What to do in Puerto Plata

Activities, attractions and tours

Fort San Felipe featuring heritage elements
Puerto Plata showing a beach as well as a small group of people
Playa Dorada showing a luxury hotel or resort
Fort San Felipe showing heritage elements and general coastal views
Puerto Plata which includes a beach as well as a small group of people

Puerto Plata Attractions

Also known as La Novia del Atlantico, Puerto Plata is a city in the Dominican Republic known for its various beach resorts. Besides beautiful beaches, warm people and great weather, there are a variety of attractions in Puerto Plata for outdoor enthusiasts.

To start your journey in Puerto Plata, head to the beautiful Damajaqua Cascades. The Damajaqua Cascades are made up of 27 different waterfalls, each with differing heights. Puerto Plata excursions to the Damajaqua Cascades are perfect for large families because the falls offer something to do for people of all ages. Make sure to carry a map with you at all times, as there are multiple trails leading up to the falls.

After a long morning trip to the Damajaqua Cascades, head to one of the must see tourist attractions in the area, Cabarete Beach. This beach, while known for its wind surfing and skim boarding, is also one of the best places in Puerto Plata to kick up your feet, enjoy the sun, and relax. Enjoy Cabarete Beach at sunset with your special someone at one of the many bars and restaurants located in the area.

Located just outside the city is Mount Isabel de Torres. A visit to Mount Isabel de Torres is one of the top things to do in Puerto Plata, primarily because of the breathtaking views you can enjoy all year long. Once you climb through the clouds in your cable car, the view of the city, and the bay will take your breath away. Expedia recommends that you visit Mount Isabel de Torres during the early evening hours to get a view of the area at sunset.

Before leaving Puerto Plata, take a side trip to Fort San Felipe. Located deep within the city itself, Fort San Felipe is one of the oldest European forts that still stands today in the Americas. This wonderfully preserved historic site should be at the top of your local Puerto Plata spots to visit during your vacation.

There is an over-abundance of Puerto Plata activities available to every tourist who visits this great city. Don't miss out on some great Puerto Plata tours and book your vacation with Expedia today!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Puerto Plata

Tours & day trips

See all 404 activities
Amazing Paradise Island + Snorkeling-Mangrove Tour & Locale Food.

Amazing Paradise Island + Snorkeling-Mangrove Tour & Locale Food.

Activity duration is 8 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 16 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $117 per adult
Amazing Paradise Island + Snorkeling-Mangrove Tour & Locale Food.Opens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 109 activities
Buggy tour in rural Puerto Plata

Buggy tour in rural Puerto Plata

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 9 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $69 per adult*
Buggy tour in rural Puerto PlataOpens in new tab

Wildlife & nature

See all 53 activities
Cayo Arena: Paradise Island and Mangroves Tour

Cayo Arena: Paradise Island and Mangroves Tour

Activity duration is 5 hours
4.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $90 per adult
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Classes & workshops

See all 6 activities
Puerto Plata: City Highlights Tour with Mount Isabel & Lunch

Puerto Plata: City Highlights Tour with Mount Isabel & Lunch

Activity duration is 6 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 18 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $123 per adult
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Attractions

See all 4 activities
Monkey with Zip line

Monkey with Zip line

Activity duration is 4 hours
9.4 out of 10 with 3 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is CA $207 per adult
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Recommended things to do in Puerto Plata

Number of things to do
432
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Dominican Cigar Factory Tour: CA $28
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Puerto Plata

Discover the most popular places to visit in Puerto Plata

Playa Dorada which includes a sandy beach and a luxury hotel or resort

Playa Dorada

4/5(44 reviews)

One of the Dominican Republic’s most established and beautiful tourist destinations, this beach offers all kinds of aquatic activities.

Playa Dorada
Dominican Republic featuring a bay or harbour, general coastal views and rugged coastline

Malecón De Puerto Plata

Stroll alongside the Caribbean Sea, join in games of volleyball in parks and enjoy the music, bars and crowds that bring this boardwalk to life at night.

Malecón De Puerto Plata
Fort San Felipe which includes heritage elements and military items

Fort San Felipe

4/5(21 reviews)

Formerly used to ward off marauding pirates, this colonial defense structure now serves as a historical museum, offering superb bay views.

Fort San Felipe
Nice spot for an evening stroll in the Dominican Republic. Great location for water sports too! #goldenhour

Playa Costambar

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Playa Costambar during your trip to Costambar?

Playa Costambar
Pico Isabel de Torres showing a statue or sculpture and religious aspects as well as a small group of people

Pico Isabel de Torres

4/5(6 reviews)

Ride the cable car up to the summit of this mountain to wander through a pleasant botanical garden and enjoy fantastic panoramas over the city.

