Close to many of the resorts, Plaza Bavaro is the largest shopping area in Punta Cana. An open air garden in the central courtyard provides a pleasant and inviting atmosphere where visitors can stroll the unique shops and cool off from the sun. The Plaza features over 50 stores including local boutiques, pharmacy, jewelry stores, a travel agency, banks and restaurants. Browse gift shops selling every kind of souvenir imaginable, and hunt for bargains as you mingle with the local people. Located directly across the street is the Plaza Punta Cana, offering a huge variety of merchandise including local arts and crafts, cigars, souvenirs and unique gifts.

Also along Bavaro Beach among Punta Cana's most elegant resorts, is the Palma Real Shopping Village. This new addition to the resort area is home to a variety of great shops and brand name restaurants. Guests can enjoy shopping at stores that include Planeta Fashion, Tosca, Wine & Food Sensation, Bruga Boutique and Verganti. Another important addition to the Bavaro Beach area of Punta Cana is the unique and sophisticated Caribbean Street, located within the renowned Riu Resort Complex. Lush gardens and elegant architecture highlight a superb facility offering numerous gift shops, boutiques and enticing restaurants.

For those looking for an authentic experience away from the souvenir shops, The Domenico Cigar Manufactory offers visitors the opportunity to see fine Dominican cigars being made. Located behind Plaza Brisas on Bavaro Beach, Domenico cigars are produced and sold in this small family owned business by highly skilled master rollers, and visitors will enjoy watching the process before testing the cigars for themselves. The cigars are of a very high quality and offer shoppers a great value for money.

Value and variety are defiantly a big part of the appeal when shopping in Punta Cana. From the elegant resort boutiques to the colorful markets, there is something for everyone, just don't be afraid to bargain with the vendors for the best deal!

After a day of shopping, relaxing on the beach, or enjoying the numerous activities at your resort, it's time to discover the exciting nightlife that Punta Cana is famous for. When the sun goes down, the many bars and clubs inside and outside of the resorts come to life! At the Riu Palace Macao, Pacha nightclub provides high energy entertainment all night long for Riu guests and the general public. Featuring a vibrant mix of international dance tunes, meringue and salsa, Pacha is one of Punta Cana's top nightspots and a guaranteed great night out. Guests of Pacha also enjoy complimentary entrance to the casino, and the Copacabana amphitheater.

Across at the Barcelo Bavaro Golf and Casino, the Bavaro Disco has become a favorite among Punta Cana's nightlife. Bavaro Disco is an enormous club that draws guests from around the world with its exotic and visually stunning ambience. The disco is free to residents of the Barcelo Hotel complex, and welcomes the general public with admission. Dance the night away to exciting tunes in this thrilling party atmosphere quite unlike any other! Also within the Barcelo complex is the incredible Tropicalissimo show at the casino, staged in the style of the old Tropicana of Cuba.

Although the majority of Punta Cana's nightlife is concentrated within the resorts, it is worth checking out the local bars and clubs for a more authentic night out mixing with the Dominican people. The Mascara Bar is located in the Punta Cana shopping center, and is one of the area's best kept secrets! Enjoy the mix of great music and a refreshing cocktail with your friends as you mingle with locals. A warm and inviting atmosphere coupled with an extensive drinks selection make the Mascara Bar a great choice!

Another good choice for a lively night out is Hot Spot, located on Bavaro Beach, right behind Plaza Brisas. Open weekends only, Hot Spot offers a wonderful, friendly atmosphere, and local drinks such as presidente beer, cuba libre, plus exotic cocktails, all at reasonable prices. The cave style setting with volcano décor provides a unique nightlife experience not to be missed!

Whether you choose to stay within your resort and take advantage of the nightlife choices available, or venture out to sample some after-dark local culture, one thing that you can be sure of is a night to remember! Punta Cana has without question earned its reputation as one of the leading vacation destinations worldwide, and day or night, visitors will find an abundance of choices awaiting them in this Dominican paradise.

