WELCOME TO
OUR CARIBBEAN VACATION
HOMES
AT PLAYA COFRESI, PUERTO
PLATA
The Dominican Republic, sometimes referred to as Santo Domingo,
has been described by the New York Times as the best kept secret in
the Caribbean. Christopher Columbus first landed near Puerto Plata
in 1492 and set in motion the predominantly Spanish culture and
heritage. Now, as so many other Caribbean islands become overbuilt,
overpriced, and overcrowded, the unspoiled beauty of this island
country and the uncommon friendliness of its people come as a genuine
surprise to all who visit. We'd like to share with you some
information based on our experiences and those of our guests. We
hope it will make your vacation truly memorable.
The Cost
The favorable exchange rate for the U.S. dollar to the Dominican
peso makes Puerto Plata the most economical destination in the entire
Caribbean for food, entertainment, activities and shopping. For
example, you can enjoy lovely dinners in nice restaurants for $15.00
- $18.00 U.S. per person. At some of our favorite "local"
restaurants, delicious dinners cost as little as $9.00 U.S. per
person. These bargain prices are just one of the many reasons why
the Dominican Republic has become the most popular destination in the
Caribbean for Europeans and Canadians.
Deposit
A deposit of 50% of your rental fee is
required to secure your reservation. Deposit checks will be made out
to the individual owners and forwarded to our agent: Dick Zebo C/O
Caribbean Rentals & Reservations Center, 240 Pebble Beach Blvd.,
Suite 712, Naples, Fl. 34113
Upon receipt you will receive
acknowldgement and confirmation of your reservation from Mr. Zebo and
Caribbean Rentals.
Cancellation Policy
If it is necessary to cancel your
reservation, your deposit will be refunded if the villa can be rented
for the same period. Trip Cancellation Insurance is recommended and
is available from our agents.
Location
Our homes are located in a residential area called Playa Cofresi,
approximately 3 miles west of Puerto Plata. It is an unspoiled area
consisting of about 24 homes, owned mostly by North Americans. Our
beach is crescent shaped, about 3/4 of a mile from point to point,
and is lined with palm and sea grape trees. The surf is gentle;
there are no problems with undertows or rip tides. Dirt roads are
the norm; the one paved road comes down from the highway and runs
along the beach. Lush hills form the backdrop to this tranquil
scene. Its natural beauty is enchanting.
Beaches (Playas)
Swimming in the blue-green sea at Playa Cofresi is the most
enjoyable activity. The best place for swimming is to the east of
the villas, toward the point. The point is that piece of land that
juts out into the ocean and is lined with tall coconut palms. When
you are facing the ocean on the left side of the beach the water is
shallow and therefore ideal for children.
There are many other beautiful beaches besides Playa Cofresi,
such as Playa Dorada, Sosua, Punta Galeta, Cabarette and Playa
Grande. All are open to the public and easily accessible so it is
great fun to just travel East all the way to the Samana Peninsula for
an adventure.
Sosua is one of the better known beaches in the country. It is
approximately ten minutes past the airport traveling east, (in the
opposite direction from Puerto Plata). Most of the time you can buy
food on the beach from locals who prepare very simple native food.
Beverages such as soda and beer are always available. One negative
is that Sosua is frequently overrun with young men who can become
quite insistent that you engage their services as a guide or a
"security guard" for your automobile. These young men are not
hostile, but they can be a nuisance. If you prefer to be left alone,
tipping one of them 20 or 30 pesos to watch your car may be the
course of least resistance. While this area is very different, it
tends to be noisy and somewhat crowded. Sosua is not one of our
favorite spots, but others think it is fascinating.
Playa Dorada is the beach and resort complex located between
Puerto Plata and the airport, approximately fifteen minutes from the
villas. Enter through the guarded gate off the highway. The sign
says "Playa Dorada". You can purchase meals and drinks at some of
the hotels here, or spend time shopping at the Plaza which features
good stores, food and entertainment.
