On air
La Voz Libre from El Carey
APC, Beach Vendors, Junta de Vecinos, and the reef project spoke to the public and officials. Thanks to the hosts and Ramón Martínez of El Carey.
Watch APC segment (2:43) →
Costambar Homeowners Association
Monthly Community Bulletin
September 2026 — The pearl of Puerto Plata
Keeping our beach community informed — security, beautification, local businesses, and the people who make Costambar home.
From the APC President
Another month in paradise — heat, humidity, and home.
Even in the summer heat and Sahara dust, Costambar remains special: mornings on the porch with Cristo Redentor in the clouds, evenings by the cool breeze and sound of the waves.
Member perk: El Carey Restaurant and Dr. Gary’s Life Quiro Wellness Center now offer 10% off to APC members. More businesses are joining — see the Costambar Business Network.
Costambar is definitely the “pearl” of Puerto Plata.
APC Secretary’s Corner
Our perimeter wall needs the community again
Built around 2001 with support from the Valerino Group and APC fundraising — including Lianna Swerdlin’s legendary weekend appeals outside Jenny’s Market — the wall made Costambar far safer. More than 20 years later, age and collapses demand permanent repairs.
- Temporary fencing installed on the Javillar side (Sep 2026)
- Security Committee has spent more than RD$500,000 on wall & security improvements
- Permanent Javillar repairs quoted at over US$8,000 — beyond APC’s current budget
- Western dirt-trail access near Calle Colón still needs closing
- APC can only screen the main gate — uncontrolled entries become a different problem
Donate for security — APC office (Mon–Fri 9–3, Sat 9–12), note “for security”; Jack Cameron at jackflor@aol.com; or costambar.org
Beautification Committee
Volunteers keep Costambar beautiful
Nearly 40 bags of trash collected this month. Local government provides zero street-cleaning help — our volunteers do it all.
Next clean-up
Saturday, October 17 · 8:00 a.m.
Meet at the APC office. Bags, gloves & water provided. Recycling bin for plastics coming on a trial basis — stay tuned.
In & Around the Community
Sustainable beaches workshop
APC joined the Beach Vendors Association, Junta de Vecinos, Clean Oceans, the Vice Mayor, Ministry of Environment, fishermen, and UASD for a Ministry-hosted workshop on managing sustainable beaches.
A Costambar committee is now forming. Needs on our public beach include eco-friendly sanitation & showers, better waste & seaweed removal, consistent water, sidewalks, parking upgrades, fisheries enforcement, better policing, and weekend lifeguards.
Voluntary gate collections that once funded lifeguards were halted in June 2024 — APC will raise this again with local government.
Conservation
Reef nurseries thriving — and turtle hatchlings on our beach
Led by APC member Deborah Sorenson with the Ministry of Environment and Océanos Limpios. Illegal fishing still threatens juveniles — donations will fund a beachfront watchman.
Contact Deborah on WhatsApp: 849-473-1989. Follow & volunteer via Facebook: Costambar Coral Reef Healing.
A sizeable turtle nest hatched recently. Security and local officials helped hatchlings reach the sea — sometimes up to 90% never make it without protection.
Critter Corner
Meet Pepper — looking for a home
Neutered & vaccinated male, ~3 years. Friendly with dogs and cats. Loves a daily ocean swim. Solid black with one white chest spot.
Melinda Gallo · WhatsApp 849-353-8538
Costambar Business Network
Support the businesses that support Costambar
All APC business members are CBN members — listed on costambar.org and in new-member packets.
Also: Black Beards Resort · Central de Taxi · Costambar Business Center · L’Oase / Sam’s Bar · Life Quiro Wellness · El Carey · Rofiasi Engineering · Jenny’s Market
APC Membership
What your membership dollars deliver
New membership packets now include community history, this bulletin, a membership flyer, and business rack cards — a more professional welcome for prospective members.
~90% of APC income funds security employees. Metal plaques arrive by end of September — volunteers needed to help mount them.
Please read
The beach can be a dangerous place
Costambar experienced another drowning this past week — a young visitor from Santiago reported missing, then found the next morning after rough seas forced searchers to pause water operations.
Historically, most incidents relate to: inability to swim, poor fitness, alcohol, or strong surges between reefs on an outgoing tide.
- There are currently no regular lifeguards (except some major holidays via Civil Defense)
- Avoid the water on a strong outgoing tide
- Never mix alcohol with swimming
- Report unsafe water activity to POLITUR immediately
Security Update
Industrial Gate & increased law enforcement
Industrial Gate hours
Mon–Fri 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. · Sat 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. · Closed Sundays & holidays.
After-hours access only for urgent need — notify the APC office in advance. Plan deliveries during normal hours; cistern fills after hours need a small truck via the main gate. Do not ask supervisors to cover poor planning.
More police activity
Recent operations: undocumented detentions, reckless moto arrest, and a stolen vehicle found parked on the beachfront — rented to a visitor. Always verify ownership when renting cars. Locally, many unregistered motos may be stolen.
16 — Closing
The APC Needs YOU!
Questions, story ideas, or bulletin input: apcpresident2026@gmail.com
APC Office · Calle Central No. 5 · Mon–Fri 9:00–3:00 · Sat 9:00–1:00
809-970-7877 · apcmaintenance@yahoo.com
Costambar Homeowners Association · Monthly Community Bulletin · September 2026