The best walks and hikes in the Cordillera Septentrional

Built in 1879 by the New York firm R. Deeley & Co., the Puerto Plata Lighthouse once served as a beacon for ships crossing the Atlantic. With funding from American Express, WMF assisted the Puerto Plata Heritage Office in preserving the lighthouse. Metaldom, a local metal fabrication company, used plans from the 1870s to guide the restoration process. Although many of the original parts had deteriorated, collapsed or been removed from the structure, workers were able to reuse much of the remaining material, including the original Doric columns that supported the iron structure. Restoration of missing elements such as the spiral staircase and rebuilding an electrical signaling system were necessary. Additional architectural lighting was added to improve views of the monument. Long-term plans call for incorporating the beacon into tours of the San Felipe Fortress Museum. Funds generated through tourism would ensure continued preservation of the monument. The structure stands out among other iron lighthouses for its monumental size: with a height of 24.38 meters and a base of 6.20 meters, the lighthouse rises 41.75 meters above sea level. It also differs from most lighthouses built in the area for its original, innovative use of kerosene for lighting. Until the 1960s, it guided ships through their navigation in the Atlantic. It is the only structure of its kind in the Dominican Republic and one of the few cast iron lighthouses still standing in the Americas. The Puerto Plata Heritage Office has designated it as a symbol of the values of the city of Puerto Plata, illuminating the paths of progress.

The Cathedral of Saint Philip the Apostle in Puerto Plata (Spanish: Catedral de San Felipe Apóstol), also known as the Cathedral of Puerto Plata and as the Cathedral of Saint Philip the Apostle, is a cathedral of the Catholic Church located at Calle José del Carmen Ariza 36 of the city of Puerto Plata, part of the province of the same name in the north of the island of Hispaniola and the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic. The previous wooden church was destroyed by fire in 1863 during the "Dominican Restoration War" (Guerra de Restauración). Construction of the current church began in 1870 under Pedro Tomás de Mena. Reconstruction of the church began in 1929 and was completed in 1956. Reconstruction took longer than expected due to an earthquake in 1946. In 2003, another earthquake damaged the structure, which was fully repaired by 2008. Built in a modern Victorian style, the cathedral is the mother (or main church) of the Diocese of Puerto Plata (Dioecesis Portus Argentarii), which was founded in 1996 by the then Pope John Paul II through the papal bull "Venerabilis Frater" from an area that formerly belonged to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santiago de los Caballeros. It is under the pastoral responsibility of Bishop Julio César Corniel Amaro. Source: Wikipdedia

Gold lured the Spaniards to the Caribbean. Even if they rarely found it, at least ports were built where they collected their wealth. This was the case in Puerto Plata, the silver port. But since the precious metal also attracted other people, the threat to Puerto Plata from pirates and corsairs grew with the wealth. When the inhabitants of Puerto Plata finally asked the Spanish court to build a fortress, the Habsburg King Charles V issued the order to build the Fortaleza San Felipe on January 28, 1541. The distance from the "New World" and the empty Spanish treasury alone were enough to delay the execution of his order by 23 years. It was only then, in 1564, that the architect Francisco de Ceballos began construction. However, Ceballos did not live to see its completion. Unfortunately for him, the inscription on a memorial plaque on the outer wall of the fortress names Captain Don Pedro Rengifo as the person who completed the construction in 1577. Military Museum at Fortaleza San Felipe After the fort was used as a prison for a time - for example, the national hero Juan Pablo Duarte was imprisoned here in 1844 - the Dominicans began restoring it in the early 1960s. Today the military museum is housed here and the fortress is considered one of the best-preserved examples of colonial military architecture. However, caution is advised when visiting. At least when we visited, one of the rungs of a tower ladder was broken. Source: Freudenthal

Gregorio Luperón (* September 8, 1839 in Puerto Plata; † May 21, 1897) was a Dominican military man and state leader. He was the 20th president of the state. Luperón pursued a military career and was a general in the Restoration War from 1863 to 1865. Ulises Francisco Espaillat suggested that he run for president in 1876, but Luperón initially declined. From October 6, 1879 to September 1, 1880, he was interim president. Under his successor Fernando Arturo de Meriño, he eventually became a diplomat in France. Puerto Plata Airport (Aeropuerto Gregorio Luperón) and the Gregorio Luperón High School for Math & Science in New York are named after him. Source: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorio_Luper%C3%B3n

Was a Dominican military and state leader and the 20th President of the Republic.

In the middle of the old town on the main square

Several types of chocolate and cocoa are available here. A video showing the production and history is shown at reception. Tours and tastings of the factory are possible. Unfortunately, it is a bit overpriced. Entry is free.

Nice guided tour of the fortress in many languages through headphones. View of the harbor and the mountain Isabel de Torres. Was built in the 16th century to defend against pirates.