Dominican Republic Sosua Villa Rentals your next getaway—choose from a selection of great villas

Playa Sosa is a lovely stretch of golden sand and azure-turquoise ocean 20 minutes east of Puerto Plata. This north coast is where Dominican beach tourism originated and continues to grow.

Playa Sosa has many bars, restaurants, and shops. Divers and snorkelers love the easy access to near-shore spots. Locals and visitors enjoy Sosa's waters and sunsets on weekends and holidays.

Cayo Arena has some of the most abundant marine life in the Dominican Republic, including corals and sponges, as well as schools of tropical fish that swim around your feet. This location is a haven for people who enjoy snorkeling because it offers schools of tropical fish that are easily visible in shallow turquoise waters.

Laguna Dudu is one of the most magnificent natural attractions on the north coast, with a succession of blue, freshwater lagoons surrounded by caverns and thick woodland that will keep you swimming all day. The park, which is located near Cabrera, about two hours east of Puerto Plata and an hour from Playa Grande, provides plenty of outdoor entertainment.

Inaugurated in April 2017, La Puntilla, Puerto Plata's newest outdoor venue, is a spectacular 2,062 square meter (22,200 square foot) outdoor Grecian amphitheater facing the Atlantic Ocean with a capacity of over 4,000 people. Occasionally, concerts, dance performances, and other cultural events starring Dominican and foreign performers are hosted here, which is bordered by the San Felipe Fort and the lush La Puntilla park.

The 27 Charcos of Damajagua waterfalls, the crown jewel of Puerto Plata's attractions, offer a day of hiking through thick forest, crossing footbridges, and passing numerous flora before reaching a rocky hilltop where you'll begin jumping or sliding down a series of waterfalls, wearing helmets and safety gear, as you slide down water-cushioned chutes or jump into deep turquoise pools.

Mount Isabel de Torres, flanked by a massive monument of Christ the Redeemer, is one of the province's most recognizable features. You can hike up or use the only cable car in the Caribbean to reach there. You will be 793 meters (2,600 feet) above Puerto Plata's green hills, surrounded by breathtaking vistas of the Atlantic Ocean and distant beaches.

Cabarete is equally as intense at night as it is during the day. The beachfront bars and clubs are filled with barefoot or sandal-wearing tourists and locals enjoying happy hours, music, and dancing. There are two-story nightclubs with theme music nights, as well as comfy sofas immediately on the beach, where you may spend a quieter night among the party crowd.