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Posted on September 6, 2016August 27, 2016 by Dolphin Man — 6 Comments

Fast Track Your Way to A Career with Dolphins!

Many of us, when we’re young, have big dreams about what we’d like to be when we grow up. Some of us want to be professional athletes or singers, others astronauts or firefighters, and still others have a passion to somehow work with animals when we get older.

Nicki LaPierre was one of those kids who knew at a very young age she wanted to work with dolphins. At seven years old her parents gave her a dolphin necklace and she instantly fell in love and set her mind on having a career with dolphins. She had such a love for these graceful animals that nothing was going to stand in her way of making that dream come true. Not only did Nicki realize her dream, but she did it in record time, becoming one of the youngest dolphin handlers in the entire state of Florida.

Each and every day when Nicki gets up for work she does so with a big smile on her face because she gets to hang out with the magical creatures she’s been in love with since she was a little girl.

If you also have a passion for dolphins and would love nothing more than to make a living training and interacting with them, then the fastest way to reach your dream is to go to school for a marine biology degree.

Is Marine Biology a Good Career?

If you asked Nicki (and countless others) she would give you a resounding “Yes!”

What most people don’t realize is that marine biology is a term that is used to cover a whole host of disciplines and jobs in the marine sciences. Although they all deal with the study of marine life, they can vary greatly.

For instance, with a marine biology degree you may go on to become a biological technician, marine mammalogist, fishery biologist, microbiologist, and of course, a dolphin trainer, to name a few specific careers. Heck, even economists and sociologists who deal with marine resource issues work within what is considered the field of marine biology.

A Fun and Exciting Career - Marine Science — A Fun and Exciting Career – Marine Science

Getting a Marine Biology Degree

There are many universities and colleges that offer degrees in marine biology, many of them located on the Pacific Coast. A good resource to find academic programs is www.oceancareers.com or look at this book ” How to become a Marine Mammal Trainer“.

Some good schools on the west coast to consider are the University of California programs at San Diego (Scripps Institution of Oceanography), Davis, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz, the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife or Department of Oceanography at Oregon State University in Corvallis; and Humboldt State University in California. On the east coast there are quality programs at schools like the University of Miami, University of Rhode Island, and the University of Massachusetts.

Courses to Consider

For a career in marine biology you can expect to take preparatory classes in basic biology, zoology, chemistry, physics, biometrics, mathematics, and statistics. You may be surprised to learn that you’ll have to take some English classes as well, because marine biologists write a lot of scientific papers with the hopes of getting them published.

You will most likely take courses in oceanography as well as ichthyology and fishery biology. If you hope to eventually have a career where you will often deal with the public or public policies, courses in social sciences are also recommended.

You Must Love Water and Marine Animals! — You Must Love Getting in the Water and Marine Animals!

Marine Biologist Salary

On average, marine biologists earn $37.00 per hour, or $77,630 as an annual salary. These salaries typically start at $39,000 and can go all the way up to $124,680. Pay will vary based on the level of education (get those degrees!), amount of time in the industry, and the size and location of the company.

Train Dolphins for a Living

If you’d rather wear a wetsuit to work instead of a suit and tie, then being a dolphin trainer is the career for you. But you might be wondering what exactly dolphin trainers do each and every day.

Generally, dolphin trainers get to work very early, typically before 7AM, and when they arrive they are instantly greeted by thousands of pounds of frozen fish. So one of your first tasks might be to sort all of these fish into buckets (you didn’t think it was all glamorous work, did you?!) and then weigh each bucket carefully to ensure each dolphin is getting the right amount of fish for the day’s activities.

After a bit of cleanup, you might find yourself heading into meetings with coworkers to discuss all of the animal’s health and well-being. After the meeting everyone grabs some buckets of fish and heads over to the pool to say good morning to the dolphins and give them their breakfast.

You might have a show later in the morning and have to set props and get into your costume and then give the audience what they came for, a spectacular show they’ll never forget.

After the show you and your dolphin pals will take a lunch break, but then head back to the pool for for some training sessions where you may teach the dolphins to do flips and other new tricks for upcoming shows. We would highly recommend that you try a Dolphin Interactions in one of our location and speak with a trainer directly. They will always give you great advice.

Work Hard to Get This Career

Becoming a marine biologist and going on to be a dolphin trainer will not happen overnight, and the work will be hard and often exhausting. But it will be equally rewarding. Like Nicki, you may also want to consider doing an internship at an animal park. Dolphin training is a coveted position and there are only so many in the country, so to have the most chance, go for an internship.

