Puerto Plata

Located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic and with an area covering ​​1,856 square kilometers, Puerto Plata is one of the best known Dominican tourist destinations due to its natural attractions.

Did you know? Puerto Plata borders to the north with the Atlantic Ocean, to which it owes its nickname of “The Bride of the Atlantic.”

Known as “Costa de Ámbar,” its coastline stretches for more than 125 kilometers of mountains and multiple beaches. It was in these lands, at La Isabela, where Admiral Christopher Columbus came ashore on his first trip. The province also holds one of the largest amber deposits in the world.

Puerto Plata is the main city, with marked tourist curiosity due to its history, its Victorian architecture, its beaches and its tropical landscape. It was founded in 1496 by Adelantado Bartolomé Colón and is located at the foot of Loma Isabel de Torres, an elevation that reaches 902 meters above sea level and has been declared a National Park. A cable car brings tourists to the top of the mountain, which is crowned by an imposing statue of Christ the Redeemer.

The San Felipe Fortress is a place of great historical value. It was built between 1564 and 1577 to defend the city from the pirates and privateers who besieged it. It is a magnificent specimen of the colony’s military architecture.

The city’s downtown draws attention because of its Victorian-style buildings. It reached its greatest splendor at the end of the 19^th century, when it was chosen as the interim capital of the Republic. The Duarte Park is a place of recreation for locals and visitors, where they can admire the gazebo or “roundabout” of harmonious lines and finely worked wood. From there, the towers of the Church of San Felipe with their simple and provincial architecture, typical of the region, can be seen.

Did you know? The Victorian Houses of Puerto Plata continue to shine as a symbol of this city and give it a unique appearance. There are some 150 buildings that were constructed at the end of the 19^th century and the beginning of the 20^th century and which today house cultural centers, residences, shops and offices. We invite you to explore the Historic Center of Puerto Plata and to take a look at the city’s history. There, a group of characters dressed in historical costumes sends visitors back in time to that period, and complements the atmosphere of this picturesque and charming city.

More than eleven kilometers of beaches provide this area with a myriad of options to satisfy the most demanding tastes. If what you are seeking is a popular atmosphere, Long Beach is a favorite of the people of Puerto Plata and it is located in front of the city’s boardwalk. To the west of Puerto Plata is the Guarapito Beach, with its half-moon shape and crystal clear waters, ideal to enjoy a day of sun and sea. Close to this place is the small, palm-lined Playa Cofresí.

The historic tourist complex of Playa Dorada, bordered by a spectacular stretch of beach that is protected by coral reefs, houses several golf courses.

The beaches of Maimon, Sosua and Cabarete complete the options offered by this privileged region. In Sosúa, beach and town are the great attractions, with intense activity during day and night. In Cabarete you can include beautiful horse riding and windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing lessons, among others.

For the more adventurous, the 27 Charcos de Damajagua cannot be missed during a visit to Puerto Plata. They are a genuine natural experience.

Puerto Plata has a Tourist Cluster, which offers varied and interesting additional information about the destination, as well as on a wide-ranging gastronomic, hotel, commercial, cultural and historical offers in the area. Some of its recommendations include:

• Visit to reserves and natural parks, such as the Loma Isabel de Torres, Cabarete Lagoon or Los Caños de Estero Hondo.
• Visit to the Colonial Fortress of San Felipe.
• Visit to the General Gregorio Luperón House Museum.
• Ride the cable car to the Puerto Plata Christ the Redeemer.
• Visit the Jewish Museum, which keeps the history of the beginnings of Sosúa and its first inhabitants, approximately 600 Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazi persecution in Germany during the Second World War.
• Visit the Amber Trail in La Cumbre del Yásica, one of the most important amber deposits in the country.

Did you know? The Puerto Plata Cable Car, in existence since 1970, is the only cable car in the entire Caribbean. It is located on the slopes of Loma Isabel de Torres (which has been declared a Scientific Reserve), to the south of the beautiful city of Puerto Plata. At the top of the mountain, on top of a fortress, is the statue of “Christ the Redeemer,” which welcomes visitors with open arms.

Did you know? Numerous international sports championships, such as windsurfing and kitesurfing, have been held in Cabarete, including several that have been sponsored by the Windsurfing Association World Cup. It is an excellent destination for sports and adventure tourism.

In the city of Río San Juan we find the Laguna Gri-Gri, made of freshwater that springs from the subsoil, where the naturally intelligent mangroves crisscross their roots to trap in them a channel of mineral water, and to guard treasures that turn into coral banks. Cueva de las Golondrinas, La Piscina, El Caletón, Puerto Escondido, Playa Grande and its golf course (designed by Architect Robert Trent Jones Sen) set aside the natural magic of this place for tourists.

Links of interest:
Tourism Cluster of the Puerto Plata Destination: www.discoverpuertoplata.com
The Gregorio Luperón International Airport (located between Puerto Plata and Sosúa): http://www.aerodom.com/app/do/aeropuertos_puertoplata.aspx
Ocean World Water Park: www.oceanworld.net
27 Charcos de Damajagua: www.27charcos.com
The Cable Car of Puerto Plata: http://telefericopuertoplata.com
Active Cabarete: http://www.activecabarete.com