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However, rather than being a gimmicky tourist destination, it’s a thriving city with locals going about their daily lives. So, the city has a more authentic feel than typical cruise ports I’ve been to in the Caribbean. It’s also possible to find taxis for individual rides around the city, but this appeared to be difficult on a recent visit to the port. As taxi drivers wait for tourists to leave Taíno Bay cruise port, most expect a full day’s worth of taxi service instead of a short ride. While the Taíno Bay cruise port offers more than enough to keep visitors busy, many prefer to explore Puerto Plata’s attractions outside the port area.
Top Tips for Enjoying a Cruise Day at Puerto Plata
The fares are much cheaper than the fixed rates on display at the ports. For example, most taxi rides around Puerto Plata cost between $3 and $5. And if you’re not confident in your Spanish language skills, then Uber is the ideal solution. However, you can negotiate a better deal by politely haggling with a taxi driver outside the gates, where you’ll be able to hire a driver and tour guide for $40. This is for a round trip and includes a guided walking tour of the historic sites in the city. Uber is also available in Puerto Plata, although you will need international phone service to access the Uber app when in the Dominican Republic.
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While exploring the city’s vibrant streets, do not miss to indulge in local, typically Caribbean cuisine and fresh coconut. Start your exploration with Fort San Felipe (Fortaleza de San Felipe), a fortress built in 1577 to protect the harbour from pirates. It overlooks the cruise port and is surrounded by vast green space where you can walk and enjoy the sea views. If you wish to go to Puerto Plata’s historical center or any other location, the best way is to take a taxi. The cost of a taxi ride to the city center is around $35 per vehicle one-way (up to 5 people), for a minute drive.

Amber Cove Cruise Port (Carnival)
There are dedicated lines for different categories of travelers, so follow the signages and listen to the terminal staff for guidance. Its sleek design, interspersed with traveler-friendly signages, ensures that even first-timers can navigate easily. Puerto Plata is located on the northern Atlantic Coast of the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola (which is shared with Haiti). On March 8, 2024, Carnival Corporation inaugurated Amber Cove Cruise Center's solar park. The facility (comprising 1800+ PV panels) now supplies ~80% of the Port’s electricity. In 2023, Port Taino Bay invested US$95 million to expand its docking facilities to be enabled to accommodate even the world's largest passenger ships - Royal Caribbean's OASIS-class.
This historic Spanish fortress was built in 1577 to protect the city from pirates and other intruders. In fact, it served as a location of one of the few land battles between the United States and France in the Quasi-War in 1800. History buffs–or those looking for some of the city’s best views–will want to visit Fortaleza San Felipe in Puerto Plata.

Located near the Taino Bay cruise port, the fortress dates from 1577, when Spanish colonizers built it to protect the city from pirate attacks. The fort contains a museum, giving insights into Puerto Plata’s history. One of the best features at the Taíno Bay cruise port is a large pool with in-pool loungers and a swim up bar. This pool is complimentary to guests, although beverages come at an extra cost. Puerto Plata is located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. Known as the Amber Coast due to the area’s large deposits of amber, this region is famous for its white sand beaches, abundance of waterfalls, and colonial architecture.
Explore a variety of vibrant bars and restaurants at Taino Bay cruise port. You can indulge in local cuisine with a choice of three restaurants serving authentic Dominican cuisine. Or you can sip tropical drinks at one of the ten bars in the resort. Those wishing to swim in the ocean must leave the port area and take a taxi or Uber to a nearby beach. Tours to the waterfalls include jungle hikes, sliding down waterfalls, swimming through caverns, and jumping into natural pools.
Enjoy stunning views from Isabel de Torres mountain
However, you typically must take a taxi to reach the other beaches, which are a 30-minute walking distance from the Puerto Plata Cruise Port. One of the most indulgent and delicious tours when visiting Puerto Plata for the day is a visit to the Del Oro Chocolate Factory. This unique factory allows visitors to see firsthand how chocolate is made, from bean to bar. It’s located at the eastern end of the city and takes 15 to 20 minutes to get there by taxi.
Cruise Port Puerto Plata Logistics
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With consistent trade winds blowing across the turquoise waters of Cabarete Bay, the location is perfect for windsurfing and kitesurfing. After your thrilling rides and jumps, you can relax on the beach and enjoy a meal at one of the many beachfront restaurants and bars before returning to the cruise ship. Booking an ATV adventure tour is one of the most exciting shore excursions in Puerto Plata. Located in the Country World Adventure Park, you can explore the lush Dominican countryside on a one or two-seater quad bike.
While there is no beach swimming access at Taíno Bay, there are lounge chairs set up on the sand directly across from the cruise ships. The city’s Amber Cove cruise port opened in 2015, which serves primarily Carnival Corporation cruise ships. Due to the success of this port, Puerto Plata constructed a second cruise port, Taíno Bay, which opened in December 2021. These are just a few of the stunning beaches that Puerto Plata has to offer. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, water activities, or a romantic getaway, you’ll find the perfect beach to suit your desires.
I would like to visit the 27 waterfalls and am happy to book it independently from the ship, but it's difficult to even start planning without knowing for sure where we are docking. Within the Zona Colonial, you’ll find charming cobbled streets, beautiful plazas, and landmarks such as the San Felipe Fortress and the Cathedral of San Felipe. Exploring this area on foot is a must for history enthusiasts and those looking to immerse themselves in the city’s cultural heritage. Isabel de Torres is a mountain rising 855 meters (2805 ft) above sea level and the city of Puerto Plata. It is a national park known for its rich flora and fauna, and a paradise for birdwatchers and those of you who enjoy nature activities.
An alternative is the historic Fort San Felipe, which has panoramic views of Puerto Plata. Also popular are the beachfront restaurants where you can enjoy lunch and relax in the sun on Playa Dorada beach. The city has around 150,000 inhabitants, and tourism is the main contributor to the economy.
Today the area is a bustling city of approximately 150,000 that’s also become a popular cruise destination with multiple ports. If your cruise includes a stop in Puerto Plata, then you might be wondering what to do during your stay. We’ll cover lots of options of what to experience in Puerto Plata on your cruise, along with some helpful information about what to expect on your day in port. Taxis are readily available at the Puerto Plata cruise ports in Amber Cove and Taino Bay. It’s best to look for taxis outside the port terminal gates and politely haggle a price.
They will likely have 2-3 different options that include time at a beach with food and drinks served. It can be an easy way to spend some time enjoying yourself without the crowds that you’ll find in the port areas. You can think of Ocean World as a Puerto Plata version of SeaWorld. It’s a popular spot to enjoy with families as there is lots for kids to do and it sits roughly in the middle between the two cruise ports in the area.
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