Adjacent to Puerto Plata are the two very small communities of Costambar and Cofresí. Costambar is an open beach protected by coral reefs abundant with almond trees, very pretty and way less tourist-ridden than Playa Dorada. For the most part, Costambar consists of time shares, villas, townhouses, and not much else.

Playa Cofresí, five kilometers from Costambar, is named after the Puerto Rican pirate Roberto Cofresí, known to many as the “Robin Hood of the Caribbean,” who is said to have buried his treasures either in the waters or somewhere between Cofresí and the Bahía de Samaná. Although the beach here isn’t as pretty as that of Costambar or Playa Dorada, it does have a couple of resorts and many villas and homes.

Getting to Costambar and Playa Cofresí

To get to this area from Puerto Plata a taxi will cost US$5–7. Agree on the price before getting in. Unfortunately, guaguas don’t go to either Costambar or Playa Cofresí. They exit onto the highway toward Santiago before Costambar. Once there, walking is the best option for getting around within the villages themselves. To go to a neighboring community, you’ll need a motoconcho, or call the Costambar taxi stand (tel. 809/970-7318).