Sosua
About Sosua
The town has three sections: El Batey, Sosua Abajo and Los Charamicos. El Batey, the tourist centre, was a refuge for German and Austrian Jews during WW2. The Dominican government provided assistance to the beleaguered people with which they set up a dairy and cheese factory which is still in existence. There is a synagogue and museum in this area.
Sosua Abajo or lower Sosua is the rural part of this region. Workers at the nearby resorts of Cabarete and Playa Dorada have their homes here. Sosua Abajo lies to the west of Sosua in a valley near Sosua Bay. Los Charamicos, a densely populated urban area, lies between El Batey and Sosua Abajo. This area is known for its nightlife, discotheques and bars.
Getting to and around Sosua
Gregorio Luperon International Airport is 10 minutes from Sosua while the Las Americas Interational Airport is a 4 hour drive. There are bus and services that ply to the beach town. Minibuses to and from Sousa Beach are available through the day. The town itself is small enough to walk around or rent a 2-wheeler.
Things to do at Sosua
Sosua beach is a great place for snorkeling, diving and fishing. You can swim 150 feet from the shore and see parrot fish, porcupines and many other types of fish. Take a snorkeling tour to reach the reefs and feed the fish. You can opt for a small boat fishing trip into the sea.
Scuba diving is available in shallow reefs, shipwrecks, freshwater caves and deep waters. There’s always the possibility of meeting a humpback whale and other large fish. December is whale watching season when enthusiasts visit Sosua Beach for a glimpse of their acrobatics (breaching and tail-slapping) in water.
Rent a car to the nearby beaches Playa Dorada, Playa Grande and Cabarete. Go westwards to the La Isabel museum or eastwards to the Rio San Juan and Pueblito Province where you can shop, Dominican style. Take a brave-heart trek up the Damajagua Mountain and experience an exhilarating descent as you cascade down its 27 waterfalls. There are all-night parks for Go-karting and Bumping cars. You can choose between Safari style jeep trips, catamaran day trips and horse rides in vast open areas.
Guided tours to enjoy in Sosua
There are tour operators who offer guided tours of Puerto Plata, Santiago, Santo Domingo and the border areas of Haiti. If you want a slice of nightlife, head to nearby Puerto Plata for the casinos. Most of the casinos at Sosua have shut down. If you want to follow a path less taken, take the 4-hour drive on a guagua (be on time, there’s only one in a day) out to Samana for lush green hills and isolated, untouched beaches with a great view of the bay. Get on to a catamaran tide for a possible view of large fish and whales.
Shopping at Sosua
Beach wear, painted t-shirts, hats, wraps, arts and crafts are easily available on Sosua beach. Haitian paintings are also available in most shops. Avoid buying cigars from souvenir shops. There is a large supermarket on the main road where the prices are reasonable.
Cuisine in Sosua
Authentic German, Italian and English cuisine are available at the restaurants in Sosua. Typical Dominican fare is also available for the asking. Dominicans are capable of rustling up good food with simple ingredients.
Weather in Sosua
The right time to visit Sosua is between December and May when the day temperature remains warm at 30 degrees C. the area is prone to hurricanes between July and October, while June to October is humid and rainy and effectively puts paid to getting into the sea.
Precautions to take in Sosua
Sousa is an impoverished locality. Locals try to sell their ware at ‘tourist’ prices. It’s difficult to haggle if you are new to the place. Ignore the peddlers and move on. Learn Spanish, though locals are used to English, it will help you get places.
Permalink
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscribe here
