The Malecón of Puerto Plata: the city's living room

The Malecón runs for several kilometres along the seafront, from Long Beach past the fortress towards the port, and it is where Puerto Plata actually lives. Late afternoon, joggers and cyclists arrive. By dusk the food carts are set up: chimichurris, the local burger, grilled corn, fresh fruit with lime and salt, and yaniqueques fried on the spot. At weekends the music trucks come out. Families claim benches, teenagers circle on scooters, dominoes slap onto plastic tables and, without any announcement, people start to dance. Go with cash, an appetite and no plan. Try a chimi, sit on the sea wall and watch. If a stranger asks you to dance, they are not selling anything; they are being friendly. It is at its best on Friday and Saturday evenings and during carnival in February, when the whole parade runs along the seafront.