Puerto Plata is located on the northern side of the Dominican Republic and is largest city in this part of the island. Situated between Mount Isabel de Torres and the Caribbean Sea, the natural setting is breathtaking. Many resorts have recently been built to take advantage of this. Puerto Plata means the silver port in English and was named not because of the silver deposits found there, but because of the silvery leaves of the trees that grow there and cast a silvery mist over the landscape when viewed from afar.
When visiting Puerto Plata be sure to visit the following attractions to learn about the culture, history, and natural environment of the Dominican Republic.
City of Puerto Plata
Because of the proliferation of new resorts along the coast, Puerto Plata’s beautiful houses and public buildings, built in the Victorian style popular in the 1880s, are a bit worse for wear these days. It is still worth spending some time there however, because they offer a glimpse of the Puerto Plata of the past. Sites of interest include Parque Luperon, the central park of Puerto Plata, the Church of San Felipe, the malecon or promenade along the ocean, the Taino Art Museum, and stores selling local crafts.
The Amber Museum of Puerto Plata
Located in a restored Victorian mansion called Villa Bentz, the museum is in the center of Puerto Plata near the Church of San Felipe. It houses an extensive collection of amber, a semi-precious organic stone made of the fossilized resin of an extinct type of pine tree. Guided tours are available and the museum shop offers amber jewelry for sale.
Mount Isabel de Torres
Mount Isabel de Torres is one of the highest mountains in the Dominican Republic, and accessible either by cable car or teleferico or by automobile. The cable car journey starts at sea level in Puerto Plata and ends at the peak of the mountain, about 2,600 feet above sea level. There, visitors can look out over the city of Puerto Plata and surrounding areas.
Scientific Reserve and Botanical Garden at Mount Isabel de Torres
The 35 acre botanical garden at the top of Mount Isabel de Torres contains a collection of plants native to the region, including many varieties of orchids. To tour the gardens, visitors have the option of hiking or riding horseback along the trails. Within the gardens is a domed building on top of which is a large statue of Christ the Redeemer, similar to the one in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Brugal Rum Distillery
The Brugal Rum Distillery is the largest one in the Dominican Republic. Visitors can tour the facility and sample both light and dark rum. Located just outside Puerto Plata, it is a pleasant way to spend a few hours. Rum is the second largest industry in the Dominican Republic.
Fort San Felipe
The fort is located on a small peninsula that juts out into Puerto Plata Bay. It was built in the late 16th century and is one of the oldest in the Caribbean. Originally built by the Spanish to defend the region against pirate ships, it was later used by the Dictator Rafael Trujillo as a prison during his control of the island.
La Isabela Historic Park
Visit the archaeological remains of what is believed to be Cristobal Colon’s (Christopher Columbus’) house, a church, and an observatory. La Isabela is a protected site due to its significance as the first European settlement in the new world. Organized tours are the best way to visit this site because it is difficult to get to.
Ocean World Adventure Park
This park and wildlife habitat is located in Cofresi just west of the city of Puerto Plata. Among the top attractions are a tropical bird aviary, rainforest exhibit, aquarium, and dolphin lagoon.
