| There are many all inclusive Caribbean resorts which | | | | are a fantastic option for the dream vacation. |
| combine infinite enjoyment at a very finite price (no | | | | Another off-the-beaten track option for the vacationer |
| tipping; no hidden costs; everything is included). One of | | | | looking for something different is the Dominican |
| the most popular is Curacao, with its pristine white | | | | Republic, where many luxurious resorts have sprung |
| sand beaches and calm, crystal-clear water which | | | | up on the north coast of Puerto Plata. With its miles of |
| attracts scuba divers from all over the world to its | | | | magnificent beaches, its majestic mountains with lush |
| Undersea National Park and famous Sea Aquarium. | | | | verdant valleys, and its historic Spanish colonial culture, |
| An unusual feature of diving in Curacao is that the | | | | the Dominican Republic offers a unique vacation |
| floor of the sea drops off very steeply just a few | | | | experience. The waters of the Caribbean are crystal |
| hundred feet from the shore (a drop off known locally | | | | clear and calm, and the sand is soft and inviting. The |
| as the blue edge), so the reef is easy to reach without | | | | mountains offer nature hiking and horseback riding to |
| a boat. Another great feature of Curacao is its mild | | | | the adventuresome. Besides the beach and natural |
| climate: temperatures average 80° F in the winter | | | | beauty, there are some worthwhile historic sites to |
| and 84° F in summer, and since Curacao lies | | | | explore in Puerto Plata itself, such as the Fortaleza |
| outside of the Caribbean hurricane belt it largely | | | | San Felipe, a sixteenth century fort which became a |
| escapes hurricane visitation. | | | | prison under the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. |
| While Curacao is located just off the Venezuelan | | | | Other interesting destinations include the fabulous |
| coast, its quaint Dutch charm and colonial flavor make | | | | amber museum, and La Isabela, a settlement founded |
| it a hit with sophisticated travelers who want to avoid | | | | by Christopher Columbus, who laid out the city of |
| crowds and enjoy a largely undiscovered Caribbean | | | | Puerto Plata. Puerto Plata has had a rather unsavory |
| paradise. Curacao is the biggest and most populated | | | | history: it is the spot where the notorious African slave |
| of the three so-called ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, | | | | trade began in 1563, when an English privateer brought |
| Curacao) belonging to the Lesser Antilles. The Dutch | | | | 400 people he had kidnapped in Sierra Leone and |
| occupied the island in 1634 and founded the capital | | | | traded them with Spanish settlers in exchange for |
| Willemstad, which became an important harbor for | | | | sugar, hides, and pearls. Later Puerto Plata became a |
| shipping, commerce, piracy, and the slave trade. All of | | | | notorious lair of Caribbean pirates and privateers, a |
| these enterprises made Willemstad a prosperous hub, | | | | center for smuggling and contraband. Besides its |
| and soon impressive Dutch-style colonial buildings rose | | | | natural beauty and interesting history, the Dominican |
| in Curacao's capital. With some of the world's best | | | | people are warm, smiling, and hospitable, so even the |
| diving; luxurious spas; gourmet international dining; and | | | | most exclusive and luxurious resorts in the Dominican |
| world-class casino gaming; all inclusive Curacao resorts | | | | Republic make you feel at home. |