Puerto Plata Vacation Information:

The largest city on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, 20 minutes from the airport, a natural harbour, was established by Christopher Columbus and named because the clouds looked like a sliver plate crowning Mount Isobel behind the city. Originally a port for exporting the riches of the West Indies to Europe, this city has turned to tourism and adventure tourism to support it's economy. Ocean World offers personal encounters with dolphins, stingrays, sharks, and sea lions. Malaysian tigers and tropical birds can be seen as well for an adventure of a lifetime. If you are over 18, try your luck at one of the many Puerto Plata Casinos for gambling and a Las Vegas style musical revue.

Puerto Plata is noted for many golden sand beaches like Long Beach, Confresi, Costambar, Playa Dorada, Cabarete, Cano Grande, Bergantin, Playa de Copello, Playa Mariposa and Guarapitao Beach, water sports abound. 20 minutes from Puerto Plata is Cabarete known worldwide for windsurfing, and hosting the world championships in Kiteboarding. Scuba diving and snorkelling along shallow reef systems and shipwrecks are only 20 minutes - 1 hour away. Deep sea fishing for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo and Sailfish according to the season is about $600 US for half a day including all gear, taxes, beverages, and transportation from your hotel.


If golf is what you love Puerto Plata has several courses including 2 world class courses designed by Robert Trent Jones. There is a cable car ride to the top of Mount Isobel (783 metres above sea level) for a beautiful view of Puerto Plata and surrounding area. There are botanical gardens, a restaurant serving local food and a replica statue of Christ the Redeemer like the one in Rio at the top of the mountain. You can go on a city tour, see the Brugal Rum Distillery, El Morro National Park, San Filipe Fort, a cigar factory, the best Amber museum. or white water rafting on the Yaque del North River. These are some of the things to do off resort. The language in Puerto Plata is Spanish but English and French are spoken in the tourist areas. Cash in the local currency of Dominican Republic Pesos is accepted and US dollars are often accepted. Bargaining is welcome at the smaller shops but the prices are fixed at larger stores and the airport. Be friendly and remember a smile opens the door in the Dominican. Don't exchange too much money into pesos as you are only allowed to change up to 30% back to the original currency and keep your receipts that you receive for this purpose. Electrical current is 110V. Pets are allowed with proper vaccine certificates within 15 days of travel. A valid passport is required and a tourist visa which can be purchased at the airport for $10US. There is also a $20US departure tax to be paid locally upon leaving Puerto Plata. Some tour operators include these fees in their price. Check before you go and remember to have the departure tax put aside in cash if you have to pay it. Credit cards are not accepted for departure tax payments.

Dress up for dinner and nights out and save your bathing suit and t-shirts for the beach. Dominicans dress up when they go out especially in the city. If you want to fit in don't wear shorts. Men wear long pants and collared shirts and ladies cocktail dresses. Wi-Fi and internet available for a fee in most Puerto Plata hotel lobbies.

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