£643+ Cheap flights to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

City overview

Puerto Plata occupies an area tucked in between the mountains and the deep blue sea along the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Christopher Columbus landed on its shores in 1493, declaring it beautiful and naming it Puerto Plata, the Silver Port, to mark its shimmering waters.

Today, it’s best known as a lively resort area and a popular stopping-off point for cruise-ship passengers. Great numbers of travellers book a flight to Puerto Plata, lured by the promise of sun, beautiful beaches and economically priced all-inclusive packages.

Puerto Plata certainly has its charms. There are two parks – Parque Luperon and Parque Central. Where Parque Luperon is a quiet and shady green space, Parque Central is the gathering place for locals, surrounded as it is by the City Hall and Palace of Justice. An absolute must is a seven-minute cable car ride to the top of Mount Isabel, 2559 ft (780 m) high. From the summit, there are panoramic views of the north coast as well as a luscious botanical gardens, restaurant to revive spirits flagging from sightseeing and a statue of Christ with outstretched welcoming arms, reminiscent of the one in Rio de Janeiro.

Puerto Plata climate

The local climate is fairly constant year-round. Average daytime temperatures are about 29 degrees Celsius. The tropical season runs May through October and features high humidity and rainfall. November through April is the tropical cool season and experiences less rainfall and lower levels of humidity.

Getting around Puerto Plata

There are many ways of getting from the city to the surrounding hotels and resorts. Taxis are available but are expensive and it is advised to book a private taxi through a reliable company to ensure your safety. Public transport such as buses are another option of getting around the city. They may be slower but are cheap and efficient.

Getting from the Airport to the City

Many visitors rent a car on their arrival at Gregorio Luperon International airport (POP), particularly if they plan on making side trips outside of Puerto Plata. There is also frequent bus and minibus service between the airport and Puerto Plata. Taxis are also available.

What is good to know if travelling to Puerto Plata?

• Take a flight to Puerto Plata from January through to early April to see the humpback whales return to the bay at Samana. About a two-and-a-half hour excursion from the airport, it makes for a memorable day trip.
• The waters around Puerto Plata are home to some of the most sought-after fish. For blue marlin, visit July to September, for white marlin April to June, for mahi mahi October to March, for wahoo October to January, and finally for sailfish, October to March.
• The Brugal Rum Distillery is a short distance east of Puerto Plata. Take a tour to see how the rum is produced, sample it and then buy it at a slightly discounted price.
• In and around Puerto Plata, the beaches are fronted by coral reefs, very popular with divers and snorkellers. Long Beach is along the Malecon, it’s the public, urban beach. Some of the best diving on the north coast is a quick drive away. In Sosua, under the waves, there are reefs, canyons, gardens and shipwrecks. Playa Grande, slightly further afield, but well worth the distance, offers superlative snorkelling in the Gri Gri lagoon.
• One of Puerto Plata’s most popular tourist attractions is the Amber Museum. Located on Duarte Street in a wedding-cake style Victorian mansion, the museum has a fascinating collection. Dominican amber is said to be the most transparent in the world.

Puerto Plata airport overview

Puerto Plata’s Gregorio Luperon Airport is a no-frills, highly functional little airport (the fourth-largest in the Dominican Republic), offering good connections to many international destinations. Flights to Puerto Plata are regular and surprisingly affordable – so if you haven’t had a break for a while, maybe it’s time to dust off your credit card and treat yourself to a dream beach holiday.

Described by Christopher Columbus in 1492 as the “fairest land under heaven”, the Dominican Republic’s Puerto Plata is one of those idyllic holiday destinations, where no matter what you do, you’re bound to return home feeling refreshed, and generally more in love with the world than when you left home.