Sand syringe for Long Beach.

In the northwest, the Dominican Republic originally - but long adhered to the region around Puerto Plata and Sosua a bad image to investments failed to materialize, hotels and beaches ruin. Now the trend is done.

 

Puerto Plata - more sand on the beach, more green, new and modernized hotels, less waste on the roadside and an increased environmental awareness: The northwest of the Dominican Republic to Puerto Plata and Sosua has again gained in attractiveness. Just over ten years was the region with cheap prices in the headlines. Then, lacking the money for investment, and many hotels and beach sections schmuddelten before him. But the region has become moulted.

Unlike the more expensive holiday centers in Punta Cana and Cap Cana in the east of the country, which have attractive beaches and on the drawing board were planned, pulsates in the north nor the original Dominican life. Fischer hit krachend their dominoes on wobbly bar, in most dance clubs more locals than tourists. Minibuses and collective taxis stop outside the villages to hand signals.

The region offers something for all tastes and budgets: besides all-inclusive facilities - noble or even cheap - there are guest houses, where rooms from 16 euros per night cost. For the suite in a luxurious boutique hotel with private bath on the porch, however, $ 1000 due.

Strong sand syringe for Cabarete

Ten years ago was a stroll on the seafront in Puerto Plata, but still a disappointment: a little sand on the beach, dirty water in the sea, cans and plastic waste at the roadside. Today is the "Long Beach" clean and wider.

Some 100,000 cubic meters of sand were sand banks further east through large pipes pumped here. Whoever wants to can several miles from the town beach to the center of Playa Dorada holiday stroll. In the oldest resort in the country with 14 hotels and more than 4000 rooms, golf courses, nightclubs and shops were also a lot invested. Also this beach got a strong "sand injection", as the surfer town of Cabarete on. Sosua should follow.

Especially on a Sunday afternoon is the "Long Beach" lively. Teenagers make music Merengue Dancing, large families picnicking under gnarled Seetraubenbäumen. Pavillons load with cold beer, rum, and grilled fish to eat.

Prior to the restored fort of San Felipe at the western end of the promenade flirt young people. Through slits, the view of the harbor of the city and the vast Caribbean Sea. "Our Malecón is really beautiful. All Puerto Plata has changed," said Jose Camacho, the owner of a restaurant, the most satisfied sips of red wine.

Hope for good future

In a cheap hotel in Playa Dorada closes at midnight, one of the bars. Some offense Englishman ensure trouble. The three bartenders remain friendly. Later, one says: "We have no guests verprellen."

Only five minutes walk away at the same time relax in a pair of champagne by the pool. The lowered end of the pool gives the impression that the water and the bright glow of moon went seamlessly into the sea. "Many of us had three years ago declared insane, because we are such a noble hotel built," said general manager Roberto Casoni. But the region, and tourism have a good future, estimates Casoni, in the Regional Hotel Association cooperates.

ON TO ONLINE blogs

Reguetón in Cuba: attitude is everything (10.02.2009)

Dream Destinations: An island for every taste (05.09.2008)

Cayman Islands: How a schnapps idea was to export (08.07.2008)

Ecovillage Puerto Nariño: Please do not disturb parrots (02.01.2009)

Sosua "in-club" is currently "El Flew." The nightlife of the city, however, is quieter than formerly residents complained that some "Senorita" bars have been forced to close. Long before midnight in nearby Cabarete folded up the sidewalks, "surfers go to bed early to the morning to be fit," says Claudia Black. The Düsseldorferin has been living here 20 years and now manages a small hotel.

Spectacular is an evening in Cabarete walk across the wide, sandy beach: the moon and the stars shine there with candles, lamps and lanterns of the "restaurant mile" to the bet.

Still, the international airport of Puerto Plata to Punta Cana tourist arrivals, most of the "DR". That could change, however, if the new Airport of Samana in the northeast of the country's better to do business - there is also invested heavily.