Amber Cove Cruise Ships and Puerto Plata Umbrella Streets
The warm Caribbean air and bright sunlight hit me the moment I stepped off the ship. Palm trees swayed near the water and the giant turquoise AMBER COVE sign stood beside the pier as I arrived by cruise at Amber Cove near Puerto Plata.
Puerto Plata (Puerto Plata – Pronounced [PWEHR-toh PLAH-tah]) sits on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic and has long been an important port city for the region. The harbor area today welcomes cruise ships at Amber Cove while the nearby city still carries traces of its Spanish colonial past.
Most of my visits here have been simple and relaxed. I usually wander through the shops around Amber Cove where colorful stalls sell beachwear souvenirs and rum. The port area is easy to explore with wide walkways palm trees and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the ocean breeze.
During a visit in 2023 I joined a walking tour into Puerto Plata. The streets were filled with color from colonial buildings painted in pastels and the famous umbrella canopy that stretches above one of the pedestrian streets. I also came across the humorous sign for the so called Dominican Walmart which is really just a small local shop.
Even from the ship the landscape here stands out with green hills rising behind the coastline. Puerto Plata grew as a trading port in the 16th century and today tourism plays a large role in the local economy. While my visits have been fairly casual so far the island clearly has far more to explore beyond the cruise port.
- Mount Isabel de Torres – Ride the cable car to the top for incredible panoramic views and a giant Christ the Redeemer statue.
- 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua – Hike and slide through a series of natural waterfalls just outside of town.
- Fortaleza San Felipe – Step back into history at this 16th-century Spanish fortress overlooking the sea.
- Brugal Rum Distillery – Tour one of the country’s top rum producers and sample a few varieties at the source.
- Playa Dorada – Relax on a golden-sand beach with calm waters, perfect for a swim or just soaking up the sun.