Port Review: Puerto Plata

Byte Size Cruises here and welcome back to our blog! If this is your first time here, we are a small travel agency just outside of Philadelphia PA and we specialize in ALL things cruising. If you’re looking for information to craft your best cruise vacation, this is the place to be! This post continues our mini-series on port reviews as we discuss the ins and outs of Puerto Plata. 

Puerto Plata is in the Dominican Republic and there are two different ports on the island: Amber Cove and Taino Bay. (Photo 1) Taino Bay is a bit newer and was built after the Covid-19 pandemic whereas Amber Cover was built about a decade ago. When you get off the ship at Puerto Plata, you’ll see a pool with live music, different huts with places to buy souvenirs and things to eat, different bars, and general amenities for visitors. (Photo 2) It’s pretty vast and the pool and chairs are free (first come first serve) which is great. (Photo 3) At the pool there are two restaurants, one serves Dominican food and one serves Mexican food. They are an additional cost but the prices of both the food and drinks are reasonable. 

At the port, there will always be a shopping opportunity for passengers and there are a few other cool things there. At Puerto Plata there is Monkey Island, where you can pay to get in (it’s about $25 per person) and have the chance to interact with spider monkeys. There also is an excursion called Monkey Adventures which our team has done where there are even more monkeys to see and meet. 

A few things to keep in mind about Puerto Plata so you are well prepared. There is no real way to walk to a beach from where the cruise ship docks, so if that’s what you’re interested in you’re going to need to take an uber or taxi to get there. (Photo 4) We always recommend that when you’re stopping at a port, try to experience some of the local culture. Whether it’s through food, drinks, an excursion or all of the above, there are some really great things to see at Puerto Plata. Specifically, anything that involves their coffee, rum, music, vanilla, cultural foods, etc. will be sure to please. (Photo 5)

Keep in mind that you are in another country so do your research and know what to expect. Be sure to stay aware of your surroundings and in the safe areas of the city. Just like when you are visiting any new city, be careful and plan ahead of time to make sure to make the most of your time while you are there. Here at Byte Size, our team has always had a great time at Puerto Plata, both when we stay in port or when we head out on an excursion. 

Have you been to Puerto Plata? Do you have questions? We would love to hear from you! Comment below.