North Shore Villa Activities

Although there are more activities than we can ever possibly list, here are some we have found from past guests are very enjoyable, entertaining and safe.

	Golf details		Beach details
	Windsurfing details		Horseback Riding details
	Scuba Diving details		Dancing details
	Whale Watching details		Motorcycles details
	Fishing details		Hiking details

Cabarete is only 45 minutes away. This spot is known as one of the best windsurfing beaches in the world. The town has a small but international atmosphere with a nightlife to match the amazing windsurfing conditions.

Trade winds with thermals make for strong and consistent winds. The winds blow side shore making the bay a safe place for the beginner or experienced sailor. In the morning there is usually very mild: ideal for lessons and learning. However, by noontime the thermals kick in and make the wind a lot stronger.

Located on the north side of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete Bay is home to a wide variety of windsurfing shops. Here, you can buy or rent the very best windsurfing equipment.

You'll find everything from flat water cruising to down-the-line wave sailing, depending on the season and the time of day.

Many of Villa Costa Norte’s guests take advantage of the wonderful snorkeling and scuba diving nearby. The area lends itself for beginners as well as for experienced divers.

Río San Juan is less than half hour away. There, visitors can dive with the North Coast Divers. The surrounding waters offer good beginning and advanced dive sites with abundant tropical fish and marine life. It is possible to see dolphins, whales (from January to March), barracudas, groupers up to 1-1/2 meters long and many colorful reef fish.

In nearby Cabrera, advanced divers can enjoy fresh-water cave-diving through wide tunnels. The site has a beautiful inland lake, where the light effects are amazing with the 10-meter wall and the underwater trees reflected. Other reefs in the Sosua area are reachable by boat and only a few can be reached from the shore. All reefs average between 12 and 30 meters. There are many dive bases supplying tanks and boats but it is advised to dive with a reputable dive center.

In the north-eastern peninsula of Samaná, guests can take advantage of what has been called the "best dive in the island." Here, off the Las Galeras beach is the Cabrón, an advanced dive site from 5 meters to 54 meters down with plentiful rock and coral formations, tons of fish, and a wall. Divers interested in diving here should contact the Hippocampo Dive Center. The house administrator can arrange trips with a trusted chauffer and tour guide.

West of Sosúa there are wrecks to explore off the shores of Cofresí and Montecristi. Major salvage operations are underway in the waters off the province of Montecristi. One particularly interesting dive trip is to Punta Rucia near Montecristi. There, an atoll called Cayo Arena (Sand Island), has incredible coral diving. Cayo Arena is sometimes covered completely by the ocean, and at other times is extremely visible for exploring.

There are over 20 shipwrecks to choose from, including the historic 1563 fleet. This fleet was made up by the Spanish ships Santa Catalina, San Jorge and Santa María de Guadeloupe, that left South America, with a stop in Honduras. En route back to Spain in 1563, they were caught in a storm, and crashed into a reef in the Montecristi area. Only the Santa María was salvaged. The other two ships drifted off the reef and went down in deep water (60-90 ft.). Lost was a cargo of jewels, gold, and more than 300,000 silver coins.

One of the favorite pastimes at Villa Costa Norte is to look out for whales. It is remarkable how close to shore they come. Sometimes one can clearly see them jumping up in the air. On other occasions one can only see their humpbacks or the water spray from their blowholes as they surface.

Day trips to Samana can be arranged for a very close look at these mammals.

Every year, between the months of December and April, over 3,000 humpback whales come to breed and give birth in the warm waters in the north east of the Dominican Republic.

Don’t miss it!

Horseback riding is readily available from Villa Costa Norte. There are stables 5 minutes away specializing in riding lessons for children and adults. Smaller children can ride accompanied by experienced cowboys.

Day trips are organized by trained tour guides and include meals at the mountaintop and a close look at the Dominican countryside.

Experience riders can request and enjoy first class “pasofino” horses: the smoothest horses you will ever ride!

Merengue is the contagious music from the Dominican Republic, which has become popular worldwide. It evolved from the 'perico rapiao' (plucked or stripped parrot). This name refers to the wild country parties at which, in the absence of chicken, pigeon, or other birds, the main dish was parrot. The dance music that accompanied these parties was created by local groups who took the name of the parrot dish.

In the 1930s, the urban population brought the Merengue into the dance halls, in a modified form. This quickly took the nation by storm, and became the dance music of the Dominican Republic.

Like most Caribbean music, Merengue is rooted in African and Spanish music.

If you would like to learn how to dance Merengue with an “original” perico ripiao by the poolside, Villa Costa Norte will arrange it for you. Alternatively, discos and dance clubs abound in the area.

Motorcycles can be easily rented from Villa Costa Norte. There are many trails and mountain roads nearby to explore.

 

Local fisherman are happy to help you experience fishing "Dominican Style." Our staff will organize everything for you and, if you are skilled enough to catch something, they will cook it up for dinner!

More professional fishing charters for deep sea fishing is also available from the Puerto Plata marina.

There are many mountains, trials, cliffs and caves in the area. If you like hiking, you will have no difficulty finding challenges and beautiful vistas on the North Shore. However, if you are a serious climber perhaps Pico Duarte is more satisfying. Pico Duarte is the highest mountain (3,175 mts) in The Caribbean. It is on adventure that many will treasure for a lifetime. While there are no avalanches or frozen lakes, the temperature may fall below freezing point at night.

There are tours that take care of the important details (mules, meals, tents, and cooking utensils and guides), This arrangement leaves climbers to enjoy the breathtaking views and the uphill trek.