Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Puerto Plata may be best known for its over 100 kilometers of beaches. Playa Dorada, named for its golden sands, invites you to relax beside turquoise water, Cabarete beckons kite surfers and windsurfers alike, and Sosua Beach is the perfect place for snorkelers, with its crystal-clear waters and rich submarine ecosystem. More adventures can be found inland by taking the teleférico, or cable car, to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres for breathtaking views over the lush landscape that descends to the sea. A rugged hike through the thick forest leads to the 27 Charcos de Damajagua, a series of waterfalls where the adventurous can slide down the chutes or jump from the cliffs into the waters below. The town offers plenty more to explore, from the 16th-century Fort San Felipe to the fascinating Museo del Ámbar, where a variety of specimens are preserved in the amber that is abundant in this region. The city is also home to colonial vestiges, including the largest collection of preserved 19th century Victorian-style homes in the Caribbean.