Puerto Plata

 

Surrounded by more than 125-kilometers of Atlantic shore (from MonteCristi to Playa Grande) the north coast is a thriving assortment of beach towns, resorts and communities.

 

Dominicans and thousands of foreigners, from dozens of countries, have settled there over the last 100 years enticed by the relaxed lifestyle and encounters with nature.

 

I twas here where Christopher Columbus built the first settlement during his expedition, and where today, visitors discover in the 21st century the samenaturalbeautyandturquoisewatersthat hadfascinatedthe adventurer from Genova 500 years ago.

Due to the rich amber deposits is it called"Amber Coast".

 

In the north of the Dominican Republic is Puerto Plata.

The large port city has an international airport. The fertile north coast is bordered by the mountain range of the Cordillera Septentrionaland the many beautiful beaches invite a beach holiday.

Most hotels are located in the tourist centers of Playa Dorada, Maimon, Playa Cofresi and Luperon, a maximum of half an hour drive from the airport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting there

 

Puerto Plata's Gregorio Luperón internationale airport “Gregorio Luperon“ is the most frequent choice of entry for tourists heading to Cofresí,Maimón, Luperón, Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada, Sosúa, Cabarete, Cabrera and Playa Grande hotels, all of them located at a 10- to45-minute drives from the airport.

 

Transport

The buses of "Metro, SA" and "Caribe Tours" run several times per day from Santo Domingo and Santiago to Puerto Plata.   .BUS COMPANY

 

"Caribe Tours" offers daily trips to Sosua.
                               Hourly from 9:45am - 10:45pm

                               Fare -50 pesos

There is also a bus "Transport Del Cibao", which goes by 2:00am from Puerto Plata to Santo Domingo.
To make sure of the bus schedule you should ask a local person.

A good road connects the various destinations on the north coast.

 

If you are considering possibly rent a car , to explore the region better make sure that you are drive carefully and watch out on the roads as the local drivers often drive on the wrong side of the road or pass in all directions.

 

The traffic rules are also different.

 

The public transport works well with small buses and collecting buses, which transport the hotel staff, residents of Puerto Plata and "experienced tourist".

There are "guaguas", collecting buses that drive a certain distance in the city center.  public transport

 

 

ATTRACTIONS:

 

Puerto Plata is now the only Dominican city that can truly boast having a beach and ocean-fronting bicycle trail for the delight of all its residents. From Long Beach until Playa Dorada 5 km long.

 

 

 

TIP: This routeis also worthf or

walking. From the hotel complex

in the center.

 

 

 

A tour to Puerto Plata is a cultural adventure.

 

Follow the sea-bordering Puerto Plata “Malecón” ( seafront) all the way down to the San Felipe Fort and Lighthouse in La Puntilla.

On the way west to La Puntilla is the ChecoMerette mural dedicated to the humpbackwhales that every year cruise by the PuertoPlata waters.

 

TIP:Who likes to go jogging, can do this very early in the morning  at the Malecón and watch as the sun rises. And you will be amazed what is already going on in the morning.

 

In the evening the Malecón is also a meeting place form any people. Here always goes a little breeze. And there are many small casitas (small white built wooden bars) where you would like to take a Cuba Libre.

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The Fort San Felipe

The 2,000 square meter San Felipe Fort is the oldest standing building in Puerto Plata and was built to defend the city from English,Dutch and French pirates in 1577. As of 1821, it was turned into a courthouse andj ail.

 

Todayit is a museum with arms out to the Revolutionary War.

 

Opening hours:

daily  9:00am – 4:30 pm

 

San Felipe Fort overlooks the statue of General GregorioLuperón, hero of the war that restored the rule of the country to Dominicans from the Spanish

 

 

The lighthouse is located on the highest point of the peninsula, that it shares with the fortress. It is made of castiron and has a height of 24.4meters.It was built in 1879 to control the ships, that took the course to the port of Puerto Plata. In 2002 it was restored by the grant of the"World Monuments Fund", since it is the only one still preserved lighthouse of its kind in the Caribbean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the Central Park 

with its Victorian Gloriette, are held cultura levents.The Doña Blanca alley, donated by the family "Ranieri" (known by its contribution to the tourism development of PuntaCana), is an imitation of the ancient promenade, where there was the first hotel in town,the "Hotel del Comercio".

