La Costa Ámbar

Those who visit La Costa Ámbar (The Amber Coast) will find that its menu of activities is as varied as its topography. At the northwestern corner of the country lagoons rest peacefully amidst mangroves and thick vegetation, mountainous tropical forests reach to blue skies, and arid cliffs fall steeply into the ocean’s breakers. And whether you are an adventure junkie, a history buff, or a sun-seeking beachcomber, there is something in this region to satisfy your needs.

When Christopher Columbus made his second journey to the New World in 1493 he founded the second European settlement in the New World on this stretch of coastline at La Isabela in the northwest. All that now remains of that settlement are the ruins of their destroyed encampment, which can be seen in the Parque Nacional La Isabela. After the miserable failure of La Isabela, Columbus and his men moved to Santo Domingo and the north coast became mainly an import-and-export shipping yard for hundreds of years. But the mountainous tropical forests with no real passageways caused the area to be secluded from the rest of the country and unsettled for many years. Tourists didn’t even start visiting this region until the late 1900s.

Although much of this region still has wide expanses of undeveloped land, many people associate La Costa Ámbar with the all-inclusive resorts of the Playa Dorada region. But there is so much more here to experience along the north coast: Windsurfers and kitesurfers recognize Cabarete’s prowess as a major port of call for water sport lovers, Sosúa has emerged as a scuba diver’s dream, and untouched beaches are scattered all along the curvaceous coastline.

Playa Grande Golf Course: Although your golf game may suffer because of your attention to the views rather than your game, this golf course slopes and sprawls in all the right places. Keeping your eye on the ball might be harder than it’s ever been. (read more)

Kiteboarding and Windsurfing in Cabarete: Glide across the water at top speed where world champions ride. All, from beginner to pro, agree that Cabarete has some of the premier conditions for water sports in the entire world. (read more)

Diving and Snorkeling in Sosúa: Explore the coral gardens, walls, wrecks, and reefs off the coast of Sosúa in supreme diving conditions. (read more)

Museo del Ámbar Dominicano: This museum has the most impressive display of the ancient resin in the country. Here, 40-million-year-old bugs lie frozen forever in a golden casing. (read more)

Cayo Arena: Just off the coast of Punta Rucia, this picturesque sandbar fits no more than 100 people at a time and offers up fantastic snorkeling. The constantly shrinking and expanding ultra-white sand of this tiny sandbar can be your Paradise Island for the afternoon.
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