Plenty of beachfront with rolling, pristine water is perfect for adventure seekers in Puerto Plata. Grab your surfboard or try your hand at kite-boarding. Walk along the golden sands. Play a round of golf or see Mount Isabel de Torres up close in a cable car. Whether you relax with a round of golf or a superb meal, site-seeing or shopping, there is something for everyone in your family in this North Atlantic city of the Dominican Republic.
Come and explore the old city center. See the nearby waterfalls. Puerto Plata Dominican Republic is a place of resorts, history and allure.
Main Attractions in Puerto Plata
Come and Play on Playa Dorada’s Beach
A strong northeast swell comes along from September to March, making Puerto Plata a surfer’s haven. Combine that with great wave energy, superior swells and plenty of opportunities to rent your gear and you have the perfect place for:
- Kite-boarding
- Surfing
- Wind-surfing
Cable Car Views
Mount Isabel de Torres looms 2,555 ft above Puerto Plata. Here, an iconic statue of Christ the Redeemer, hands out-stretched, welcomes visitors to spectacular views of the ocean and the city far below. The cable car ride starts at the base of the mountain. For about $10 US, visitors can ride to the top, snapping phenomenal pictures along the way. Choose to pay a guide or go it alone, whichever is more comfortable for you and your family. At the top there is a botanical garden with paths to explore. There is also a restaurant and plenty of vendors selling amber necklaces and trinkets.
Fortaleza San Felipe
Built in 1577, Fortaleza San Felipe, (also called El Morro de San Felipe) stood as a protector of Puerto Plata’s seaport from pirates and enemy approaches. Today, this fort is a sentinel, reminding visitors and locals of the Quasi War and The Battle of Puerto Plata Harbor.
This fort saw service as a prison and later was turned into a museum. Today, visitors can the site and walk into the fort. Stroll along brick paths to see the gunner’s turrets, the canons still pointed at the bay, and narrow, dark hallways leading to prisoner cells.
2. Other Things to do in Puerto Plata
Explore the Waterfalls
Puerto Plata Dominican Republic is surrounded by lush rain forests where the jungles hold secrets – beautiful secrets! The waterfalls of the Damajagua are one of those secrets. Here limestone has been carved out in canyons by the river. The result is a series of waterfalls, some 8 meters tall, that provide a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Splash through the chalky blue waters while canyon walls tower around you. Jump from the falls into the cooling waters or slide down others as you make your way through the series.
You will have to trek through the jungle to reach these waterfalls. There are spectacular places get pictures. There are also plenty of places to rest along the way. Though the waterfalls are the main attraction, the lush beauty of the jungle holds an other-worldly appeal that is fascinating.
The Amber Coast
When you visit Puerto Plata Dominican Republic you are on the Amber Coast. Though the golden sands of the beaches are beautiful, this is not where the name came from. The names hails from one of the most precious resources of the area – Dominican Amber. Once tree sap, amber is formed when the sap hardens over millions of years. Dominican amber is one of the clearest and most valuable ambers of the world. Visit the Amber Museum located on Duarte Street in a Victorian mansion to view a unique collection of the semiprecious specimens.
See the insects and plants that have been entombed in the fossilized resin. Visit the gift shop. You can even purchase Dominican amber to take home. The museum is a must-see for visitors to Puerto Plata Dominican Republic.
Scuba and Snorkeling
Puerto Plata has plenty of great beaches and loads of scenic spots – but it’s what’s under the water that will take your breath away. Grab your snorkeling gear or your tanks and explore the treasures beneath the surface. Colorful snails, fish with striped patterns and crabs hiding beneath shells that look like moss covered rocks are just a few of the things you can see on the diving and snorkeling tours. Tiny red seahorses, spiky fish and even spotted eels emerge from the crevices and corals to check out visitors.
Great Places to Stay in Puerto Plata
Casa Colonial Beach and Spa
When you want to stay in sumptuous luxury, check in to the Casa Colonial Beach and Spa in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic. Here, 50 guests suites are just steps from the private beach. The Bagua Spa has treatments for the body in spirit-pleasing settings, like outdoors over the pond. Massage, aromatherapy and wraps will relax and renew guests of this 5-star hotel.
Puerto Plata Village Resort
If you are looking for a family-friendly resort with air-conditioning, a pool and plenty of places for the kids to play, this is the one for you. The large pool has a splashing waterfall, a volleyball net and plenty of sunbathing loungers. Hotel rooms are clean and have towel animals to welcome you. The 3-star rating is perfect for budget-minded travelers.
How to Get to Puerto Plata Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata is a direct flight from the United States. The airport, Gregorio Luperón International Airport can be accessed by flying American Airlines directly into the airport or by catching connecting flights on Jet Blue or United Airlines. Passports are required. You can also visit by cruising in on ships from Carnival or Princess Cruises, which dock at Amber Cove.
Come see the golden beaches, the semiprecious amber and the waterfalls and rainforest. Meet the friendly people when you visit Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.
Image: depositphotos.com.
