San Felipe, Capital of Puerto Plata

San Felipe de Puerto Plata, popularly known as Puerto Plata, is one of the oldest cities in America. In addition, it is the capital of the province of Puerto Plata, in the northern part of the Dominican Republic.

It is one of the most visited destinations in the country. Want to know why? We are going to tell you all about everything that San Felipe de Puerto Plata has to offer so that you won’t want to miss it on your next holiday in the Caribbean.

How to get to San Felipe de Puerto Plata

San Felipe is easily accessible from the rest of the country. If you’re staying in Playa Bávaro, a prime destination for spending a few dreamy days in Punta Cana, you can travel here by bus.

There is no direct bus line, but rather you have to go to Santo Domingo and switch buses several times to get to San Felipe. The journey takes approximately 8 hours, meaning it is not necessarily the best option. If you decide to go by bus, we recommend leaving early in the morning to arrive at your destination as soon as possible.

If, on the other hand, you decide to hire a car service with a driver or drive here on your own, the travel time is cut down to just 5 hours. The journey is 429 kilometres and will take you through la Romana, Santo Domingo, La Vega and Santiago de los Caballeros, to finally reach San Felipe de Puerto Plata.

What to do in San Felipe de Puerto Plata

First of all, you should know that San Felipe de Puerto Plata is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the country. So, having said that, we are going to give you all the reasons why you should visit it.

Located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, this city is the hub of the province thanks to the fact that it has one of the largest ports in the country and the Gregorio Luperón International Airport.

Tourism is one of its main sources of wealth. One of the best known places in San Felipe de Puerto Plata is Long Beach, without a doubt the most visited, followed by other well-known beaches such as Playa Dorada and Playa Cofresí.

But don’t be mistaken, there is much more to do here than just sun and beach. We recommend going for a walk along its wide avenues, especially Beller Avenue and General Luperón Avenue, which are the biggest. Here you can absorb the Dominican lifestyle in the city with its bars, restaurants and small shops. Take the opportunity to try some of the typical dishes and buy souvenirs to take home with you so you’ll remember your trip to San Felipe de Puerto Plata forever.

As you make your way along and reach the historic centre, you’ll be amazed by the incredible buildings that you’ll find here. There are imposing Victorian-style houses that the English built in the mid-19th century and that will help to immerse you even more in the past and history of the city and the Dominican Republic. 

In the old quarter, the large avenues become narrow streets full of charm with a maritime atmosphere. Just imagine how much history these streets have been witness to. This walk will be a part of your holidays that you’ll never forget.

What to see in San Felipe de Puerto Plata

In addition to walking around and enjoying its atmosphere and history, there are several main attractions that you can’t miss during your visit to this beautiful city. 

Parque Central

Also known as Parque de la Independencia, this park is located in the heart of the city, meaning you will very likely come across it on your walks along the most picturesque streets. This park is a favourite among Dominicans who come here to enjoy a pleasant afternoon while going for a walk through this lovely city.

Puerto Plata Cathedral

This is the main Christian temple in the area. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Philip the Apostle and is located next to Parque Central. The origins of this building date back to 1502, although the building we can see today dates back to 1863, and was built on the remains of the previous temple that burned down.

Fort of San Felipe

This is one of the greatest examples of the history and past of this city. This fortress was built in the 16th century in order to defend the city from pirates. Currently you can visit it and walk along its walls and moat. In addition, a museum has been installed inside.

Cable car

This cable car is a symbol of tourism in the city, so don’t miss the chance to ride it, especially if you are travelling with children. The views are incredible and it allows you to access the famous Isabel de Torres hill, with an elevation of 800 metres, located to the south of the city. The best viewpoint in San Felipe de Puerto Plata!

What do you think of all these reasons to visit this beautiful city in the Dominican Republic? On your next holidays, don’t forget to put aside some time to travel to San Felipe de Puerto Plata so you can discover one of the most special places in the country. And not only can you visit the capital, but in this post you can read about what to see in the entire province of Puerto Plata.