Travel Guides And Tips: A Guide to Shopping and Nightlife in Puerto Plata

The majority of Puerto Plata's all-inclusive resorts will offer at least a small boutique or two, along with several nightspots ranging from small bars to exhilarating dance clubs. While some guests may be happy to stay within the resort and take advantage of the excellent amenities, it really is worth getting out, mixing with the locals, and exploring all that Puerto Plata has to offer.

The area consists of three main resort towns, Puerto Plata, nearby Sousa, and the popular Cabarete Beach. Luckily each destination is within close proximity of the other allowing for numerous shopping and nightlife choices. The best shopping variety can be found in Puerto Plata, where, in addition to many unique boutiques and souvenir stores, shoppers can find larger mall style complexes with a great variety of stores. Plaza Turisol Complex is the largest shopping center on the north coast and boasts more than 80 outlets. Some of the island's most upscale clothing stores can be found at the complex along with a wide variety of gift and tasteful souvenir shops. Plaza Turisol Complex is centrally located about five minutes east of the city and is a great place to start when shopping for the perfect item.

Another popular complex is the nearby Centro Commercial Playa Dorada, featuring authentic Dominican handicrafts, collectibles, gifts and clothing. The Amber Shop is also located here and is partnered with the famed Amber Museum. The shop offers visitors the chance to take home some of the Dominican Republic's semiprecious stones. Various items including necklaces, bracelets and pendants feature the beautiful stones, and the array of colors will give you an excuse to buy several items to complement your wardrobe!

Another Puerto Plata favorite for jewelry is Harrison's, located in the Plaza Isabela near the entrance to the Playa Dorada Hotel Complex. If you want something striking and exotic to show off when you return from the Dominican Republic, stop by Harrison's Jewelers to purchase a unique souvenir. Harrison's is world famous for its selection and celebrity clients. In addition to Harrison's, Plaza Isabela features a collection of small specialty shops offering a wonderful selection of unique items, gifts, clothing and souvenirs.

If you still have some energy at the end of a day of shopping, Puerto Plata and the surrounding area also offer a vibrant, exciting nightlife. When the sun goes down it's time to get out, have some fun and make some new friends.

Several spots are located on El Maceon, Puerto Plata's ocean-side promenade that encompasses Fort San Felipe. La Barrica attracts visitors who are looking for a more authentic Dominican experience than that which can be found in the more westernized bars. This bohemian nightspot comes alive after 11pm with plenty of Latin and Caribbean-inspired music, with the atmosphere being as conducive to all-out partying as you can get in the Dominican Republic! Nearby Café Cito, however, offers a more relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy chatting to the locals over drinks and great food. This friendly hang-out has been rated among the two top spots for a night out in Puerto Plata by the Lonely Planet Guide and the Rough Guide, and features great live music including jazz, blues and vintage rock and roll. In addition, Café Cito is Puerto Plata's only 'try before you buy' cigar bar, where you can sample various cigars and then buy by the box at factory prices.

Another good spot for nightlife is within the Playa Dorada Shopping Center in Puerto Plata. Hemingways is a local favorite and its rustic character stands in stark contrast to the manicured exterior of the shopping center that contains it, with the décor being more reminiciscent of Old Key West. After 9 pm, Hemingway's rocks with karaoke, live music, and merengue dancing, so be sure to bring your dancing shoes! Call ahead to see what's on the music menu, or just come down to watch your favorite sporting event on satellite television. Close by, The Crazy Moon Disco is located in the lobby of the Paradise Beach Hotel within the shopping center, and draws a crowd of both young and old, tourist and locals. Show off your dance moves in the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, with super-charged Latin, dance and hip-hop music. There are two bars, a decent sized dance floor, and plenty of lounge seating. Crazy Moon knows how to party, so be prepared to dance the night away!

From pristine beaches and all-inclusive resorts to fantastic shopping and exciting evenings out, Puerto Plata has it all. Night or day, Puerto Plata offers some of the Dominican Republic's finest dining, shopping and nightlife. Discover for yourself what makes this intriguing and diverse destination so special.