In our case, ‘Size really doesn’t matter’
See what Frommer’s and Trip Advisor say’s about our Casa Cayena Hotel below!
About
Sosua Sosua is the Acapulco of the Dominican Republic.
You could say that this is where tourism first began back in
the 70s and 80s. Despite development, Sosua still
keeps its charm with the highest density of shops and
restaurants in the El Batey section of the destination.
Foreigners who originally came for a beach holiday have now
established their own ex-patriot communities and businesses.
There are large numbers of Germans, Austrians, Canadians and
Americans who live here year round. The one kilometer long
Sosua Beach continues to be the main attraction of the area.
In spite of the large number of vendors who have set up shop
right on the beach, it’s still one of the most spectacular in
the Dominican Republic. Sosua is situated along a
spectacular beach where the ends of the crescent shape rise in rock
walls and peninsula just out into the Atlantic. This small village known
is for its multilingual and cosmopolitan character and has charming
shops, restaurants, cafes, plus many of the countries finest dining
outfits Sosua attracts an international crowd, integrating with real
Dominican daily life in the streets, restaurants and shops.
Getting around For the most part
you can get around Sosua on foot if you are staying in the
neighborhoods of El Batey or Charamicos. The streets are well
lit and there are lots of people outside day and night.
Motorcycle rentals are common. And there are many minibuses
and taxis for trips to Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada or Cabarete.
Attractions The main attraction of Sosua is the beach, the
shops and restaurants. Snorkeling is a popular option. Sosua
Beach is a U-shaped beach of fine whitish sands in a sheltered
cove. Multiple water sports can be hired right on the beach.
It is easy to swim to the reefs. Sosua is close enough
to Puerto Plata to enjoy all its attractions. Visit the Amber
Museum, take the cable car ride up to the Botanical Gardens
atop Isabela de Torres Mountain. Take a tour of the rum
factory with free samples and an option to buy quality rum.
Spend the morning at the Columbus Water Park with its many
slides and pools. Spend the afternoon at the Go Kart/Bumper
Car park that is open all night. These two parks are just a
15-minute drive from Sosua. Excursions North Coast excursions include safari-style
jeep trips into the countryside, catamaran day trips off Sosua
Beach, horseback riding excursions into the outback, trips to
Cabarete and La Isabela Park off Luperón (where the first
European settlement in the New World was built in the 15th
Century), Cofresí Beach, and the Puerto Plata city tour (may
or may not include the cable car ride). Nightlife outside the
hotel People used to say that
Sosua got up when Puerto Plata sleeps.
What else is nearby? Sosua is half way between Puerto Plata (25
kilometers to the west) and Cabarete. A stop there is a must
for all those traveling the North Coast. In Sosua, you are
near all the attractions in Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada,
Cabarete and Playa Grande (about one hour's drive away). The
best way to see it all is to rent a car. Drive west one day
all the way to the La Isabela museum, near Luperón. On the way
visit Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata, Cofresí and then La Isabela.
Go swimming in Luperón beach prior to returning to Sosua.
Those in good physical shape should attempt the trek up the
Damajagua mountain and down the 27 cascades. On the next day
drive east all the way to Rio San Juan, Pueblito Principe (a
small Dominican-style shopping street) and Playa Grande in
María Trinidad Sánchez province, with a stop at Cabarete
Beach. Port of Entry/How to get
there Fly into the Gregorio Luperon International
Airport of Puerto Plata (POP), about a 10 minute drive from
Sosua. If you fly into Las Americas International Airport you will be 4
hours drive away. There is Caribe Tours bus service from Santo
Domingo to Sosua, from which you can take a minibus or taxi to
your hotel. Minibuses travel to Sosua all day long from Puerto
Plata, Playa Dorada or Cabarete.
Frommer’s Review:
Clean,
decent, and well managed, this hotel, a short walk from the beach, gets its
name from a native village. Inside, you'll find a two-story atrium
illuminated by a skylight that's shaped like a Star of David, lots of
exposed wood and stone, and a well-designed garden that rings a sheltered
swimming pool. Each bedroom has more space than you might expect, with a
decor that's based on varnished mahogany louvers and trim, terra-cotta tile
floors, white walls, and a ceiling fan. Shower-only bathrooms, the overall ambience is pleasant, and the prices are
reasonable.
