Puerto Plata

If you’re a tourist on your first visit to the Dominican Republic, you cannot miss the birthplace of tourism in the country. Puerto Plata was where Christopher Columbus first fell in love with the Dominican Republic region. Drawn by the sight of clouds shimmering over Mount Isabel de Torres and illuminating Puerto Plata’s vast blue shoreline, he named the area the “Silver Port”. He settled at La Isabela with a diverse community of Tainos–original inhabitants of the area–and Spaniards, built the first church and his first home in the Americas.

Today, Puerto Plata offers a range of mesmerizing tourist destinations that put this place very high in must-see tourist destinations across the world. Its spectacular, sprawling landscape combines sea, mountains, lush valleys, rivers, and many beaches. Its fertile soil grows cacao and coffee trees, while underneath rests the world’s clearest amber.

The Puerto Plata region is filled with natural beauty and archaeological wonders that enchant its thousands of visitors every year. Here, you can take the Caribbean’s only Cable car ride to visit the lush Botanical gardens at Mount Isabel de Torres or revel in the beauty of the Atlantic coastline from one of the many beaches, villages and hotels along with it. 

Along with beautiful beaches and rivers, Perto Plata also has amazing cultural tours where you can experience its ancient history. It has some of the oldest Victorian-style houses that have been preserved since the 19th century, the oldest amber fossils in the world on display at the Amber Museum, and one of the first colonial period fortresses in the region at Fortaleza San Felipe, dating back to 1577.

You can also experience the authentic lifestyle of Puerto Plata by visiting the family-owned coffee plantations, visiting the Dominic museums or dancing with the locals. The area also has some of the best food in the Dominican Republic that you can enjoy either on the roadside along the beaches or at fancy five-star restaurants of Puerto Plata. 

This is why we highly recommend Puerto Plata for your next family vacation. It will be an immersive cultural experience for you which will be made even better by the scenic views and welcoming community tourism. Puerto Plata’s main points of entry include the Gregorio Luperón International Airport (POP), located 15 minutes from the city center and Playa Dorada or Costa Dorada hotels, and the Amber Cove Cruise Center in Maimón. Get more information about our all-inclusive tours of Puerto Plata to start planning today!