Puerto Plata or San Felipe de Puerto Plata is a city in the Dominican Republic with a population of about 130,000. It is capital of the province of Puerto Plata.
Known for its pretty sandy beaches, Puerto Plata is a popular resort destination as well as a great place to meet Dominican people and to shop in local commerce.
- Cristo Redentor, Parque Nacional Isabel de Torres. Take a funicular to the top of the mountain that sits behind Puerto Plata to see a replica of the original located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. $10USD.
- Fort San Felipe. Historical fort located by the main bay of Puerto Plata. The smell of diesel exhaust is pervasive since it's right next to the main electric generator for the city, which burns diesel. There are many local vendors who are quite persistent at trying to sell you goods at exorbitant prices, and children also asking for money in their limited English. In front of the fort is a nice grassy area that's good for a picnic overlooking the water. $??.
- Live Music, Central Park, Purto Plata downtown. Live musicians play in the park on Sundays. $FREE.
Cristo Redentor, Parque Nacional Isabel de Torres. Take a funicular to the top of the mountain that sits behind Puerto Plata to see a replica of the original located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. $10USD.
Fort San Felipe. Historical fort located by the main bay of Puerto Plata. The smell of diesel exhaust is pervasive since it's right next to the main electric generator for the city, which burns diesel. There are many local vendors who are quite persistent at trying to sell you goods at exorbitant prices, and children also asking for money in their limited English. In front of the fort is a nice grassy area that's good for a picnic overlooking the water. $??.
Live Music, Central Park, Purto Plata downtown. Live musicians play in the park on Sundays. $FREE.
Rent a lounge chair if you really want to appreciate Puerto Plata's beaches; if you don't, the Dominican people will ask you all day long if you want to rent a chair from them. The only advantage to being extremely patient and tolerant is their prices drop down with the time! But as everything else, chair rental prices are also negotiable.
- Puerto Plata public beach. This beach is very close to the entertaining Wal-Mart of Puerto Plata (La Sirena). free.
- Private RIU beach, RIU Hotel (15 minutes west of the city center of Puerto Plata. This all inclusive resort has man-cleared beaches. You can get in through the "guarded" gate. It's said that they require a room key as proof that you are staying there, but if you dress like a tourist they probably won't ask any questions. free.
- Water sports and excursions. There are countless excursion companies, both local and foreign-based offering water sports (water-skiing, banana boat rides, windsurfing, catamaran cruises, etc.) and land excursions ('safari' trips, horseback riding) $50USD+.
- Catamaran tour. Sail on a catamaran, most vendors are asking for $60USD for a 1hr ride, though this is a bit high, and you can negotiate. $50USD+.
- Charcos de Damajagua, Highway 5 past Imbert heading west (Take Highway 5 heading towards Santiago. Continue on the highway for about 20 minutes before passing by Imbert (do not turn left at Imbert!). Stay on the main highway and you will pass over one bridge on your way out of town before climbing a hill. On your way down the hill you'll pass a sign for Ingenio Amistad on your left and will cross another bridge. The road will then turn left and a large sugar cane field will open to your left. Up ahead you will see a large Brugal billboard. Just before the billboard you will see the AGRD kiosk on your right immediately opposite the dirt road entrance to the waterfalls.. 27 levels of waterfalls, elect to do as many as you like, it costs more to do more. You will be provided with guide(s) to help you out. They provide life vests and helmets. On the way back down you'll slide down the chutes or jump into the pools. It's a protected area, and many tour companies come here, but you can also get there yourself. $8-12.
Puerto Plata public beach. This beach is very close to the entertaining Wal-Mart of Puerto Plata (La Sirena). free.
Private RIU beach, RIU Hotel (15 minutes west of the city center of Puerto Plata. This all inclusive resort has man-cleared beaches. You can get in through the "guarded" gate. It's said that they require a room key as proof that you are staying there, but if you dress like a tourist they probably won't ask any questions. free.
Water sports and excursions. There are countless excursion companies, both local and foreign-based offering water sports (water-skiing, banana boat rides, windsurfing, catamaran cruises, etc.) and land excursions ('safari' trips, horseback riding) $50USD+.
Catamaran tour. Sail on a catamaran, most vendors are asking for $60USD for a 1hr ride, though this is a bit high, and you can negotiate. $50USD+.
