Daily life in Puerto Plata can start early, especially when the morning is still cool and the city is just waking up. I water my plants, head out for a power walk along the Malecón, or swim laps in the pool before my day starts. Then comes the important part, coffee! I love the smell of freshly brewed, from of course, coffee grown from the hills of Puerto Plata.
I often prepare a smoothie, made with fresh tropical fruits. Mangoes picked from the tree of the neighbours and pineapples bought from the truck which passes my street.
Later, I head into town for some everyday Dominican life. I pick up fresh vegetables at the market, run a few errands, or stop for an ice cream at Parque Central and watch the city go by. There is no need to rush, every day here is an adventure. Some of my favorite days are the simple ones, especially when they include a lunch date on a terrace, and catching up with a friend.
The afternoon can take me in completely different directions. I might head to Playa Dorada for a round of golf or a game of padel, or get involved in the community by joining a beach clean-up or helping one of the foundations active in Puerto Plata.
I love that living here gives you purpose, giving back to the community by helping schoolchildren with uniforms or checking on street dogs. There is always something to do, but there is also no pressure to do anything at all.
Evenings are often about good food and chilling. I love grilling vegetables and making pasta with a fresh salad, but sometimes a charcuterie board and a glass of wine are all it takes to make me happy. And then there are those evenings when the sunset is so spectacular that dinner can wait while I grab my camera. With the mountains, ocean and tropical landscape around Puerto Plata, taking pictures of the scenery can very easily turn into a serious hobby.
And when the weekend arrives, the rhythm changes again. Dancing salsa on Kite Street is definitely one of my favorite ways to spend an evening, surrounded by music, people and that wonderfully relaxed Caribbean atmosphere. That is what I love about daily life in Puerto Plata: there is no single way to live it. I can be active, social, creative, involved in the community, or simply sit down with a great coffee and watch the world go by.
Join The Discussion