Historic centre
Sights, foodAround Parque Central.
City guide
Things to do in Puerto Plata
The north coast's old port city: Victorian gingerbread houses, the Fortaleza San Felipe, the Amber Museum, a lively Malecón, and the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua close by.
2
Hostels in the city
8.4
Average, from 88 reviews
1502
Founded
2–3
Days
The north coast's old port
Puerto Plata is a port city on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, founded in 1502 and once one of the country's richest towns, thanks to tobacco exports in the 19th century. That wealth left a historic centre of brightly painted Victorian wooden houses around Parque Central, many now restored, and streets of umbrellas and murals.
Along the Malecón is the Fortaleza San Felipe, a 16th-century fort. Above the city rises Mount Isabel de Torres, nearly 800 metres high, with a botanical garden and a statue of Christ at the top; its cable car has been closed for safety reasons for several years, with a rebuild planned, so check before going.
Puerto Plata is the north coast's transport hub and a cheap, local base for day trips: the waterfalls of Damajagua, Sosúa's snorkelling and Cabarete's kites are all close. The resorts are at Playa Dorada, east of the centre. Give it two or three days.
Where to base yourself
The historic centre for food and sights, or near the Malecón for the sea.
Malecón
Sea, nightlifeThe seafront.
Playa Dorada
Resorts, beachEast of the centre.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 2 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Puerto Plata
Explore the historic centre around Parque Central, with its Victorian gazebo and gingerbread houses, and walk under the umbrellas of the Calle de las Sombrillas.
Visit the Fortaleza San Felipe on the Malecón and the Amber Museum, which displays Dominican amber with insects trapped inside. Tour a cigar or rum factory.
Take a day trip to the 27 Charcos de Damajagua, waterfalls you climb, jump and slide down with a guide, about 30 minutes away.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking the historic centre, Parque Central and the umbrellas of the Calle de las Sombrillas costs nothing.
The Malecón is free, and busy with Dominicans in the evening.
The fort and the Amber Museum charge small fees.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Puerto Plata is cheaper than the beach towns. Comedores serve la bandera for €3 to €6, and stalls on the Malecón sell fried fish, empanadas and cold coconuts.
The historic centre has a few cafes and restaurants in old houses.
Restaurant bills add 18 per cent tax and a 10 per cent service charge by law, so check whether menu prices include them; a little extra for good service is appreciated.
Nightlife
Going out
Nightlife centres on the Malecón, where bars and colmados play merengue and bachata, busy at weekends.
Playa Dorada has bars for the resort crowd, and Cabarete, 40 minutes away, has the north coast's liveliest nights.
A Presidente costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Gregorio Luperón International Airport is about 20 minutes east by taxi. Caribe Tours and Metro Tours run from Santo Domingo in about four hours, and from Santiago in about an hour and a quarter.
Guaguas run along the coast to Sosúa and Cabarete.
The historic centre is walkable; taxis and motoconchos cover the rest.
Costs
What Puerto Plata costs
Puerto Plata is good value. Beds start at around €12 to €20 a night. La bandera costs €3 to €6.
Museums cost a few euros, and a Damajagua trip about €30 to €60, depending on how many falls you do and whether transport is included.
Cards work in many places; carry pesos for guaguas and stalls.
Safety
Safety and scams
The historic centre and Malecón are generally safe by day. Take taxis at night, and keep phones and bags away from the road.
At Damajagua, go with the official guides and wear the helmet and life jacket provided.
Be wary of street touts offering tours. Do not drink the tap water; bottled and refill jugs are cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Waterfalls, bays and kites.
Sosúa
A calm bay for snorkelling.
Cabarete
Kitesurfing and beach bars.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Carnival and festivals.
Sundays in February
Carnival
Puerto Plata
Masked costumes and parades.
Usually November
Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
Puerto Plata and the north coast
Concerts in the region.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Puerto Plata, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
December to April is the dry season, though the north coast gets more winter showers than the south. May to November is hotter, with hurricane season from June to November.
Jan
Dry, showers
Feb
Carnival
Mar
Dry
Apr
Semana Santa
May
Rain begins
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Wet
Nov
Wet
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Showers possible all year.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Puerto Plata prices.
Treat these as a guide. Day trips cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Puerto Plata questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Puerto Plata worth visiting?
Yes, for the Victorian centre, the fort and as a cheap base for the north coast.
How do I get to Puerto Plata?
By Caribe Tours or Metro Tours bus from Santo Domingo in about four hours, or via Puerto Plata airport.
Is the Puerto Plata cable car open?
It has been closed for safety reasons for several years, with a rebuild planned. Check locally before going.
How far is Damajagua?
About 30 minutes by car.
Puerto Plata or Cabarete?
Puerto Plata for history and lower prices; Cabarete for beaches and nightlife.
Is there a beach in Puerto Plata?
Yes, Playa Dorada and Long Beach, though Sosúa and Cabarete are better.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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