Charcos de Damajagua, Highway 5 past Imbert heading west (Take Highway 5 heading towards Santiago. Continue on the highway for about 20 minutes before passing by Imbert (do not turn left at Imbert!). Stay on the main highway and you will pass over one bridge on your way out of town before climbing a hill. On your way down the hill you'll pass a sign for Ingenio Amistad on your left and will cross another bridge. The road will then turn left and a large sugar cane field will open to your left. Up ahead you will see a large Brugal billboard. Just before the billboard you will see the AGRD kiosk on your right immediately opposite the dirt road entrance to the waterfalls.. 27 levels of waterfalls, elect to do as many as you like, it costs more to do more. You will be provided with guide(s) to help you out. They provide life vests and helmets. On the way back down you'll slide down the chutes or jump into the pools. It's a protected area, and many tour companies come here, but you can also get there yourself. $8-12.
If you are looking for tourist stuff (paints, rum, cigars, t-shirts, etc.) the best place to go is Sosua, about 10-15 minutes from Puerto Plata.
Also good for vanilla and coffee.
- La Sirena Market. Get your fix of a Wal-Mart away from home. La Sirena has a very North American feel, and a wide selection of products that may be difficult to find in other small shops.
La Sirena Market. Get your fix of a Wal-Mart away from home. La Sirena has a very North American feel, and a wide selection of products that may be difficult to find in other small shops.
If you are staying at an all-inclusive resort, chances are that you will have a wide array of foods to choose from. Be adventurous and try some local foods like mashed platanos (starchy banana-like fruit), okra, Yuca (a starchy, sweet, potato-like vegetable), and lots of avocado.
- Casa de Queso. This small shop makes their own cowsmilk cheese. A round of Danish-style cheese is a good bet, professionally wrapped with a sticker as a label. They also offer a soft cheese they'll put in a plastic bag for you, and an firm, orange, cheddar style one as well. $150RDS.
- Entre Amigos, located along the Malecon, which is the road that paralells the ocean in Puerto Plata. It's an excellent restaurant, frequented by tourists.
- La Pescada. This small fish restaurant specializes in sopa del pescado, or fish soup. Have a bowl and put some of their home-made citrus & lime sauce. The owner looks about 18 years old and is rather friendly and eager to please tourists. $150RDS.
Casa de Queso. This small shop makes their own cowsmilk cheese. A round of Danish-style cheese is a good bet, professionally wrapped with a sticker as a label. They also offer a soft cheese they'll put in a plastic bag for you, and an firm, orange, cheddar style one as well. $150RDS.
Entre Amigos, located along the Malecon, which is the road that paralells the ocean in Puerto Plata. It's an excellent restaurant, frequented by tourists.
La Pescada. This small fish restaurant specializes in sopa del pescado, or fish soup. Have a bowl and put some of their home-made citrus & lime sauce. The owner looks about 18 years old and is rather friendly and eager to please tourists. $150RDS.
If you are staying at an all-inclusive, chances are that your alcohol is included. It's not very good, but it'll do.
The local brands of alcohol are Brugal (for rum) and Presidente (for beer).
- Ocean World
- Caia Paraiso
- Montecristo National Park
- Sosua - Ten minutes from Puerto Plata airport, this town has a nice beach, a wide selection of hotels and restaurants, and a notorious nightlife.
- Cabarete - Located a short distance to the east, this town offers a massive number of resorts and some of the best kite surfing and wind surfing in the Caribbean.
- Las Cascadas de Damajagua - A set of 27 waterfalls on the Damajagua river located on Hwy5, past the city of Imbert, see the sign on the left. Climb as many falls as you like with the help of a guide, who will equip you with a life vest and helmet. $280RDS for 1-7 falls. Slide down the chutes into the pools below or jump from the rocks! Photos are taken and you have the opportunity to buy.
Ocean World
Caia Paraiso
Montecristo National Park
[[Sosua]] - Ten minutes from Puerto Plata airport, this town has a nice beach, a wide selection of hotels and restaurants, and a notorious nightlife.
[[Cabarete]] - Located a short distance to the east, this town offers a massive number of resorts and some of the best kite surfing and wind surfing in the Caribbean.
Las Cascadas de Damajagua - A set of 27 waterfalls on the Damajagua river located on Hwy5, past the city of Imbert, see the sign on the left. Climb as many falls as you like with the help of a guide, who will equip you with a life vest and helmet. $280RDS for 1-7 falls. Slide down the chutes into the pools below or jump from the rocks! Photos are taken and you have the opportunity to buy.