Amber Coast: Puerto Plata & Cabarete
Based in Cabarete, explore the north coast's waterfalls, historic old town, sandbar snorkeling, and lagoons
Fly in and out of Puerto Plata Airport and stay in Cabarete for all four nights, eliminating the need to change hotels. Head west to the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, the historic old town, and Cayo Arena (Paradise Island), and east to the lagoons and grand beaches of Río San Juan. Packed with water sports and outdoor activities, this trip is perfect for friends and active travelers. Note that the Puerto Plata cable car is undergoing reconstruction, so mountain-top visits are excluded from this route.
Dec–Apr is drier and cooler; Jun–Aug offers the best wind conditions but falls within the hurricane season, so keep an eye on weather forecasts.
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive in Sosúa & Cabarete
Cabarete（Sosúa Beach、Sosúa Jewish Museum、Cabarete Beach & Kite Beach）
Drive about 25 minutes from Puerto Plata Airport to Sosúa, then continue east for about 20 minutes to Cabarete in the afternoon.
Stay: Cabarete Town Center
Day 2 · 27 Waterfalls & Puerto Plata Old Town
Puerto Plata（27 Waterfalls of Damajagua、Victorian Downtown & Parque Independencia、Amber Museum、Fortaleza San Felipe）
Head west for about 1 hour to the waterfalls with a tour or private driver. Stop by the historic old town on the way back in the afternoon, and return to Cabarete in the evening.
Helmets and life jackets are mandatory at the waterfalls. As the cable car is closed, the mountain summit is only accessible via 4WD vehicles.
Stay: Cabarete Town Center
Day 3 · Snorkeling at Cayo Arena
Puerto Plata（Cayo Arena (Paradise Island)）
Depart early on a day tour. Drive about 2.5 hours to the pier, then take a 30-minute boat ride, returning in the late afternoon.
Some tours only run on Mon, Wed, and Fri; book this day first before scheduling other activities.
Stay: Cabarete Town Center
Day 4 · East Coast Lagoons & Beaches
Cabarete（Laguna Gri-Gri、Playa Grande (Río San Juan)、Laguna Dudú）
Hire a driver or rent a car to head east for about 1 hour to Río San Juan. Explore the sights heading east, with a 1.5-hour drive back.
Stay: Cabarete Town Center
Day 5 · Caves, Surf Beaches & Departure
Cabarete（Cabarete Caves (El Choco National Park)、Playa Encuentro）
Spend the morning exploring the caves south of town and Encuentro Beach, then drive about 35 minutes to Puerto Plata Airport.
Hiring a guide for the caves is recommended. Wear water-friendly shoes and bring mosquito repellent.