Puerto Plata travel guide

History

Puerto Plata, was founded by Nicolás de Ovando in 1502, although Columbus had sailed past the bay and named it the silver port because of the way the sun glistened on the sea. For many years it was used as a supply stop for the silver fleets on their way from Mexico to Spain, but it was prone to pirate attacks and it was eventually supplanted by Havana. Buccaneers then roamed the hills hunting wild cattle and pigs and selling the hides and meat. After the War of Restoration in the 1860s, tobacco became the supreme commodity. The profitable trade attracted merchants, many of them from Germany, and they built luxury mansions, some of which still stand. Tobacco waned at the beginning of the 20th century, but by 1910 Puerto Plata was experiencing a boom in sugar prices and more building. Boom turned to bust with the Great Depression in the USA in the 1930s. In the 1960s investment in tourism and the construction of the Playa Dorada all-inclusive complex, provided thousands of jobs and is the mainstay of the region’s economy.

Getting there and around

Domestic and international flights use the Gregorio Luperón International Airport, 15 minutes by road from town. Taxis are for hire at the terminal, or you can walk to the main road if you have not much luggage and hail a guagua. Caribe Tours, Metro and many other bus companies pass through or terminate at Puerto Plata and transport links are good.

The old city and the fortress can be toured on foot as it is quite compact. For longer distances you can hop on a motoconcho or take a safer taxi. There are buses if you’ve got plenty of time and know where you are going.

Air

Bus and taxi

Motoconchos, US$0.60 almost anywhere in town, negotiate a fare for longer distances. Guaguas, leave Parque Central, more frequently, from the hospital on Circunvalación Sur to destinations along the north coast. Taxis charge US$5 from Puerto Plata to Puerto Dorado. They can be found around the Parque Central or on Circunvalación Sur near Caribe Tours.

Long distance Metrobus (T8095866062, Beller y 16 de Agosto), and Caribe Tours (T8095864544, at Caribe Centro Plaza, Camino Real, just off the Circunvalación Sur), run a/c coaches to/from Santo Domingo, 4 hrs, US$6. To Santiago, every hour on the hour, 1000-1800, US$3. Caribe Tours also run buses to Samaná (US$6) via Sosúa (US$1.60) and Cabarete, 0700, 1600 daily, 3½ hrs. To La Vega US$4. Alternatively you can use the guagua system, changing at each town, but this will take much longer, be more uncomfortable and more costly.

Car

Rental is best arranged at the airport, more choice than in town. Avis, airport, T8095860496. Honda, Carrera Luperón 2½ km, T8095863136, at the airport, T8095860233. Puerto Plata Rent a Car, Beller 7, Puerto Plata, T8095863141. Nelly Rent a Car, Puerto Dorada, T8093204888, at the airport, T8095860505.

Cycle

Rental from Iguana Mama on the main street at the east end of town next to Fanatic Windsurf School, rents well-maintained Rock Hoppers, US$25 per day, US$150 per week. All have front suspension. They include helmets, water bottles, repair kit and spare tubes and bike insurance with all bike rentals. A variety of whole-day and half-day tours range from US$55-98. Multi-day tours also available.

Highly recommended are the Cibao Downhill, US$74 half-day or US$98 full-day tours. The company is friendly and helpful and the multilingual staff know the country inside out.