Discover the rich cultural heritage and stunning beaches of Puerto Plata, the oldest city on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Puerto Plata is also known as the Amber Coast. The city prides itself on historical monuments like the Amber Museum, among others. The warm waters and tropical winds make this city a world-famous wind sports and surfing center.
Before you depart the city, be sure to indulge in the famous La Bandara cuisine, a delightful dish made of red beans, meat, rice, and sauteed green plantains. If you are a seafood fanatic, you can sample fish with coconut sauce (samana's pescao con coco).
For a unique adventure, discover these city's exciting attraction sites and beautiful waterfronts.
A visit to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres is a must if you are a first-timer. Access this 2,600-foot mountain peak with a cable car ride, which takes around five minutes to arrive. You can hire a cable car to take you up the summit and back to the hotel. The mountain is topped with the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, where you can buy jewelry and crafts. Wear simple walking shoes if you want to explore the botanical gardens on the summit. Enjoy the panoramic views filled with waterfalls where you can slide, jump, and swim.
If you are a windsurfer, the Cabarete waterfront offers ideal conditions for you. You can play in the sand and swim at the best beach, known as Playa Dorada. Don't forget to bring a camera to capture the scenic view of Mount Isabel de Torres. If you are hungry, you can get snacks and tasty cuisine at the mountaintop restaurants.
The fort was built with thick stone walls and coral spike doorways to protect the city from invaders and pirates. Fortaleza San Felipe stands on a cliff at the edge of the seawall promenade that guards the Atlantic Ocean. This Fort was a place of battle for the US troops and French-Spanish troops in the 1800s. The site was once a prison for Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the renowned founding fathers of the DR. You can visit the fort to see the military artifacts dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. These artifacts include cannons, weapons, and data panels that help you to understand the fort's history.
You can explore this fort on guided tours or an individual cab. Don't leave the fort without visiting the Puerto Plata lighthouse, which is close to the fort. Explore its attractive beaches, such as Sosua Beach and Golden Beach, which are full of soft sand and pure water, as well as unique resort hotels.
If you are a hiking wizard, Damajagua Falls offers 27 descending waterfalls identified in the 1990s. Enjoy climbing, jumping off, and sliding down the natural hydro slides in this scenery created by the Damajagua River and Mother Nature. You can access the falls via a car or the available buses. Access to these waterfalls is only allowed with entertaining tour guides. They guide you to the far seventh fall and offer safety gear such as life jackets and helmets for the finest experience.
Enjoy large jumps and swimming if you are a pro at swimming, and if you like exploring the scenic views, you can walk around with a tour guide. Make sure to carry water, hiking shoes, and a pack of dry clothes to wear back home.
Enjoy the scenic view of Puerto Plata's Malecon as you walk on the coastal shores. Grab the famous cuisine from the handful of restaurants in the attraction. You can also sample the Long Beach foods and drinks. Long Beach is about 2 kilometers east of downtown. If you are a kitesurfing expert, dive into the windy days' waves. Relax and enjoy the breeze and a sunset drink at the beautiful waterfront, Long Beach.
You can also explore morning walks or evening walks and stop at the bars and restaurants along the shores. Enjoy bike rides in the set lanes or exercise by walking to the Malecon's frequent events. These events include the Puerto Plata Carnival, which happens year-round. Explore the artwork and buy the best jewelry from the shoreline sellers.
Enjoy a guided tour of the famous Pink Street to learn a little information about it. Don't miss a photo opportunity at this commonly visited attraction. The site has neat decorations of plants and sculptural benches where you can rest after a walk. Its pink feature is a homage to the city's first hotel, known as the Europa Hotel. You will fall in love with the attraction by taking nice Instagram photos and videos. During a guided tour, learn about the founder of tourism and the history of Pink Street. You can access this area by taxi, which will take you around.
Umbrella Street is a glowing street that prides itself on having the best tourist establishments. The street is easily accessible and offers a beautiful sight for tourist activities. Discover the historic capital as you walk through Umbrella Street. If you're a first-timer, walk under overhead umbrellas that make the street a charm and a must-see.
This is a picturesque location where you can capture stunning photographs of the hanging umbrellas. The umbrellas are positioned to achieve a beautiful canopy that shines with rainbow colors. You can get a free guided tour of the museums and souvenir shops. You can access the street by cab and discover several shops along the road. Walk in the clothing shops, buy clothes and jewelry, and sample the local cuisine from the eateries.
Among the best cafes is El Rincon Del Café. If you are a coffee fan, you want to try the freshly blended coffee from this café. You will enjoy nice snacks such as gelato and ice cream if you're in the mood for sweet and cold things. If you like a nicely crafted cigar, try Espigon Cigars, which will mark an unforgettable adventure. Buy more handcrafted cigars to enjoy on your way back.
Playa Dorada is among Puerto Plata's popular waterfronts, commonly known as the Golden Beach. If you are a kayaking, windsurfing, and parasailing enthusiast, this beach is ideal for you. You will enjoy the pure waters and its sloppy features, where you can laze with your family. Engage in activities such as sunbathing and swimming if you are an experienced swimmer. Don't miss snorkeling off the beach at the coral reefs that are found near the beach. You can enjoy shopping at the Dorada Beach Plaza, which has clothing shops, restaurants, and a cinema. After you use the beach bathroom, you can rent umbrellas and chairs.
Snorkeling activities await you at the adventure park. The park is full of lounge seats and dolphin views. You can enjoy the casino at night and the normal park during the day. The park is full of restaurants, disco grounds, and Vegas-style shows. Encounter swimming sessions with the sea lions and dolphins as you discover how they relate to human beings. You must book these encounter programs ahead of time.
