To the west of Puerto Plata on the opposite side of the harbour is COSTAMBAR
Thirty five years ago there were only three properties and to reach the city you had to go by horseback. Gradually, more visitors heard about the peace and tranquillity of the countryside coupled with sandy beaches and small inlets, and began building properties.

The owner of the Bieker Bar that is the first bar into, and last bar out of, the Costambar community has seen the area develop since he moved there 35 years ago.

It is now an international community popular with tourists and residents alike who have a choice of bars and restaurants, as well as, their own community nine -hole golf course (Par 32). A new golf club was built in 2011 offering many facilities, including a gym, tennis court, pool, personal trainers, health spa and restaurant.
There is also a community newspaper and in January 2013 a community center and library opened.

The main entrance is half a mile from the main highway linking Santiago to Samana passing through Puerto Plata, Sosua, Cabarete, Rio San Juan and the Samana Peninsular. From the guarded entrance the road passes the local supermarket, restaurants, pharmacy, bike hire private villas, and apartments down to the beach and ocean. There are roads leading off in either direction to other parts of COSTAMBAR including a road that skirts the area and looks down onto Puerto Plata harbour and town that is dominated by Mt Isabel de Torres the only Caribbean mountain with a cable car to the summit offering panoramic views. Costambar has many leafy lanes, hedgerows and a park similar to those found in England. This is an ideal place to roam about on a bicycle or exploring the beaches and ocean front that rounds the headland into Puerto Plata harbour.

This is a place to visit and have a drink and talk to the locals to see why they own property there or return as tourists each year.