You Too Can Have a Career with Dolphins!

Nicki will be the first to tell you it’s not glamorous, the work is hard and you don’t get paid, but you get a chance to learn from the best and if they see potential in you, they just may hire you like they did Nicki.

If you have the same passion that Nicki has and would love to work with dolphins one day, find a good school and get the right degree, work toward that internship, and never give up!

Your Marine Animal Experience and Feed Back

We would love to hear from you and what you did to get involved with Marine Animals. Did you do any of these suggestions that we have listed here? In fact we are so interested in hearing what you have to say that we will entice you to comment, the first 5 comments will receive a $5 Amazon Gift card by email. The only thing we ask that you comment has something to do about Marine Animal Careers or Marine Science.

Posted on August 30, 2016August 17, 2016 by Dolphin Man — 2 Comments

Wild Dolphin Encounter in Bimini, Bahamas

Swimming with dolphins in a facility is exciting enough, but getting to be out in the open waters and watch wild dolphins in their natural habitat is something totally different and unique! And that’s why Dolphin World is pleased to introduce to you, the Wild Dolphin Encounter in beautiful Bimini, Bahamas.

The Bahamas are a collection of nice-sized islands, with the biggest being North and South Bimini. Though technically the biggest islands, a vacation to Bimini still has a quaint and charming feel, perfect for a relaxing destination.

But quaint and charming don’t even do justice to describe what your experience aboard a comfortable sailing boat for 6 days and 5 nights will be like on your wild dolphin adventure. Captain Geoff will personally greet you upon arrival and give you a brief explanation of the boat and your time upon it.

Once you and your fellow adventurers introduce yourselves, Captain Geoff will give you a weather report for the week and ahead. Then finally, it’s time to sit down to your first dinner on board. Meals are simple but tasty. After dinner you have the option of reading, playing board games, or going on deck to be amazed at the sky full of stars. Then it’s time for some shut eye because the next day will be a total thrill.

Capt_Geoffrey_ — Capt Geoffrey of Dolphin Expeditions

The one thing you must understand is that, as accommodating as Captain Geoff and crew are, they cannot predict or control the weather. You basically hope for the best and deal with what weather comes your way. Captain Geoff pays very close attention to weather reports, as well as the surrounding landscape, to always ensure your safety.

Depending on weather, you may find in the morning the seas are a bit rough and the captain does not want to take the dingy out in search of dolphins. This gives you an opportunity to practice your snorkeling in calmer, shallower water. When the weather is clear and the water still, you’ll hop into the dingy and motor around the islands in search of spotted or bottlenose dolphins!

You will NEVER forget the first time you see these dolphins out in the wild! They tend to swim around and around the dingy and leap into the air as if to show off. You’ll also get a chance to see dolphins feeding out in the open waters, and sometimes, it’s as if the dolphins want to race the dingy. Usually they win.

But perhaps the most spectacular and memorable experience is when you find yourself snorkeling in the morning in the crystal clear water and suddenly dolphins appear to swim with you. Simply unforgettable. You’re also most likely to see all kinds of sea life while snorkeling such as star fish, stingrays, nurse shark (they’re friendly!), blue fish, yellow fish and all sorts of tropical fish.

The wild dolphin encounter is truly a one-of-a-kind experience and memorable to boot!

Getting to Bimini

Although it is the outermost set of islands in the Bahamas, Bimini is actually less than 50 miles from the southern tip of Florida and very easy to get to. You can get to Bimini by air or by sea.

You have two options to fly into Bimini:

Silver Airways – A regional airline (and partnership with United Express Airlines) that departs from Fort Lauderdale. There is one flight daily, except on Tuesdays, which lasts for 30 minutes and lands you directly at South Bimini Airport. Travelers headed to North Bimini will have to take a five-minute taxi ride from the airport.

Take a seaplane – Tropic Ocean Airways offers flights from Fort Lauderdale as well as Miami on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. They also offer private chartered planes. Other companies that offer private chartered service include Island Air Charters, Pioneer Air Service and RMG Flight Services. If your budget allows, this is a nice way to start your adventure.

Charter a boat – Why not charter a pleasure boat or even a yacht to get you to Bimini? Several Florida companies and private boat owners are happy to transport travelers from Miami and Fort Lauderdale to docks and marinas on North and South Bimini. Charter services to consider include Boat South Florida, Taylor’d Yacht Charters and Atlantic Yacht Charters.

