Puerto Plata is a popular resort of the Dominican Republic, located on the northeast coast, 235 km from the capital city of Santo Domingo. The resort owes its name to Christopher Columbus, who, having landed on the shore, gave the settlement the name Puerto Plata – “port of silver”. Puerto Plata is also often called the “Amber Coast” – amber is often found on the coast of the resort.
Puerto Plata is a popular destination for beach lovers. At the resort, the warm sea, clean sandy beaches and various types of active pastime on the water await them all year round: diving and snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing and kitering. Everyone can go fishing, take a short boat trip or admire the migrating humpback whales in the surrounding waters, which come to Puerto Plata in January-March.
Travelers and their fellow travelers interested in urban tourism are attracted by the colonial past of the resort, preserved in the form of historical and architectural monuments.
Fans of country leisure will be amazed by the richness of the tropical world of the Dominican Republic, the diversity of marine flora and fauna.
The resort is suitable for families with children. In Puerto Plata, tourists will find entertainment that will be of interest to all age groups of tourists, including kids.

When to go
Puerto Plata is dominated by a tropical maritime climate. We recommend tourists and their fellow travelers to plan their holidays for the winter months or the beginning of spring. The probability of rain during this period is minimal and vacationers will be able to fully enjoy the beach and sightseeing pastime. The air in the resort warms up to +30 °C in winter, and the sea – up to +26 °C. From May to August, the rainy season lasts in the Dominican Republic, and hurricane-force winds often blow on the island in the autumn months.
Travelers who are not afraid of the vagaries of the weather can become spectators and participants in the Merengue Festival, traditional for the Dominican Republic. The festival has been held in Puerto Plata for half a century now and turns the city into a huge dance floor. In addition to enjoying the music and dances that sound on the streets, guests of the Dominican Republic will be able to visit the handicraft fair, where they can taste national cuisine, buy souvenirs or see the process of its creation.

Attractions
Fans of countryside holidays are recommended to visit the Isabel De Torres National Park. It was in this tropical jungle that some episodes of the famous film by Steven Spielberg “Jurassic Park” were filmed. The central place in the national park is occupied by Mount Isabel, to the top of which tourists are lifted by a funicular. Mount Isabel is crowned with a statue of Christ the Savior, which is like two drops of water similar to the statue of the same name from Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro). The monument, erected in Puerto Plata, is a gift from the Brazilian authorities to residents and guests of the Dominican Republic, although its size is half the size of the Brazilian original. The national park has a botanical garden where travelers and their fellow travelers can watch exotic birds and admire tropical plants.
San Felipe Fort is one of the most famous historical and architectural monuments of the resort. The fortress was built in 1570 to protect the coast from pirate raids. The initiator of the construction was the Spanish monarch Philip II, whose name was given to the fortress. At one time, a local prison was located within the walls of the fort, and today vacationers can visit museum expositions dedicated to the history of the city.
A trip to the Dominican Republic is impossible to imagine without visiting the Amber Museum located in Puerto Plata. This museum is not the only one in the country, but some of the exhibits presented in it are unique. The museum’s collection contains a large lizard, perfectly preserved in a single piece of translucent amber.
Puerto Plata’s Independence Square (Plaza Independencia) is a popular meeting place for Dominicans. From this square, guests of the resort can start walking around the city, look at the mansions built according to the canons of Victorian architecture or relax in the shade of palm trees on one of the benches. At Plaza Independencia, travelers will be offered to buy souvenirs that will be a reminder of a trip to this fabulous tropical island.

Shopping and entertainment
Travelers who come to Puerto Plata with the whole family are advised to visit the Ocean World Aquarium. This is not just a museum with aquariums and pools, but a whole lagoon with a variety of water activities. Vacationers can view yachts anchored at the pier, dine in a restaurant, go snorkeling and meet the inhabitants of a coral reef, visit a bird sanctuary and a nursery inhabited by albino tigers. In the aquarium, guests of the resort and their fellow travelers will see its main inhabitants – large dolphins, stingrays, reef sharks. Dolphins take part in show performances and you can swim with them if you wish. The most courageous tourists will have the opportunity to stroke the shark under the supervision of the aquarium staff.
Beach lovers from all over the world tend to get to Playa Dorada, a beach area located a short drive from the city. This resort area has the best hotels, beaches, shops, bars and restaurants. Coastal waters attract windsurfers, and the bright colorful underwater world attracts diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. At Playa Dorada, you can rent a boat, take a trip around the area and do sea fishing.

Shopping fans are advised to visit the unusual jewelry store Joyeria Las Americas. Its showcases display thousands of used diamond jewelry, among which you can find real masterpieces of jewelry art. The store is one of the largest in the Dominican Republic. Jewelry at Joyeria Las Americas is sold by weight and carat.
Guests of the resort will be able to get acquainted with the variety of local cuisine at Los Charros y Los Pinches Chaparros. Travelers who prefer Italian cuisine are recommended to go to the San Jorge Pizza restaurant. You can drink a cup of aromatic strong coffee in the cafe of the same name Kaffe. Heladeria Valentino Puerto Plata confectionery will be an excellent place for a family visit. On the menu, vacationers will find ice cream and desserts.