Our beautiful villa, La Vista, rests in the heart of Cofresí, a scenic village on the Amber Coast of the Dominican Republic, and it’s only a short drive from Puerto Plata, a truly remarkable city and vacation destination in its own right. If you like getting out to do a little exploring on your vacation, what might you find in nearby Puerto Plata?

1. The Dominican Amber Museum is a must-visit location for anyone interested in biology, truly ancient artifacts, and those who enjoy a day looking at the rare and exotic. The Dominican Amber Museum displays insect and reptile fossils solidly encased in amber, some of which are millions of years old!
2. The Fort of San Felipe is an awesome destination for history buffs. The fort was first built in the 16th century to defend against English pirates, but mostly found use as a prison. The Fort of San Felipe is an excellent example of colonial construction and a real physical link to the Dominican Republic’s imperial past.
3. When you’re in Cofresí and want to see something truly remarkable, be sure to take a cable car ride up the nearby mountain, Pico Isabel de Torres. Not only is the view one you just should not miss, but there’s a botanical garden on the mountain top with some fine displays.
4. Needless to say, life in the Caribbean and really good rum go hand-in-hand and go back in history for many years. The Brugal Rum Bottling Plant in Puerto Plata not only employs many locals, but offers tours of their plant, a brief history of rum itself, and, of course, a few friendly product samples!
5. If you’re a reader, you must visit Hemingway’s Cafe in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Hemingway was a true lover of the Caribbean, its climate, its waters and its culture, and Hemingway’s Cafe offers good food and drinks just like Papa Hemingway would have wanted it.