Bimini History

The history of Bimini is quite varied and exciting. During the 1600 and 1700s, Bimini was a popular spot for pirates who hid out, waiting for the Spanish ships, laden with treasure on their route back to Spain, to pass by.

During the 19^th century, shipwrecks were a frequent occurrence in the area and the first settlers to Bimini came to salvage the wrecks. Once lighthouses became common in the 1800s, the shipwrecking trade declined. Ever heard of Blackbeard? He was no stranger to the islands of Bimini.

Once the wrecking industry declined, the island was struggling with poverty. But, in 1919, The U.S. enacted the Volstead Act and the era of prohibition dawned. Everyone and their cousin was looking for a way to smuggle alcohol into America through Canada and The Bahamas.

Enter the rum runners, who flooded Bimini with cases and cases of rum, all headed to the United States. Bimini went from economically depressed to rolling in cash, seemingly overnight.

Many notable historical figures visited Bimini over the years, but perhaps the most famous was Nobel Prize winning author Ernest Hemingway, who had experiences on the island that would allow him to eventually write Old Man and The Sea.

Sights and Sounds of Bimini

Is it any wonder Bimini is a mecca for deep sea fishermen? This location is ideal for catching “the big one” as its where the Gulf Stream meets the Bahamas Bank. Anglers here are likely to catch snapper, tuna, and wahoo.

There are plenty of other activities besides fishing. There’s paddleboarding and kayaking, of course, and art and culture as well. Spend a day perusing Bimini Museum in Alice Town.

Those visitors who are looking for a real thrill can get into a dockside cage to get face-to-face with one of the ocean’s top predators – the bull shark.

Of course, there’s nothing to stop you from simply taking a leisurely stroll through town, enjoying some delicious local food, doing some shopping and people watching, or just lying in the warm sand with cool ocean breezes kissing your skin.

Bimini is truly a unique destination where magic awaits you at every turn.

Your Bimini Bahamas Experience and Feed Back

We would love to hear from you and what you did in Bimini Bahamas. In fact we are so interested in hearing what you have to say that we will entice you to comment, the first 5 comments will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card by email. The only thing we ask that you comment has something to do about Bimini Island and your stay there or the nearby area.

Posted on August 23, 2016August 6, 2017 by Dolphin Man — 2 Comments

Swimming with the Dolphins in Anguilla

The beautiful island of Anguilla is located near St. Maarten/St. Martin in the Eastern Caribbean. Though quite small, this Caribbean jewel boasts a rich history and culture, as well as a stunning landscape. Where else can you go that offers 33 pristine white-sand beaches and a plethora of sea-going activities? And, unlike some of its neighbor islands, who have become overrun with tourists, Anguilla has retained its local charm and authenticity.

Besides lounging on one of the many pristine beaches, you’ll find plenty of thrilling activities on the island like scuba diving, snorkeling, and horseback riding. But perhaps the most thrilling activity is swimming with the dolphins in Anguilla.

Anguilla Dolphin Program - As Natural as it gets — Anguilla Dolphin Program – As Natural as it gets

Dolphin Swim Programs

Closed for four years for renovations, the dolphin facility on Anguilla’s Blowing Point Beach has recently opened its doors to the delight of thousands of visitors. A trip to the facility will get you up-close-and-personal to some of the most extraordinary creatures on the planet.

You’ll have your choice of shallow or deep water dolphin experiences and a variety of programs:

The Dolphin Encounter

This is a shallow water experience, perfect for little ones or those who aren’t strong swimmers. Standing in shallow water, the dolphins swim up to you and you can touch and even kiss them. They will also perform tricks right before your eyes.

The Dolphin Royal Swim

This is one of the facility’s most popular swim program and for good reason, you get to interact with TWO dolphins, who will greet you with an affectionate handshake and a kiss on each cheek. Later in the program you will be able to enjoy an unforgettable ride as you hold onto their fins and are pulled across the water. You’ll feel like you’re flying! You’ll also experience a ‘foot-push’ where you’ll be pushed from the bottom of your feet.

The Dolphin Swim Adventure

Talk about unforgettable. Not only will you have an amazing meet-n-greet with hugs and kisses, but in this program, your dolphin pal will swim on his or her back while you float on their belly. Afterward, you’re allowed to spend some alone time with your new pal interacting and being affectionate. You will also be able to snorkel underwater to observe the dolphins swimming below.