Trip Advisor:
Ranks #4 of 5
hotels in Sosua in TripAdvisor's popularity index, from hundreds of others
hotels
LOCATION
GEOGRAPHIC SITUATION
The Dominican Republic is located in the heart of the Great Antilles.
The second largest country in the Caribbean (48,734 Km2, with a territory more extensive
than Switzerland, and two times greater than the Cerdeña), the Dominican Republic
occupies two thirds of the Island Hispaniola. It's territory, bordered approximately by
1,600 Km of coast (Atlantic Ocean on the North, Caribbean Sea on the South), has the
highest relieves in the Antilles, which culminate in the Duarte Peak, the highest point in
the Caribbean at 3,175 m.
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC HISTORY
Before it's discovery, the island of Quisqueya was populated by the Taíno
Indians, divided into five "chieftainships" or governments run by a great chief
or Cacique.
In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered "the most beautiful land human eyes had ever
seen". The island, baptized by the Spanish as Hispaniola, would be the starting point
for the conquest of the New World and see the construction of the first cities in the
American continent. Among them Santo Domingo, which still proudly conserves traces of it's
colonial past (Cathedral Santa María la Menor, Alcázar de Colón...).
A century later, forgotten by the Spanish and populated by pirates, the island would be
converted into the object of everyone's desire.
In 1655, the French arrived to the Occidental part, occupying it officially in 1697 (the
Ryswich Treaty). A century later, the Spanish part is annexed to France through the Bâle
Treaty and in 1822, to the growing Haitian Republic. On February 27th, 1844, the Eastern
territory is liberated and proclaimed the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican history of the 20th century is very hectic. The country would live an
American occupation (1916 - 1924), the long dictatorship of General Trujillo - from 1930
to 1961 and a civil war in 1965.
After 1966, the Domincan Republic converts into a democracy with it's own president and
elections every 4 years.
The actual president, elected in 2000, is Dr. Hipolito Mejia.
PRACTICAL INFORMATIONPopulation: 8.5 million inhabitants. Capital: Santo Domingo (2.7 million inhabitants).
The official language is Spanish although English, French, German and Italian are also
spoken in the tourist sector. National Currency: The Dominican peso, $1 US equals 50 pesos (Please confirm the
exact rate with your bank or exchange office).
The prices are fixed and payable in this currency. Major credit cards are widely accepted
(Visa, American Express...). Banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Entrance regulations: Passport or national identification necessary.
Copy of birth certificate will also be accepted. For a stay longer than 90 days, tourists
must acquire a tourist card in the Dominican consulate or upon arrival at the airport.
Entrance and departure tax is $10 US, per person, and is to be paid in the airport. Vaccinations: there are no mandatory vaccinations required. Climate: Tropical and humid, but not overwhelming due the altitude of the mountains
and the winds from the sea.
Dry season is from November to April.
The humid season is from May to June (short but intense thunderstorms). Minimum
temperatures in January (25ºC) and maximum in August (29ºC). Electricity: 110 volts, 60 cycles (American standards).
It is recommended to bring a transformer for plug outlets. Water: It is recommended to drink mineral or bottled water bought in supermarkets. Transportation: Rental car (must have driver's license and credit card).
Air-conditioned buses. Taxis. Communications: The country boasts one of the best communications systems
in The Antilles. Foreign communication links are excellent. The postal service counts with
the INPOSDOM (Abbreviations from their name in spanish Dominican Postal Institute),
organism that has The Express EMS Dominican Postal Service, which is proteted by the
INPOSDOM and the Universal Postal Union (UNU), guaranting to the client security and
rapidity in the establlished parameters of time. Ther are also in the country services
such as DHL or Federal Express. Indicative: 00 1-809.
REPÚBLICA DOMINICANA
Secretaría de Estado y Turismo
Av. México, esq. Av. 30 de Marzo
Edificio "D" Oficinas Gubernamentales
- Tels: (809) 221.4660/61
- Fax: (809) 682.3806.
- PO Box 497
- setcur@codetel.net.do
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