Category: Caribbean

PLAYA DORADA BEACH ESCAPE

Relax and rejuvenate at the beach on this approximately five-hour excursion, which transports guests to a beach in the popular Playa Dorada region. As well as plenty of free time to enjoy the beach, a buffet lunch is also included.

Swim, sunbathe or lounge the day away on this beach-based excursion, lasting approximately five hours. Arrive at the hotel after a 15-minute transfer from the port to the buzzy Playa Dorada coastal area, where El Puebilito is located, your setting for the day. Then, simply enjoy around three and a half hours of free time on the beach, to use however you like.

You’ll have your own beach chair (included in the excursion price), making it easy to sunbathe or dry off after a swim in the ocean. After all that free time, you’ll probably have worked up an appetite – thankfully, the next hour or so provides a buffet lunch, allowing guests to sample some typical Dominican dishes.

After this nourishing end to the excursion, the transfer back to the port takes approximately 15 minutes.

Important Information: Please note: It is recommended that guests bring a swimsuit, hat, towel, and sunscreen

EL SONADOR RIVER EXPERIENCE WITH LUNCH

Set out for the Sonador River at Finca Papirucho – one of the Dominican Republic’s tucked-away natural wonders – on this experience of approximately six hours. You’ll be immersing yourself in refreshing water in Sonador’s river admiring the tropical exuberant nature setting, before enjoying a well-earned traditional lunch.

Excursion Details

Found near Yásica Arriba – a rural, inland town a short way south-east of Puerto Plata – the Sonador River at Finca Papirucho is a beautiful and peaceful site hidden among jungle landscapes.

Enjoy the river in the best way possible – by plunging into its waters – on this experience, lasting approximately six hours.
Begin with a drive from the port to Finca Papirucho located in Yasica Arriba, lasting around 75 minutes. Once arrived, there’s an approximately 20-minute briefing on safety and equipment preparation, before walking close to river side.
Then get ready to make a splash. Spend around two hours moving between different sections of the river, wading through the waters and plunging, relaxing or refreshing in various natural pools, all while admiring the tropical scenery surrounding you.

Afterwards, move to the onsite typical restaurant with beautiful river view where you’ll enjoy a well-deserved buffet lunch and some free time over approximately 50 minutes. Finally, the drive back to the port lasts around 75 minutes.
Important Information: Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate. Guests are required to wear provided life jackets & helmet at the river. It is recommended that guests bring a swimsuit, towel, waterproof shoes with strong grip, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Guests will be required to walk on uneven terrain. The drive to and from the river takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes each way and may take place on an open-air truck with a backside ladder to board. Guests will walk approximately 150 meters to reach the river. Credit Cards or cash accepted, lockers available for rent for USD$3.00/ USD$5.00.

SOSUA BAY CATAMARAN AND SNORKELING EXPERIENCE

Take to the water on this approximately five hours experience exploring watersports hotspot Sosúa Beach. Cruise the Atlantic waters in a catamaran, go snorkelling to see marine wildlife and enjoy light lunch aboard your boat.

Dive into a snorkelling and sailing experience at popular coastal spot Sosúa Beach on this approximately five-hour experience. After a transfer drive from the port of around 50 mins, you’ll arrive at Sosúa. Following a short safety briefing, board your catamaran, sit back and enjoy cruising around the bay for approximately two hours and 40 minutes.

As you sail, take time to admire Sosúa’s shoreline. A light lunch and soft drink will be served onboard. Your first snorkelling experience will take place at the popular Three Rocks, a site known for its snorkelling conditions, navigation continue towards Atabey snorkelling site, take a dip to admire the unique underwater Taino statue. Spend approximately 30 minutes snorkelling and gazing at marine biodiversity life.

After your snorkelling time is over, reboard your catamaran and sail back to Sosúa Beach over approximately 20 minutes. The return drive to the port then takes around 50 minutes.

Important Information: Please note: It is recommended that guests wear a bathing suit under comfortable clothes, and bring a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and sunglasses. It is recommended guest hold onto snorkelling gear provided until end of activity. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate and know how to swim. Alcohol will only be served after the snorkelling portion of the tour

PUERTO PLATA SIGHTSEEING AND ECOLODGE

Go green with a visit to El Gallo Eco-sustainable Project out the countryside Puerto Plata. This excursion of approximately four and a half hours takes guests to El Gallo Ecolodge to find out more about its ethical approach to gardening and farming, while also visiting Puerto Plata’s historic city sights.

