best beaches (and beach towns) around puerto plata?
 

for 1 week in april, if we opt for the north coast, which town do you recommend: playa dorado? cabarete? sosua? we like pretty soft sand beaches with palm trees, and swimmable water. also, a town for shops and restaurants. help!

Definitely Cabarete :) Sosua beach is too small, Playa Dorada is a complex of hotels - so you would be in a small hotel town. Cabarete has a really nice beach with lots of restaurants to choose from. Lots of shops too and only 10 minutes drive from Sosua in case you would like to go shopping there.
I lived in Cabarete for 2 years so I am taking from my living experience not as a tourist.
Denise

thank you, denise! how long a drive (taxi) from puerto plata? approx cost? can you recommend any hotels, condos, or b&bs on the beach. jack

oops! saw your reply! thanks again.............

Jack,
It's about 30 minutes drive, it's not that far. I don't know the taxi cost, I would guess around 30 USD, that's what they charge here on the south coast for the same distance.
If you want all inclusive - Viva Wyndham is in Cabarete, most of the other resorts are closed. There are condos and hotels on the beach, but I have to find more info from my son who lives there. Please send me an email to [email protected] and I will send you some info.
Denise