Category: Caribbean

DISCOVER PUERTO PLATA TRADITIONS and FLAVOURS

Soak up the history and culture of Puerto Plata during this experience, lasting approximately five and a half hours. View a cathedral and a fortress, and find out how Dominican rum, cigars and chocolate are crafted. Lunch is also included.

Enjoy Puerto Plata’s historical and cultural treasures on an experience lasting approximately five and a half hours. The day starts with a short drive to Plaza Independencia and Puerto Plata’s historical centre. Guests then have about one hour and a half to visit the Cathedral of St Philip the Apostle (also known as San Felipe Cathedral) followed by a guided walk around the Historical Center, Plaza Independencia, Umbrella’s Street & Pink Sidewalk with some time to browse at the souvenir place.

Next, delve into one of the Dominican Republic’s most popular exports – cigars. Spend about 40 minutes receiving an introduction to the handcrafted cigar tradition and demonstration at a popular local cigar venue, La Aurora. Afterwards, there’s approximately 30 minutes of free time to select and buy the one of your preferences before a short drive to Casa Azucar. Here, there will be around 30 minutes spent finding out how Dominican rum is made and sampling some for yourself, before approximately 30 minutes to learn about and taste organic chocolate. This is followed by approximately one hour to enjoy lunch.

The experience concludes with an approximately 20-minute drive back to the port, including a brief photo stop at Fortaleza San Felipe (San Felipe Fortress).

Important Information: Please note: the tour sequence may vary. Minimum age to participate 6 years old. It is recommended that guests wear comfortable shoes. Guests must be at least 18 years old to consume alcohol. Recommended to bring cash or credit cards for additional purchases

PUERTO PLATA CITY and PLAYA DORADA BEACH WITH LUNCH

Combine sightseeing with time at the beach on this approximately five and a half hours experience in Puerto Plata Dominican Republic. Sights visited include Plaza Independencia in the city centre and the Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle, Umbrella’s Street & Pink Sidewalk before travelling to the beach.
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Explore landmarks and coastal landscapes in this excursion, lasting approximately six hours, which includes a generous chunk of time at a hotel beach in the thriving Playa Dorada region.

Set on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata has historical tales to tell, and you can learn about some of them during a visit to the city’s historical centre, reached after a short drive from the pier. Once arrived, spend approximately 1 hour visiting sites in the heart of the area, Plaza Independencia (also known as Independence Park) and the Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle, including time for last minute shopping.

The first of these, Plaza Independencia, houses a statue of Gregorio Luperón, a former president of the Dominican Republic from 1879-1880, who commissioned the park as a gift to the city. The Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle, meanwhile, was fully restored in 1956 after the original structure was destroyed by fire during the Dominican Restoration War in 1863-1865.

Afterwards, an approximately 20-minute drive moves the excursion to Playa Dorada, a popular and energetic coastal area. Spend approximately four hours and 10 minutes enjoying the beach, perhaps taking a swim or simply relaxing and sunbathing. Lunch is also included during this time.

Finally, a drive of around 20 minutes returns to the pier to conclude the excursion.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate.  It is recommended that guests bring a swimsuit, a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. Beach chairs are included. There is no lifeguard on duty. The transportation to and from Playa Dorada Beach from Puerto Plata is approximately 30 minutes each way. Tour order may vary

PUERTO PLATA SIGHTSEEING

Excursion Details

Begin this approximately three-and-a-half-hour excursion with a short departure from the port to the Macorix House of Rum, where you’ll spend approximately 45 minutes taking a deep dive into the rum production process. Learn how the drink is distilled, produced and stored, before sampling the goods in a tasting of several Macorix rum varieties.

Afterwards is a short drive to Plaza Independencia – known as Independence Park – followed by a visit of approximately 20 minutes to Umbrella Street, a popular and photogenic spot with numerous colourful umbrellas hanging above it. Then, move to nearby Paseo de Doña Blanca (just a few streets away) for around 20 minutes. This pretty alleyway is painted bright pink and commemorates Bianca Franceschini, who helped kick-start the Dominican Republic’s tourism industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by establishing Hospedaje del Comercio, one of the country’s earlier tourist-focused hotels.

Afterwards, spend approximately 30 minutes visiting the Cathedral of St. Philip the Apostle, destroyed during the Dominican Restoration War in the 19th century and later restored in 1956. Then, enjoy approximately 30 minutes of free time for self-exploring in the city’s historic centre.

The final stop is Fortaleza San Felipe, reached after a drive of around 20 minutes. Spend approximately 15 minutes admiring this 16th-century, Spanish-built fortress (which served as a prison in its later years), while also enjoying the panoramic views from its location. A short drive then returns to the pier.

