Puerto Plata Holidays

Puerto Plata Holidays
Puerto Plata holiday resort, in the Dominican Republic, is the capital city of the region and offers an interesting day trip for those staying nearby. A working town, Puerto Plata was founded by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century and gained fame as an important port and trading centre, and today offers holidaymakers an insight into the history of the area. Puerto Plata holidays offers a chance  to explore its local shops and restaurants, and experience a taste of Latin American culture. Situated along the Amber Coast, Puerto Plata lies just 7 km from the Playa Dorada complex, with its' all-inclusive tourist hotels and fabulous golden sandy beaches.

Holidays in Puerto Plata -  A taste of the real Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata is a lively town, with its' bustling narrow streets and seafront boulevard, and although today much of the town has been industrialised, there are a number of original historic buildings in the town. Brightly-painted Caribbean houses can still be found, and the Victorian buildings, with their characteristic architecture and distinctive ironwork, add to the the towns' charm. A small fort built by Columbus still remains - Fuerte San Felipe - which sits in the bay and is the oldest part of the city, dating back to 1541. Tours are available around the fort, and it is home to a small Spanish wartime museum. Next to the fort is the Malecon, a promenade offering wonderful seafront walks and a choice of cafes and bars to relax in. There are some inexpensive hotels and pensions in Puerto Plata, and a small beach at the eastern end of town, but most visitors to the town tend to base themselves in nearby Playa Dorada.

Holidays in Puerto Plata - Take a trip up the majestic Mount Isabel de Torres
The city of Puerto Plata sits on the Amber Coast on the Atlantic Ocean, amongst some stunning sandy beaches, verdant forests and a wonderful mountainous backdrop. Puerto Plata is dominated by Mount Isabel de Torres, which rises a majestic 792m above sea level, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can take a cable-car ride up to the peak and gaze at the huge statue of Christ, wander around the botanical gardens or just enjoy the view from the restaurant. Other places to visit whilst in Puerto Plata include the Amber Museum and the numerous rum factories, which offers tours of the distilleries and, of course, tastings. Puerto Plata has a good choice of gift shops, and offers souvenirs such as amber jewellery, cigars, ceramics and wood carvings, and is home to some colourful local restaurants serving up traditional Dominican specialities. Puerto Plata is also the hub for the local bus service, the 'guagua', which can take adventurous tourists all over this part of the Dominican Republic.            

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