Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Puerto Plata
THE 10 BEST Cheap Things to Do in Puerto Plata
Best Budget-Friendly Things to Do in Puerto Plata
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Piers & Boardwalks
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Equestrian Trails • Horseback Riding Tours
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Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
Points of Interest & Landmarks
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What travelers are saying
- leesa tAustin, TX27 contributionsViews are great. Very organized & efficient. Wonderful views. Cheap thrills abound. This was the Santo Domingo trip. We’ve heard the Puerto Plata is more eventful.Written May 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- danamc01Branchville, SC727 contributionsWe went on a Carnival Cruise. The cruise port is the only thing we were able to see. There were storms and flooding in the mountains and it wasn't safe for us to leave the port. There was lots to do if you wanted to shop, eat, relax by a pool. There was a small garden area as well. We didn't pay to use the pool area but it looked really nice.Written March 16, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Nathalie D4 contributionsNo need to book an excursion while coming off cruise ship at the port. The lazy river is a lot of fun and they have a huge pool. bring lots of money if you want an alcoholic beverage as they range from 11 to 17 dollars US.Written March 4, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Elizabeth d1 contributionSome parts of this beach are nicer than others—beach in front of gran ventana much nicer than in front of Wyndham. A whole bunch of hotels are on this strip and some are shut down which is odd.Written December 26, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- nzmommyTallahassee, FL212 contributionsWe visited Mount Isabel de Torres as part of a cruiseline excursion, so we took a small bus from Puerto Plata up to the top. It was foggy and drizzled rain for half the time we were in the park but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm for the beautiful flowers and plants along the paths in this well-kept park. We were able to catch a glimpse of the town from where the cable cars usually disembark, and the fog lifted enough for us to snap a picture of the Christ statue.
There are several paths to walk which when it is wet can be a little bit treacherous, but they do have handrails and steps to assist.Written April 23, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - rick00001967Ontario, Canada965 contributionsi will say right away that horseback riding is not my preferred cup of tea. haha it is the wife that loves these animals. that said, we traveled here for our anniversary and her birthday so how could i say no.
we used this ranch many years ago when staying in the playa dorada complex. it was fun then and it was fun again.
they are very close by the complex so transport back and forth is quick and easy. we went in slow season so we were the only 2 riders which was nice.
the business has changed hands recently and the latest owner has apparently made some changes. they have some new animals and some update equipment.
the horses seem to be in very good condition and well cared for. so did the many friendly dogs that share the ranch.
both Angel and Alex have been here for many years and are great staff.
our booking agent originally had us booked with another operator in sosua. we were not too happy about having to travel that far back and forth so we were very happy when they changed at the last minute. we did not ask why.
pick up was on time. the pace was very leisurely. we had a beautifully scenic ride into the hills. some spots offered a great ocean view with a cool breeze while others were sunny and hot.
there is a stop along the way (thank god haha) to rest the horses (and the riders) where you can have a water or soft drink. beer is avail for purchase along some gifts if you like.
helmets are mandatory. closed toed shoes are always a good idea but if you only have sandals make sure they are secured strapped sandals and not loose flip flops.
this is a great way to see the countryside and much quieter than the buggies or atv's.
