North Coast

It seems that each of the Dominican Republic's major regions has a nickname and the North Coast is no different. Featuring the popular towns of Puerto Plata, Cabarete and Sosua, the north coast has been referred to as the Amber Coast due its the prevalence of this semi-precious gem the Discovery Coast thanks to Christopher Columbus discovery of the island of Hispaniola at Cape Isabela and the Silver Coast, after Columbus named the area Puerto Plata or silver port because of the effect the sun made on the water as he approached.

Regardless of what visitors call it, the north coast brings together some of the country's best features - lush jungle forests, rolling mountain ranges, ethereal blue waters and golden sand beaches. And it is because of these characteristics that this area is today considered the country's most versatile playground. Here vacationers can jump river beds on a mountain bike, fight the waves on a kiteboard, test their strength on a rock face or rub elbows with the rich and famous who come for the north coast's luxurious new accommodations. No matter what activity visitors choose to partake in, however, they'll find that everything here is done with legendary Dominican flair.