How to find accommodation in Puerto Plata as a foreigner? In this article, you will find all you need to know about its neighborhoods, what to do in this city, and its beautiful surroundings.
Finding accommodation in a country like the Dominican Republic can be a real challenge, especially when you are searching from abroad. The same applies to San Felipe de Puerto Plata, better known as Puerto Plata. As it is mainly considered a tourist region, Puerto Plata primarily provides short-term rentals, but you can still find long-term rentals there if you are patient and if you know where to look for accommodation. Hence, take the time to inquire about the different neighborhoods and the facilities that are available there so as to make the best choice.
Puerto Plata, located in the Dominican Republic's Northwest, is the country's third most populated city. It's among the cities in the nation with a significant tourism industry, together with Punta Cana, and is virtually entirely dedicated to visitor attractions, resorts, and hotels. It also houses a crucial commercial port. On his first journey, Christopher Columbus titled it Monte de Plata. He talked about the Isabel de Torres Mountain, which you can ascend via gondola. He named it for the flora that covers most of the shoreline and is home to the grayumbo tree. When exposed to dampness, this tree turns silvery. This tint, along with the sun's reflections, made the peak sparkle, prompting Columbus to assign it that title.
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Puerto Plata is a 518-year-old city. It is famous not only for its pleasant climate, especially during spring, but also for its dynamic environment and beautiful golden sand beaches. It also hosts the replica of Christ the Redeemer, which was initially found in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
Why should you move to Puerto Plata?
Punta Cana, its coastal sister towards the east, provides all-inclusive conveniences but with little originality. The beauty of Puerto Plata, on the other hand, lies in mixing and matching the best aspects. Aside from the white sandy beaches, you will find the Dominican Republic's northern coast and entertainment options along the busy Malecón promenade. You can also find the colonial district's deteriorating yet majestic ancient architecture and the stunning panoramas from Mount Isabel de Torres at sunrise. In conclusion, Puerto Plata's charms also provide a multitude of activities to satisfy the curious, apart from all the all-inclusive activities that satisfy the more relaxed people. Everything is at an economical cost. Sounds attractive, right?
The climate is pretty damn good all year round. The best months of Puerto Plata weatherwise are from May until June. This is also when hotel prices drop, and more tourists come into town, right on time before the coming rainy season starts. The climate in the city is generally mild, with typical maximum temperatures reaching 26.6 degrees Celsius (80°F) in winter months to around 32 to 33 degrees Celsius (90°F) in the summertime. The area does receive a significant amount of rain, with an annual average of 1,27 meters (around 50 inches) in total. The month of November alone usually gets about 25 centimeters (like 10 inches) of rainfall.
Still, Puerto Plata houses some of the most beautiful beaches in the Dominican Republic. Sosa, Playa Dorada, Maimón, Cafemba, Playa Grande (from Luperón), Cabarete, and Long Beach are among the nicest ones in the nation. People engage in a variety of activities at sites such as Playa Dorada, Cofresi, Long Beach, and Cabarete, including jet-skiing, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, and sailing. Other beaches may be found along the promenade, as well as in Boca Nueva, Playa de Copello, Bergantin, and La Mariposa.
Aside from beaches and water activities, Puerto Plata provides hiking, bicycling, adventure trips, and excursions to ecological parks and sanctuaries, including Isabel de Torres, Laguna Cabarita, and Los Caos de Estero Hondo. Explore its history by visiting Victorian design, the colonial castle of San Felipe, or Sosa, a Jewish colony from approximately 1940.
Tourism is particularly important in Puerto Plata, so both the state and international businesses have created unforgettable travel initiatives to make tourists' trips pleasurable and unforgettable. In Puerto Plata, you might participate in a variety of activities, discover something about the city, and visit some of the amazing sights and interesting places it offers, both within and outside of the city.
Neighborhoods in Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is divided into several municipalities, namely Puerto Plata, the capital city, Altamira, Guananico, Imbert, Los Hidalgos, Luperon, Sosúa, Villa Isabela, and Villa Montellano. In 2023, the capital city's population consisted of some 338,354 inhabitants. Note that Puerto Plata also hosts one of the country's biggest commercial ports, as well as a botanical garden and a cable car that reaches up to Mount Isabel de Torres.
