La Isabela Ruins
Christopher Columbus built the first European settlement in the New World here on his second voyage in 1493, near the mouth of the Bajabonico River and facing the bay of La Isabela, populating it with his entourage of approximately 1,500 Spaniards. Named after the then-Queen of Spain, the archeological ruins of the settlement, now a […]
Fortaleza San Felipe
A key piece of Puerto Plata’s history, Fortaleza San Felipe was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to defend the north coast of the Dominican Republic from the British and Dutch, and from French pirates in search of the area’s abundant gold and silver. Considered one of the most important colonial military structures in […]
Casa de la cultura
Located across the city’s historical central park, Casa de La Cultura is one of the oldest intellectual hubs and cultural institutions in Puerto Plata, rebuilt at the turn of the 20th century and now hosting key art and cultural events, from exhibits to lectures. Take a tour of the three-story, Victorian-style wooden building, with a […]
Casa de Arte
Inaugurated in 2013, Casa de Arte is the north coast’s most recent cultural center, doubling as a museum and an educational arts and crafts hub. Located in the heart of Sosúa’s beach town, rotating art and sculpture exhibits, lectures, and other events are hosted here every month. Casa de Arte also subsidizes a fantastic art […]
Brugal rum distillery
The largest producer of traditionally made rum in the DR since 1888, Brugal is aged in around 200,000 American white oak barrels on-site at the distillery in Puerto Plata city. Tours of the distillery are available to learn about the making of this popular brand, and end with rum tasting, as well as the chance […]
Bartolo Colón stadium
Located in the small town of Altamira, birthplace of Major League player Bartolo Colón, the professional player built this stadium and academy to facilitate training for the children of his community. An on-site museum showcases an excellent overview of Dominican baseball, its history, and cultural importance. You’ll also spot some of Colón’s belongings, including his […]
Anfiteatro la puntilla
Inaugurated in April 2017, Puerto Plata’s newest outdoor venue, La Puntilla, is a stunning 2,062 square meter (22,200 square foot) outdoor Grecian amphitheater facing the Atlantic Ocean, with a capacity of over 4,000 spectators. Flanked by the San Felipe Fort on one side, and a verdant La Puntilla park, concerts, dance performances, and other artistic […]
Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción
This modern Roman Catholic Church towers over La Vega’s central square and Parque Duarte, with its imposing grey stone design. The church took 15 years to build, and was completed in 1992. The exterior walls were painted grey to express man’s limited capacity to reflect divine illumination. The cathedral is one of the few in […]
La Vega Shopping
La Vega is a city with almost 400,000 inhabitants so expect all the basic conveniences to be available in the downtown area. Look for carnival souvenirs sold to the around half a million tourists who flock in from all around the country for the traditional festivities in February.
Santo Cerro
Northeast of La Vega, Santo Cerro is one of the holiest sites in the country, home to the church Santuario Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes. The legend says that during a battle with the indigenous Taino, Christopher Columbus placed a cross on a hilltop beside the church and when the Taino tried to attack it, Our […]