Money Exchange
You can exchange U.S. currency or travelers checks at designated
banks and locations. It is illegal to exchange money privately. In
the summer of 1997, the rate of exchange was one U.S. dollar for
approximately 13.80 Dominican pesos. However, the rate changes
moderately from time to time. You can exchange money upon your
arrival at the exchange office in Playa Cofresi. Do not expect to
have personal checks cashed anywhere; major credit cards are
acceptable in most cases.
Golf and Tennis
Golf is available at Playa Dorada where there is a Robert Trent
Jones course. The golf course measures 6,300 yards for men, 5,400
yards for women. It is in good condition, and while it is wide open,
there are enough water holes and dog legs to keep it interesting.
Tourists are welcome and tee-off times are not necessary. Greens
fees are about $30.00 U.S. Electric carts are available for about
$28.00 U.S. If you are going to walk, each golfer must have his own
caddy. (Caddies do not carry double unless no other caddies are
available). The caddy fee is inexpensive about $14.00 U.S. including
tips. Most caddies speak enough English to communicate. Pro-shop
personnel are English-speaking. Beer, soft drinks, and sandwiches
are served in the clubhouse. Golf clubs are available to rent.
Tennis is available on five soft courts adjacent to the golf club.
A nine hole course (Los Mangitos) is located at the Costambar
resort next to Cofresi. You may want to try it out. It is
approximately 2,500 yards long, par 32 but it is not being very well
maintained at the moment. It is a narrow golf course built on gently
rolling terrain.
Transportation
Rental cars are expensive, just as in the rest of the Caribbean.
Rates can range from $250-$350 U.S. per week depending on the season.
We suggest you consider using taxis. They are readily available and
inexpensive. The drivers are usually very accommodating. If you
wish to go shopping in town or out to dinner, you can arrange for
them to stay with you or come back in a few hours. The round trip
from Cofresi to Puerto Plata was only S 18. 00 U.S. On the highway
and in town, buses and "Publicos" run frequently and cost only a few
pesos. Check with our manager for current prices and arrangements.
Cook/Maid Service
Your rental includes a full-time maid who cleans, does laundry
and cooks and serves your meals. Her hours are 8:3 0 to 4:3 0 Monday
through Saturday. On Sunday a back-up maid will come by in the
morning to fix and serve breakfast, make the beds and tidy the villa.
She does not stay all day. For parties of six or more, a second
full-time maid will be provided free of charge. Traditionally,
Dominicans serve the main meal at mid-day which is usually followed
by a siesta. If you prefer major meals in the evening, the maid will
prepare them before she leaves so that you may serve yourselves when
you wish. For an additional charge arrangements can be made through
Lou Auletta to have a maid come in to serve your meals and clean up.
Tipping
When dining out, there is a ten percent "service charge" added to
most restaurant checks. It is the custom to add another ten percent
(10%) if you feel the service was completely satisfactory. If the
service was just so-so, 5 % is appropriate. For assistance with
baggage at the airport, about $1.00 U.S. or 15 pesos per bag is
sufficient. Your maid does all the cleaning, cooking, and washing,
therefore, it is appropriate to tip her $2.00 U.S. per day per person
in your party including children. This the minimum recommended
amount. If you feel the service provided was worth more, please
deviate accordingly. When there is a second maid, it is not
necessary to tip her, nor is it necessary to tip the Sunday maid.
Food and Beverages
The maid in your home will be happy to assist you -with the
shopping since she knows what she needs for cooking. You will have
to take her to town and to the various stores. Your food bill should
be no more than you would spend for groceries in the United States,
and in most cases, less.
Make sure you ask the maid for fruit and vegetable salads. There
are so many kinds of vegetables that are native to the area. Also,
there are exotic fruits such as mangos, kiwi and papaya. The
pineapple is extraordinary. The Dominican Republic is now the home
of Dole who moved here from Hawaii. We will provide a list of our
favorite native dishes that our maids prepare, as well as the more
basic ones. Above all, be sure to have her prepare flan, a most
delicious dessert. The best Dominican cooking will be provided by
your maids.
