Internet, Mail & Shipping in The North Coast

At the Playa Dorada Internet Center computers cost US$4.99 for one hour, US$2.99 for a half-hour, US$1.99 for 15 minutes. It's expensive but cheaper than the others nearby. Also, there are two phones for calling long distance, at a low 25 a minute, about a third of what it costs at Discount Plaza. However, you have to get them to turn down the music (they sell popular Latin CDs), and the phones are not in private booths.

Alf's Internet Center in Sosúa is next door to Alf's Tours and run by the same good people. You can buy nice refreshing juices, coffee, and snacks, as you surf the Internet. Price wise, it's the going rate, about RD$60 per hour.

There are two FujiFilms in Cabarete, one where they sell camera gear and can do color prints from digital cameras, and this one, which has a bank of computers and several phones. The manager, Luis Zabala, is more savvy than most, although his English is minimal; happily, this café is not very noisy, though open to the street. But you can have your color prints run while you surf the Internet. Expect to pay RD$30 for a half-hour, RD$45 for 45 minutes, and RD$60 per hour; annoyingly, the computer just shuts off as your time lapses, but it can be easily reset so you don't lose anything you were writing.

Internet Cafés

Alf's Tours Internet (Calle Pedro Clisante, Sosúa. 809/571-1013. www.alftour.com). FujiFilm (Calle Principal, Cabarete. 809/571-9536). Playa Dorada Internet Center (Play Dorada Plaza, near children's playground, Playa Dorada).

Post Offices

Post Office (Calle 12 de Julioat Separacion, 2 blocks north of Parque Central, Puerto Plata).

Shipping Companies

Sosúa Business Services (Ocean Dream Plaza, Suite 8, Cabarete. 809/571-0668.)