Day 4 6/9/2023
Puerto Plata
Frank's Trip
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2 Days in Puerto Plata...
This town seems as different as night and day from Santo Domingo. Much more "boutiqueish" or "artsy fartsy" (both, really). But that isn't meant in a negative way. The most striking difference is how trashy the town is. Not horrible like Egypt - just trashier with litter than most American places and a huge contrast from Santo Domingo.
Bus Trip to Puerta Plata
I took the Caribe Tours bus from Santo Domingo to Puerta Plata. Unfortunately, not too far out of Santo Domingo the bus had a problem... It wasn't too awfully long before another bus with the same destination stopped and picked up the passengers and the trip resumed. Happily these busses run about every hour. They're pretty good, inexpensive, and the seats are pretty much like on an airplane - except more leg room.
The Puntilla of Puerto Plata
Declared a National Park in 1971
La Puntilla Park is the overall name for a group of 3 parks that flow into one another: Infantil Malecón Park - Parque San Felipe - La Puntilla Park
In this park is:
Fortaleza San Felipe - La Puntilla Lighthouse - Hospital Ruins - Amphitheater - Walkway along the Atlantic Ocean with Shady spots to sit or recline - Gardens - Children's playground - And, along the edges, some government buildings.
Puerto Plata Amphitheater
Inaugurated in 2017, where great events and concerts by national and international artists are presented.
On the Tentative list of the Dominican Republic to qualify for the World Heritage List
Fortaleza San Felipe / El Morro de San Felipe
The Fortaleza San Felipe is a historic Spanish fortress located in the north of Dominican Republic in the province of Puerto Plata. It is also known as El Morro de San Felipe and was used to protect the City of Puerto Plata from pirates and corsairs as well as Dutch, British, and French invaders, who were in search of gold and silver. It is located on a hill at the Puntilla del Malecón, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean; its strategic location protected the entrance to the city's seaport. The construction of the fort was commissioned by King Felipe II of Spain in 1564, and it was completed in 1577. It is considered one of the most important colonial military structures in the Caribbean. It also served as a prison and now houses a small museum.
Videos: Fortaleza San Felipe
2 short videos of the fort
Click [ ] icon for full screen
La Puntilla Lighthouse
Built in 1879 to guide the ships that docked in the port of the city
Mount Isabel de Torres
From the Puntilla looking at Mount Isabel and the Teleferico station at the top and the "Christ the Redeemer" statue. I was amazed at how well the Zoom on my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra worked! The statue and station are 2.9 miles away atop the peak at 2,600 feet above sea level.
Tomorrow the pictures from the Teleferico (cable car) ride and atop the mountain.
My Boutique Hotel
It was great and so up-to-date. Even the menu for the rooftop restaurant is not printed - but accessible on phone by using QR Code which is at every table and in every room. Unfortunately, in Spanish only - they do need an English translation!