Offering a glimpse into Puerto Plata’s storied past and exciting future, this experience of about four and a half hours will combine city and rural sights to learn about sustainable farming.

Begin with a short drive to Puerto Plata’s historic centre where – over approximately 50 minutes – you can take in views of Parque Central (also known as Independence Park and home to a statue of the Dominican Republic’s former president, Gregorio Luperón), the Cathedral of St Philip the Apostle and pastel-coloured Victorian houses.

Then, drive for approximately 35 minutes to El Gallo Ecolodge. Set among thick greenery in the Loma del Gallo countryside, this eco-project has a holistic approach to gardening and farming and offers views of the surrounding mountains. It focuses on a more sustainable tourism model, which includes generating jobs for locals and working with residents to lower the environmental impact of tourism in the area.

Spend approximately one hour exploring the garden, which features more than 200 types of fruit tree and multiple orchid varieties. Afterwards, sit down for a farm-to-table lunch lasting about 50 minutes.

Next is a drive of about 35 minutes back to the port via boulevard to Fortaleza San Felipe. Take beautiful photos at this 16th-century fortress during a stop of about 20 minutes before a short drive back to the port.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate. It is recommended that guests wear comfortable clothes, shoes, and bring cash or credit card for additional purchases. It is also recommended that guests bring bug spray. Guests may be required to walk on uneven terrain and be able to manage stairs and steps at El Gallo. Entrance to the San Felipe Fortress is not included in the price of this tour. This tour may take place on an open-air truck with backside ladder to access

THE CLASSIC CARS TOUR

See Puerto Plata in style on a sightseeing tour in a classic car on this excursion, lasting approximately four hours. Learn about local history and culture at the Amber Museum and Fortaleza San Felipe, visit local landmarks such as colourful Umbrella Street and enjoy a tasting at a rum distillery.

Experience a blend of sightseeing and vintage motoring on this approximately four-hour excursion, which transports guests between sites in a classic car. Depart from the port and choose your vehicle before setting off on a drive of around 25 minutes along Malecón de Puerto Plata, a long, spacious boulevard boasting ocean views.

Your destination is the Amber Museum, where you’ll spend approximately 25 minutes learning about the Dominican Republic’s prized amber deposits and viewing exhibits such as fossilised insects. You’ll also be able to watch a cigar-rolling demonstration at the museum’s ‘Tobacco Experience’section.

Then head over to nearby Umbrella Street for a visit of around 40 minutes. This much-loved byway is a popular photo spot thanks to its canopy of colourful umbrellas hanging high above the pavement.

Next is a short stop at Paseo de Doña Blanca, a bright, pink alleyway celebrating Bianca Franceschini, who helped shape the Dominican Republic’s early tourism industry. Afterwards, visit Parque Central – also known as Independence Park – where you’ll learn more about the country’s history over approximately 30 minutes.

Then it’s back into your classic car for a short drive to the Macorix House of Rum. Here, spend around 40 minutes discovering the art of distilling rum before tasting some for yourself.

Visit, Kite Street and Victrola Art Cafe, discover an innovative tourist experience that fuses art and gastronomy in a unique way. inspiring you with creativity in every corner.

The final stop, reached after a short drive, is Fortaleza San Felipe, a fortress built to ward off pirates and foreign invaders. Enjoy a brief pause here to admire the views before making the short drive back to the port.

Important Information: Please note: the price of this tour is per person. Each car can fit up to 4 guests. If your party is smaller than 4, you may be required to share the vehicle with other guests. If you wish to have your own vehicle, you will be required to pay for its full capacity of 4 guests. Please inquire with the shore excursions desk onboard should this be the case so that the remaining spaces can be charged to your onboard stateroom account. This is not a self-drive tour; a driver will be provided. Guests must be at least 8 years old to participate.

Entrance to the San Felipe Fortress is not included in the price of this tour, however, entry is optional. Guests will get out of the car be required to walk approximately 700 meters. Some of the classic cars feature an open roof. The order of stops visited may vary.

