Puerto Plata is an amazing and beautiful little town in the northern part of the Dominican Republic. It is sometimes referred to as the Amber Coast, as there are deposits of amber here, which is so beloved by women all over the world. Puerto Plata combines several resort areas:
Playa Dorada – a resort complex consisting of 13 hotels, each of which has its own club on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Guests have access to a golf course, restaurants, and a riding club. It is only a 15-minute bus ride from Puerto Plata airport to the hotels in Playa Dorada.
Cabarete – a small, cozy place located 15 km to the east. This place is particularly lively in February and March when the strongest winds blow. Cabarete is mainly frequented by young people, as everything they need is here: water sports, excellent cuisine, and, of course, opportunities to meet new people.
Sosúa – a tiny town built in a quiet bay with a wide selection of shops, bars, and various entertainment options. It is a 20–30 minute drive from Puerto Plata airport to Sosúa and Cabarete.
Puerto Plata is located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, 235 km from the capital, Santo Domingo.
Tourism began to develop here in 1978, and Puerto Plata became known as the “Bride of the Atlantic.”
Playa Dorada is a tastefully built resort complex that includes 13 hotels, each of which has its own club on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Guests of the complex have access to a golf course, restaurants, beaches, and many other pleasant entertainment options.
Beautiful beaches, water shimmering in numerous shades of turquoise, lush vegetation, and the humid tropical climate, tempered by the Atlantic winds – all these factors have made the Amber Coast a destination for mass tourism.
You might wonder, why “Amber”? This is another name for this area: “Amber Coast” or as the Dominicans call it, “Costa de Ámbar” (Amber Coast). Here, one can find abundant black amber, also known as amber.
Christopher Columbus discovered this area in 1492. His brother Bartolomé founded the city here in 1496, which he named San Felipe de Puerto Plata. After a period of rapid development, a decline followed due to the discovery and exploration of new territories in the New World. The city lived off smuggling, and its inhabitants actively collaborated with French and English pirates. The Spanish king ordered the destruction of Puerto Plata to put an end to the raiding. In 1742, the city was revived by colonists from the Canary Islands, and soon after, it regained its prosperity. During that time, the most beautiful buildings in the city were constructed. Beautiful colonial-style wooden houses, bright flowers, and colorful tropical plants give the city an exotic and festive appearance.
Tourists spending their vacation in Playa Dorada can visit many interesting corners of the city: the ruins of Columbus’s house and the church where the first mass in America took place, Fort San Felipe (1540) with a small military museum, the cable car to the top of Mount Loma Isabel de Torres, where you will be surprised to discover a scaled-down copy of the famous Brazilian Christ statue from Rio de Janeiro – Christ with arms outstretched to the clouds, the Taíno Indian Museum, the Amber Museum, the Fortaleza lighthouse, and the Brugal rum distillery.
Puerto Plata is a true paradise for anyone who wants to combine a pleasant beach vacation in the Dominican Republic with the opportunity to visit the most interesting and beautiful places in the country.
03.07.2026 