Costambar, Cofresi, and Luperon, which are found in the West of Puerto Plata, are coastal neighborhoods. Costambar is mainly a residential area and is ideal for foreigners. Cofresí, for its part, is a constantly developing and dynamic tourist city. Finally, Luperon is a historical neighborhood founded by Bartolomeo Columbus, the brother of Christopher Columbus. It was initially named La Isabella, with some 17,649 inhabitants. Luperon is also a haven for divers.
Sosúa, which is found in the East of Puerto Plata, is especially popular with European expatriates. In fact, many German Jews moved there and successfully managed to transform their economy into a prosperous one. Moreover, you are likely to find many restaurants, bars, cafés, nightclubs, and other things there.
Cabarete is considered a haven for water sports such as windsurfing, diving, sailing, etc. It has even been chosen as an ideal destination for Professional Windsurfing Association World Cup competitions, but you can also practice many other sports there, such as tennis, golf, body-board, eco-tourism outings, biking, etc.
Finding accommodation in Puerta Plata
Since Puerto Plata is mainly a tourist city, you can probably start your accommodation search on the Internet right from your home country. Start by browsing general and specialized housing websites, as well as real estate agency websites, which often provide long-term rentals. However, make sure to choose the one that best suits your criteria, especially in terms of rent price.
As in most Dominican cities, it is best to be on the spot to look for accommodation. You can then rely on professional real estate agencies or even on networking.
Things to do in your free time in Puerto Plata and its surroundings
Puerto Plata was constructed in 1496 by the siblings Cristóbal and Bartolomé Colón and founded in 1502 by Fray Nicolás de Ovando, making it one of America's oldest cities. So, of course, there are many interesting monuments and sights to see whose construction dates back to this time.
Cathedral of Puerto Plata
The Cathedral of Puerto Plata, also known as the Cathedral of San Felipe Apóstol, is one of the main attractions of Puerto Plata. It's right across Parque Independencia. It is one of the oldest structures still standing in America, with the foundation dating back to 1502, barely ten years after its finding. Unfortunately, it was entirely destroyed by fire in 1863, but it was reconstructed in 1956. The exterior is made up of two enormous towers, and the inside is lined with 12 massive columns, each symbolizing an apostle.
Enjoy amazing views from the city's teléferico
Taking the city's cable car is a must-do activity for everyone coming to Puerto Plata.
The cable car takes you to the well-known Isabel de Torres Hill, which is located 800 meters South of the city of Puerto Plata, and the scenery is breathtaking. The cable car (or teleférico as the locals call it) has also become an emblem of this historical Latin American city.
Above, you could explore Puerto Plata's botanical gardens, and at the top of the mountain, there is a magnificent statue of Christ the Redeemer, who greets its visitor with open arms.
Visit the impressive fortress of San Felipe
In the 16th century, the San Felipe Fortress was created to protect the city from invaders like pirates. It is a relic from Puerto Plata's colonial era. It definitely is one of the must-sees in Puerto Plata, especially if you want to learn more about the Dominican Republic's history. It also offers beautiful sights on the Northeastern coast. It invites you to take a stroll along the walls and water. There is also a small museum on the premises. Don't forget to visit the Puerto Plata lighthouse, which rises more than 24 meters high and was constructed in 1876.
Go on a fun tour to explore the waterfalls of Damajagua
One of the primary attractions of Puerto Plata is conveniently located a very short drive away from the city. We are talking about the Damajagua's 27 waterfalls. They are 12- to 13-meter-high waterfalls that generate natural puddles of different sizes along the riverbank and offer a fun day away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life.
If you feel like you are in need of a true adventure, this is just the thing to do for you! Jumping off the waterfalls and sliding down their rocks, doesn't this sound like a lot of fun? Their routes take you about 45 minutes ascending the 27 waterfalls or 30 minutes ascending paths for the shorter 12 jumps.
This is unquestionably one of the most exciting things to do in this area, if not in the entire Dominican Republic, and for obvious reasons, it is imperative to go chasing the waterfalls.
If you are hesitant because you are not sure about the sustainability of such excursions, we can take away your doubts: Damajagua's 27 waterfalls are protected by Dominican law, making them a wildlife reserve in the Dominican Republic. It has an eco-friendly approach to tourism; everything seems to be immaculate and well-maintained, and the lakes and rivers are in excellent shape.
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