Sosúa
Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean · Dominican Republic
Did you know?
- The main beach has a snorkeling reef 100m offshore.
- El Batey is a compact, walkable tourist area.
- German and Italian cooking sit alongside Dominican dishes.
See also
Las Terrenas
Dominican Republic19.32°N 69.53°W · 17 m
Overview
Sosúa is a small beach town in Puerto Plata province. Nightlife and a sociable atmosphere are part of its appeal.
Languages: Spanish
Why go?
Sosúa is a small beach town in Puerto Plata province known for its vibrant nightlife scene and friendly atmosphere. The town features the El Batey neighborhood, founded by Jewish refugees from Eastern Europe during World War II, giving it a unique cultural blend. During the day, Playa Sosua offers swimming, snorkeling, and beach relaxation, while nights bring bar-hopping and disco-hopping opportunities.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
The nearest major airport is Puerto Plata International Airport (POP), about 10 minutes from Sosúa. Taxi rides from the airport to Sosúa cost approximately US$15-25. Caribe Tours buses also serve the route connecting Sosúa with larger cities like Puerto Plata, Santiago, and Santo Domingo.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
Sosúa is compact and walkable, especially in the El Batey tourist area. Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) cost RD$20 during the day and RD$40 at night within El Batey. Guaguas (minivans) operate on the main highway between Puerto Plata and Rio San Juan, charging RD$20 to Cabarete and RD$30 to Puerto Plata. Tourist taxis are available but significantly more expensive at RD$150+ for short trips.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
The Dominican Republic is subtropical and warm year-round. Whale watching tours run from December to March. Peak tourist season is December through April, with lower prices available during off-season. Happy hours at bars and restaurants typically run from 4-7PM.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Budget hotels start at around US$25 per night, while all-inclusive resorts can cost several hundred dollars per night. Most hotels offer discounts of 10-20% for weekly bookings and up to 50% for monthly stays during off-season. Hotels vary in their policies regarding nightlife and single male travelers—ask about guest policies before booking. Free WiFi is common at most hotels.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Sosúa offers diverse dining including authentic German, Italian, and traditional Dominican food. Budget meals like fried chicken at Pica Pollo cost around US$4. Mid-range restaurants like Britannia Pub and Rocky's offer good value with US$15-25 meals. Local beers include Presidente, Bohemia, Brahma, and Quilmes. Brugal is the standard local rum, though Barceló is considered superior quality. Happy hours typically run 2-for-1 drinks from 4-7PM.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Playa Sosua is the main beach, offering snorkeling around a reef 100m offshore, chair rentals for RD$60, and food shacks. The El Batey neighborhood contains a small synagogue and museum documenting the Jewish community history. Los Charamicos neighborhood offers authentic local experiences, including cockfighting at Club Gallistico on Saturday afternoons. Tour operators offer excursions including whale watching (December-March), jeep tours, waterfalls, diving, and trips to Puerto Plata, Santiago, and Santo Domingo.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Tourists are quoted inflated prices—typically 2-6 times the fair value. Haggle by offering your price and walking away if needed. Haitian oil paintings, Dominican cigars (US$3-5 direct from factory), and Latin American souvenirs are available. Authentic leather goods are rare; imitation leather dominates. A large supermarket on the main road offers better prices than beach shops for groceries and essentials.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stay safe
Prostitution is common in Sosúa—politely decline with "No, gracias" if approached. The Los Charamicos neighborhood has unsafe alleyways; stick to main streets during daytime and avoid at night. The El Batey tourist area is generally safe. Be prepared for subtropical heat year-round. Watch your belongings on crowded guaguas minivans.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connectivity
Most hotels offer free WiFi, though speeds vary. Internet cafes are abundant in Sosúa. When booking, check connectivity in your specific room. International calling is available; some hotels like Perla de Sosua offer free calls to USA and Canada.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget
Daily backpacker budget: accommodation US$25-50, meals US$10-20, transport RD$20-40 local, activities US$30-50 for tours. Beach chair rental RD$60, snorkeling equipment available for rent. Happy hour drinks from 4-7PM offer good value. Budget US$40-60 per day for a comfortable backpacker experience.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Puerto Plata is 15 minutes west, the area's largest town. Cabarete is 10 minutes east, famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Santa Barbara de Samana is about 3 hours east, known for whale watching. Las Canas beach is 35 minutes east and feels much more secluded. Guaguas provide the cheapest transport to all nearby destinations.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Casa Alegria Sosua
Cozy guest house with six rooms in a very quiet location under German management.
Recorded price: from 22 €
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Casa Cayena
Quiet
Recorded price: US$60-80, depending on the season
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Casa Marina Beach Resort
The biggest all-inclusive in town, located next to Playa Alicia. If you search online you can sometimes find deep-discount packages as cheap as US$500-1,000 for a full week.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel El Colibri
Hotel El Colibri is the place to be if you want to enjoy the Dominican lifestyle and if you want to explore the beautiful countryside. El Colibri is well known for the hospitality and personal attention given by its Dutch host/ess and the Dominican staff. One of the few hotels in the town that is still very family friendly. Monique and Steven, the owners, take great care in maintaining the property and ensuring guest comfort. English, Dutch and Spanish are all spoken by staff.
Recorded price: US$40-60 depending on the season
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
New Garden
Among the best of the smaller and more inexpensive hotels. One wing has rooms that include a jacuzzi. For security, there is an armed guard at night. It is walking distance to many bars and nightclubs.
Recorded price: US$45-60
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Perla de sosua
Perla de Sosua consist of studios, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom vacation condos, apartments type hotel rooms. Most with cooking facilities or kitchens, Some with full sized living rooms, balconies and separate dining rooms and all have air conditioned bedrooms, safes, ceiling fans. Linen, and cleaning services provided, pool and community terrace on premises, along with free wireless internet access and free telephone calls to the USA and Canada.
Recorded price: Hotel rooms start at US$30 per night and US$180 per week.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Piergiorgio Palace Hotel
This large, colonial-style hotel is on a cliff above the water, and offers a massive and impressive lobby, clean and functional rooms, and plenty of secluded cliffside grottos for romantic moments or quiet contemplation. There is a bar and restaurant onsite with friendly and attentive staff, and while the food isn't bad it is pricier than comparable meals in town. A large breakfast buffet is included in the room rate.
Recorded price: US$95-125 for standard rooms, suites from US$250
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Rocky's
Both hotel rooms and condos have A/C, but the condos are the best. They're like a small apartment replete with stove/oven, full size refrigerator, cable TV and WiFi. His hotel has WiFi also.
Recorded price: Hotel rooms are US$25 per night and condominiums are US$45 per night.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Connectivity
Most hotels have free WiFi. Internet cafes abundant. International phone service available at accommodations.
Food
Diverse restaurants including German, Italian, Dominican. Street food US$4-5, mid-range US$15-25. Happy hours 4-7PM at many bars.
Money
US dollars widely accepted for tourism, but Dominican pesos (RD$) are standard for local transport and smaller purchases. ATMs available. Haggling expected at markets and beach stalls.
Safety
El Batey tourist area safe. Avoid Los Charamicos alleyways at night. Watch belongings on crowded transport. Heat protection essential year-round.
Transport
Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) RD$20 day/RD$40 night within El Batey. Guaguas (minivans) RD$20-30 to nearby towns. Tourist taxis expensive at US$15-25.
Weather
Subtropical climate, warm year-round. Best beach weather November-April. Whale watching December-March.