Tour Ocean Star Estates and Nearby Attractions
If you are considering purchasing a lot at Ocean Star Estates, or have done so already, our staff in the Dominican Republic is available to spend the day with you touring this beautiful development and beach in Luperon. In addition, they can customize a one-day tour of nearby attractions. At this time, we are not charging a tour fee.
Please read through the information below, and once you have an idea of what you would like to do while you are in the Dominican Republic, contact Humberto Metz on our DR staff at either 1-829-962-7522 (cell phone) or metzinvestor@hotmail.com to make arrangements. After you have scheduled your tour, we ask that you contact Angi Bever in our U.S. office to let her know your travel dates. Angi is also available to answer questions you might have regarding your trip. She can be reached at either 913-381-4520 or angi@rogueinvestor.com.
Please understand that because we do not charge for our tours, our staff here in the U.S. is limited in the amount of time it can spend assisting with tour planning.
One-Day Tour of Ocean Star Estates
~ 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - You will be picked up at your hotel by our staff in the Dominican Republic and driven to Ocean Star Estates in Luperon (approximately a 1-hour drive from Puerto Plata and Sosua).
Please note that you will need to be staying in either Luperon, Puerto Plata or Sosua to be picked up at your hotel. Otherwise, you will need to find your own transportation to one of these towns, where you will then be picked up.
~ 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Tour Ocean Star Estates and the beach. Lunch in Luperon will be provided. The amount of tour time is highly specific to each individual, and does not need to be pre-determined.
~ 4:00 p.m. - Returned to hotel.
"Thanks Diane, yes we had a wonderful time. It’s a beautiful country and the people are so nice, although it became apparent there’s still lots to do for their quality of life. Humberto and Carlos were great, and very knowledgeable and accommodating. We had a nice time with them and got along very well, and look forward to seeing them again."
Bill G. |
One-Day Tour of Nearby Attractions
Our staff in the Dominican Republic can customize a personal, one-day tour of attractions near Ocean Star Estates. The tour includes transportation and a guide (costs such as entry fees and food are not provided). The following is a partial list of attractions for you to consider:
Ocean World, Puerto Plata
phone: 809-291-1000
website: www.oceanworld.net
This large marine theme park offers interactive experiences such as swimming with bottlenose dolphins in the world's largest dolphin lagoon, feeding stingrays, exploring an artificial reef, getting close to sharks in the world's first shark interaction pool and swimming just inches from tigers. Guests have the opportunity to experience a rainforest complete with waterfalls, beaches, lagoons and wildlife.
Amber Museum, Puerto Plata
phone: 809-586-2848
website: http://www.ambermuseum.com
An outstanding example of Victorian architecture, the museum houses a unique collection of valuable Dominican amber. Experts say this amber is known to be the most transparent in the world. Amber is classified as semiprecious and is actually tree sap that has hardened for millions of years, capturing many fossils of plant and insect life. Watch a video of one of the many artistic/historical uses of amber, by clicking here: Restored Amber Room in Russia
Brugal Rum Factory, Puerto Plata
In 2002 the Brugal Company produced 4.3 million 24-bottle cases of the rum. It produces 75,000 liters of rum every 24 hours and boasts an 80% market share of the rum market in the Dominican Republic.
Damajagua Falls (a.k.a. Cascades of Imbert), Imbert
Also known as the "seven falls," this is a series of 27 cascades near Puerto Plata.
For more information on additional attractions, visit the following websites:
http://www.godominicanrepublic.com
http://www.debbiesdominicantravel.com
Traveling to the Dominican Republic
Flying to the Dominican Republic
We recommend flying into the Gregorio Luperón Puerto Plata International Airport. The airport code is POP.
The airport is a 15-minute drive from Puerto Plata, a 5-minute drive from Sosua, and a 1-hour drive from the Ocean Star Estates development in Luperon.
Cheap Tickets (http://www.cheaptickets.com), Travelocity (http://www.travelocity.com), and Expedia (http://www.expedia.com) are all good websites for finding the cheapest ticket, or you can consult your travel agent. Delta has a lot of direct flights from many U.S. locations.
A passport or equivalent national identity document and a visa (but see exception below) is required of foreigners traveling to the DR.
