Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic: Amber Cove, Taino Bay & Cruise Tips
Jun 03, 2026
Published October 2024 | Updated June 2026
About the Puerto Plata Cruise Port
- Two cruise ports: Amber Cove (Carnival/HAL/Princess) and Taino Bay (most other lines). Know which one your ship uses.
- Both ports have free pools. Amber Cove has a pool; Taino Bay has a pool AND a lazy river.
- Historic district is walkable from Taino Bay (not from Amber Cove). Umbrella Street, Paseo Dona Blanca, and the fortress are all under a mile.
- Taxis are expensive. A private driver for the day often costs the same as one taxi trip and gives you far more flexibility.
In This Guide
The Puerto Plata cruise port is in the Dominican Republic and is home to two cruise terminals: Amber Cove and Taino Bay (pronounced Tah-ee-no Bay). If you’re curious about which of the two your ship will visit, you can often find this information on your detailed itinerary provided by the cruise line.
Both ports have free WiFi spots and free activities for cruisers. These ports are both so big that I have dedicated guides to each, so be sure to check out the one that applies to where you will be docking.
Related: Watch all my Puerto Plata video content
Amber Cove vs. Taino Bay
Amber Cove is primarily served by Carnival Cruise Line and its brands (Carnival, Holland, Princess, etc.), and the port is named in honor of the amber found on its shores. Taino Bay is the newer of the two ports, and most non-CCL cruise lines berth here. What’s great about both Amber Cove and Taino Bay cruise ports is that they’re free… well, mostly.
The pool and its loungers are both completely free, and cruisers do not have to pay any sort of admission fee to enter and use them. However, additional amenities are available for rent and attractions for purchase. Taino Bay also has a lazy river, which is free for cruisers who dock there.
Free Things to Do in Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is a great cruise location because both ports, Amber Cove and Taino Bay, are chock full of free amenities. Cruisers wishing to explore outside of the port areas can enjoy many other free or low-cost activities and sites as well.
Neither of the Puerto Plata ports provides direct ocean access, although both offer a free “beachfront” experience, so if you’re seeking to soak in the sun and have your body in the sand, you can do so at no cost right there at port. You’ll need to venture out if you wish to get in the water, swim, or snorkel.
Several beaches with free public access are accessible via taxi, but Puerto Plata taxis are pricey. I have visited two of Puerto Plata’s public beaches: Cosita Rica, which is walkable from Taino Bay (about 15 minutes), and Playa del Pueblito, which is not walkable from either port. These beaches aren’t the best compared to other Caribbean port destinations, but they are still worth a visit if you love a beach day experience.
Historic Puerto Plata
Cruisers wishing to venture outside the port often visit the historic district, another free option. This area of Puerto Plata features the Paseo Dona Blanca, an Instagram-worthy Victorian pink alleyway, and the famous Umbrella Street. Both areas are chronically crowded, but great for a quick visit and photo opp, primarily as they’re located so close to one another.
They’re also just a stone’s throw away from the center of the historic town district, known as Central Park (Parque Central), where there are beautiful buildings, most notable of which is the eye-catching St. Philip the Apostle Cathedral. Locals often populate the square with buckets of bird seed and accept tips from travelers who wish to feed the flocks of pigeons that populate the area. Of all the things we did on a recent visit to Puerto Plata, feeding the pigeons and having them eat from her hand was the highlight for my kiddo.
Ambar Museum
It might be a smidge generous to call this a “museum,” as it’s more like a glorified gift shop that entices would-be shoppers into the stores under the guise of a free activity, but on a recent visit to the historic Central Park, I decided to stop by since it was so close.
This specific location is the “Ambar Mine Museum,” not to be confused with the Amber Museum, which is a different attraction that charges a nominal entry fee. It was worth the stop, especially as it’s free. There’s a small “museum” section where a guide will describe Puerto Plata’s history of amber mining. After exploring this area, guests exit into a gift shop offering amber jewelry and other trinkets.
Fortaleza de San Felipe Fortress
History buffs will enjoy a stop at Fortaleza de San Felipe Fortress because of its history and the incredible coast views, including views of the ships docked at Taino Bay. Exploring the exterior grounds on foot is free, but entering the fortress requires an admission fee of just $2 per person. Like the historic district, this landmark is walkable from Taino Bay at under a mile but is not accessible by foot from Amber Cove.
