Things to do in Puerto Plata

Find and book activities, attractions and tours

Fort San Felipe which includes heritage elements
Puerto Plata showing a beach as well as a small group of people
Playa Dorada which includes a luxury hotel or resort
Fort San Felipe featuring heritage elements and general coastal views
Puerto Plata featuring a beach as well as a small group of people

Puerto Plata Attractions

Also known as La Novia del Atlantico, Puerto Plata is a city in the Dominican Republic known for its various beach resorts. Besides beautiful beaches, warm people and great weather, there are a variety of attractions in Puerto Plata for outdoor enthusiasts.

To start your journey in Puerto Plata, head to the beautiful Damajaqua Cascades. The Damajaqua Cascades are made up of 27 different waterfalls, each with differing heights. Puerto Plata excursions to the Damajaqua Cascades are perfect for large families because the falls offer something to do for people of all ages. Make sure to carry a map with you at all times, as there are multiple trails leading up to the falls.

After a long morning trip to the Damajaqua Cascades, head to one of the must see tourist attractions in the area, Cabarete Beach. This beach, while known for its wind surfing and skim boarding, is also one of the best places in Puerto Plata to kick up your feet, enjoy the sun, and relax. Enjoy Cabarete Beach at sunset with your special someone at one of the many bars and restaurants located in the area.

Located just outside the city is Mount Isabel de Torres. A visit to Mount Isabel de Torres is one of the top things to do in Puerto Plata, primarily because of the breathtaking views you can enjoy all year long. Once you climb through the clouds in your cable car, the view of the city, and the bay will take your breath away. Expedia recommends that you visit Mount Isabel de Torres during the early evening hours to get a view of the area at sunset.

Before leaving Puerto Plata, take a side trip to Fort San Felipe. Located deep within the city itself, Fort San Felipe is one of the oldest European forts that still stands today in the Americas. This wonderfully preserved historic site should be at the top of your local Puerto Plata spots to visit during your vacation.

There is an over-abundance of Puerto Plata activities available to every tourist who visits this great city. Don't miss out on some great Puerto Plata tours and book your vacation with Expedia today!

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Most popular activities in Puerto Plata

Tours & day trips

See all 293 activities
AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY 7 Damajagua Waterfalls + Locale Food

AMBER COVE-TAINO BAY 7 Damajagua Waterfalls + Locale Food

Activity duration is 5 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $60 per adult
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Adventure & outdoor

See all 114 activities
ATV Adventure

ATV Adventure

Activity duration is 4 hours
9.8 out of 10 with 15 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $60 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 70 activities
7 Waterfalls in Puerto Plata + a Delicious Local lunch.

7 Waterfalls in Puerto Plata + a Delicious Local lunch.

Activity duration is 3 hours and 30 minutes
10.0 out of 10 with 1 review
Free cancellation available
Price is $55 per adult
7 Waterfalls in Puerto Plata + a Delicious Local lunch.Opens in new tab

Water activities

See all 32 activities
Paradise Island VIP - Yacht Cruise to Cayo Arena with Lunch

Paradise Island VIP - Yacht Cruise to Cayo Arena with Lunch

Activity duration is 8 hours
7.2 out of 10 with 10 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $160 per adult
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Shopping & fashion

See all 7 activities
Puerto Plata: Highlights and Dominican Tasting

Puerto Plata: Highlights and Dominican Tasting

Activity duration is 4 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is $90 per adult
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What to do in Puerto Plata

Free Things to Do in Puerto Plata

There's no need to endlessly reach for your wallet in Puerto Plata. The following won't even cost a dollar.

St. Philip the Apostle Cathedral - Whatever your beliefs, this site is sure to inspire a sense of reverence.

Long Beach - Bounce rocks across the water, watch the sun go down or simply revel in the views from the shore.

Mount Isabel de Torres - Appreciate the contrast between city life and nature's beauty at this stunning place.

Things to Do in Puerto Plata with Kids

There's fun for all the family wherever you go in Puerto Plata. Here are a few family friendly experiences you can do together that are bound to make your trip memorable:

 

Looking for sports, concerts, or theater events in Puerto Plata? Search event tickets to see what's happening today, or to plan what to do this weekend!

 

 

Discover the most popular places to visit in Puerto Plata

Playa Dorada showing a luxury hotel or resort and a sandy beach

Playa Dorada

One of the Dominican Republic’s most established and beautiful tourist destinations, this beach offers all kinds of aquatic activities.

Playa Dorada
Dominican Republic featuring a coastal town, rocky coastline and general coastal views

Malecón De Puerto Plata

Stroll alongside the Caribbean Sea, join in games of volleyball in parks and enjoy the music, bars and crowds that bring this boardwalk to life at night.

