Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic — Food, Stays, and Active Adventures

Last Thursday I escaped the cold and snow of New York for a press trip to Puerto Plata on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, the trip highlighted how this part of the DR is perfect for travelers who want more than a lounge chair and a sweet piña colada. From surfing and kitesurfing to ziplining, monkey encounters and waterfall rappelling, there’s a lot to do if you prefer an active vacation. In this post I’ll focus on what we ate and where we stayed — the adventures will follow in the next article.

Two breakfasts stood out: the Dominican-style breakfast at Casa Colonial, our first hotel, and an authentic mangu served in a villa at Sea Horse Ranch. At Casa Colonial we enjoyed an ocean view and our first taste of mangu — a traditional mashed plantain dish — alongside fried eggs, fried cheese, a bread basket, and a plate of papaya and pineapple. It was the perfect way to start a busy day.

The homemade mangu at Sea Horse Ranch was even better. The mash is topped with onions cooked in vinegar, and the bright acidity pairs beautifully with the savory plantain. It’s a very different and satisfying way to eat plantains compared with plantain chips, and it kept me full for hours as we zipped through the canopy and let monkeys climb around (a little freaky, but fun).

No Caribbean trip is complete without drinking coconut water straight from a fresh coconut. My friends and I even cracked the shells open afterward to eat the tender coconut flesh inside — soft, mildly sweet, and incredibly refreshing. It’s a far tastier and more natural way to hydrate than sports drinks.

After a morning of surfing and fresh coconut, we took a 30-minute boat ride to lunch at Wilson’s Bar and Restaurant. It’s the kind of rustic, river-mouth spot rebuilt after floods, with kite-surfers in the background and a relaxed, local vibe. If you want a single food recommendation from the trip, Wilson’s is it. Our spread included lobster, langostinos, shrimp, fried chicken, and fried fish, plus rice and salad. The pineapple boat piña colada was the best drink I had all week — I spent ages scooping out the pineapple after finishing the drink.

On our first night we discovered Fresh Fresh Cafe, a healthy spot with smoothies, detox juices, power bowls, wraps, and lighter desserts. My coconut-water banana smoothie, a Mediterranean beef bowl, and a coconut brownie hit the spot — especially at 3pm when we were all very hungry after a long morning of activities.

Other memorable lunches included a refreshing lime-cucumber detox drink and a plantain shepherd’s pie at Casa Mami at the Extreme Hotel, where we also spent the day trying the trapeze and doing a tough 30-minute CrossFit workout. Later, a Dominican family prepared a traditional chicken stew with rice and beans for us after an afternoon of cliff jumping, waterfall rappelling, and swimming with Iguana Mama.

I wish we had more time to explore downtown Cabarete. We spent one evening dining on the beach at La Casita de Papi, with palm trees lit by string lights and sand between our toes. The relaxed beachfront setting made the meal even better. We shared a family-style shrimp and lobster skillet in their famous sauce — I wanted a whole loaf of bread to soak it up.

A special mention goes to Sea Horse Ranch. The property feels like an upscale, private community with custom villas situated between an equestrian center and the beach. There are small coves, infinity pools, and luxury amenities — the nightly rates reflect that. We were fortunate to stay in a villa for one night due to a scheduling glitch and made the most of it, spending a long, rainy hour in the pool until our fingers were completely wrinkled.

This trip was one of the most active and fun getaways I’ve taken. The food was fresh, flavorful, and diverse — from homestyle Dominican breakfasts and seafood feasts to healthy cafes and homemade stews. The accommodations ranged from boutique hotels to luxurious private villas, and the coastline around Puerto Plata and Cabarete offers fantastic options for both relaxation and adrenaline-filled activities. I’ll share full details on our day trips and adventures next — I can’t wait to tell you about the surfing, ziplining, and waterfalls!

*This trip was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, who I want to thank for the invitation.