DK Travel : Dominican Republic : Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata

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The “Silver Port” lies between the glittering Atlantic Ocean and the imposing bulk of the Pico Isabel de Torres. Its roots go back to 1502, but it was during the 1970s that this once-sleepy provincial backwater was rejuvenated by the advent of mass tourism. The nearby resorts of Playa Dorada and Sosúa attract legions of visitors each year, but a tour of Puerto Plata’s colorful center, complete with Victorian-era architecture, galleries, and restaurants should not be missed. A tight grid of central streets dates to the brief tobacco boom in the 19th century. This is the best place to soak up the atmosphere of a bygone golden age.

Top 10 Sights

1. San Felipe Fortress

A solid-looking bastion intended to deter marauding pirates in the 16th century, this brick-built fort — the oldest in the New World — has been restored and contains cannon and other weapon-ry from the colonial period in a small museum. You can also climb up the towers and gun turrets.
2. Malecón

Dominated by a heroic statue of independence hero General Gregorio Luperón on horseback, the seaside Malecón, loved by walkers and roller-skaters, offers uninterrupted views of ocean and mountains. This is also the venue for the vibrant annual Merengue Festival.
3. Parque Central

3. Parque Central

A shaded oasis, surrounded by whitewashed Victorian architecture, this is the heart of old Puerto Plata and a pleasant place to sit in a café or park bench. Most of the town’s quaint gingerbread buildings are clustered around the park.
4. La Glorieta

4. La Glorieta

This 1960s reconstruction of the original gazebo provides the focal point of the square. The symmetrical 2-story white-and-green wooden bandstand was apparently constructed to a Belgian blueprint in 1872.
5. Museum of Taino Art

5. Museum of Taino Art

Part of a large complex of art and handicrafts called Plaza Arawak, this collection of pre-Columbian artifacts explores the mysterious religious beliefs of the island’s indigenous people.
6. San Felipe Cathedral

6. San Felipe Cathedral

Recently given a facelift after the September 2003 earthquake, the twin-towered Catedral San Felipe Apóstol is a successful blend of traditional colonial and Art Deco influences.
7. Museo del Ambar

7. Museo del Ambar

Housed in a German tobacco magnate’s exquisite mansion, the museum showcases the local amber industry, displaying finely-crafted jewelry as well as natural phenomena such as a million-year-old lizard trapped in a luminous block of the precious resin.
8. Brugal Rum Factory

8. Brugal Rum Factory

A tour of the 1880s rum bottling plant reveals the extent of Dominicans’ love affair with rum. The production lines are an impressive sight, but the highlight is the gratis cocktail.
9. Pico Isabel de Torres

The 2,800-ft (850-m) peak offers a stunning bird’s-eye view over the town and coastline. A smaller version of Rio’s statue of Christ gazes protectively over the horizon, while a Botanic Garden makes for a pleasant stroll.
10. Cable Car

10. Cable Car

The teleférico is the most spectacular way of reaching the summit: a smooth 20-minute ride up the Caribbean’s only cable car system, over the wooded mountain-side, with terrific views of Puerto Plata and the Atlantic Ocean.

Practical Information

Sam’s Bar & Grill, at 34 Calle Ariza, offers an expatriate atmosphere and good food and is a good place for local information. The cable car can be closed during bad weather and often involves a long wait during peak tourist seasons. Check with your hotel before setting out. San Felipe Fortress: Open 8am–4pm daily; Adm $1 Museum of Taino Art: Open 9am–5pm Mon–Fri; Free Museo del Ambar: Open 9am–5pm Mon–Sat; Adm $1.50 Brugal Rum Factory: Open 9am–12pm, 2–5pm Mon–Fri; Free Cable Car: Open 9am–4pm Mon–Sat; Adm $3