Puerto Plata, Colonial port city in northern Dominican Republic
Description
Puerto Plata is a coastal town in northern Dominican Republic between the Atlantic and Isabel de Torres mountain. The streets downtown show houses with iron balconies and wooden shutters in Victorian style from around 1900.
History
Columbus founded the settlement in 1503 as a trading harbor for sugar and other goods heading to Europe. The town went through several cycles of decline and growth during Spanish colonial times and developed again as a major export harbor in the 19th century.
Culture
The name means silver port and comes from the way Spanish explorers saw the ocean shimmer at dawn. Visitors today walk through the old quarter and stop at amber workshops where craftsmen shape and polish stones into jewelry right in front of passersby.
Practical
The international airport sits about 25 minutes east of downtown and handles flights from North America and Europe. Most hotels and apartments line the coast outside the core town with regular bus connections into the city center.
Did you know?
A cable car from the 1970s takes visitors to the top of Isabel de Torres in about ten minutes. At the summit stands a smaller version of the Christ statue from Rio de Janeiro surrounded by tropical plants and viewpoints over town and ocean.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Puerto Plata Province).
Fortaleza San Felipe
909 m
St. Philip the Apostle Cathedral, Puerto Plata
183 m
Puerto Plata Cable Car
3.8 kmPlaya de Guzmancito
18.3 km
Playa Alicia
18.7 kmPico de la Damajagua
18.2 km
Playa Dorada
6.6 kmPlaya de Cangrejo
10.2 kmPlaya Caño Grande
5.6 kmPlaya de Long Beach
2.9 kmPlaya de Lola
20.4 kmPlaya Las Ojaldras
16.7 kmPico La Angostura
16.5 kmPico El Pilar
16.1 kmPlaya Grande
11.5 kmPlaya de la Patilla
19.9 kmPlaya Larga
21.5 kmPlaya Grande
3.1 kmPlaya de Guzmán
18.7 km
Playa Sosúa
19 km
27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
14.8 km
Historical Centre of Puerto Plata
854 mPlaya Dorada
6.9 kmPlaya Dorada
6.3 kmOcean World
5.1 kmLaramar
18.8 km3 Rocks
19.1 kmPico Diego de Ocampo
24.6 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes