Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic Cruise Port Guide
Dominican Republic cruises bring you to a world of almost impossible beauty: a landscape of jungle-swathed mountains, serene mangroves, and silvery-gold beaches. Then there’s the intoxicating rhythm of merengue, the atmospheric old cities, and the aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans on the tropical breeze.
Explore Puerto Plata, the north coast’s oldest city, where elegant Victorian architecture meets artistic local touches and fortifications that have stood guard for centuries. Delve into the island’s natural attractions for heart-thumping zipline adventures, natural rock slides that lead to cool pools, and off-road thrill rides. While in town on your Caribbean cruise, try cigar rolling, shop for the Dominican Republic’s famous amber jewelry, or simply unwind on the soft sand and listen to the gentle sound of waves breaking on the shore.
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Top Sights & Attractions in the Dominican Republic
Historic Puerto Plata
The star attraction of Puerto Plata’s historic center is the collection of fine Victorian buildings clustered around the pretty Parque Central. Admire San Felipe Apóstol Cathedral and snap a selfie at colorful Umbrella Street, shaded by dozens of umbrellas strung overhead. Pink Street is equally photogenic—and very pink, as its name suggests. Drop into the Amber Museum to admire a fine array of golden resin from the Jurassic era.
27 Charcos de Damajagua
One of the best natural attractions near Puerto Plata is 27 Charcos de Damajagua, a complex of waterfalls, lagoons, and swimming holes. The falls are accessed via a hike through dense rainforest before starting the thrilling descent through deep rock canyons. You’ll slide down a series of watery chutes into cool turquoise pools, where the river propels you gently to the next slide. Most tours include seven falls, but serious adventurers can attempt all 27.
Fortaleza San Felipe
The chunky San Felipe Fortress is the oldest building in Puerto Plata. It presides over the bay and the Malecón with sweeping views along the coast. The fortress was built by the Spaniards in 1577 to defend the north coast of the Dominican Republic from pirates, British, and Dutch raiders who coveted the country’s gold and silver deposits. It previously served as a prison, but today it is an atmospheric museum displaying the original cannons and old weapons.
Puerto Plata Shore Excursions
Things to Do in the Dominican Republic
Paddle Through a Manatee Reserve
The Dominican Republic is home to an astonishing array of animal and bird species, one of the most endearing of which is the elusive manatee. Look for these majestic creatures as you drift through tranquil mangroves in a kayak at the Sanctuary of Estero Hondo. There’s a healthy population of these gentle sea cows here, as well as colorful birds, crustaceans, and sea turtles.
Enjoy the View From Mount Isabel de Torres
Take the cable car up to the summit of Mount Isabel de Torres, 2,624 feet above sea level, for magnificent views of the mountainside, the city of Puerto Plata, the beaches, and the blue Caribbean beyond. Check out the replica Christ the Redeemer statue, smaller than the original in Rio de Janeiro, but impressive nonetheless. Explore the botanical garden, visit a traditional homestead, peek into caves, and clamber around the remains of a historical fortress.
Discover the Countryside
Explore the unpaved rural backroads and lush scenery that’s typical of the Dominican Republic on a thrilling, off-road adventure. Buckle up for a wild ride on a Polaris RZR as you splash through puddles and kick up dirt. The countryside is beautiful, with rolling hills giving way to wooded peaks, rainforest, and colorful little villages. You can get to know the locals, too, as there’s a coffee stop in a private home en route.
Top Food & Drink in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic has a strong culinary culture with plenty of dishes to try during your visit. Plátanos, or plantains, are integral to the cuisine and are eaten boiled, baked, fried, or steamed. Bandera is the national dish, combining red beans with stewed meat, fried green plantains, and rice. Fish with coconut sauce is another specialty, as is locrio de pollo, or fried rice with chicken. Mofongo, a dish of plantains with deep-fried pork or shrimp, and sancocho, a stew comprising seven different types of meat, are also worth sampling.
For snacks, try chicharrón, or pork rinds. Another great on-the-go snack is a pastelito, filled with beef, pork, chicken, cheese, or vegetables. You’ll find excellent coffee everywhere—it’s grown here—as well as fruit juices and shakes featuring delicious fresh fruit like mango, passionfruit, guava, pineapple, and papaya.
Culture & History of Puerto Plata
The area known as Puerto Plata was inhabited by the Taíno people for centuries before Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492 and claimed the island of Hispaniola for Spain. The actual city of Puerto Plata was founded by Nicolás de Ovando in 1502. However, due to the growing threat from English pirates and privateers, Spain’s King Philip III ordered the city to be abandoned and destroyed in 1605. It lay in ruins for a century before being repopulated in the 18th century, mainly by Canary Islanders who migrated here and cultivated coffee, tobacco, bananas, and sugarcane.
The Dominican Republic was under Haitian control from 1822 to 1844. After attaining independence, the country briefly returned to Spanish rule in 1861, before breaking away again in 1865. The culture of the Dominican Republic has many influences: the Spanish, the descendants of African slaves, and the original Taíno, to name a few. Music and dance permeate daily life, which is also defined by strong family values and a laid-back approach to life. The official language is Spanish; a little knowledge of the language will go a long way outside the tourist areas.
Shopping in the Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a great place to shop for hand-rolled cigars, rum, Haitian art, mahogany wood carvings, and jewelry made from amber, which is widely found here, or larimar, an opaque blue stone found only in the Dominican Republic. Shops in malls will display prices, which are usually fixed, but if you’re shopping in markets, a little polite haggling is appropriate. You’ll find plenty of shops within Taino Bay, but there’s a wider selection downtown.
Transportation in Puerto Plata
There are numerous ways to get around Puerto Plata. Taxis are plentiful, and some drivers may offer you their services for the whole day, in which case, negotiate a price in advance. Puerto Plata also has Uber. Local minivan buses are called guaguas and will stop when you flag them down and drop you where you say you want to disembark. You’ll need cash for these. Slightly more comfortable but operating on the same basis are carritos, or shared sedan cars, as opposed to vans. Car rental is also available, but be prepared to negotiate busy roads crammed with motorbikes, as you would anywhere in the Dominican Republic.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
The Dominican peso is the currency of the Dominican Republic. It’s wise to have some cash to buy local goods from smaller shops and to pay taxi drivers and bus fares. Credit cards are also accepted in many places. Leaving a 10% tip is customary at restaurants, bars, and cafés for good service.