If you have kids, they can attend the performances as you wait for the night shows. The tour guides offer information about this large, hand-made dolphin home, which presently has over 15 Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. These dolphins are from Honduras and Cuba, and each feeds on about 26 pounds of fish in a day. You can access the park via hotel pickups and drops from the city, or you can book a cab to take you around.
The Amber Gallery used to be a rich family's house in Victorian times. You can discover the fossils dating from around 40 m years ago, such as insects, tiny animals, and leaves. You can't leave this gallery without seeing the 40-cm-long lizard that was preserved in pure resin. The tour guides will explain to you the history of the gemstone and the rich family who owned the mansion. On your way out of the museum, you can buy jewelry, and admission is free. You can choose an independent tour or a guided tour of the Amber Museum. If you are looking for special souvenirs, don't miss this gallery's adventure.
If you are a snorkeling and diving enthusiast, you can't miss the Sosua Beach experience. The beach has an extension of white sand and pure and cool waters around trees where you can swim if you are not a diving expert. The stretch is ideal if you have a family; it is a must-stop for adventure lovers. There are rental ships to take you around, and you can enjoy different foods and listen to music. Discover the history of Sosua Beach by a guided or independent tour. Don't leave the beach without taking photos of the crystal-clear waters view.
Explore this attractive hiking spot in Puerto Plata, which is full of family-friendly activities. If you are an experienced swimmer, you can access this hidden gem spot by taking a motor hike to explore the waterfalls and common God's pools. You don't have to be a hiking expert to enjoy the panoramic sights and rocky areas during hikes. The guides are ready to help you get your first hiking experience on this climb-up. Enjoy the cable-enabled hiking to the river-fed beaches and plains, which previously were sugarcane fields. Access this attractive waterfall from the Tabagua Eco Hotel with a guided hike.
Adventures to Puerto Plata are incomplete if you leave without learning how to make the traditional cuisine called Casabe. As you participate in the cooking process, you will enjoy numerous stories about the cultural heritage of the Dominican Republic. The local host will take you through the culinary heritage and the secrets she uses to make it unique. You will enjoy the country's culture as you cook in an enjoyable, homely setting. The warm, welcoming grandmother teaches you about this cuisine's ingredients and cooking methods. You can't leave without sampling this delicious menu that leaves you with cooking skills and mouth-watering memories.
Enjoy the thrill of getting to the off-road destinations that are unreachable by car with these buggy trips. Enjoy scenic views of cane fields, lush plantations, calm rivers, and Bergantin Beach as you navigate the rural roads. Get on to swimming at the beach and enjoy drinks and lodge transfers. This is an attractive adventure if you are going as a couple or a group. On the off-road adventure, you will enjoy professional pictures and videos for memories and souvenirs.
Make a stop at the cacao factory and tour the cocoa farm. The farm is cultivated by women and their sons, whereby they produce, process, and sell chocolate. The cacao trees are planted in nurseries and transferred to permanent fields. Take part in picking and sorting the beans and dried cacao to make chocolate. A visit to this farm will help you understand how chocolate is made and added to the bars. Spend your money at the stores buying chocolate bars and fresh mixes to take home.
This uninhabited island of the DR is often referred to as Paradise Island and is famous for snorkeling and touring activities. The island is full of attractive rattan huts, and you can access the Monte Cristi National Park during your trips. Enjoy thrilling rides across the bay using speedboats. You can also swim and snorkel in the coral reef and lagoon, which is termed one of DR's best islands. Take the Northwest section tour to the island through the boats or rent transportation from the hotels.
Spot the Seven Brothers Cays (Los Cayos Siete Hermanos) species that are habited in the various islands. Make sure to wear a sunblocking hat since the area has few shade spots. Enjoy the trips with snorkeling equipment, lunch, and drinks.
This is the best and largest rum distillery in the DR and has been producing rum since 1888. Explore the secrets of this high-class rum and understand its history that brought the Dominican Republic on the world map. The place is a 10-minute drive and can be accessed by walking or joining a planned trip. You can join the rum tasting at the on-site shops, and you can also purchase at affordable prices for takeout.
Take an adventure in one of the oldest European settlements of the New World, La Isabela. It was founded by Christopher Columbus during his 1943 voyage. Explore the structures and artwork from the West Indies and Spanish remnants. You can visit during the dry season or rent a four-wheel drive car since the roads may flood. You will discover the history of La Isabela through a guided tour of the La Isabela National Park. Enjoy the quietness of the beach and its beautiful attractions, such as sun umbrellas and restaurants. You can engage in water activities such as jet skiing and catamarans.
You should make a trip to see the manatees as you watch it from the tower at the Estero Hondo Marine Mammal Sanctuary. Explore the various endangered manatees and bird hikes to the observation tower. Walking around, you can observe the birds from the ground. You also get a chance to snorkel on a coral reef and watch the admirable tropical landscapes. You can visit anytime, but you must make a reservation.
Enjoy surfing at the Cabarete surfing hub, which is known for its world-class surfing and kitesurfing activities. The surfing activities are ideal whether you are a beginner or a professional surfer. Engage in the local surfing contests and show your skills as you interact with the locals. There are plenty of vibes, tasty foods, and music during the night at the beachside restaurants. As the sun sets, immerse yourself in the breathtaking transformation of Cabarete, where the vibrant nightlife comes alive, offering thrilling adventures and memories that will last a lifetime.
From kitesurfing, windsurfing, and swimming activities at the attractive beaches of Puerto Plata, there are many travel enthusiast activities to keep you stimulated. You want to taste the local cuisine and locally made alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The Dominican Republic culture is practical in Puerto Plata, and you have immense memories to take home. Plan a visit to the attractive Puerto Plata scenery and enjoy the adventure it brings.