The Dominican Republic is generally not on the top of a traveler's Caribbean destination list. However, the beach and local color of places like Puerto Plata offer not only a beach experience, but also vibrant local culture.

Plata offers plenty of markets offering tasty local food and tourist staples like rum, cigars, and bright textiles. Seafood is plentiful. Head down the beach and watch what happens to the day's catch between net and plate.

Or take advantage of the bustling chair rental trade on the beach. A day under the sun, listening to waves, is the quintessential Caribbean experience. The advantage of places like Puerto Plata is that they offer so much more than merely a beach.