TOP TEN BEST OF PUERTO PLATA WITH LUNCH

Count down 10 top sights in the city of Puerto Plata on the Dominican Republic’s Atlantic north coast. Highlights of this approximately five-hour excursion include a tour and tasting at the Macorix House of Rum, an external view of the General Gregorio Luperón House Museum, a tour of the Amber Museum and a stop at Parque Central.
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Ideal for guests who want to tick off the best sights in Puerto Plata in one day, this excursion lasts around five hours and provides a comprehensive tour of the city’s main attractions.

Begin with a drive of about 15 minutes from the port. On route, you’ll pass the Jose Briceño Baseball Stadium, enjoying a view of the venue as you drive by. Then, drive for another 15 minutes or so to the Macorix House of Rum, where a tour of about 30 minutes reveals how the popular spirit is distilled and stored.

A short drive away is the Amber Museum, housed in an impressive neoclassical building and home to a large variety of amber stones, some containing animal fossils. During your tour of around 30 minutes, look out for encased mosquito fossils similar to those portrayed in the movie Jurassic Park.

Next, make the short journey to nearby Parque Central (often known as Independence Park) and spend around 55 minutes viewing a clutch of unmissable sites, including the Cathedral of St Philip the Apostle, colourful Umbrella Street, Paseo de Doña Blanca (a pink-painted alleyway often known simply as ‘Pink Street’) and a series of pretty Victorian houses.

After a short drive, arrive at the General Gregorio Luperón House Museum – a Victorian-style home where the national hero spent his last days – and make a brief stop to take in the external views. Next is a short drive to a local restaurant, where you’ll enjoy lunch over approximately 30 minutes, before a drive of around 15 minutes along part of the Malecón de Puerto Plata coastal boulevard. Pause for views of a local landmark: a statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, set on an island out in the water.

After this, spend around 20 minutes soaking up panoramic views of the imposing 16th-century fortress, Fortaleza San Felipe, before approximately 20 minutes of free time for souvenir shopping (time permitting). The excursion then concludes with a short drive back to the port.

Important Information: Please note: Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call. The views of the Jose Briseno Stadium and Gregorio Luperon Museum are from the bus, with no stops for entry. The Fortress de San Felipe stop includes a walk around the grounds. Entrance to the fort is not included. Guests may pay an additional fee to enter, time-permitting. The Cable Car/Teleferico is viewed only from the base and does not include a ride to the top. This tour includes guided visits inside the Macorix House of Rum and the Amber Museum. The order of sites visited may vary.

This is not a shopping-focused tour. While shops may be present in the downtown area, shopping is at the guest’s discretion wherever possible. The primary focus of the tour is on exploring the destination

RUM ROLL, PLEASE: ISLAND RUM TASTING TOUR

This approximately three-hour excursion offers a glimpse into some of the intricacies that go into producing the Dominican Republic’s most popular spirit – rum. The itinerary also includes a tasting of local rums and a visit to a cigar shop.

Believed to have been originally brought to the country by Christopher Columbus, sugarcane flourishes in the Dominican Republic’s rich soil and hot climate, providing the key ingredient for the nation’s favourite spirit. Learn more about the country’s rum-making, which dates back more than two centuries, on this excursion lasting approximately three hours.

After a short drive from the port, arrive at the Macorix House of Rum. Over the course of around 35 minutes, hear about the techniques used in rum production, including barrel ageing and bottling.

The rum experience then continues with a drive of around 20 minutes from Macorix to a nearby venue for an approximately 40-minute tasting of different local rums, helping bring to life the knowledge learned at Macorix.

As well as rum, the Dominican Republic is also known for the quality of its cigars. This is also due to the country’s soil and favourable climate, which help the tobacco plant thrive. See the results at a local cigar shop, reached after a drive of around 15 minutes. Spend approximately 40 minutes at the shop, watching a cigar-rolling demonstration and learning more about the process, with opportunities to purchase cigars or other souvenirs afterwards, if you wish. A drive of around 20 minutes then returns to the port.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate

DAMAJAGUA WATERFALLS & PRIVATE BEACH GETAWAY

This approximately four-hour tour of Puerto Plata turns sightseeing into a fiesta. You’ll be transported around the city in a hand-painted ‘party trolley’, with the chance to sample a traditional local drink at every stop.
Excursion details

Swap the tour bus for a ride on the party trolley during this approximately four-hour guided excursion. You’ll get to see the highlights of Puerto Plata from inside a vintage trolley car, decorated with a vibrant design.

