Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Looking for an amazing Caribbean adventure? The Dominican Republic offers that amazing Caribbean feeling and a number of great attractions to keep you busy. With miles of white-sand beaches, travelers can swim, relax, go whale watching, boating, fishing or check out some watersports. You can experience amazing scenic views, visit some cultural landmarks and have an adventure or two. Shopping, dining and nightlife provide adult travelers with a whole other range of activities, whether you leave the kids and home or wait until they are in bed. With over 34 casinos, this destination can be ideal for gaming as well. Golfing and Baseball are two sports that take a lead role in the Dominican Republic, you can hit the links or watch a baseball game. If the thrill of the Caribbean is calling you, let the Dominican Republic answer.
Things to Do in the Dominican Republic
- Damajaqua Cascades -
Damajaqua Cascades is nestled in the hills of the Northern Corridor mountain range and boasts 27 waterfalls for sightseers and adventurers alike! Slide down natural water slides carved out of the limestone and discover tropical plants and animals around the falls. Jump from heights of 23 feet into the crystal waters! Nervous about climbing the cliffs? Their guides are very knowledgeable and helpful, and go out of their way to ensure you are safe! - Ocean World Adventure Park, Marina and Casino -
Are you an animal lover? Ocean World offers a variety of attractions for you and your family at Puerto Plata to keep you busy all day! Get up close and personal with a giant sea lion! Enjoy hugging, kissing and petting this ocean creature as well as dolphins! Get in the water with some swift stingrays; pet and swim with them too. Also, the sharks there will float over your lap and let you pet them, if you dare, but don't think it stops there. Ocean World offers nightlife with musical shows, their terrace, which offers late night food and games like pool, and more. - Horseback Riding Tours -
Rancho Lorilar is one of our travelers' favorites! Riders of all skill level (including none!) are welcome to saddle up for a great time. Joyce will personally show you the ropes. Ride around the mountains on a two-hour tour or an all-day adventure! Quick tip: bring some bananas for the horses to munch or sausages for their doggies. Some other great places to check out are Country World Adventure Park and Wise Mountain Retreat! - Teleferico Puerto Plata Cable Car -
Love sightseeing? Don't miss the chance to ride up the mountain on a cable car with Teleferico Puerto Plata Cable Car. See the jungle of mango and banana trees! There's also a cave, a lagoon and a swimming pool to visit at the top as well as shops. Check out the botanical garden or the cathedral while you're there too or if you're up for exploring, discover some secret caves leading to natural springs and streams flowing through the mountain. - Safari -
Go on a safari adventure with your family! Outback Adventures offers half or full-day tours riding their open top trucks. They'll take you off the beaten path and introduce you to the history, culture and wildlife of Puerto Plata! You'll get to explore a fruit plantation and see how coffee and chocolate are harvested as well as visit a school and meet the local children. The tour will end at the beach where you can ride the waves or receive a relaxing massage.
For your Sundance Vacations trip to the Dominican Republic, be sure to pack the essentials. Remember that here, while they do take US dollars, the peso is used for a lot as well. Do the research to see how much of each you think you'll need. The ATMs will give out pesos, but not US dollars. You'll need a travel adapter for chargers as well. If you plan on adventuring, bring along good hiking shoes as well as sandals for leisure. It's usually in the 90s all year long, so shorts and tank tops are perfect; but don't forget the sunblock! Capture your amazing trip with a GoPro camera! Read more about how you could win a GoPro on Sundance Vacations News site. For more packing ideas, watch our Sundance Vacations Packing Tips video!
January
February
- Dominican Carnival
- Festival Procigar
March
- National Carnival Parade
- Punta Cana Carnival
April
May
June
July
- Festival del Merengue
August
September
October
November
- Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
- Santo Domingo Colonial Fest
December
Taxis are a popular option in Puerto Plata to get to and from your destinations. If you're traveling with a small party of two, moto-taxis are an option. This is a motorbike which usually fits the driver and two passengers and is cheaper than taking a traditional taxi. If you're really looking to save money, there are public cars that fill with people from designated areas. You can ask around to see where these vehicles run and grab a ride with others. See what others are saying about their trips to the Dominican Republic by watching this review on Sundance Vacations Youtube channel.
Transportation to Destination
- Moto-Taxi to Villa Montellano
- Taxi to Sosua
- Drive to Cabarete
- Drive to La Boca
- Drive to Rio San Juan
- Drive to Moca
- Drive to El Limon
Amount of Time
- 11 Minutes
- 22 Minutes
- 31 Minutes
- 36 Minutes
- 1 Hour 11 Minutes
- 1 Hour 12 Minutes
- 1 Hour 58 Minutes
- Did you know that Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic maintains the only cable car system in the entire Caribbean? If you missed it under our things to do section, check out Teleferico Puerto Plata Cable Car and make sure to stop on your trip!
- The cable car will take you to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres, the highest mountain here. It features a 7-acre botanical garden with over 600 kinds of tropical plant species.
- Puerto Plata has the best shopping outlets in Dominican Republic!
- You can go kite surfing, wake boarding, windsurfing, horseback riding, mountain climbing, hiking and so much more while you're here. Strap up your adventure shoes!
- The name Puerto Plata comes from Christopher Columbus himself, who observed that the mountains (puerto) were often foggy, giving them a silver-like (plata) appearance.