About 20 km east of Puerto Plata you will find the little town Sosua, the Acapulco of the Dominican Republic, where Tourism took off in the 70s and 80s and evolved towards the all-inclusive trend in the 90s when several large resorts were built in the area. It is a popular tourist destination for good value chasers and explorers with a beautiful bay and sandy beaches great for sunbathing and swimming and a marvelous spot for scuba diving enthusiasts with its coral reefs abundant in tropical marine life, just off-shore. Divers of all levels can enjoy shallow reefs, shipwrecks, freshwater cave diving, deep water diving and possible encounters with humpback whales and other large creatures.
The water is very calm in most areas, with only a couple of tricky currents, and it is crystal clear on most days. The Sosua Beach is a U-shaped beach of fine whitish sands in a sheltered cove and multiple water sports can be hired right on site. Snorkeling is a popular option. Snorkelers can swim about 150 feet from shore and find coral reefs and delightful opportunities for feeding fish and taking underwater photos. Sosua is an active beach town with numerous re-creative amenities and close to many other destinations that you can explore on your own or on excursion. The one kilometer long Sosua Beach continues to be the main attraction of the area and it’s still one of the most spectacular in the Dominican Republic.
Summer air temperatures can hit the mid 90s, while winter temperatures drop to the 70s. Water temperatures range from the high 70s to low 80s, and visibility ranges from 70 to 100 feet.
The history of this little charming town starts with Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in 1938, which settled down in this region (1940); many Jews left the country again after 1945. Sosua began to thrive and was soon discovered by the wealthy from nearby Puerto Plata, Santiago and San Francisco de Macoris who set up vacation homes. Nowadays, Sosua is a picturesque little town steeped in history and a mixture of different cultures whose roots are still evident in the Jewish community, which includes members of the original refugee families, a synagogue and museum with photos and memorabilia of the first Jewish settlers. Numerous Germans, Austrians, Canadians and Americans are living here year round. Some Foreigners who originally came for a beach holiday have now established their own ex-patriot communities and businesses in Sosua.
You will find many small hotels as well as large all-inclusive resorts. Sosua offers about 2,000 hotel rooms, guesthouses, small hotels, apartment-hotels and all-inclusive resorts. This lovely town keeps its charm with the highest density of shops and restaurants in the Batey section. The shops feature all sorts of beach wear, artistically painted t-shirts, hats, “pareos” (beach wraps), arts and typical crafts. You can shop in the town stores or right on the beach, remembering always to haggle for the best price!
In Sosua, you are near all the attractions in Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada, Cabarete and Playa Grande (about one hour's drive away). Getting around is very easy. The streets are well lit and there are lots of people outside day and night. Motorcycle rentals are common. And there are many minibuses and taxis for trips to Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada or Cabarete.
From Gregorio Luperon International Airport of Puerto Plata (POP), you need about a 10-minute drive to reach Sosua and from Las Americas International Airport (Santo Domingo) you will be 4 hours drive away.