To begin, you’ll be handed an ice-cold Presidente beer, brewed in the Dominican Republic, as you board the trolley. Following a short transfer, arrive at Macorix House of Rum. This distillery teaches the history and process of rum-making in the Dominican Republic. During the approximately 25-minute tour, guests will get to taste some of Macorix’s spirits.

Then embark on a scenic drive of around 20 minutes, passing the historic Fortaleza San Felipe, a Spanish fortress built in the 16th century to protect the port from pirates. Stop in Lokuras Bar for a taste of Mamajuana, one of the local drinks. Next, travel to Umbrella Street – known for the multicoloured umbrellas that hang above it – before stopping for a drink in Bar 1920, for about 30 minutes.

Continue the trolley tour along the waterfront, known as the Malecon, before stopping for the next beverage at Victrola 037, an art-themed bar and restaurant. Located on Paseo de las Chichiaguas (Kite Street – known for its canopy of colourful kites). Try some local Dominican Street food, and from here you can take a 5-minute walk along kite street to enjoy a cigar experience, where you can learn about the process of making Dominican cigars. Finally, a short journey returns to the port.

Important Information: Guests must be at least 18 years old to participate. All participants must have a valid government issued ID. It is recommended that guests wear comfortable shoes and bring cash or credit cards for any additional purchases. The tour order may vary

4X4 JEEP WRANGLER ADVENTURE

Take the wheel on an off-road vehicle and venture through the countryside, making stops along the way to taste local produce at a farm and explore a museum dedicated to the indigenous Taino people. As you drive through the landscape in a convoy of 4×4 vehicles, enjoy views of Isabel de Torres Mountain, towering above Puerto Plata. At the farm, you’ll learn about the cultivation, harvesting, and processing of local fruits and coffee, with opportunities to sample these products.

The adventure continues with scenic vistas as you head to La Jarana y Museo del Ron Dominicano, a museum showcasing the history and production of Dominican Rum Next, visit La Catalina, a property where nature and history meet. Enjoy the serene surroundings and take in the exhibition of antique cars. The open-air space offers great views, making it a perfect spot to appreciate both history and beauty. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate.
Please note: It is recommended that guests wear comfortable shoes and bring sunglasses. This tour is not available for pregnant women and guests with pre-existing back/neck injuries.

The minimum age to participate is 6 years old. Guests must be at least 18 years old to be in possession of a valid driver’s license. Guests will be required to sign a waiver, which may only be available in English. Each jeep can take up to four (4) guests. However, if your party is smaller than 4, you may be required to share the vehicle with other guests.

If you wish to have your own jeep, you will be required to pay for its full capacity of 4 guests. Please inquire with the shore excursions desk onboard should this be the case so that the remaining spaces can be charged to your onboard stateroom account. La Catalina Rancho, maybe closed on some days. On those calls, the stop will be replaced with a longer drive up to El Cupey

BUGGY RIDE AND BEACH
Get ready for an exciting off-road adventure through the Dominican Republic’s scenic landscapes.

Enjoy an approximately one-hour buggy ride along mountain trails and through jungle terrain, soaking in the natural beauty. After a brief stop by the river, return to the buggy ranch for a light snack featuring fresh fruit, a cold sandwich, and bottled water. Then, head to the beach for approximately 1 hour of relaxation and a refreshing swim, an ideal way to end your tropical ride. Guests must be at least 10 years old to participate.

Please note: Guests must be at least 10 years old to participate. This tour is not available for guests who are pregnant, suffer from any back/neck issues, or have cardiac or respiratory conditions. Closed toe shoes are mandatory for the buggy ride. Guests must have a valid driver’s license to drive the buggy.

The maximum weight to participate is 300 lbs. Guests may experience a muddy/dusty ride; therefore, it is recommended that a change of clothes is brought with them. It is also recommended that guests bring sunglasses, a bandana, a bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, and insect repellent.