Important Information: It is recommended that guests wear comfortable shoes. Guests must be at least 18 years old to consume alcohol. This tour is not a shopping-focused experience. While shops may be present in the downtown area, shopping is at the guests discretion and the primary focus of the tour is on exploring the destination

HORSEBACK RIDING

Excursion Details

Begin this horse-riding adventure – lasting approximately four hours – with a journey of around 35 minutes from the port to a ranch at an equestrian centre. Once arrived, the equestrian centre team will spend approximately 20 minutes providing a briefing and guidance, as well as signing a waiver and picking up a helmet to wear during your ride.

Then, it’s time to saddle up and begin the journey. Spend approximately 90 minutes riding your trusty steed, departing from the equestrian centre to travel through various beautiful settings. You’ll ride through all kinds of flora and fauna that show off different Caribbean landscapes, including a stop at a beach, where those who wish to can gallop across the sand on their horse, making for a truly memorable experience.

After the short journey back to the ranch, relax and settle in for a well-deserved lunch, lasting around 35 minutes. Finally, a journey of around 35 minutes returns to the port to conclude the excursion.

Important Information: Guests will be required to wash their hands before and after the animal interaction. Minimum age to participate is 8 years. Maximum weight is 220 lbs. Pregnant women and guests with back/neck injuries are not permitted on this excursion. Long pants are recommended, and closed-toe shoes are required

COCONUT COVE BEACH BREAK

Excursion Details

This relaxing beach trip is a chance to soak up a stretch of coastline that’s tucked away on a northern tip of the Dominican Republic, west of Puerto Plata. The approximately six-hour excursion begins with a transfer of around 75 minutes to Ocean Outpost in Coconut Cove, a beachside spot set in a peaceful pocket and offering views of surrounding rugged greenery and far-reaching ocean vistas.

After arriving at Ocean Outpost, there’s a brief pause to enjoy a welcome drink, before a short time is allocated to find a locker. Then, simply enjoy approximately three hours of free time at the beach, to use however you like. This might include relaxing and sunbathing on Coconut Cove’s sweeping arc of sand, taking a swim in the ocean or, weather-permitting, trying out other aquatic pursuits by renting a kayak, paddle-board or snorkelling equipment (rental costs are not included in the excursion price).

You could also embark on a mini hike along the beach, tracing the tropical greenery and hills that hug the sands, making for a walk with great views.

Afterwards, there’ll be approximately 15 minutes of free time to browse the gift shop, time permitting, before the approximately 75-minute transfer back to port.

Important Information: It is recommended that guests bring cash or card for souvenirs and additional bar and menu items. Guests are also recommended to bring their bathing suit, a towel, comfortable cool clothing, sunblock, hat & sunglasses. Beach chairs and umbrellas included. Restrooms, gift shops and freshwater showers are available on site. The ride may get bumpy therefore, this tour is not available for pregnant women or guests with back and neck injuries.

This tour is not wheelchair or walker accessible. Guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. The transfer to and from Coconut Cove takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, depending on traffic, and may take place on an open-air truck. Lockers are available to rent onsite for an additional cost.

COCONUT COVE BEACH BREAK WITH LUNCH AND DRINKS

Excursion Details

This excursion, lasting approximately six hours, is an ideal opportunity to relax and make the most of a beautiful Dominican Republic beach, nestled on the northern coastline of the country.

Start with an approximately 75-minute transfer to Ocean Outpost, a beach venue in Coconut Cove surrounded by rugged scenery and vegetation.

Once arrived, start the relaxation process with a short stop to sip on a welcome drink, before a brief time is allocated for finding a locker (available for rent at an additional cost).

After settling in, you then have approximately three hours of free time to enjoy the beach at your own pace. Options for using this time could include topping up your tan by sunbathing on the sands, enjoying a cooling dip in the ocean waters or, weather-permitting, renting a kayak, paddle-board or snorkelling equipment if you prefer to stay active. If you prefer to stay on dry land but still want to stretch your legs, consider strolling along the beach to view the tropical scenery around you.

To make your day even more relaxing, lunch is included in the excursion cost, and you can enjoy select cocktails, water and soft drinks. Additional food and drink can be purchased at an extra cost.

Finally, spend approximately 15 minutes browsing for souvenirs in the gift shop – time permitting – before a transfer back to the port, lasting around one hour and 15 minutes.

Important Information: It is recommended that guests bring cash or card for souvenirs and additional bar and menu items. Guests are also recommended to bring their bathing suit, a towel, comfortable cool clothing, sunblock, hat & sunglasses. Beach chairs and umbrellas included. A typical Dominican lunch and drinks are included as well, featuring select rum cocktails, water, and soft drinks. Restrooms, gift shops and freshwater showers are available on site. The ride may get bumpy therefore, this tour is not available for pregnant women or guests with back and neck injuries.

This tour is not wheelchair or walker accessible. Guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English. The transfer to and from Coconut Cove takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes each way, depending on traffic, and may take place on an open-air truck. Lockers are available to rent onsite for an additional cost.