Puerto Plata

Caribbean dreams and the spirit of discovery: Puerto Plata
A hammock hanging between two palm trees rocks silently in the breeze, on the veranda of a wooden house an older man sits in his rocking chair and in the evening the sun sets in the turquoise colored sea and

covers the white beach in golden light – that is how travelers imagine the life and places are like in the Dominican Republic. The city of Puerto Plata doesn’t have much to do with this dream, at least not at first glance. It seems loud and chaotic in the largest city on the northern coast. However, fact is that the heyday of the port city has been over with for several years now.

However: Even in Puerto Playa visitors can fulfill their dreams of the Caribbean.

When looking at the cityscape, the Victorian wooden houses with their wide verandas and intricate carvings stand out. In one of these houses is the Amber Museum, since the Dominican Republic is famous for its amber finds. Another museum is in the small fortress Fortaleza San Felipe from the 16th century. Here visitors can learn more about the island’s history.

In the center of the city the Parque Central with a small church and an often photographed wooden pagoda invites you to go on walks and take extended lunch breaks.

A visit to the Family Brugal Rum Factory is part of the must-dos while on vacation in Puerto Plata. East of the city is where one of the three main brands of rum is produced. Visitors can come without having to register ahead of time and take a tour of the factory halls and taste a free sample of the product.

Also outside of the city the local mountain rises up over Puerto Plata: the Pico Isabel de Torres. The nearly 2625 foot high mountain can be climbed or you can go up the easy way and use the Teleférico, the only cable car in the Caribbean. At the summit visitors can expect to see a botanical garden and a smaller version of the Christ statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Of course a vacation in the Caribbean has to include the fabulous beaches. On the Samaná Peninsula there are several snow white paradises with crystal clear water. Somewhat secluded there are strange rock giants that soar up to 656 feet high in the sky. The so-called Mogotes are the last remains of a former stone plateau that was eroded after a millions years of being demolished. Between January and March boats leave from the peninsula to go on spectacular whale safaris. During this time period thousands of whales come to the Bay of Samaná in order to mate.

The Playa Rincón is located east of Puerto Plata and belongs to the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. The drive there is only possible with a SUV, because the access road goes through a mangrove forest and it is not paved.

In the laguna Grí-Grí, bizarrely shaped mangroves rise from the shallow water. Under the surface a coral reef is uncovered and it is an amazing sight. On the shore active tourists can climb into caves and search for bats that live here.

The beach of Monte Cristi, the place where the sun shines 365 dys a year, the actual highlight is found underwater. There are 180 galleons (warships) that are found at the bottom of the sea.

Those who travel by car should definitely drive towards the northwest to La Isabela, which was once a permanently inhabited town in the New World. Christopher Columbus founded the first settlement here in January of 1494. After excavations in the 90s a warehouse, church and house from Christopher Columbus was rebuilt.

Fulfill your dreams of the Caribbean – even though they are only fulfilled at second glance. Travel to Puerto Plata.