Visit Puerto Plata, known as the birthplace of tourism in the Dominican Republic.

Puerto Plata’s vibrancy comes not only from its scenery, but also from its Spanish roots and the Creole culture of the island of Hispaniola as a whole.

Victorian and English architecture can be spotted throughout Puerto Plata. Visitors can also taste a number of tasty Dominican dishes, including street-side fried snacks and sweet coconut desserts.

Have a fun day at the beach, catch up on history at Fortaleza San Felipe or view the port city from a cable car—the only one in the Caribbean.

The earliest recorded observation of Puerto Plata was by Christopher Columbus, who spotted the northern Dominican Republic coastal area from his ship in 1492 and dubbed it “Silver Port.” Eventually frequented by pirates, Puerto Plata was evacuated in 1605 and was uninhabited for about a century until the Spanish crown repopulated the area.

Now called the birthplace of tourism in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata is home to tropical beaches, luscious mountains and valleys, as well as fertile cacao and coffee plantations.