By Paola Garcia | October 01, 2019

In a prior blog: 10 Budget-Friendly Things To Do In Puerto Plata, I shared with you a bunch of fun stuff that you can do as a visitor here while spending little or no cash. Well, I am back again to share with you once more, some cost savings love. You see activities aren't the only things you can save money on during your visit. Here are three tips that will save you money on resorts, transportation, and souvenirs while in Puerto Plata.

Resorts

Puerto Plata has a multitude of quality resorts to choose from but to get the best deal for your money you need to book at an all-inclusive.

For $135 or less a night, you can book a stay at one of Puerto Plata's best resorts. Our resorts have spacious suites that often come standard with double queen-sized beds, bathrooms with a duel bath and shower, air conditioning, cable, a flat-screen tv, wifi (*wifi is usually free but some resorts charge a small fee for in-room usage), a mini-bar, a small refrigerator, a coffee-maker and an iron. Also included in the all-inclusive packages are all you can eat and drink, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. The resorts also feature snack bars that serve food and drink all day. Sunbath, swim, play in, or relax by one of the numerous pools each resort has.

Your all-inclusive benefits don't end with you merely receiving a nice room, unlimited food and drink, and access to some pools. The resorts like to go that extra mile to keep their guests happy. As part of your stay, you will also get some quality live entertainment from the bevy of singers, musicians, dancers, and cabaret performers that the resorts always bring in. You can participate in games or dance classes with the staff and other guests. Guests also receive access to the resort's private beach.

The best thing about these all-inclusive deals is that they are 2 for 1. That's right, you and another guest get all the package benefits for the price of only one person! Below is a link to a list of some of Puerto Plata's best all-inclusive resorts.
All-Inclusive Resorts In Puerto Plata

Transportation

For longer rides to and from the resorts (i.e. the airport) in Puerto Plata, I've found Uber to be the most inexpensive choice. On average my cost was fifty percent less than what I would have paid if I had used transportation provided by one of the resorts. A cab ride at the resorts usually starts around four hundred pesos ($7.66).

The only downsides to using Uber is that the resorts don't always allow Uber to do pick-ups inside their complex. Only drop-offs. I've been told that they do this to protect the taxi companies who do business there (Uber is killing them with better rates). No worries. You can still get picked up by Uber at the entrance (only a very short walking distance from any of the resorts). Also, Uber's service can sometimes be a little slow but it's getting better.

While traveling inside of town you have three reasonably priced options to use, depending on your situation. If you are traveling with two or more people, or have a lot of stuff to carry, then either Uber or a taxi is your best option. Town taxis are just slightly more expensive than Uber but a lot less than the resort's taxis. On average, taxi rates start at one hundred and fifty pesos ($2.85). I still prefer taxis over Uber at this point because I can get a taxi faster.

If you and or another person are traveling short distances around town and neither of you has a whole lot to carry, then a bike taxi is best for you. Expect to pay between fifty ($1.00) and no more than one hundred pesos ($2.00).

Souvenirs

There is a multitude of places in Puerto Plata where you may purchase nice souvenirs like the resort's gift shops, the mall, the Walmart like stores of La Sarina and Jumbo, or at one of the landmarks, museums or beaches. However, my experiences have taught me that the best places to buy them are in town at one of our many souvenir markets.

Overall, I've found that they offer the best prices on a wide variety of items including but not limited to art, keychains, dolls, mugs, caps, t-shirts, coffee, cigars, alcohol, etc. I've purchased items here for half out what I would have had to pay at some of those other places.

If you can't make it to any of the souvenir markets then please consider buying from one of the many small, independent vendors that occupy the local beaches and landmarks. You can find a lot of good deals with them as well.

Thanks for reading. Until next time. Besos!

paola@dominicansoul.com