Is Puerto Plata a Good Vacation Spot?

Is Puerto Plata a good vacation spot? To find out, we have to learn more about Puerto Plata and what it has to offer. Puerto Plata is the eight-largest city in the Dominican Republic and the capital of the province of Puerto Plata. It is famous for resorts such as Playa Dorada and Costa Dorada, and with a total of 100,000 hotel beds in the city, Puerto Plata is perfect for tourists looking to relax.

Puerto Plata History

Historians are not clear on the exact year of Puerto Plata’s founding with many of them giving the year 1502 including Emilio Rodríguez Demorizi, Américo Lugo, Jose Bordonada, Samuel Hazard and Nicolás of Ovando. While others, Dr. Llenas, Dr. Joaquín Marino Incháustegui and Dr. Manuel Arturo Roca Batlle saying it wasn’t founded until later and one, Alonso Rodriguez Demorizi (brother of Emilio) choosing 1496 as Puerto Plata’s founding.

Here is a quick look at the history of Puerto Plata:

• 1492 Christopher Columbus landed on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic and founded La Isabela
• 1493 On January 11, Columbus reaches the bay of modern-day Puerto Plata
• 1502 Puerto Plata becomes a town under the direction of Columbus when Nicolas de Ovando establishes a base here.
• 1504 Puerto Plata became a staging point for galleons heading back to Spain.
• 1820-1920 The sugar and farming industries took hold and expanded.
• 1961 Dictator Trujillo is assassinated
• 1970s Balguer’s government invests in tourism and creates resort area infrastructure of Playa Dorada.

Places to Visit

Some well-known attractions in or near Puerto Plata include The Amber Museum and La Isabela, a settlement built by Christopher Columbus. But Puerto Plata has many more sites that will give tourists a variety of things to do and see.

The Fort: “The Fort” is one of the largest colonial monuments in Puerto Plata. While original plans for The Fort date back to 1540, the construction of The Fort was completed in 1577. The Fort was originally built to protect Puerto Plata from bandits, corsairs and French and English pirates and was named in honor of Felipe II, in whose reign its construction was finished. In 1980 it was declared a National Monument.

Ocean World: Located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, Ocean World is an adventure park located amidst the reefs of the Beach of Cofresí and a very popular spot for tourists in Puerto Plata. It is the largest and most complete park of its kind in the Caribbean and includes: a yacht marina, the permanent residence of some 19 dolphins, beaches and forests, as well as fishbowls, picturesque and exotic birds, Malayan tigers and a Casino.

Museo del Ámbar: Founded in 1982 in the Villa Bentz, the Museo del Ámbar Dominicano is considered the first Museum of the Amber of the Dominican Republic and a great historic monument of the city.

La Zona Colonial (Casas Victorianas): In honor of the Queen Victoria, this Victorian style museum originating from England, is what helped define Puerto Plata’s architectural style. It also led to the building of the Victorian houses of the decade from the 19th century.

El Faro: This cast-iron lighthouse was built in 1879, under the interim regime of Gregorio Luperón. Because of its location on the coast and that is was made of cast iron which corroded, El Faro was added to the 2000 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund. The lighthouse was restored and opened in 2004 for tourists.

Teleférico: This aerial tram was inaugurated in 1975 and can carry 17 people and takes 8 minutes to climb and descend the mountain. The small train with its protective glass walls offers tourists a panoramic view of the city descending from the hill. It is one of the more picturesque and impressive excursions for a tourist visiting the country. Tourists will see can the local landscape, including a garden of 215 features and all the flora of the country as well as a variety of gift shops and a restaurant serving Dominican food.

Beaches: Puerto Plata’s beaches are a big tourist draw and they feature a lot to see and do including landscapes, waves, sand, uveros, yawls, rowboats, music and dances. Some of the more popular tourist spots are: La Poza del Castillo, Cofresí, Costámbar, Long Beach, Marapicá, Playa Dorada, Maimón and Bergantín.

Mountain Pico Isabel de Torres: On the mountain Pico Isabel de Torres, the highest point of Puerto Plata, there is a botanical garden and a replica of Christ the Redeemer, the famous statue in Rio de Janeiro.

When to Go

Puerto Plata’s hot tropical weather is available all year round with only two rainy seasons present. The heaviest precipitation falls between May and August as well as November and December and hurricanes may also blow through during these periods. For the best beach conditions, tourists should book dates between December and April. The heavy tourist season is from December to January as well as June and July.

So with all there is to see and do in Puerto Plata, do you think it is a good place to take a holiday? From the beaches and historical sites, to the resorts offering relaxation and adventure, Puerto Plata always has something for tourists to see and do.

If you are planning a holiday in Puerto Plata, be sure to plan extra time to see many of the area’s attractions and still leave some time for relaxing on the beaches that the area is famous for. Is Puerto Plata a good vacation spot? We say yes and think you will once you see all that is has to offer.