Island Jumper

Virgin Voyages: Puerto Plata Shore Things

With full disclosure, we haven’t visited Puerto Plata yet, so everything I’m going to say is pre-visit assumptions. We have been pretty impressed with Virgin sponsored excursions (Virgin calls them Shore Things) in the past. We like to research things and visiting a new port is always fun because there’s new stuff to learn about! For this post I want to just sort of do a stream of consciousness discussion of what I found out about the Virgin sponsored and booked shore things. And if you want to see us talk about this subject, go check out our youtube video!

Physically Active Shore Things

There are a variety of ways you can get your sweat on in Puerto Plata. You can do some off-roading followed by hiking and swimming, you can snorkel the reefs, you can hike and zipline. There’s even an opportunity for Kite Surfing offered some of the time. All of which also include some beach time and food. My personal choices for these narrowed down to:

• Catamaran and Coral Reef Experience ($90 at time of this posting)
  • We’ve done things like this before and it’s always a great time.
  • There will be food and drink offered (just be sure not to get over served…right Ed?) and you get some time on the beach too.
• Jungle Buggy Ride and Private Beach ($80 at time of this posting)
  • This one is new to me, but I found some video of people doing the off-roading and it looks like a muddy good time! It includes off-roading and then a beach break with lunch. It should also allow time to do some shopping…maybe for larimar.
  • There are some other variations available that can include hiking for 40 minutes to the waterfalls and playing in those and one that includes hiking/waterfalls and also ziplining and there is a variation that goes to a different beach that is all inclusive and offers some water sports as well. Those other options are a bit more of a time commitment, but also sound fun and worth considering!

Cultural and Walking Shore Things

I do like to explore a new location and see as many sights as I can. These shore things appear to be aimed at those who also like those things and are looking for only a moderate level of exertion. You can tour local farms that produce tobacco and chocolate as well well get a taste of local rum and cuisine (and learn some dances). If you want to deep dive into the culture they even have a cooking class run by locals and a Women’s Co-Op project where you help local women recycle paper. But for me, these seemed to rise to the top of my preferences:

• The Tasting Tour of Puerto Plata ($65 at time of this posting)
  • This gives you a tour of the town and touches down at 3 local eateries. How do you beat that?
• Chocolate, Rum and Rancho Don Fernando Tour ($65 at time of this posting)
  • I don’t know, maybe you try some organic chocolate, get some Brugal Rum and then visit a plantation with cacao and tropical fruits growing then have a nice lunch with music and dancing?

Just Relax Shore Things

Finally, you’re on vacation and maybe you’ve been to this place before. Maybe you just want to get some sun and relax. So, why not? That’s available. You can have a boat party on the water or hang out on the beach and have food and drink served to you while you read or nap. My picks here are simple:

• All-Inclusive Day at Coconut Cove Beach ($65 at time of this posting)
  • You get a little off road action to get to this as well. I don’t think it’s quite as muddy, but is a 45 minute trip. Once to the beach though you have drinks and food and can use the kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, etc and do some water sports if you like. Sun loungers, umbrellas and lockers are included.
• The Boat Party at Sea ($65 at time of this posting)
  • Take a power boat with an open bar, snacks and music and an chance to swim or snorkel off the back of the boat. You end up at a beach to spend the rest of your time. No mention of reefs here and I hadn’t found any additional information on it when I wrote this. So, it might be the very most awesome shore thing!

Well, that’s what I think right now. I’ll report back more once I’ve gone on one in October and have a personal frame of reference.