Sosua Beach (Playa Sosua)

Protected by a coral reef, the waters around Sosúa Beach are filled with marine life and coral gardens. Snorkelers can expect to see schools of tropical fish including parrotfish and lionfish here. The horseshoe-shape golden-sand beach is the perfect spot to relax with a book, and the water is safe enough for children to swim.

Many people visit Sosúa Beach as part of a full-day tour from nearby Puerto Plata, enjoying snorkeling, a catamaran trip, or a ride in a glass-bottom boat.

• Sosúa Beach is a must for snorkelers and beach enthusiasts.

• Rent snorkel gear from shops at the beach or choose a tour that includes equipment.

• Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent from the bars along the beach.

• If you visit during the winter months, you might see migrating whales offshore.

Sosúa Beach is located 4 miles (6 kilometers) east of Puerto Plata International Airport. You can reach the beach by boat as part of a snorkeling trip, by car, or by taxi. Public buses run to the beach frequently from Puerto Plata town.

Sosúa Beach is temperate and open to the public year-round. It’s busiest on Sundays, when local families come to spend the day at the beach. The atmosphere in Sosúa Beach is family-friendly during the day, but nighttime brings out a grittier element in town.

At the Amber Museum in Puerto Plata town, you can see all kinds of ancient insects and plant life preserved in amber. Tree resin that’s naturally fossilized over thousands of years, the beautiful semi-precious stone is found in many places worldwide, but amber from the Dominican Republic is widely considered to be among the clearest and best in the world.