The eye-catcher of the city are the approximately 150 Victorian houses from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, especially as these buildings are surrounding the

Central Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIP: At the Central Park it is worth while to sit down just once and let the beautiful environment have its effect on you, this is life of the Dominican Republic. Those who want to really enjoy the atmosphere can get delicious ice cream from the ice cream parlor Mariposa.

Around the Centra lPark there are many shops to buy souvenirs. But also many street vendors who want you always like to lead, from one store to another, and at the end of they will want you to pay them, if you do not want this, you have to be very stubborn and ignore them.

 

Just around the corner from the Central Park is also the Amber Museum,the ideal location to learn more about this semi-precious stone. Located in a villa, built in 1919 that has one of the most complete amber collections in the world. The film producer Steven Spielberg used in his film "Jurassic Park" amber (fossil inclusions) from this collection.The exhibitionalso includes a 42.5 cm long lizard fossil and the world's biggest, trapped spring in amber, which measures 6x2 cm and have an age of 25 to 30 million years.

 

For just$50RD(50 DominicanPesocorrespond toabout 1Euro) the AmberMuseum invites for a visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amber Museum                                                                                                  

Costa Foundationc
Tel.: 809-586-2848 (Information)
         809-320-2215 (Giftshop)
 

 

 

In the immediate vicinity, on the square Arawak on BellerStreet is theTaino Art Museum, which shows the life and culture of Taíno Indians who had inhabited the island until the arrival of Christopher Columbusin 1492.

 

The Brugal Rum Factory tour on the way east to Playa Dorada is your opportunity to observe part of the manufacturing processof the world’s third largest producer of sugar cane rum. The tour ends with a “Daiquiri” tasting and the opportunity to purchase the finer quality rums at the bestprices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pico Isabel de Torres

 

The mountain is a worth while destination. It offers a great panoramic view of Puerto Plata and the whole Amber Coast.

The observation deck is located near the summit, 780 meters above sea level. It takes 10 minutes bycabelcar (teleférico) up from the valley.

From here,paths lead through the nature reserve, a park with tropical flowers, shrubs and forest. On the lookout point on Isabel deTorres there is a restaurant and here is as well the large statue of Christ with outstretched arms, reminiscent of that of Rio deJaneiro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening hours: every day 8:30am – 5.30pm .But be careful, if it is very foggy, they close  earlier or when the visibility is poor.

Price: 350 pesos adults-children 5-10 years 200 pesos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isabel de Torres Botanical Gardens. Worth taking an early morning off from beach

time to visit the city’s botanical gardens.Ride up the 2,565 foot (800 meter)mountain on board of an Italian cable car.

The eight- minute trip up to the botanical gardens puts tourists at a privileged vantage point to observe a large span of the north coast. The 135,000 square meter park is a natural scientific reserve with subtropical vegetation and 15 small brooks and streams amidst multiple trails to observe enormousferns, overgrown flowers, fire-red gingers and giant hibiscus peaking through the rainforest’s shield. Set aside a morning for this

tour.

 

TIP: You can also hike to the local mountain. The road goes straight away to the cabel car, ask for directions with the locals.

You can also drive from behind by motorbike or by car almost to the Isabel de Torres.

 

Fun City Action Park

10 minutes fromPuerto Plata, “Fun City Action Park” is an option for hanging out in the late afternoon and evening. The park’s most popular features are the go-kart tracks, bumper car track and super 8 roller coaster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARNIVAL IN PUERTO PLATA

 

The carnival takes place on the promenade in Puerto Plata every Sunday during the month of February.

Both visitors and locals enjoy the parades, music and dances, Dominican cuisine, art exhibitions, culture and costumes.

For this celebration, the group of "Los taimáscaros" disguised with a semi-taino costume.
On the pants shells are sewn, as a symbol of connection of the inhabitants of Puerto Plata with the sea.
On the sleeves mysterious towels are attached, an element of the African
Culture.

 

TIP:

Attention to the“pig’s pladders”, with which is always severely beaten, and sometimes it's painful.So keep out of the way of them. Enjoy the variety of costumes and the joy of the Dominicans.In front oft he fire station, there is a prize-giving for the best costume or car.