Rum, gin, and vodka are inexpensive, whereas rye and scotch are
more expensive. A variety of imported wines and liqueurs are
available. The beer is great and cheap, as is Coke and Pepsi. The
best brands of beer are "Quisqueya" (pronounced Kiss-kay-ya) and
'Presidente". Our favorite rums are Bermudez Selecto or Barcelo
Anejo, aged 8 years or more in the bottle. They are delicious on the
rocks with a twist of lime. A delicious drink made out of fruit,
milk, sugar, and vanilla is called "Lechosa". It is all put in a
blender with cracked ice to create an ice-cold treat. You can also
have "Lechosa de Mango" or "Lechosa de Pina" (pineapple). Ask your
maid to prepare it for you. Yogurt lovers should be sure to try
"Boruga" which has the consistency of a thick milk shake, is slightly
sweetened, and is absolutely delicious.
You can buy meat, fish, fresh fi-uit, vegetables and most other
groceries you may need in Puerto Plata. There is a large farmers
market, called the Mercado, up on the hill at Puerto Plata that
offers a wide variety of locally produced fruits, vegetables, and
native crafts at very low prices. It is open 7 days a week. Go
early in the day for the best selections. The two large new
supermarkets in town (Messon and Tropical) accept credit and debit
cards, and have a wide selection at reasonable prices. They are open
from 8 AM to 9 PM every day. Playa Cofresi has a small grocery store
that sells basic foodstuffs at reasonable prices so that you can stay
put if you wish.
Isabel de Torres Mountain
This is the backdrop to your beach setting. During the era of
Rafael Trujillo, the dictator who ruled the country for 30 years
until 1961, work had begun to make the top of this mountain his
summer residence. You'll find acre upon acre of gardens with over 20
gardeners in attendance. Orchids, poinsettias, and flora that you
have probably never seen before are sure to impress you, as will the
magnificent view. A cable car provides a breathtaking ride to the
top in less than 10 minutes. It is radio-controlled and manned and
is one of the most modern in this hemisphere. Be certain you can see
the top of the mountain clearly before you go up. If the top is
cloudy, postpone the trip until another day or you will eliminate the
view.
Gambling
There are several casinos at the Playa Dorada resort area just 7
miles away and another at the Puerto Plata Beach Resort Hotel in
Puerto Plata, just 4 miles away. The most popular casino is the one
next to the Jack Tar Village at Playa Dorada.
Bird Watching
Bird watching in the Cofresi area is excellent according to one
family who has sighted more than three thousand birds during their
worldwide travels. They sighted and provided us with a list of more
than twenty rare varieties they had never seen before.
Horseback Riding
The price for renting horses has been about $9.00 U.S. per hour
or its equivalent in pesos but may change with the seasons.
Horseback riding along the beaches and the surrounding hills is quite
enjoyable. Full and half day Horseback and Jeep Safaris into the
mountains are available. These usually include lunch at a campesino
home and swimming in the mountain streams. Ask our manager for
information.
Sight-Seeing Tours
Our manager will advise you of the many tours that are available
and sign you up for those that interest you. Choices include trips
into the mountains, to the Capital City, and famous scenic locations.
The Brugal Rum factory, located near the stadium, offers daily
tours.
Water Sports
Wind surfing boats and jet skis can be rented on the beach at
Cofresi. Deep sea diving tours are also available locally.
Bakeries
Our favorite, located about two blocks west of the town plaza on
a little side street, is called El Dorado, The Golden Bakers. Try
their whole wheat bread. Ask for "Pan Integral". The Supermarket
Messon has a very good bakery where bread is baked twice each day.
Dining Out
You have a choice of several places to dine in and near Playa
Cofresi:
Chris' Restaurant just steps from our houses, offers a pleasant
ambiance, attentive service and good food which is served while
listening to the sound of the surf just yards away.
