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Dominican Republic · North coast

Puerto Plata travel guide

Amber, waterfalls and the Atlantic coast

Puerto Plata from Mount Isabel de Torres. Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/scubabix/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

9hflight from London
POPnearest main airport
28° in Sepwarmest month
25° in Febcoolest month

Puerto Plata on the north coast is the original Dominican resort area, with beaches at Playa Dorada and Sosúa and a pretty old town with a Spanish fort.

Climb the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, ride the cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres and go kitesurfing at Cabarete.

Good forBeachesAdventureHistoryKitesurfing

What Puerto Plata is known for

  • 27 Waterfalls

    Jump and slide down them.

  • Cable car

    Up Mount Isabel de Torres.

  • Cabarete

    Kitesurfing capital.

  • Amber

    A museum and shops.

Top things to do in Puerto Plata

  1. 1

    The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

    Climb, jump and slide.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    Mount Isabel de Torres cable car

    Views and a Christ statue.

    Find tours and tickets
  3. 3

    Kitesurfing in Cabarete

    Lessons on the bay.

    Find tours and tickets
  4. 4

    Fortaleza San Felipe

    A 16th-century fort.

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See all tours and tickets in Puerto Plata

Where to stay in Puerto Plata

Find a hotel in Puerto Plata

Best time to visit Puerto Plata

Best value: May, Oct–Nov. December to April: drier and sunny.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
24.8 C25°J24.7 C25°F24.8 C25°M25.5 C26°A26.3 C26°M27.3 C27°J27.6 C28°J27.9 C28°A28 C28°S27.6 C28°O26.5 C26°N25.6 C26°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Puerto Plata, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 9h from London to POP, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Taxis, guaguas (minibuses) and tours.

Airport transfer to Puerto Plata

Find flights to Puerto Plata (POP)

Shows the cheapest fares for next month on Aviasales, our flight partner. We may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Flight times are straight-line estimates for a direct flight from Heathrow.

Good to know

  • The Atlantic is rougher than the Caribbean side.
  • Wear water shoes at the waterfalls.
  • Fly direct to Puerto Plata from some UK airports in winter.
Dominican Republic guidesWhen to goFlight times

Puerto Plata FAQ

Puerto Plata or Punta Cana?

Punta Cana for beaches, Puerto Plata for adventure.

Is it good for kitesurfing?

Yes, Cabarete is world famous.

More places in Dominican Republic

Back to the Dominican Republic travel guide + Add Puerto Plata to your bucket list