How to Get to Anguilla

Most visitors to the island fly in, as it’s the quickest and easiest way to get there. And right now, I’m going to let you in on a secret that will save you time and money. Most travelers and travel agents will book a flight that lands in Anguilla’s local airport AXA. As a result, they end up flying through either Antigua (VC Bird Airport – ANU) or Puerto Rico (Luis Munoz Marin – SJU), which usually ends up costing more in money and time. Sometimes travelers even have to stay overnight before moving on.

So, the secret is, make sure you fly into St. Martin’s airport SXM, which is about one hour away. When you think about it, most major airports take 45 minutes to an hour to get to from your house, so it’s really not that big of a deal to hop in a taxi and drive into Anguilla. Again, you’ll save time and money. You’re welcome.
A final tip: when you begin your flight search, start by finding a city with non-stop service to SXM.

Getting Ready to go into the Water in Anguilla — Uncle Mike Getting Ready for a Great Time with Dolphins in Anguilla

How to Travel and Where to Stay Around the Island

When it comes to getting around the island you have two main options: taxi or rental car. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons:

Rental Car – Compared to taking a taxi everywhere, a rental car will be a much more affordable option for you. Note that in order to drive on the island, visitors must be issued an Anguillan driver’s license. These are quite easy to get as most car rental agencies will have them.

The process is easy – simply pay a one-time fee of $20 and show your valid US driver’s license.

Taxi – As I mentioned previously, Anguilla taxi service is notoriously expensive, but, if you have the budget, it may be worth it. Because you’ll have to drive on the left-side of the road in an unfamiliar place, where street names are often not identified and roads are often not paved, paying someone else to get you around may be more your speed. Plus, as an added bonus, many taxi drivers can double as a tour guide.

As for where to stay, you have a variety of wonderful options. Here are two of our favorite resorts:

CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa

If you’re looking for an oasis of luxury set among azure water and white sand, look no further than the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa. Accommodations are spacious and the views are incredible (Perfect to take they jealousy-inducing selfie).

Guests can enjoy the spa, or perhaps spend the afternoon playing a round of golf on the only 18-hole course on the island, designed by Greg Norman. At night, you’ll have your choice of extraordinary dining options. < More Info >

Carimar Beach Club

When in Anguilla, why not stay at a world-renowned beachfront resort? Carimar Beach Club boasts spacious villa suites that are located directly on Mead’s Bay Beach – considered one of the best beaches in the entire world.

Besides resting on the soft, pearl-white sands, guests can enjoy on-site tennis, golf, water sports, island excursion, and, of course, fine dining. < More Info >

Coming from St Martin to Anguilla

Getting to Anguilla from St. Martin is quick and enjoyable on the ferry. Oh, it’s also inexpensive. Ferries run all day between ports between the hours of 7:30am and 6:15pm (departing Anguilla). The last return ferry to Anguilla departs St. Martin at 7:00pm. Ferries run approximately every 45 minutes, and the trip takes about 25 minutes.

Regular one-way fare is US $20 or EC $55 for adults and children twelve years and older. Children under twelve years old are US $10.

Whether it’s your first time to Anguilla or your third, the island will no doubt enchant you and make you never want to leave. For an even more remarkable trip, be sure to check out those dolphin swim programs and make some new best friends.

Your Anguilla Experience and Feed Back

We would love to hear from you and what you did in Anguilla or near by St Martin. Did you do any of these activities that we have listed here? What places do you recommend to go stay in or eat at? In fact we are so interested in hearing what you have to say that we will entice you to comment, the first 5 comments will receive a $5 Amazon Gift card by email. The only thing we ask that you comment has something to do about Anguilla or St Martin and your stay there or the nearby area.

Posted on August 17, 2016August 16, 2016 by Dolphin Man — Leave a comment

Lemur Experience at Jungle Island

Dolphin World has partnered with Jungle Island Miami for many years now because they offer visitors a chance to glimpse land animals that we don’t have in the marine park. Imagine getting up close to lemurs, monkeys, and tigers. Well, you can at Jungle Island.

If you don’t know much about Jungle Island, read on to find out more! After learning about the park, you’ll want to include one of their programs on your next visit to Miami, especially the Lemur Experience.

