our city

Ocean World Park. 15 minutes west from Puerto Plata city, this zoo and marine park was built into a spectacular location that is farmed by the multi-tonal blues of the Atlantic Ocean. The park features the world's largest custom-made dolphin lagoon, swimmable aquarium, sea lion encounters, shark interaction pool, tiger feeding area and birds area, in addition to a large man-made beach and marina.

Columbus Water Park, an aquatic park featuring slides and pools less than 10 minutes away from Playa Dorada.

Fun City Action Park (Go Kart and Bumper Car Park), also 10 minutes away. Because it is an open air attraction, Fun City is open in the late afternoons and evenings.

Victorian architecture in Central Park. Around 150 late 19th century and early 20th century preserved edifices housing homes and public buildings with gingerbread motifs, wooden lace filigree and pastel colors. The best collection is right around Central Park.

San Felipe Fort built by the Spaniards in the 16th Century on the waterfront to fend off pirates. The 2,000 square meter fort is the oldest standing edifice in Puerto Plata and the only remnant of the colonial time architecture. It overlooks the statue of General Gregorio Luperon, hero of the war that restored the rule of the country to Dominicans from the Spanish.

Puerto Plata Lighthouse. Built in 1879 it was restored in 2002 with a grant from the World Monuments Fund that valued this 24.4-meter high rare cast iron tower, only one of very few still standing in the Americas.

Brugal Rum Factory, the largest in the Dominican Republic and third largest producer of sugar cane rum. A tour can be taken to observe part of the manufacturing process. The tour ends with a daiquiri tasting and the opportunity to purchase the finer quality rums at best prices.

Amber Museum (Calle Duarte 61). Located in an 1919-built mansion, the Amber Museum shows off one of the better collections of amber anywhere in the world. See the mosquito-encased amber that Steven Spielberg used in the film Jurassic Park, or a 42.5-centimeter lizard fossil, or the biggest bio-inclusion feather fossil in the world.

Taino Art Museum (Arawak Plaza, Calle Beller) for insights into the lives of the settlers of the island when Columbus and the Spaniards arrived.

Isabel de Torres Botanical Gardens. Take the 2,565 foot (800 meter) cable car ride up Isabela de Torres, the peak overlooking Puerto Plata… and endulge in the 135,000 square meter gorgeous Botanical Garden at the top with its subtropical vegetation and 15 small brooks and streams amidst multiple trails. Observe enormous ferns, overgrown flowers, fire-red gingers and giant hibiscus peaking through the rain forest's shield. Go in the early morning to catch the best views from atop of Puerto Plata and environs.