting and informative day tour while visiting the Dominican Republic.
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