All non-resident travelers need to show a round trip ticket as proof of their departure.
Traveling without a passport: The DR has signed an agreement with the U.S. and Canada that allows their nationals to enter without a passport or visa by purchasing a US$10 tourist card (cash only). You will need to present proof of citizenship - either an original birth certificate or certified copies with raised seal, an expired passport (if photograph still clearly resembles the bearer), U.S. naturalization certificate or a signed U.S. voter registration card. You do not need to have this tourist card with you to exit the country - it is just a requirement to enter the country.
As of January 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens need to have a U.S. passport (including children) to re-enter the U.S. when coming from the Dominican Republic.
When flying direct from the DR to Canada, Canadian citizens can travel to and from the Dominican Republic with an an original birth certificate and a photo ID, such as a driver's license, that matches the name on your citizenship document. If you have changed your name because of marriage, you should bring certified proof of your marriage.
Why get a passport anyway?: A passport is the preferred document for international travel to the DR. In these days of enhanced security considerations, travelers are highly recommended to go abroad with passports as their identification document. Note that you will need a passport to cash travelers checks, rent a car, to make large credit card purchases, and sometimes even as a security deposit for equipment such as golf clubs.
Transportation to your Hotel
If you are staying in Puerto Plata, Sosua or Luperon, our staff in the DR is available to pick you up at the airport and transport you to your hotel, if your hotel or lodging does not provide this service. Please make arrangements for this as part of your tour.
A good source of information on travel in the Dominican Republic is at http://www.dr1.com/travel (see links in left-hand side bar).
Car Rental
Car rental prices are approximately US$39 to US$59 per day (SUVs are a common rental car). The following are some rental car companies located at the Gregorio Luperón Puerto Plata International Airport:
Budget Rent-A-Car
809-586-0413
http://www.budget.com - type in "POP" (no quotation marks) for the airport in Puerto Plata in the field labeled pick-up location
Kobi Rent S. A.
809-571-4169
http://www.dominican-car-rental.com
National Car Rental
http://www.dr1.com/national
If you do not wish to rent a car, cabs and motorcycles are available for transporting you around.
Lodging
We recommend that you stay in one of the following three towns:
There are many choices for lodging, so you will want to do some research on the Internet. Here are a few selections to get you started:
The Riu Bachata in Puerto Plata
800-454-6835
http://www.godreamvacations.com/RiuBachata
The Riu Merengue in Puerto Plata
http://www.godreamvacations.com/RiuMerengue
The Riu Mambo in Puerto Plata
http://www.riubambu.com/RIU_WEB_PAGES/MENU/RESORT/MAMBO/MAMBO.htm
Casa Cayena in Sosua
809-571-2651
http://www.hotelcasacayena.com
Luperon Beach Resort
http://www.conquestvacations.com/hotels/hotel.aspx?hc=LUPB
The following is a list of popular Puerto Plata hotels, as listed by HolidayWatchDog.com:
· Iberostar Costa Dorada Hotel
· Riu Bachata ClubHotel
· Viva Wyndham Tangerine Hotel
· Riu Merengue ClubHotel
· Riu Mambo Clubhotel
· Marien Coral by Hilton
· Hacienda Tropical Resort Hotel
· Bahia Principe San Juan Hotel
· Luperon Beach Resort Hotel
· Puerto Plata Village Hotel
· Hacienda Garden Beach Resort Hotel
· SuperClubs Breezes Puerto Plata Hotel
· Hotetur Dorado Club Hotel
· Occidental Allegro Grand Flamenco Hotel
· Lifestyle Crown Residence Suites
· Occidental Allegro Playa Dorada Hotel
· Occidental Allegro Jack Tar Village
· Hacienda Suites
· Playa Naco Golf & Tennis Resort
· Sun Village Beach Resort Hotel
· Casa Colonial Beach & Spa Hotel
· Sun Village Beach Resort Hotel
· Karisma Hacienda Tropical Hotel
· Kaoba Hotel
· Estrella del Mar Hotel
· Victorian House Hotel
· Ramada Hacienda Resort Hotel
· Hotel Paraiso de Colon Hotel
· Cabarete Bay Hotel
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