With majestic mountains at its back and the sparkling Atlantic and soothing trade winds at its face, Puerto Plata is the Caribbean's up and coming destination. The entire shore is known as the Amber Coast, named for rich deposits of the lustrous stone. The town bustles with shops, restaurants and patio cafes. A rich blend of cultures and architecture make this scenic retreat ideal for your Caribbean vacation. You can find a global culture here with a unique Dominican twist. French dance and ballet can be found in the Cibao and Santiago and Victorian and English architecture still can be found in Puerto Plata. This intermix of cultures is best expressed in the meringue dance and music of the island. A rhythmic mix from African and Caribbean origins, merengue is very much part of life here!

From January through March, Samana Bay is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. It offers something for everyone - the outer bay is where you might find aggressive males competing for the females, and the sheltered inner bay is one of the most important humpback nurseries in the world. Humpback whales have been wintering near Samana for centuries. Cave drawings made by the aboriginal inhabitants of Los Haitises, long before Columbus arrived, depict the spouting whales. Columbus saw them too, as the log of his travels along the north coast in 1493 makes clear.

If windsurfing along the coast of a lush island sounds appealing to you, then take note. About 30 minutes from Puerto Plata is the quaint resort community of Cabarete. A host to world championship windsurfing events, the smooth waters of this bay with consistent winds makes it a magnet for water-sports enthusiasts.

Ocean World in Puerto Plata is the world's first fully interactive ocean park. It's not about strolling past gigantic aquariums teeming with tropical fish and sharks. It's about actually getting inside the aquarium and swimming with them. This is the first park of its kind, where you're interactive with all the animals: sea lions, dolphins, sharks, stingrays, tropical fish and tropical birds.