Fire at Iberostar in Puerto Plata

 Social media was prompt to report on a major fire on Tuesday, 10 August 2021 in the evening at the Iberostar Costa Dorada in Puerto Plata. The details of the fire are yet to be forthcoming. The hotel was in operation. Guests and employees were evacuated. No injuries have been reported, but material losses are expected to be high.

Happenings In Puerto Plata

from dr1: Puerto Plata amphitheater to open in August Tourism Area Infrastructure Executing Committee (Ceiztur) director, architect Kirsis de los Santos has announced that the park and the amphitheater being built at La Puntilla opposite the San Felipe Fort off the Malecon in Puerto Plata will be inaugurated in early August 2016. Construction of the amphitheater and the park started in 2014, but although they should have been completed in a year's time, there have been some delays. De los Santos made the announcement last week at the opening of the Sunscape Resorts & Spa Playa Dorada. President Danilo Medina, Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia, mayor Walter Musa, governor Ivan Rivera and other executives were present.

Underwater Life in Puerto Plata at Centro Leon Centro Leon in Santiago and the Casa de Arte Sosua are inviting the public to a new exhibition, Sosua Vive with photographs of underwater life in Puerto Plata by Bill Passmore. The exhibition is sponsored by the Fundacion Eduardo Leon, the Centro Leon and the Casa de Arte Sosua. It opens at 7pm on Thursday, 9 June 2016 at the Centro Leon in Santiago de los Caballeros.

AA From The Heartland

American Airlines has announced the start of new routes to Punta Cana and Puerto Plata from Texas, Illinois and North Carolina in the United States. The flights began on Saturday, 19 December 2015.
The new routes are: Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) to Puerto Plata's Gregorio Luperon International Airport (POP).
Chicago, Illinois (ORD) to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
Dallas, Texas to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
American Airlines already had direct flights from Charlotte, Miami and Philadelphia to Punta Cana International Airport.

DR JAZZ FESTIVAL

Now in its 19th year, the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival promises five nights of free concerts 4-8 November in Santiago, Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete. Confirmed artists for 2015 include international jazz players David Sanchez Quartet and John Patitucci, and the Pedrito Martinez Group. From the Dominican Republic, Pengbian Sang and Retro Jazz, and Manuel Tejada will be playing, as well as Josean Jacobo, Javier Vargas and the Big Band of the Santo Domingo Music Conservatory. Marco Pignataro and Matt Marvuglio of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute will also be playing.
This year the festival will pay tribute to saxophone players Juan Colon, Crispin Fernandez and Sandy Gabriel.
The event is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism.

The CNN List

CNN recently featured a gallery of 20 beautiful places for people to put on their list of attractions to visit in the Dominican Republic. Their selection included:
Northeast: Moron and Rincon beaches in Samana, and El Limon Waterfall and Los Haitises National Park.
Puerto Plata: The cable car to Mount Isabel de Torres botanical gardens, Damajagua Falls, and La Isabela, the first European settlement site.
Montecristi: El Morro beach.
Santo Domingo: the Santo Domingo Cathedral, Ozama Fort and the Presidential Palace.
La Romana: Altos de Chavon, Las Maravillas cave and Playa Bayahibe beach.
Higuey: Basilica La Altagracia church.
Punta Cana: Juanillo Beach (Cap Cana) and Punta Cana beach.
Santiago: El Monumento.
Peravia: Las Dunas de Bani. http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/153778-CNN-20-Most-Beautiful-DR-Places http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/12/travel/gallery/dominican-republic-beauty/

Discover Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata will be hosting its Discover Puerto Plata Marketplace, a Puerto Plata Tourism & Cultural Cluster initiative. The event is set to take place from 16-18 October at the BeLive Grand Marien in Costa Dorada. Professionals from 20 countries are expected to attend. There will be 49 stands promoting the goods and services available in Puerto Plata. International tour operators, airlines, hotels and vacation property will be exhibiting. The event serves as a trade show and a platform for educating consumers and the trade on all that Puerto Plata has to offer. The natural, historical and cultural attractions of the North Coast will be highlighted. 
www.discoverpuertoplata.com

Views Of Puerto Plata

Jazz Festival

The Dominican Republic Jazz Festival will take place November 26-27 at the Cabarete Beach in Puerto Plata. The festival will close November 28 at the Gran Teatro del Cibao in Santiago. Leading jazz performers from the US and caribbean will participate. Visit their website for more information!

Problems For Puerto Plata

El caribe reports that tourism is in serious difficulties with hotels closing and jobs being lost. Five of 14 hotels in Playa Dorada have closed, the most recent being Viva Wyndham Playa Dorada. Remaining hotels report occupation rates have fallen from 60% to 30%.

At the commercial plaza 15 stores display signs announcing the close of business.

There is much blame going around; high taxes, the cost of fuel and ineffective tourism officials. The high rates of taxis are also blamed for the problem, as the high cost of taxi service discourages tourists from venturing out of resort properties.

Merengue Festival

The Puerto Plata Merengue Festival, sponsored by Brugal Rum, will take place 26, 27 and 28 September in Puerto Plata. Legendary merengue band leader, Wilfrido Vargas will have the closing of the festival, on occasion of celebrating his 40 years in merengue. The event will bring together merengue bands for live presentations at La Puntilla, off from the Puerto Plata San Felipe Fort. The Ministry of Tourism is sponsoring the festival. Confirmed so far in addition to Vargas are Jose Pena Suazo, Bonny Cepeda, El Prodigio, Rubby Perez, La Kerubanda, those performing in "Los Anos Dorados del Merengue de los 80", Maria Diaz.

MORE PUERTO PLATA

These are more pictures of the beautiful area of Puerto Plata.

PUERTO PLATA

It's getting harder to keep up with the latest news as it pertains to tourism in the Dominican Republic. Every time you turn around there is a new this or a new that. The government is starting to issue tourist cards when one enters the country. It is suggested that you keep this card with you during your vacation. The system is somewhat up and running, but won't be in full effect until after the first of the year. It's not clear yet if this is for Dominicans or ALL tourists.

dr1.com also reports a new hotel in Puerto Plata. Since we just talked about hotel options, I thought I would mention this one as well. Puerto Plata is another beautiful place to visit. The beaches are scenic and there is still enough of the area that is unspoiled and inhabited by Dominicans. I always get a fuzzy feeling when I think about the friendliness of the people. They are usually so welcoming and receptive.
















Hotel Playa Naco Resort & Spa is the newest
accomodation in the area. It has 414 rooms right on the beach, five restaurants, four bars, it's all-inclusive and it's very near to the airport in Puerto Plata.