Jungle Island – A South Florida Landmark Attraction

Jungle Island, a favorite South Florida landmark, is an intimate zoological park located in the heart of Miami, between downtown Miami and South Beach. Building upon a rich tradition that began in 1936, Jungle Island is home to some of the world’s rarest and most exotic animals. You can enjoy engaging animal shows and informative exhibits while strolling by streams and waterfalls under a lush canopy of tropical trees. Also, you can choose to participate in hands-on interactions with fascinating animals or go on guided behind-the-scenes Lemur tours. Jungle Island enriches the lives of park visitors through immersive, real-life jungle experiences centered on adventure, animals, discovery and play.

Lemur Up-Close Description

Play with lovable, rambunctious lemurs during this hands-on experience! Aside from a trip to Madagascar, the Lemur nursery at Jungle Island is one of a very few places on earth where guests can personally interact with these extremely rare and endangered mammals. Learn fun-facts and feed them their favorite juicy treat – grapes. Guests visit in small groups, so everyone gets to participate. Children must be 6 years of age or older. Guests under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Jungle Island Park Admission

With your Lemur Experience, you also get to enjoy access to Jungle Island, which includes a fun-filled day exploring the park’s unique shows and animal exhibits. Take part in memorable experiences including a visit down under with the Australian red kangaroos, feeding animals at the petting farm and an exclusive encounter with a surprise critter. Come see the parrots, lions, orangutans, alligators and many more animals, along with spectacular shows! Includes access to Parrot Cove, Miami’s only private, swimmable beach, so bring your bathing suit!

Finally, you can swim with the dolphins and add this wonderful Lemur tour to your day as well – a combination that will be a big hit with your family and friends. Miami’s wonderful beaches and fun animal attractions help make South Florida one of the best destinations for a vacation.

Your Jungle Island Experience and Feed Back

We would love to hear from you and what you did at Jungle Island. In fact we are so interested in hearing what you have to say that we will entice you to comment, the first 5 comments will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card by email. The only thing we ask that you comment has something to do about Jungle Island and your stay there or the nearby area.

Posted on July 21, 2016October 24, 2017 by Dolphin Man — Leave a comment

My Puerto Plata Dominican Republic Summer Vacation Review

swim with dolphins puerto plata dominican republic

There are a plethora of vacation destinations within the Caribbean, but perhaps none quite as lovely as Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Located on the north coast, the area boasts charming towns, spectacular hiking and mountain biking, lively nightlife, and miles and miles of beautiful white sand beaches. Plus, unlike other Caribbean vacation destinations, Puerto Plata offers tranquility without the hordes of tourists.

There are numerous activities to enjoy during your stay. As I already mentioned, the coastal region offers up some of the world’s most unspoiled beaches. Imagine spending the day strolling along with aquamarine water on one side and a thick fringe of palm trees on the other, gently swaying in the ocean breeze. Every day I spent an hour or more walking and simply laying in the sun – it was incredibly relaxing and just what I needed.

beach_on_Puerto_Plata — Amazing Puerto Plata Beach

Outdoor Fun for Everyone!

I’m an outdoor enthusiast and I loved the guided hike my family and I went on that introduced us to the area’s astounding flora and fauna. Thrill seekers can explore the 27 waterfalls, where adrenaline junkies can white water rafting to diving from rock walls into the pools below. Although I didn’t have the stomach for it, I saw people having a great time of it. Puerto Plata has plenty of activities for everyone’s taste.

White_Water_Puerto_Plata — White Water Rafting Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata also offers a rich and diverse blend of cultures to experience. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy merengue, blues, jazz and folk concerts, as well as traditional dance performances. Puerto Plata even hosts a yearly International sand castle festival. I’d love to try and schedule my next vacation to experience the amazing sand sculptures.

Those seeking an exciting nightlife scene will not be disappointed. All of the resorts have their own bars and discos, so you can enjoy some cocktails and dance the night away, then simply head upstairs to your room when the exhaustion finally sets in. There are also wonderful lounges and cabaret bars that locals enjoy and are happy to share with visitors.

Ocean World – One Place Stop for Water Action

I can hardly talk about exciting activities without mentioning swimming with dolphins at Ocean World Park. Not only will you have a completely exciting and memorable day at the park like my family and I did, but it is so incredibly easy to get to. Any resort in the area will be able to set up transportation to and from your hotel for free. We took a clean and comfortable bus that dropped us off right in front of Ocean World’s ticket booth.

