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Punta Plata beach

Overview
Puerto Plata, the capital of the Dominican Republic's province of the same name, sits on the country's north coast and is the gateway to the numerous holiday towns and resorts found adjacent to the shore. The coastline itself is blessed with beautiful stretches of pristine beach, lush green valleys, and is backed by the majestic Mount Isabel de Torres. Columbus described the spot as 'the fairest land under heaven' when he arrived there in 1492, and the thousands of visitors that arrive every day today tend to agree with him. The city sports a romantic air of days gone by, enhanced by its Victorian architecture with its filigree lace wood and ironwork and 'gingerbread' motifs that characterise most of the historic homesteads and public buildings. The town has a buzzing atmosphere, with many restaurants and clubs pumping the sultry beats of merengue and salsa into the tropical night air.

Nearby Attractions

Amber Museum

An attractive Victorian building in the centre of Puerto Plata on Duarte Street houses the Amber Museum, showcasing a unique collection of valuable Dominican amber. According to experts the amber found in this region is the most transparent, and therefore the most valued, in...  see full details

Brugal Rum Factory

No visit to the Dominican Republic north coast is complete without savouring the local drink of choice, which is Brugal rum. In Puerto Plata visitors can enjoy a brief tour of the distiller’s bottling operation (actual production takes place elsewhere) and end the experience...  see full details

Fuerte San Felipe

Puerto Plata's only remnant of its Spanish Colonial past is a small fort, situated on a small peninsula in Puerto Plata Bay. The fort, featuring a moat, and a collection of historical artefacts in a small museum, was built by Columbus after his...  see full details

Mount Isabel de Torres

Towering over the city of Puerto Plata is the 2,600ft (792m) Mount Isabel de Torres, itself a popular tourist attraction in its own right. Visitors can take a seven-minute cable car ride up the mountainside to explore the summit, which offers a botanical...  see full details