| Page Views: 791 Last Visit to San Felipe de Puerto Plata: January, 2008 | Puerto Plata by ValbyDK - last update: Mar 6, 2008 |
|  | PUERTO PLATA - FACTS Puerto Plata was founded in 1496 by Bartholomew Columbus and the city soon became a major trade centre for the Spanish colonies. In 1508, the port was granted an official coat of arms by the king of Spain.
However, with the discovery of new and richer lands, commerce slowly died. By 1520, the city was financially ruined and the citizens of Puerto Plata turned to the more profitable business of smuggling. Soon, Dutch and French ships were bringing in shiploads of European-made goods and trading them for livestock and foodstuffs. When word of the illegal trading reached the Spanish Crown, the city was ordered destroyed and its citizens relocated to the southern regions of the islands.
The city of Puerto Plata was officially abandoned until the second half of the 18th century, when the port was once again opened to merchant vessels. It enjoyed another brief period of prosperity in the second half of the 19th century. The city’s latest boom began some 20 years ago, when its natural beauty and dun-drenched beaches were seen as ideal for resort development. Today, Puerto Plata is one of the leading tourist destinations in the Caribbean.
|
| | MY VISIT I think Puerto Plata is where I have spent most days in the Dominican Republic, and I have visited the city both in 2004, 2006 and 2008.
When I say Puerto Plata, I mean the old Puerto Plata – I have never stayed at the new resort area (Playa Dorada) just outside Puerto Plata. Instead, I like to hang around in the old city and at the malecón where you can find a lot of small local restaurants and bars.
|
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| In A Nutshell: | "More than the all-inclusive resorts in Playa Dorada..." |
ValbyDK's San Felipe de Puerto Plata Travel Tips
 ValbyDK's San Felipe de Puerto Plata Travelogues | | | |
|
 Comments for ValbyDK about San Felipe de Puerto Plata | | | | |
SLLiew Sun Dec 14, 2008 23:41 UTC
Fascinating place with a lot of colonial history. Enjoyed reading your great tips. SL :) | marielexoteria Fri Feb 29, 2008 00:08 UTC
Yes, they do have some stairs but nothing like going up 2 floors hehe. It's like 3 blocks right of the intersection of José del Carmen Ariza and El Malecón. | shopper88 Wed Jun 13, 2007 22:58 UTC
Did this last year. Majorly fun. |
|
|
email me
add as friend