By: Ellie Cominos
Ellie Cominos is a travel expert and a content associate and travel guide writer for BookIt.com® - the online travel company offering discounted hotels and vacations wherever you are FROM! Visit the BookIt.com ® Travel Guides for additional travel information including articles, reviews and helpful travel tips.

One way to get a good feel for the city and see the area in all its glory is to make a point of visiting Mount Isabel de Torres, undoubtedly Puerto Plata's most impressive geographic feature at 2,600 feet. After a seven minute cable car ride up the nearly vertical slope, visitors will find botanical gardens, a statue of Christ similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro, and spectacular views of the city and surrounding sea.

Once you return to sea level, visit Fort San Felipe to learn more about the Puerto Plata's rich history. One of the first European forts to be constructed in the Americas, the fort is located on a small peninsula that juts out into Puerto Plata Bay, and can be reached by way of the Malecon, a lively oceanside road featuring numerous cafes, restaurants, shops and clubs. The fort dates back to the late 16th century and was originally built by the Spanish to defend the region against pirate ships, and then later used by the Dictator Rafael Trujillo as a prison during his control of the island. It features a moat, historical artifacts, and a small museum, and is a popular Puerto Plata attraction.

Another important historical attraction is the Amber Museum, located close to the city's central park. The museum features extensive collections of amber, some of which contain remarkably preserved specimens dating back thousands of years, and many interesting exhibits explaining the history and formation of amber. There is also a gift shop where you can buy authentic amber jewelry and collector's pieces.

For another authentic experience, visit the Brugal Rum Factory, just outside of downtown. Producing over a million and a half liters of white and dark rum each year, Brugal is the drink of choice for many Dominicans. Although no distillation actually takes place at the Brugal Factory, visitors are given a brief tour of Brugal's bottling operations and are treated to a refreshing rum drink at the end of the tour.

Visitors with children and those seeking something a little more adventurous will enjoy Ocean World Adventure Park, located 3 miles west of Puerto Plata. Combining a plush casino, a world-class marina and an aquarium for marine life, visitors can enjoy a total of 22 waterfalls, swim with dolphins, take photos with tigers and exotic birds, have a sunset dinner or pool-side drink with spectacular ocean views, or enjoy a Vegas-style tropical cabaret show. Programs range from dolphin and sea lion to stingray and shark encounters, all under expert supervision and with plenty of opportunities for taking photographs while interacting with these amazing creatures. Ocean World is a great day out for the whole family, and offers fun and excitement for everyone, whether actually participating in an animal encounter, or simply enjoying the animals and tropical surroundings.

Another great way to enjoy the water while in Puerto Plata is the incredible Columbus Aguaparque, the largest water park in the Caribbean! With many thrilling water slides and a fun water area for smaller children, plus an adult pool for relaxing, Aguaparque is a wonderful way to cool off and have some fun at the same time. The park is located in nearby Sousa, and is open seven days a week from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

With the numerous attractions that Puerto Plata has to offer, it would be easy to find something fun to do every day of your vacation without even taking into consideration the many beaches that complement the area, however with so many beautiful unspoiled beaches to choose from, no trip to Puerto Plata would be complete without some relaxing time spent beachside. Playa Dorado (Golden Beach) is located on Puerto Plata's Amber Coast, and is one of the most established resort areas, with water-sports and beach activities, plus several restaurants and beach cafes. The equally popular Cabarete Beach is famous for having excellent conditions for sports such as windsurfing and kite-boarding, and although it caters a little more to the younger, sports minded crowd, is still a wonderful place for relaxing, people watching, and enjoying the Dominican atmosphere.

The Dominican Republic is one of the top Caribbean vacation spots worldwide and Puerto Plata combines the best of the Dominican flavor with first-rate accommodations, superb restaurants and sensational attractions. On the beach or visiting attractions away from the surf, Puerto Plata offers an affordable, exciting vacation destination for all ages and interests

By: Ellie Cominos
Ellie Cominos is a travel expert and a content associate and travel guide writer for BookIt.com® - the online travel company offering discounted hotels and vacations wherever you are FROM! Visit the BookIt.com ® Travel Guides for additional travel information including articles, reviews and helpful travel tips.