Top Excursions in Puerto Plata
Damajagua Falls
One of the most popular Puerto Plata excursions is Damajagua Falls. While it offers an exhilarating adventure with stunning natural beauty and thrilling water activities, it requires good physical fitness, and the hike can be challenging for some visitors. This one is geared toward more active cruisers, requiring a one-hour steep hike in the hot and humid rainforest.
Related: Damajagua Falls Excursion Review
MonkeyLand
A popular Puerto Plata excursion is MonkeyLand, where visitors can interact with friendly, free-roaming squirrel monkeys in a lush, tropical environment. I took this excursion on my first-ever visit to Puerto Plata and loved it, but note that it’s located a bit far from the cruise ports, approximately 9.8 miles and 30 to 45 minutes by car.
If cavorting with monkeys is your thing and you’re docking at Taino Bay, consider saving the money on transportation and paying the $25 per person to enjoy Monkey Island, which is conveniently located on-site at Taino Bay (although it is not as large a facility as MonkeyLand). If you’re visiting Amber Cove and want a monkey experience, you’ll have to visit MonkeyLand.
Taxis & Private Drivers
Taxis are readily available at both Amber Cove and Taino Bay taxi stands, but the pricing is obscene. On a 2024 visit to Puerto Plata, the taxi fare round trip for 1–5 people to Damajagua Falls was $120 from the cruise port, although prices are somewhat negotiable.
If you’re visiting Puerto Plata and not staying at port or participating in an excursion where transportation is included, I highly recommend hiring a private driver. You’ll get personalized, private service, often for the same price as a single taxi fare.
When visiting Puerto Plata, I hire a private driver. If you wish to see multiple locations, hiring a driver is a far more economical choice and gives you the benefit of doing what you want, when you want, and how you want. On a recent visit, booking a private driver for the day to visit Damajagua Falls was cheaper than taking a taxi. Submit this private driver form to check prices and dates.
When booking a private driver, always be sure to verify their licensure and credentials (don’t be afraid to ask to see them and even photograph them!) and vet them in advance by reading reviews or getting recommendations from fellow cruisers. Most private drivers here do not book online through sites like Viator or even have websites, but rather operate by word-of-mouth and through Facebook.
Language, Currency & Time Zone
The official language of the Dominican Republic is Spanish, but in and around the ports, most employees in tourist areas are also fluent in English. The local currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP), but US dollars and credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most tourist hubs. Having visited Puerto Plata many times, I’ve never encountered any issues communicating in English or paying with USD.
I always advise cruisers to avoid using debit cards when shopping in cruise port destinations. Credit cards, particularly travel-focused ones like this, offer stronger fraud protection and often come with added perks such as travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and rewards points.
Dominican Republic follows Atlantic Standard Time (AST) and does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Sailings from Florida ports operate on Eastern time, which may or may not match AST depending on the time of year. The Puerto Plata cruise port schedule for both Amber Cove and Taino Bay is available online.
Let’s Explore Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata Cruise Port FAQ
What are the two cruise ports in Puerto Plata?
Amber Cove and Taino Bay. Carnival brands (Carnival, Holland America, Princess) dock at Amber Cove; most other cruise lines use Taino Bay.
Is there a beach in Puerto Plata?
The ports have pool areas but no direct ocean access. Cosita Rica Beach is walkable from Taino Bay. Neither public beach is a standout Caribbean beach, but they’re fine for a beach day.
What is walkable from the Puerto Plata cruise ports?
From Taino Bay: historic district, Umbrella Street, Paseo Dona Blanca, and Fortaleza de San Felipe Fortress are all under a mile. From Amber Cove: mostly nothing walkable beyond the port area.
Are taxis expensive in Puerto Plata?
Yes. A round trip from the cruise port to Damajagua Falls was $120 for 1–5 people in 2024. A private driver for the day is often a better value, especially if you plan to visit multiple locations.
What is Damajagua Falls?
A popular excursion featuring natural waterfalls in the jungle. Requires a one-hour steep hike and good physical fitness. Not recommended for those with mobility limitations.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
BABY, LET'S CRUISE...
Let us help you plan the cruise (or trip) of a lifetime!
Subscribe to my Cruiseletter
Get juicy cruise info, insider tips, and FREE port guides, delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get my FREE Cruise Packing List & Planner, and I promise to never spam you.
By submitting this form, you're agreeing to receive emails from Professor Melissa. Don't worry, your info is safe with me. We'll never share or sell it. You can also unsubscribe at any time.
