Overview

Nicknamed the "Amber Coast" for its rich deposits of clear amber, Puerto Plata is the largest city on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Since colonial times, the area has attracted large numbers of visitors � from pirates and Spanish conquistadors to beachgoers and vacationers. The city contains many visual treasures, including rich Victorian architecture, picturesque sea views, and lush flora that's well represented in the botanical gardens atop Mount Isabel de Torres. Beaches within Puerto Plata are serviceable, but just outside the city, travelers find some of the Dominican Republic's best windsurfing at Cabarete and its best scuba diving at Costambar. Many small businesses flourish in the city, but the all-inclusive destinations in Playa Dorada are now the most frequented. It's in this area that travelers find the best dining, shopping, and nightlife. Famed for its beauty, affordability, and relative uncrowdedness, Puerto Plata defies all claims that one must be a millionaire jetsetter to enjoy a tropical paradise.

Recent User Activity in Puerto Plata