Sosua is located in the Dominican Republic, and is known for being both a historically rich and exciting destination. The area was established in the 1940s when the Dominican Government offered to accept Jewish immigrants from Europe, specifically from Germany and Austria. These Jewish refugees established the town of Sousa, and began a cheese and milk factory called Productos Sosua, which is still running and available for tours to this day. Today, the area is home to many expatriates from Germanic countries, as well as Canadians, British, and Americans.
The city of Sousa is divided into three sections: El Batey, Sousa Abajo, and Los Charamicos. The latter two districts are home to local Dominicans, most of which work in the tourism industry and travel daily to the El Batey district. Los Charamicos is also known to be a nightlife capital, although most of the patrons are locals rather than expatriates or travelers. The El Batey district is home to most international residents and tourists, and was the initial settlement of European Jews in the 1940s. Most of the town’s tourism industry is based here, and nearly every hotel and hostel can be found in El Batey.
Tourism in Sousa as well as Holidays to Dominican Republic really began to take off in the 1980s, thanks in large part to it’s waterfront location and tropical climate. Visitors come to Sousa in order to enjoy the beautiful beaches and diving, as well as partake in a big industry for the town–the nightlife. There are many beachside bars, and the area of Pedro Clisante is known for it’s thriving expat community at night. Rum based drinks are of course the most popular, but locals beers are cheapest and just as delicious as their imported European counterparts.
The main beach is called Playa Sousa, and is over a kilometer long. Countless shacks run alongside the shore, each with a vendor selling items to tourists like drinks, snacks, or souvenirs. Beach supplies can also be rented, like lounge chairs, umbrellas, or snorkeling equipment. Snorkeling is a popular activity on Playa Sousa, thanks to a coral reef just beyond the shoreline. For a quieter and more tranquil beach-going experience, you can visit the Playa Alicia, another beach nearby. Fewer vendors means less local flavor, but it can be calmer and more relaxing if you need to decompress after a night of barhopping.
Sousa is a beautiful and vibrant town, and one that attracts many tourists annually. With a combination of Dominican heritage, early 20th century European history, stunning beaches, and an exciting nightlife, Sousa is the ideal destination for any traveler.