if you are considering riding as part of your vacation then choosing Lorilar is the right way to go.Written August 25, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - mrtlc67Port Charlotte, FL122 contributionsLooks so big and impressive online, in reality tour while by tip of guide so no entry fees only about 15 minutes at best. It does have good information, but overall it is an Amber and Laramar gift shop with a good story. Something to do if you are already in Puerto Plata, but stay at your resort rather than making trip here.Written September 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- travelsafer7,154 contributionsFun and touristy street in Puerto Plata. Lots of souvenir shops, lots of tourists looking for stuff to buy and stopping to take photographs. And lots of umbrella that form a colored canopy over the street itself.Written February 22, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Adventurers049Brisbane, Australia3,645 contributionsThis is a well preserved coastal fort with a couple of rooms filled with artefacts, photos and documents outlining the past life of the fort.Written January 28, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Glenn WNiagara-on-the-Lake, Canada128 contributionsA beautiful beach close to a resort with the warmest water you can imagine. A lot of tourists with many of the tourist necessities close at hand.Written June 10, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- paula mBaltimore, MD130 contributionsI was surprised as to how short the ally/street is. My guide gave me a lot of info about it. I liked it. Cute little street and lucky we were the only ship in the port so it wasn’t crowded.Written May 29, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- travelsafer7,154 contributionsIn the central area near the cathedral is this beautiful square. The day we visited it there were preparations for a religious music concert. The square has a gazebo an the center of a geometric pattern with several trees and 2 statues of Juan Pablo Duarte the father of the Republic, and Gregorio Luperon a general and politician. The square had new year decorations and a festive atmosphere because of the time of the year and for the music concert preparations.Written February 22, 2025This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Allen BMuskegon, MI1,291 contributionsBeautiful views! There just wasn't enough places to sit and enjoy the beauty and relax. And there is a lack of shade.Written January 8, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Ben EHuntsville1 contributionWas interested in climbing the trail to the top of the mountain and read everything I could find on the topic from others who had been. That helped to prepare me somewhat. Here's my full story in case it helps others!
Approximate timeline:
7:30am departed cruise ship, decided to walk to Teleferico instead of getting a cab. I'm cheap and it was a good warmup after being cooped up on the ship. It was 1.5 miles one way.
8:15am arrived at Teleferico station. Asked where the trailhead was. Everyone kept telling me it was "peligroso" (dangerous) but I'm a very fit trail runner and wanted to ascend myself. Finally I broke down and paid $50 for a guide.
Note: The trailhead can't be accessed from the Teleferico parking lot like I thought (or at least nobody would tell me... I had no signal to check my GPS and I couldn't even talk someone into simply showing me the trailhead for $10. I have passable Spanish but it was still a no go. I told the guide they got paid at the summit, not at the start.
My guide spoke about 20 words of English. The other guides at the base seemed to have better English but they also told me that they wouldn't take me up for less than $80. I only brought enough $ for the cable car ride and the $50 bill so I told him I honestly didn't have anything else. Not even a credit card.
8:45 am start climbing. Rocky trail. Can't get GPS on my watch to connect to track it. Phone has no signal so feeling very reliant on guide at this point.
9:00 guide breaks off the path and we go straight through the brush for 25-30 minutes. I'm wondering what's up when we finally emerge back on the trail. "shortcut?" It would have been impassable for most people--climbing up/down ravines, using trees to pull up steep areas, etc. Not sure what that was about.
9:25 Phone starts pinging like crazy because I apparently got high enough for signal to connect.
930 back on marked trail with red/orange blazes. Steady climb.
10:10 hit the road portion, the last and steepest part of the climb. See photo. It's serious.
10:30 finish at the summit. Lots of pictures of scenery, flowers, statue, and cave right before a fog bank rolled in.
10:45 hitch a ride in the cable car to the bottom station. Pay for my one-way trip upon arrival ($5).
11:00 walk back to the ship.
11:30 back on board.
I would definitely do it again, but if my wife had come along like we originally planned, we could not have taken the "shortcut" through the jungle.
Was the guide necessary? I could have probably followed the trail 90% solo without a guide, but there were areas where it got hard to follow or wasn't marked very well. I was concerned about getting lost, even briefly, and not being able to get back to the port before ship departure.
Good shoes are a must.
I brought a drawstring bag with 16oz water and hydrated well before leaving ship. Morning is cooler.
Hat and sunglasses.
Pants--never would have went off trail without them and just smart when in the jungle.Written February 20, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Martin L4 contributionsThe go karts are tire and in need of love, but it's still lots of fun and the price is reasonable. Kids will enjoy it.Written May 23, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