Malecón De Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata Cable Car which includes general coastal views and a gondola

Puerto Plata Cable Car Base Station

Ascend up to the cloud-level summit of the Isabel de Torres mountain for spectacular bird’s-eye views of Puerto Plata and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

Puerto Plata Cable Car Base Station
Fort San Felipe showing heritage elements and military items

Fort San Felipe

Formerly used to ward off marauding pirates, this colonial defense structure now serves as a historical museum, offering superb bay views.

Fort San Felipe
Another nice spot for an evening stroll...

Playa Costambar

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Playa Costambar during your trip to Costambar?

Playa Costambar
Pico Isabel de Torres featuring religious elements and a statue or sculpture as well as a small group of people

Pico Isabel de Torres

Ride the cable car up to the summit of this mountain to wander through a pleasant botanical garden and enjoy fantastic panoramas over the city.

Pico Isabel de Torres
Another nice spot for an evening stroll...

Playa Grande

Why not spend a lazy afternoon at Playa Grande during your trip to Costambar?

Playa Grande
North Coast showing a beach

Isabel De Torres National Park

Explore the great outdoors at Isabel De Torres National Park, a lovely green space in Puerto Plata. Stroll along the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area, or check out its lively bars.

Isabel De Torres National Park

Ocean World Adventure Park

From swimming with sharks or dolphins to watching a lively dance performance, you’ll find exciting activities all day at this popular attraction.p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}span.s1 {font-kerning: none}

Ocean World Adventure Park

Discover the most popular landmarks and neighborhoods in Puerto Plata

Playa Dorada showing a beach, a sunset and tropical scenes

Playa Dorada

If you're spending some time in Playa Dorada, Playa Dorada and Playa Dorada Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Playa Dorada
Amazing morning walk in the resort 😍😍😍🇩🇴🇩🇴🇩🇴❤️️❤️️❤️️

Costa Dorada

4/5(340 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Costa Dorada and surrounding area, you can visit Playa Dorada and Playa Dorada Golf Course.

Costa Dorada
Another nice spot for an evening stroll...

Costambar

3/5(5 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Costambar, Playa Grande and Playa Costambar are top sights worth seeing.

Costambar
Puerto Plata featuring a beach as well as a small group of people

Centro Histórico

If you're spending some time in Centro Histórico, St. Philip the Apostle Cathedral and Independence Park are top sights worth seeing.

Centro Histórico
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Ensanche Miramar

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Ensanche Miramar and surrounding area, you can visit Fort San Felipe and Puerto Plata Cable Car Base Station.

Ensanche Miramar
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El Pueblito

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in El Pueblito and surrounding area, you can visit Playa Dorada and Playa Dorada Golf Course.

El Pueblito
See our Where To Stay guide

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Popular day trips from Puerto Plata

Santiago featuring heritage architecture

Santiago de los Caballeros

Sosúa

Sosúa

Luperon

Luperon

Photo by Eva Perez Castro

Moca

Dominican Republic which includes a gorge or canyon, a cascade and a lake or waterhole

Imbert

Frequently asked questions

Is Puerto Plata worth visiting?
From retail therapy to outdoor activities and history, there are loads of great things to do in Puerto Plata. Be sure to enjoy the area's mix of awesome sights, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Puerto Plata?
Kick your day off with a visit to Playa Dorada and Cofresi Beach. Then, check out other parts of Puerto Plata for a bite to eat and a little retail therapy.
What is the top tourist attraction in Puerto Plata?
Playa Dorada is one of the top tourist attractions in Puerto Plata and deserves a spot on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Puerto Plata?
You can easily tour popular sights like Playa Dorada, Cofresi Beach and Puerto Plata Cable Car with a three-day escape to Puerto Plata. On average, most travelers book three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Santiago de los Caballeros.
Is Puerto Plata a walkable city?
With popular neighborhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city center, Puerto Plata is a great destination to tour on foot. Wander between Cofresi Beach and Puerto Plata Cable Car. Then take a stroll through Costa Dorada, located 3 miles from downtown, and Costambar, which is about 2 miles away.
What are some activities to do in Puerto Plata with kids?
Whether you're traveling with tiny adventurers or hard-to-please teens, an itinerary filled with fun activities makes a big difference. Check out our recommendations for what to do in Puerto Plata with kids.

What to do in Puerto Plata for adults?
There are loads of things to do in Puerto Plata, with activities for adults of all ages. Cap off your day with a visit to Malecón De Puerto Plata.
Are there free things to do in Puerto Plata?
One of the best ways to find free things to do in Puerto Plata is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on hip neighborhoods, parks and other top attractions you can visit without reaching for your wallet. Playa Dorada is one spot that doesn't charge an entrance fee.