Traditions and culture in Playa Dorada

Playa Dorada is one of the most popular resorts in Puerto Plata, situated on the north coast of the Dominican Republic.

The country was claimed by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and it certainly retains many elements of its Spanish culture, while also embracing a number of African traditions.

Puerto Plata is renowned for its combination of striking Victorian-style architecture and more traditional structures, although the primary industry these days is undoubtedly tourism.

The region is also known for its fondness for rum and the local Brugal factory - the biggest in the country - was recently snapped up by an English firm for £90 million.

Things to do in Playa Dorada

One of the main attractions for anyone taking a holiday in the resort is undoubtedly its clean, golden sandy beaches and the strikingly clear sea, with plenty of opportunities for snorkelling and scuba diving.

Much of the new-build tourist accommodation is charming and finding a good value hotel is never too much of a problem, as there are a reported 100,000 beds in the city.

There are also a number of tours running from the resort which are both eye-opening and enjoyable; the Dominican Discovery Mega Truck tour, for instance, takes in a local community of 25 families in one of the most remote places in the region.

Those on board can get to the heart of Dominican life as the tour also visits tiny outposts where making and selling cigars, coffee and impressive sculptures all form the lifeblood of the locals' existence.

It is also worth visiting Ocean World, a large water park complex which features a number of different sea animals such as dolphins and sharks, plus exotic birds and tigers from the rainforests.

Anyone looking for an alternative night out could do worse than hop aboard the Mambo Truck, a rickety old coach equipped with a bar and tour guides who are more than happy to offer you alcohol, while also consuming their fair share.

Music blasts out of the speakers and instruments are handed out to each person to play as the coach trundles from bar to bar throughout the evening - certainly a unique experience.

Weather in Playa Dorada

The holiday information for the resort would not be complete without a look at the climate, which tends to be very warm all year round.

Temperatures do not fluctuate much and tend to be mid-20s on average, although there is a hurricane season between June and October.

The hottest days from June to October feel humid and rain can be a threat, while between December and May it is moderately warm and there is less rain.

Destination checklist for Playa Dorada

Playa Dorada has a population of 496,882.

The resort is five hours behind GMT/UTC time.

The official currency is the peso, but US dollars are also widely accepted.

Spanish is the official language spoken.

The resort's international dialling code is +809 or +829.