The Blue Marlin restaurant offers evening entertainment and has
an elegant atmosphere. Excellent food is served on a bluff
overlooking the ocean. The separate bar and entertainment area is
located a short walk from the open-air restaurant.
Le Papillion restaurant is just across the highway at Villas
Cofresi. Features an open-air ambiance and excellent beef menu.
This continues to get rave reviews from guests. Put it on your list
if you want a fabulous feast of Chatueaubriand or Filet Mignon.
Closed Mondays.
Los Dos is located just inside the entrance at Villas Cofresi.
It has a thatched roof open air ambiance similar to Le Papillion, but
the prices tend to be lower. Very good value and highly recommended.
Closed Sundays.
La Arena, is a new restaurant right on the beach in Playa
Cofresi. The food has been good, but the menu is limited. Check
with them first to find out what they are serving that evening.
Our other nearby favorites are:
Jardin Suiza is on the middle part of the Malecon in Puerto
Plata. The menu is mostly European, very good, and reasonably
priced. Many of our guests rate this a top value. Favorites on the
menu are Weiner Schnitzel and Chivo Guisado, which is the popular
Dominican goat stew.
La Parrilla, is located off the circle opposite the stadium and
offers a wide variety of pork, beef and chicken charcoal grilled
outdoors. Their baby back ribs are a special treat. Nice for
children since they have a small play area.
The International House, also nearby on the circle, features
Italian food including pizzas, as well as good local food.
Peppino's is located just inside the entrance to Costambar (next
door to Playa Cofresi) and has a lovely outdoor ambiance. Good
pizzas, varied menu at reasonable prices.
El Portal, just outside the entrance to Costambar, is a
really "local" thatched roof restaurant run by Maria. Very
typical Dominican menu at prices ranging from $4-$5 U.S. for entrees.
Other Areas
El Manquito is located off the Highway, east of Puerto Plata but
west of the Playa Dorado Resort area. It's hidden behind the
roadside gift stands but worth seeking out if you want the best
really Dominican food at incredibly low prices. It's clean and
colorful and there are apt to be chickens walking around. TIP: Go
during the day for a late lunch when all the local business people
do. Tourists go at night and eat what is left over.
There are many other local restaurants, discos, and bars opening
constantly that you can try. Check with our manager Lou Auletta or
our agent Dick Zebo for suggestions, or have the fun of "discovering"
some on your own.
The Dominicans love their coffee, as you will see.
Traditionally, they serve it in very tiny cups with heaping spoonfuls
of sugar added. can milk is used it is usually served hot. If you
like this combination of sugar and hot milk ask for "Cafe con leche
caliente". Most restaurants now serve the coffee in regular sized
cups in deference to North American tastes.
Baby-sitting
Services can be arranged through Lou Auletta or Gabino Binet, our
assistant manager. The fee is around $2.00 U.S. per hour, but can be
less based on full days for a week.
Water
Some people, ourselves included, drink the tap water after it has
been boiled, but we recommend that you purchase bottled water to
avoid any possible problems. It is available for purchase right in
Cofresi.
Airline Reservations/Transfers/Car
Rentals
Air reservations and car rental arrangements can be made through
our other office @ 800-645-1179 or 800-724-3885. They will
coordinate your trip with our agent Dick Zebo and our staff in Puerto
Plata, arrange for you to be met at the airport, and arrange your car
rental. We have packed away excursion fares and space in anticipation
of a certain number of rentals each year, and, as a result, they
often can get our guests the best deals, even when the airlines are
booked solid.