Pico Isabel de Torres
Nice spot for an evening stroll in the Dominican Republic. Great location for water sports too! #goldenhour

Playa Grande

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Playa Grande during your trip to Costambar?

Playa Grande
VIEWS #WinterWonders

Isabel De Torres National Park

4/5(7 reviews)

Explore the great outdoors at Isabel De Torres National Park, a lovely green space in Puerto Plata. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area, or check out its lively bars.

Isabel De Torres National Park

Ocean World Adventure Park

4/5(9 reviews)

From swimming with sharks or dolphins to watching a lively dance performance, you’ll find exciting activities all day at this popular attraction.p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}

Ocean World Adventure Park

Playa Dorada Golf Course

4.5/5(12 reviews)

Enjoy a round of golf in Puerto Plata at Playa Dorada Golf Course. Amble around this quaint area's beautiful beaches and enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Playa Dorada Golf Course

Explore areas of Puerto Plata

Sunset at Playa dorada in Puerto Plata - Dominican Republic, Beautiful Tropical Beach - July 2, 2022.

Playa Dorada

If you're spending some time in Playa Dorada, Playa Dorada Golf Course and Playa Dorada are top sights worth seeing.

Playa Dorada
Amazing morning walk in the resort 😍😍😍🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴❤️️❤️️❤️️

Costa Dorada

4/5(33 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Costa Dorada and surrounding area, you can visit Long Beach and Playa Dorada Golf Course.

Costa Dorada
Nice spot for an evening stroll in the Dominican Republic. Great location for water sports too! #goldenhour

Costambar

3.5/5(3 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Costambar, Playa Grande and Playa Costambar are top sights worth seeing.

Costambar
#Patterns

Centro Histórico

If you're spending some time in Centro Histórico, Amber Museum and Independence Park are top sights worth seeing.

Centro Histórico
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Ensanche Miramar

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Ensanche Miramar and surrounding area, you can visit Fort San Felipe and Amber Museum.

Ensanche Miramar
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Residencial Praderas de Marapica

When in Residencial Praderas de Marapica, you can plan a visit to Playa Dorada Golf Course and Playa Dorada, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Residencial Praderas de Marapica

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Puerto Plata

Santiago which includes heritage architecture

Santiago de los Caballeros

old bridge, pillars, rustic, Sosúa Bay, Dominican Republic, weathered, history, abandoned, structure, tropical, landscape, waterfront, ocean, beach, historical, architecture, ruins, coastal, sea, bay,

Sosúa

Columbus House (Casa de Colon), Luperon, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

Luperon

Avoid crowds. Get there at 8am and enjoy the place to yourself. They offer 27, 19 and 12. Go for the 27. They provide a guide with your entrance fee. Enjoy!

Imbert

Frequently asked questions

Is Puerto Plata worth visiting?
From shopping to outdoor pursuits and history, there are many great things to do in Puerto Plata. Don't forget to enjoy the area's mix of unmissable sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Puerto Plata?
Start your day with a visit to Playa Dorada and Cofresi Beach. Then, check out different areas of Puerto Plata for a quick bite and some shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Puerto Plata?
Playa Dorada is one of the top tourist attractions in Puerto Plata and deserves a spot on every must-do list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Puerto Plata?
You can easily enjoy top attractions like Playa Dorada, Cofresi Beach and Puerto Plata Cable Car Base Station with a three-day getaway in Puerto Plata. On average, most travellers plan three days here. There's plenty to discover nearby too, so linger longer and head to Santiago de los Caballeros.
Is Puerto Plata a walkable city?
It all comes down to what you want to see and do in Puerto Plata. Several key attractions, including Cofresi Beach and Puerto Plata Cable Car Base Station, are reachable on foot. If you're up for a stroll through some of Puerto Plata's neighbourhoods, Costa Dorada is 5 kilometres away from downtown, while Costambar is 3 kilometres away from the centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in Puerto Plata with kids?
Planning what to do in Puerto Plata with kids has never been so easy. Whether you have teenagers or little ones, there are loads of family-friendly activities to keep them entertained here.

What to do in Puerto Plata for adults?
Malecón De Puerto Plata is one of the best things to do in Puerto Plata. With lots of activities available, there's something here for everyone to explore.
Are there free things to do in Puerto Plata?
In Puerto Plata, Playa Dorada is a top spot for anyone looking to enjoy the city without opening their wallet. Also, check out the local neighbourhoods and parks, and ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. It's a top way to explore the best free things to do in Puerto Plata.

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