Things to Do in Puerto Plata
Get ready for care-free floats in the pool with cocktails in hand, snorkeling off idyllic islands, and adrenaline-inducing exploration! The northern province of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic has become increasingly popular vacation destination because of its gorgeous beaches and laidback lifestyle. There are beach resorts all along the coastline where you can enjoy luxurious amenities and find the relaxation you deserve.
But don’t be fooled, there’s a multitude of different experiences waiting for you in this lush Dominican paradise including historical sites and immersive cultural opportunities. Consider a longer stay so you’ll have time to complete your growing list of things to do in Puerto Plata.
Last month we were invited by Air Canada Vacations and the Dominican Republic Tourism Board to rediscover the beautiful province of Puerto Plata. The balance of activities available to us was a nice surprise. As a result, we’ve compiled our recommendations into the top 5 things to do in Puerto Plata.
Visit Paradise Island
On the border of the province just off the coast of Punta Rucia you’ll find one of the smallest islands in the world, Cayo Arena, aptly nicknamed Paradise Island. You can spend the afternoon lounging, eating, drinking, swimming or snorkelling around this 2000 square foot slice of paradise.
Starting Point of The Cayo Arena Tour
Arrival at Cayo Arena, Paradise Island
Visiting Cayo Arena is part of an all-day excursion available through Air Canada Vacations. Our tour included a VIP boat ride with unlimited drinks, coffee, and fresh fruit, as well as a delicious buffet lunch with unlimited lobster. Our day started with great music, friendly staff, and a floating champagne bar.
Once we arrived at the main attraction, Cayo Arena, we all found an area to ourselves and enjoyed. The sand was so soft that in certain places it actually felt like walking in Jell-O! While we snorkeled the fish were out in abundance and unabashedly swam by us in their natural habitat. No visit to Puerto Plata would be complete without a visit to Cayo Arena, an idyllic slice of paradise!
Jump Off Waterfalls
Damajagua Waterfalls are a series of 27 cascading waterfalls in the Dominican jungle made by Mother Nature and the Damajagua River. You’ll strap on your life-jacket and helmet before climbing up to the 7th waterfall and begin your adventure of climbing, sliding, or jumping off into the water below. There’s always an option to take the stairs for the fainter of heart, but we’d recommend taking the more exciting route and JUMP!
You’ll only cover a quarter of the waterfalls in this 2-3 hour tour so it won’t take up your entire day. We recommend going early and enjoying your buffet lunch before carrying on with your day under the Dominican sunshine. To balance our day we visited a nearby beach before going back to our resort to indulge in all-inclusive luxuries. This brings us to our next point, one of the most essential things to do in Puerto Plata…..
Relax at an All-Inclusive Resort
The coast of Puerto Plata is filled with views of lush vegetation, rolling mountains and a gorgeous ocean with tons of marine-life to explore. Staying at a beach resort ensures you’ll take advantage of all of Puerto Plata’s natural surroundings. We stayed at the Grand Bahia Principe San Juan, a short 10-minute drive from Rio San Juan.
This resort is part of Air Canada Vacations Spotlight Collection which takes your vacation to another level with exclusive added values. I’m talking more à la carte dinners, in-room amenities, and 4000 bonus Aeroplan miles per couple!
The Rooms
With 845 rooms over their grand property, this beautiful pastel community in the jungle and feels open and airy. Besides our beautiful balcony, the mini bar was a feature that we really loved as it had a variety of pop, juices, water, and beer that we could grab at any time. Our room was located at the center of the property which made getting to the beach, pool, lobby, and most restaurants an absolute breeze.
The Food
Although Shadi and I love a sit-down meal at an à la carte restaurant (which we’ll get to soon) our true passion is buffets. And the main restaurant, La Brisa International Buffet, did not disappoint us! We were pleased morning, noon, and night at the selection and fresh foods served. Also, they had an ice cream bar, need we say more?
What To Do
With a swim-up bar and ample room to float around, the main lake-style pool is where the party is at! We also enjoyed the quieter times at the other pools as they gave us privacy and had direct access to the beach.
We had over 1.5km stretch of private beach at our fingertips, surrounded by thick, bright, and beautiful flora. You could wade in the water or take a stroll in the sand, and sunsets were truly magical here.
Take advantage of both the snorkeling and paddle boarding in the ocean, as both are complimentary with your stay. Or you can go that extra mile and indulge in spa services with facilities that are adorned with Dominican touches. Who doesn’t love having a relaxing massage on the beach while listening to the soothing sounds of the sea?
Go on a City Tour
With a full-day tour of the city, you’ll be able to learn while visiting influential places and smiling faces. Here are our top things to do in Puerto Plata, city edition.
Mount Isabel de Torres
Riding the telefrico was an event on its own. It’s the only cable car in the Caribbean and allows for full panoramic views of the city and coastline from 800m above sea level.
As we headed up Mount Isles de Torres, the breathtaking views slowly presented themselves and the anticipation began to build. Once we reached the top, the large Christ the Redeemer statue was waiting for us with open arms.
During your time up here we recommend wandering through the Botanical gardens and taking in the surroundings. This colorful garden covers nearly 7 acres and features 600 varieties of tropical plants.
Brugal Rum Distillery
One of the most memorable experiences we’ve had in Puerto Plata is touring the family-owned Brugal Rum Distillery. The Brugal family are the largest producer of traditionally made rum in the Dominican.
We toured the distillery with Jassil Brugal, a 5th generation female brewmaster. Her passion for the process was apparent as she spoke to us. It was fascinating to learn about the aging process and see each step along the way. The tour ended with a rum tasting and a new appreciation for premium rums and the legacy of the distillery.
Central Park
Found in the center of Puerto Plata city, Parque Central welcomes you with its surrounding palms and colorful pastel architecture. The main square is a beautiful place where locals relax and spend time with friends and family. You’ll find a café, and restaurant around the square. As well as bakeries, street art, souvenir shops, museums and the Atlantic ocean just a couple of blocks away. Wandering these gorgeous streets should be at the top of your list of things to do in Puerto Plata.
Go Beach Hopping
With over 100 km of beautiful beaches to choose from, it’s easy to find a spot to enjoy. We visited as many beaches as we possibly could which resulted in time at Sosua, Cabarete, Playa Dorada, and the stunning beach at the Grand Bahia Principe San Juan.
Each beach seemed to have its own distinct personality, with Kite beach in Cabarete begin one of the most impactful. We wandered along the shore admiring all the kiteboarders slicing through the water. One surfer stood out from the rest and locals shared with us that he was a world champion Kitesurfer. Watching him cut through the waves and do flips in the air is an experience we’ll never forget!
Why you should visit Puerto Plata
There are many more things to do in Puerto Plata, but these are our absolute favorites. It’s truly an experience like no other with such a rich diversity of activities for you to choose from. With so many different options for food, activities, and accommodations, you can craft the perfect combination for you.
Air Canada Vacations offers flights from Toronto to Puerto Plata weekly during the summer months and four (4) times per week during the winter months. Plus, you’ll be receiving 1 checked bag per person plus all transfers from the airport to your hotel in your package price. Interested in more tropical places? Check out our posts about Exuma, Nassau and Barbados!
Which activity would you do first when you arrive in Puerto Plata? Let us know in the comments below!
Share this post
We visited the Brugal Rum Factory on our honeymoon 25 years ago now. OMG this brings back memories. We have been to DR 3 or 4 times over the years. It’s a great spot for an affordable vacation and the weather is always great. Not sure I have ever made it up the mountain to see the monument there. I have to find my old photos now. Great post.