If you’re cruising to Taino Bay, you’ll probably want to decide if you just stay in port and enjoy the amenities there or get out of port and explore the city of Puerto Plata. Fortunately, Taino Bay is close to some of Puerto Plata’s top attractions, like Umbrella Alley and Paseo de Doña Blanca, all within walking distance.
Is Taino Bay Free?
Taino Bay cruise port is one of my favorites because it is beautiful, new, clean, and chock full of free activities for cruisers. Check out the Taino Bay port map to understand its expansive size. As Port Taino Bay only accommodates two cruise ships, it also does not generally get overly crowded.
It’s a large port with a wide variety of shops, a beachfront spa, aviaries, several beach bars (the legal drinking age in the Dominican Republic is 18), and a fantastic pool and lazy river that winds through the western part of the port.
The pool and lazy river are free, and the pool has many chairs and in-water loungers, so cruisers should not have an issue finding one, even during peak times. There’s a sand bar area with hammocks and loungers, although, like Amber Cove, there is no direct access to the ocean. There is also a “Monkey Island” experience at port for $25 per person.
Beaches Near Taino Bay
Many wonder whether Taino Bay has a beach, but unfortunately, it does not. There are beachfront views, but there is no direct beach or ocean access—meaning you cannot enter the water. Near the pool area, Taino Bay features a sand bar with hammocks and loungers to allow cruisers to enjoy a beach-like experience with feet in the sand, but it’s not a traditional beach day where you can enter the water.
If you are interested in a beach day, cruisers docking at Taino Bay have the benefit of docking at a pier that is within walking distance of a public beach, that being Cosita Rica Beach. Personally, however, I don't love this beach. The sand is pretty grainy, there's some litter on the beach, and the water is prone to being filled with seaweed. On another visit, I explored further from the cruise port and spent the day at Playa del Pueblita, and while I like this beach better, it still just doesn't compare to the beautiful beaches of many other Caribbean ports of call.
Look, I love a good beach day, but in my experience, Puerto Plata is not the best cruise port for that. However, if you want to still embark on a beach day experience, there are numerous beaches in Puerto Plata with free public access.
Can I Visit Amber Cove if I Dock at Taino Bay?
Cruisers sometimes wish they were docking at Amber Cove instead of Taino Bay, or vice versa, due to a preference for the amenities available at the alternative port. Unfortunately, you cannot access the other if you port at one. As with all cruise ports, if you exit the port area, you must show your ship card ID to gain entrance back into the port, and they will verify that your ship is actually docked at that particular port before allowing you in.
The two ports are far enough apart that they are not within walking distance anyway, so visiting the alternate port would require a taxi. As noted above, Puerto Plata taxis are expensive, so I wouldn’t recommend it anyway.
Things to Do in Taino Bay
While there's a lot to do in the port are at Taino Bay, if you decide to leave the port and explore Puerto Plata, here are my top recommendations.
Historic Puerto Plata
Cruisers wishing to venture outside the port often visit the historic district, which is a great free option. This area of Puerto Plata features the Paseo Dona Blanca, an Instagram-worthy Victorian pink alleyway, and the famous Umbrella Street. Fortunately, Umbrella Street, Paseo Dona Blanca, and the historic district are all just a short distance from Taino Bay.
Be forewarned that these popular historic district attractions are chronically crowded but are great for a quick visit and photo opp, especially 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, or 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 11-year-old kiddo.
Ambar Museum
Another attraction close to the others in Puerto Plata’s city center is the 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 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 sight of the coast, including views of the ships docked at Taino Bay. Exploring the exterior grounds on food is free, but entering the fortress requires an admission fee, although it is nominal. At just $2 per person, it’s a bargain. Like the historic district and its sites, this landmark is also within walking distance from Taino Bay at just under a mile.
Damajagua Falls
Probably the most popular Puerto Plata excursion is Damajagua Falls, and there’s a lot to love about this attraction, but it’s important for cruisers to research this one before booking.
While Damajagua Falls 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. It also can be a bit of a risk of experiencing a physical injury. This one is geared toward more active cruisers, requiring a one-hour steep hike in the hot and humid rainforest.
Related: Read my complete review of Damajagua Falls
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 I loved it. However, it’s a bit far from the cruise ports, approximately 9.8 miles and 30 to 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic and road conditions.
If cavorting with monkeys is your thing, consider saving the money on transportation or an excursion and paying the $25 per person to just enjoy Monkey Island, which is conveniently located on-site at Taino Bay (although it is not as large of a facility as Monkeyland).
Taxis in Puerto Plata
Taxis are readily available at a well-organized Taxi Stand in Taino Bay, but the pricing is obscene. For example, for a 2024 visit, the taxi fare round trip for 1-5 people from Taino Bay to Damajagua Falls was $120, which is outrageous (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 less cost (or the same price) than taxis, and have the flexibility to explore and see all the sites you want to visit and skip those you do not wish to see.
Private Drivers in Taino Bay
While there is plenty to do and see at and outside the port at no cost, Puerto Plata has many great attractions that cost and/or are a good distance from both cruise ports. While I ordinarily prefer to explore on my own and take transportation to attractions, Puerto Plata is the exception, given the high cost of taxis.
I hire a private driver when visit Amber Cove or Taino Bay because, shockingly, it's about the same price as one taxi ride if you're heading to destinations outside of the town area, like Damajagua Falls.
If you wish to see multiple Puerto Plata locations, hiring a driver can be a far more economical choice and benefit you by doing what you want, when you want, and how you want. When booking a private driver, always be certain to verify their license 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.
Related: Book my top recommended Puerto Plata private driver.
Language and Currency
The official Dominican Republic language is Spanish, but visitors will find that most employees at the touristic areas at and near the ports are also fluent in English. I’ve visited numerous times and never had an issue communicating with vendors and tour providers in English. The official currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP), although US dollars and credit and debit cards are accepted in most tourist centers, so there’s generally no need to convert currency.
Taino Bay Cruise Port Ship Schedules
The Puerto Plata cruise port schedule for Amber Cove and Taino Bay can be found here.
Exploring Taino Bay
