Puerto Plata
San Felipe Fortress, Puerto Plata
| Total Population: | 286,558 (2012 Census) |
| Total Area: | 509.1 km2 (196.53 sq mi) |
| Airport Distance: | 15 Minutes from the International Gregorio Luperon Airport (POP)1 ½ Hours from the International Airport of the Cibao (STI) |
The vibrant City of Puerto Plata is nestled in the north (amber) coast of the Dominican Republic, popular for its Victorian villas, splendid views from the Mountain Isabel de Torres, the Colonial Fortaleza San Felipe and many other popular attractions. This once pirated city is the home to Ocean World Marine Park and holds the very popular cable car ride to the top of Isabel de Torres at a height of 793 meters/2,602 feet.
Did you know? That this is the only cable car in the Caribbean, named in Spanish “El Teleferico”.
When it comes to living, playing, shopping and working in the City of San Felipe de Puerto Plata, there are many options to consider. Below is a brief list of attractions, neighborhood amenities and services that can assist you in considering Puerto Plata as your next home, second home retreat and/or investment option.
Cableway, Puerto Plata
Aerial view of San Felipe Fortress, Puerto Plata
Generalneighborhood amenities & services:
- 3 Mayor private clinic
- One public hospital
- 4 Private schools
- 20+ Public schools
- One fire station
- Universities: O&M, UTESA, CURA-UASD, & PUCMM
- Foreign consulates:
American, Canadian, British, German, Dutch, Jamaican, Spanish, Polish and Italian. - 3 Mayor supermarkets
- 4 Shopping districts/areas
- 15+ Banks:
Banco Popular, Banco de Progreso, Banco BHD, Scotiabank, Banco de Reservas, amongst many more. - Over 30 restaurants. Some of our favorites include:
- Cariatides (809-320-1410)- International
- La Parillada Steak House (809-586-1401) – International
- Polanco Restaurant (809-586-9174) – International
- La Tarappa (809-261-2423) – Italian
- Los Charros (809-970-3332) – Mexican (In Cofresi)
- Tostacos (809-261-3330) – Mexican
- Mares (809-261-3330) – International
- Sole Mio (809-970-3747) – Italian (In Costambar)
- Octopus Bar at Ocean World – International (809-291-2000)
- Taste (809-586-3800) – International
- Senor Rock (809-320-2259) – American
- Chris & Madys (809-970-7502) – International
- Hemingway Café (829-855-4409) – International
- Aguaceros (809-587-2796) – Mexican
- La Ponterosa (809-586-1597) – Seafood & International
- Sushito (809-261-3330) – Japanese
- Poseidon a la Carte at Ocean World (809-291-2000) – Seafood
- Le Petit Francois (829-492-2910) – Frances
- Las Palmas (809-586-7065) – Italian
- EL Manguito (809-586-4392) – Dominican
Casa de Cultura, Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata Harbor
Below is a listing of nearby attractions (as calculated in distance from the Puerto Plata City Center). In addition, we’ve included a listing of neighboring cities, so that you may further explore the North Coast of the Dominican Republic. Neighboring Sosua and Cabarete offer further amenities, real estate opportunities (villas and condos), and attractions.
| Nearby Attractions | Distance in Time & City |
| Ocean World | 10 Minutes (Cofresi) |
| 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua | 30 Minutes (Imbert) |
| Playa Dorada | 8 Minutes |
| La IsabelaFirst Settlement of the New World | 45 Minutes (La Isabela/Luperon) |
| Isabel de Torre Tropical GardenRide to the top on the only Cable Car in the Caribbean | 10 Minutes |
| Fortaleza San Felipe | 5 Minutes |
| Estero Hondo Manatee Sanctuary | 50 Minutes (Punta Rusia/Luperon) |
| Cayo Arena (Paradise Island) | 1 Hour + 20 Minutes on Motor Boat (Luperon) |
| Playa Dorada Golf CourseBy Robert Trent Jones | 10 Minutes |
| City Central Square w/ Victorian Gazebo | 0 Minutes |
27 Waterfalls, Puerto Plata
Beach in Costa Dorada, Puerto Plata
La Isabela Church, Puerto Plata
Plaza Independencia, Puerto Plata
Things To Do & Events
If you love adventures like canyoning, zip lining, cascading, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, horseback riding, surfing, extreme sports in general and you care about the environment… this is the best place to visit in the Caribbean.
- Cable Car to Isabel de Torres
- Scuba Diving
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Boating
- Whale Watching
- Kite Surfing in Cabarete
- Windsurfing
- Sailing
- Kayaking in the Ocean or Rivers
- Stand Up Paddle Surfing
- 4 Wheeling
- Motor Bike Riding
- Paragliding
- Tours & Excursions: Amber mines, rum factory, cigar factory, monuments and much more.
- Annual festivals like Carnival, Jazz, Gastronomic and much more.
Biking along the North Coast
Cayo Arena, Puerto Plata
Luperón Bay, Puerto Plata
Main Street Cabarete 809.571.0908/0228 – www.iguanamama.com
- Catamaran Sailing
- Surfing
- Wakeboarding
- Kite surfing
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Diving
- Snorkeling
El Choco Road, Sosua 829.649.4555 – www.monkeyjungledr.com
- 7 Stations.
- 3 Suspension bridges.
- and a descender into a cave.
Main Road, Cofresí 809.291.1000 – www.oceanworld.net
- Dolphin Encounter
- Dolphin Swim
- Sea Lion Show and Encounter
- Shark & Stingray Encounter
- Dolphin Trainer for a Day
- Discover Dolphin Dive
- Trainer & Open Water Certification
- Bravissimo (Vegas Style) Show
- 2 Restaurants, Casino, Lighthouse Nightclub and Marina
Main Road Cabarete 809.571.0640 – www.caribwind.com
- Kiteboarding
- Sailing School
- Shop for swim wear, kite and sailing gear.
| Neighboring City | Distance in Time | Distance in KM (est.) | Distance in Miles (est.) |
| Luperon | 48 min | 48.6 | 30 |
| Santiago de Los Caballeros | 1:03 | 60.9 | 37 |
| Imbert | 27 min | 27.5 | 17 |
| Sosua | 22 min | 23.8 | 14 |
| Cabarete | 34 min | 38.6 | 23 |
| Capital: Santo Domingo | 3:00 Hours | 212 | 131 |