Entry Information
To enter the country a U.S. citizen needs one of the following: a
passport, a voter's registration form, or a birth certificate with a
raised seal. When you enter the airport, you must obtain "tourist
cards" or Visas. You must fill out the card immediately because you
will need it at the immigration line. The cost is $10.00 U.S. per
person. The card requires a contact address. State that you are
staying at Playa Villas in Playa Cofresi. To save time you may wish
to have one member of your party stand in the tourist card line with
the passports and entry fees while the others stand in the
immigration line. American Airlines frequently has tourist cards
avail able that you can purchase in the States, ask when you are
checking in. Save the copy of your tourist card as it must be
surrendered on your departure. If you lose it, you will have to pay
again. After you pass through immigration, pick up your luggage.
Then you go through customs. Baggage is sometimes inspected
thoroughly; the Dominicans will not tolerate the importation of drugs
or marijuana into their country, and those attempting to do so should
anticipate a very unpleasant and perhaps expensive sojourn with the
Dominican authorities prior to being ejected from the country. When
you leave customs you will be besieged by numerous "Maleteros"
(porters) who want to help you with your luggage. It may be
difficult to be courteous, but please remember these people are just
trying to earn a living in a country with a 3 5 % unemployment rate.
Designate one or two people to help you and insist that they stay
with you until your baggage has been loaded into your taxi or rental
car. Otherwise you may wind up with numerous porters all pressing
you for a tip. The equivalent of $1.00 U.S. or 15 pesos per bag is
sufficient. You don't need pesos, U.S. dollars are welcomed.
Meeting Service
We do not provide transportation from the airport to Playa
Cofresi. However, we can arrange for taxi drivers, who know our
villas, to pick you up. Guests have appreciated this service because
the airport is very busy and finding one-, way in a foreign country
can be confusing.
Incidentally, the one way taxi fare from the airport is about 350
pesos (approx. $25.00 U.S.).
Lou Auletta sometimes provides taxi service from the airport in
his double cabin truck (seats 7 persons) for a fee of $25.00 U.S.
Departure
Follow the instructions provided by your travel agent. Be
prepared to pay a $10.00 U.S. exit tax per person at the airport when
you leave. Traveler's checks in U.S. dollars are accepted. However,
Dominican pesos are not accepted. The amount of this tax changes
from time to time (it was $20.00 U.S. per person in 1996).
Miscellaneous
If you need medical assistance in Puerto Plata, the Clinica
Brugal or Centro Medico are your best bets rather than the local
hospital. They're in town and Lou Auletta or any policeman can
direct you. The best hospital within one hour's driving distance is
in Santiago. You may purchase any drugs (except narcotics and
injectable medications) without a prescription. Anything for
injections, even Vitamin B-12, requires a prescription.
Do not buy any turtle shells or items made from them. They will
be confiscated by U.S. Customs. Almost everything else is permitted,
including many fruits such as pineapples and limes. Mangos, however,
are not permitted.
If you have any other questions, our manager Lou Auletta, his
wife Rochelle, or Gabino Binet, assistant manager, will certainly try
to be of assistance. The Aulettas are in retirement at Cofresi and
are a storehouse of information. Lou's career with IBM took him all
over the world, including the Far East for many years, and they are
enjoying their lives at Cofresi. Rochelle, by the way, is a very
talented artist and has her own Kiosk at the Playa Dorado Plaza where
she does portraits. If you want a truly personalized remembrance of
your trip, consider engaging her services.
Your comments are solicited
The pace of life is far different here so that in order to enjoy
yourself, it helps to be flexible and have a sense of humor. When
problems have occurred, we have found most Dominicans are unfailingly
considerate, gracious and anxious to help guests in their country.
In an effort to improve our services we welcome your comments,
negative as well as positive. We are honestly interested in knowing
what you enjoyed, what you thought of our villas, and what you feel
could be done in the future to make your stay more enjoyable.
For travel arrangements contact:
Dick Zebo
Caribbean Rentals & Reservations Center
240 Pebble Beach Blvd.
Suite 712
Naples, Fl. 34113
Please feel free to call our Toll Free Number
800-645-1179 for reservations & information
Copyright, Eagle Enterprises Ltd., October 1997
eagle1@fortmyers.com