Puerto Plata Central Park
Enjoy the unique Central Park of Puerto Plata, a reference in Puerto Plata’s leisure and social life visiting Puerto Plata’s Historical Center is much like traveling back in the time to the late 19th century.
Puerto Plata’s historic center (Centro Historico) is the heart of the city, where visitors will find the richest Victorian style architecture, gingerbread homes and vibrant echoes of this city’s past. It all starts at the Parque Independencia, a central park surrounded by the most interesting buildings, and home to the Cathedral of San Felipe.
You will encounter beautiful Victorian- style homes brimming with charm, color and history. Today they have transformed into bars, shop, art galleries and other businesses.
You can also visit the cathedral San Felipe Apostol, Central Park, where you can feed the pigeons, City Hall, the iconic two-story Victorian Gazebo, the colorful Umbrella Street, where you can take magazine cover-worthy photos and many other delighful points of interest.
Top #1 Refreshing Tour in Puerto Plata
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Enjoy one of the best, most refreshing tours in Puerto Plata, immerse yourself in the crystalline waters of the Damajagua, come with your family or friends to cool off in this incredible adventure in the water.
Puerto Plata’s Historic Center Main Attractions
Besides the Cathedral and the central park, the area has a long list of landmark restaurants, buildings, institutions, stores, markets, and other places of importance to historians and tourism.
Right across the park we find La Casita Azul Restaurant, a must visit for those who value fine cuisine. An important building at the right corner houses the Island Treasures gift shop, a perfect stop for local handcrafts and gifts.
On the left corner we find a series of historic buildings where Ice Cream Shop La Mariposa has been serving customers for more than 50 years. The building is 100% preserved and the cafe restaurant service is frequented by locals and foreigners, many from the Puerto Plata Cruise ship ports. On the left side of the Cathedral we find the historic building where the Puerto Plata Cultural House is located, a good stop for current art exhibits. Next to it there is an artisan market open several days a week.
Paseo de Doña Blanca
One Block away, between Calle Beller and Juan Bosch, we find the Paseo de Doña Blanca, a red-painted alley street dedicated to Mrs. Bianca Franceschini, a pioneer in the development of the early tourism industry in Puerto Plata at the end of the 18th century. Right next to it there is a cigar store and café, Pachuché.
Umbrella Street
Just around the South corner we find the Umbrella Street, a colorful promenade where we visit gift shops, bars and restaurants, including El Rincon Del Café #2, the top place to taste and buy wide varieties of organic Dominican coffee.
Kaffe Restaurant
Two Blocks away we move on to explore Kaffe, a classic international restaurant in a renovated historic home, fully staged as it was decades ago. The house has various areas, including a patio in the back with open air dining.
Paso Melosa
Right next door to Skina there is an alley lined up with drink and food options enough for every taste: Paso Melosa. This is a promenade alley where visitors find a wine bar, a pizza shop, gift shop, pastry shop, coffee shop, ice cream and much more.
Luperon Museum
Two blocks away in Calle 13 de Julio visitors will find the Gregorio Luperon Museum, honoring the most important figure of the North Dominican Republic, and a national hero. The exhibits are worth a visit, providing a complete insight into life and society during his lifetime.
The Fort San Felipe
One of the top ten tours in Puerto Plata is located in La Puntilla, the very end of the Malecon boulevard of Puerto Plata. The Fort San Felipe is a timeless sentinel, still guarding the city’s port entrance. Its construction was commissioned by King Phillip II of Spain in 1564, and completed in 1577.
Fire Station Department
A still active relic in the city, the historic Puerto Plata Fire Department is still in one piece after its creation in 1830, by then DR president Gregorio Luperon. The building is still intact, kept as a museum for posterity. It is located right on the ocean drive boulevard, the Malecon.
The Amber Museum
The Dominican Amber Museum in Puerto Plata is the most important of its kind, with several show rooms displaying important pieces across the exhibits that explain the creation, mining, and characteristics of amber. Fossilized insects can be found among the pieces, and all amber color varieties. Visitors can also purchase jewelry, rum, Larimar and La Aurora cigars.
Puerto Plata Central Park Overview
Puerto Plata Central Park Overview.Central Park Ubication
Map of the city of Puerto Plata!
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
How do you spend a day in Puerto Plata?
Top Attractions in Puerto Plata
- Teleferico Puerto Plata Cable Car.
- Ocean World Adventure Park.
- Mount Isabel de Torres.
- Golden Beach (Playa Dorada)
- Taino Bay Puerto Plata.
- Fortaleza San Felipe.
- Amber Cove.
- Dominican Amber Museum.
What is Puerto Plata best known for?
The birthplace of tourism in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata continues to pack a mighty punch. Its spectacular, sprawling landscape combines sea, mountains, lush valleys, rivers, and a multitude of beaches. Its fertile soil grows cacao and coffee trees, while underneath rests the world's clearest amber.
Can you walk around Puerto Plata Dominican Republic?
The few blocks directly around the port can look a little rough. Once you are in the central zone you will have no issues and the town is very walkable. The Fort and the Amber Museum are definatetely worth visiting. Not sure what your tolerance is, but the big mode of transport in Puerto Plata is the Moto Concho
Is Puerto Plata walkable from the cruise port?
Take a 15-minute walk from the port to the historic district of the city. A stop at the pink Paseo de Doña Blanca will give you tons of selfie opportunities. Nearby is Umbrella Street a quaint street lined with chocolate, coffee, and gift shops.
What is the best excursion in Puerto Plata?
Our most recommended things to do in Puerto Plata Tours Page