The staff at the park are incredibly friendly and can direct you to all of the shows and amenities that are offered like the dolphin show, sea lion show, bird show, bird aviary, shark show, tiger grotto, pools and lounge chairs, and the lunch buffet, which was even better than I thought it would be!

My first activity was enjoying the 30-minute Dolphin Show, which was a real crowd pleaser. Even though you’ve probably seen dolphins perform tricks on TV and in the movies, seeing them do it in person is unforgettable. I also thoroughly enjoyed the Sea Lion show because they are just incredibly adorable and funny at the same time. My family and I giggled throughout it.

At some point during the day you’re going to need a break. You can either get some lunch or just relax by the pool in a lounge chair, or do BOTH, which is what we did. As I said, the lunch buffet was really quite tasty and offered us salad, meatballs, rice, chicken, fish, cold cuts, bread and flan. As per usual, I ate more than I should have, which is why I needed to go take a short nap by the pool.

Swimming with Dolphins in Puerto Plata

After my nap is when I actually got to swim with the dolphins. There are 4 different swim programs: Dolphin Swim, Dolphin Encounter, Diving with Dolphins, and Trainer for the Day in Puerto Plata. Swimming with the dolphins gets you into deep water where you can experience a dorsal fin ride and more. I highly recommend this.

If you have very little ones with you, or even adults who are not strong swimmers, there is the Dolphin Encounter, which is in shallow water. Here you can pet, kiss and hug the dolphins. Trainer for a day is exactly what it sounds like – you get to experience what it would be like to be a dolphin trainer at the park.

I had swum with the dolphins before so I wanted to try something totally different and unique, which is scuba diving with dolphins. I will NEVER forget this experience. If you have diving experience, do not miss this opportunity.

Amber Port – the New Cruise Port

The Amber Port is very new and cost a total of $85 million to build. It was not here the last time I visited Puerto Plata. It has been over 25 years since cruise ships have been able to stop on the Amber Coast – called such because of its abundance of the translucent, burnt-orange stone.

The port is located on the northern coast right next to Puerto Plata and receives calls from various cruise ships like Carnival, Holland America, Costa, Cunard and P&O, among others. The port has a transportation hub that offers passengers access to taxis and car rentals. Cruise Ship Travel to Dominican Republic

Besides being a port of call, this is a great jumping off point for many day excursions such as a trip to the Amber Museum and the Malecon, a three-mile-long boardwalk in Puerto Plata. You can also connect to Ocean World dolphin swim programs, snorkeling trips, and ATV off-roading adventures.

All-Inclusive Resorts

I have visited Puerto Plata on more than one occasion, and each time, have always been incredibly happy with my accommodations. That’s one of the things that makes this area so perfect for vacationers: the variety of all-inclusive resorts.

For my most recent vacation, my family stayed at the VH Gran Ventana Beach Resort, which is located directly on the beach. My kids loved that the hotel had a kid’s club and three different swimming pools. My wife and I loved the feeling of ultimate tranquility. I don’t relax everywhere I go, but I could definitely relax here. It also didn’t hurt that the resort had an international selection of restaurants. Have you noticed I like to eat?! This resort was the perfect backdrop to our vacation.

In the past I have stayed at Iberostar Costa Dorada, which is about 10 minutes from the city of Puerto Plata. The thing I remember most about this resort were the lush, tropical gardens everywhere you walked. I remember thinking, “Okay, I am actually in paradise now!”

The staff was very friendly and helped my family and I set up day activities like tennis, kayaking and diving. My wife really liked this hotel because of the spa where she got many, many massages and facials.

Another resort I highly recommend is ClubHotel Riu Merengue. If you like stepping out onto your balcony and feasting your eyes on expansive and impressive views, you won’t be disappointed staying here. This resort has a fresh water swimming pool, a wellness spa, and even a gym. The neat thing about this hotel is that it shares facilities with the Hotel Riu Bachata, so you’ll also have access to their programs and activities like windsurfing, table tennis, bodyboarding and golf.

My vacation(s) to Puerto Plata was everything I hoped it would be and I have no doubt if you choose to vacation here, you’ll end up making memories of a lifetime as well.

Your Puerto Plata Experience and Feed Back

We would love to hear from you and what you did in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic. Did you do any of these activities that we have listed here? What places do you recommend to go stay in or eat at? In fact we are so interested in hearing what you have to say that we will entice you to comment, the first 5 comments will receive a $5 Amazon Gift card by email. The only thing we ask that you comment has something to do about Puerto Plata and your stay there or the nearby area.