What to Do in Puerto Plata: Complete Guide to the North Coast
Within a forty-minute radius, Puerto Plata offers something unparalleled in the rest of the country: mountains, a colonial fortress, waterfalls, and beaches. Founded in 1502 by Nicolás de Ovando, the city preserves the 16th-century Fortaleza San Felipe, and since 1975, it has operated the Caribbean's only cable car, ascending Loma Isabel de Torres to nearly 793 meters above sea level. At Nelly Rent a Car, we have been in the Dominican Republic for over 60 years and maintain our own office in Puerto Plata. This guide shows you what to do in Puerto Plata, how the attractions are distributed, and what to expect from the North Coast roads.
What to do in Puerto Plata in two or three days?
Start with the cable car and head down to the coast. The Puerto Plata Cable Car, opened to the public on July 19, 1975, is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean and ascends in about ten minutes to the top of Loma Isabel de Torres, where you'll find a botanical garden and a statue of Christ the Redeemer inspired by the one in Rio de Janeiro. At the foot of the city is Fortaleza San Felipe, built in the 16th century and the oldest military fortification on the North Coast, where Juan Pablo Duarte was imprisoned; today it functions as a museum facing the sea. The Malecón, one of the longest coastal promenades in the country, connects that end with the city center. Half an hour to the west, in the Imbert area, is the Salto de la Damajagua Natural Monument, known as the 27 Charcos (27 Waterfalls), where you can explore waterfalls and natural slides with local guides. And in Cofresí, Ocean World, the area's marine park, operates.
What you should know when driving along the North Coast
The North Coast is traversed by a single main road, which simplifies everything. The highway connecting Puerto Plata with Sosúa, Cabarete, and Río San Juan is the backbone of the region, with Sosúa twenty minutes away and Cabarete thirty-five. To the south, the highway connecting to Navarrete leads to Santiago in approximately one hour, and it is the route used by those combining beach with the Cibao region. Two real warnings: the stretch between Puerto Plata and Sosúa has a high density of motorbikes and pedestrians crossing outside designated crossings, and the road to Damajagua and Punta Rucia narrows and loses lighting after Imbert. It rains more on this coast than in the south of the country, even in the dry season, so the pavement can be slippery in the mornings. At Nelly Rent a Car, we recommend a high vehicle or SUV for anyone planning to leave the main road.
How to organize your trip with a rental car in Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata works better as a base than as a closed destination. From the city, you can reach Sosúa and Cabarete in less than forty minutes, Damajagua in half an hour, Río San Juan in just over an hour, and Santiago in about two hours. Having a rental car in Puerto Plata allows you to plan your route according to the day's weather, which is important in an area where morning rain often clears up by midday. Nelly Rent a Car maintains offices in Puerto Plata, as well as Santiago, Santo Domingo, and Punta Cana, with compact sedans for coastal highway travel and SUVs for access to waterfalls and less urbanized beaches. If your trip continues to the Cibao or the capital, you can drop off the vehicle at another of our offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Puerto Plata cable car cost and how long does it take?
The ascent takes about ten minutes, and cabins depart frequently during operating hours. It is the only cable car in the Caribbean and has been operating since July 19, 1975, taking visitors to the summit of Loma Isabel de Torres. It's advisable to go up early, as fog often covers the summit after midday, and the view is lost.
What are the 27 Charcos de Damajagua and do you need to book?
It is the Salto de la Damajagua Natural Monument, a series of waterfalls and natural pools near Imbert, about thirty minutes from Puerto Plata. The tour is done with local guides, helmets, and life jackets, and depending on the water level and the package hired, you reach up to waterfall 7 or 12, not always all 27. It's advisable to go in the morning and wear footwear that can get wet.
What is the airport for Puerto Plata?
Gregorio Luperón International Airport, with code POP, located towards the Sosúa area, about twenty minutes from downtown Puerto Plata. It receives direct flights from several cities in North America and Europe and is the natural gateway for visitors to the North Coast. Nelly Rent a Car operates in the area, so you can pick up your vehicle upon arrival and avoid fixed-schedule transfers.
What is the best time to visit Puerto Plata?
From December to April, when rainfall decreases and the sea is calmer. The North Coast receives more precipitation than the south of the country throughout the year, with November and December among the wettest months. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with peak activity between August and October.
Do you need a car to explore Puerto Plata?
For the city, you can get around on foot or by taxi, but for the region, it is essential. Damajagua, Sosúa, Cabarete, Río San Juan, and Punta Rucia are spread out along the coastal road, and there is no regular tourist transport between them. With Nelly Rent a Car, you can pick up your vehicle in Puerto Plata and explore the entire North Coast at your own pace.
What to do in Puerto Plata is best resolved with your own vehicle, because the attractions are aligned along the coast and not concentrated in a single point. Nelly Rent a Car has been operating in the Dominican Republic for over 60 years, with offices in Puerto Plata, Santiago, Santo Domingo, and Punta Cana. Call or WhatsApp us at 809-687-7997, or email reservas@nellyrac.com, and pick up your vehicle upon arrival on the North Coast.