New $6 Million Amphitheater in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic

If you enjoy outdoor concerts you will certainly appreciate Puerto Plata’s new $6 million amphitheater. This 5,300-seat amphitheater can be found adjacent to the historic Fort San Filipe in the North Coast of the Dominican Republic.

June 10 2017 – Update: In July 14 2016, Dominican Republic’s President, Danilo Medina along with the Minister of Tourism, Francisco Javier Garcia, led the opening ceremonies during the park’s inaugural event.

The Ministry of Tourism indicated that the grand opening of the Tourism and Landscape Park of La Puntilla and Puerto Plata Amphitheater will enrich and strengthen the already growing tourism offerings in the area.

The Puerto Plata Amphitheater has been in full swing with many outdoor concerts, just this weekend, Peter Cetera was performing for the first time in the country.

It has been described as “the most current and advanced throughout Central and Latin America”.

The dark teak colour of the  amphitheater blends into the hillside very naturally with the Atlantic ocean providing a stunning panoramic backdrop.  There will be enough room for an extra 2,000 people to sit on the surrounding green space. I have to tell you while we were taking these pictures it really is a stunning view!

Love Driving Along the Malecon

Last week my husband, Rich, and I decided to spend some time in the “La Puntilla del Malecon”. “La Puntilla” is the area before you reach Fort San Filipe and over the past two years has gone through extensive renovations.

The most scenic route to Fort San Filipe is along the Malecon or the “Oceanside Boulevard”.  It is a 3 kilometre windy stretch of road with a wide boardwalk  perfect for walking or riding your bike.

There are plenty of outdoor  restaurants and cafes with large pockets of white sandy beaches to enjoy the views of the Atlantic ocean. We love to drive along the Malecon to see all the beautiful colours of the ocean and occasionally stop by one of the cute beach bars for lunch.

Grounds of La Puntilla Very Attractive

There are walkways along the perimeter of the grounds as well as plenty of benches to sit and enjoy all the beautiful scenery.

Puerto Plata Lighthouse

The Puerto Plata Lighthouse located behind the amphitheater is also under reconstruction. It was originally built in 1879 by R. Deeley & CO. a firm from New York. The lighthouse was first lit in September 1879 and had once served as a beacon for ships travelling along the Atlantic until 1960. 

The lighthouse is recognized for several important reasons. It is considered “one of the few cast iron lighthouses still standing in the Americas. The Cultural Heritage Office of Puerto Plata has called it a symbol of the values of the city of Puerto Plata, illuminating the pathways of progress”. 

“It is also different from a majority of lighthouses constructed in the area because of its original, innovative use of kerosene for illumination.” 

The lighthouse today is being restored as part of the overall reconstruction to Puerto Plata. WMF (World Monuments Fund) has helped with the funding for the Cultural Heritage Office of Puerto Plata to preserve the lighthouse. 

Equestrian Statue of General Gregorio Luperon

Found in Fort San Felipe’s centre is  the  equestrian statue of the legendary General Gregorio Luperon.  General Luperon was President of the Dominican Republic for a period of one year, from October 1879 to September 1880. It has been said that the role of acting President was not something he desired, however General Luperon was well received and certainly very influential to the country.

In recognition of this popular president the international airport in Puerto Plata was named after him. Known today as the Gregorio Luperon International Airport. In March 2017 the Puerto Plata Airport was awarded the first place in the Best Airport by Region (under 2 million passengers per year) category for Latin American-Caribbean by the Airports Council International’s (ACI) esteemed 2016 Airport Service Quality Award.

Fort San Filipe

Fort San Filipe was built by the Spaniards in the 16th century to protect the Puerto Plata citizens  from pirate invasions. The location was chosen on a hill at the Puntilla Del Malecon has it has the best view of the Atlantic Ocean.  Today it is one of the oldest buildings remaining in Puerto Plata. You can take a tour of the fort and see some of the old artifacts.  Click here for more information on the history of Fort San Filipe.

Reconstruction of La Puntilla Del Malecon

The reconstruction and reshaping of the entire Puntilla del Malecon including the new amphitheater, park and grounds of Fort San Felipi  are all part of a multi-million dollar rejuvenation to Puerto Plata.

The amphitheater and the Puntilla area has been under construction for just about two years. It was originally to be ready last year to coincide with the arrival of the first Carnival Cruise ship at their new Amber Cove Cruise Port in Puerto Plata. Unfortunately there have been delays and the October deadline  was missed. Hopefully the amphitheater will be ready to open soon judging by our most recent visit. UPDATE: President Danilo Medina on Thursday, July 14, 2016 cut the ribbon on the La Puntilla Tourism,  Panoramic Park and Amphitheatre, aimed at strengthening the province’s tourist attractions.

Carnival Cruise New Amber Cove Port

Update March 2019 – The Dominican Republic announced in 2018 the new development of a second cruise port called “Taino Bay” in Puerto Plata’s booming North Coast. “Puerto Plata is already a proven destination. A little along the coast, Carnival Corp. & plc operates the thriving Amber Cove Cruise Center, which has helped drive the country’s cruise numbers to new highs. At the new Taino Bay, cruise passengers will arrive at an exciting development with elements related to the pre-Columbian Taino culture, plus an eco park, water slides, wildlife encounters, dining, shopping and other entertainment.”- Sea Trade Cruise News

Last October 2015, Carnival Cruise’s new $85 million dollar Amber Cove Port was set for action. Amber Cove can accommodate up to 8,000 cruise passengers and 2,000 crew members daily. “This year 2016 it is expected to host more than 400,000 visitors according to the Dominican Republic’s Puerto Plata Tourism Cluster (CTDPP) said this week” – Travel Pulse 

The success of this project plus other initiatives has positively influenced the tourism industry. 

“Dominican Republic announced a growth of 5.8 percent in overall tourism to Dominican Republic, a number alone growing faster than the Caribbean’s overall rate of 3.7 percent.” – PR NewsWire May 3rd

Rich and I have lived in Cabarete-Sosua for over four years. It  is  exciting to see not only the reconstruction in Puerto Plata’s historic area but the North Coast as a whole.

Yearly tourism growth and  project improvements  will have an impact on Dominican Republic’s real estate prices. Today the DR has the most affordable real estate in the caribbean. It is also one of the reasons why so many Canadian and US citizens have decided to retire under the Dominican Republic sun.

If you have any questions or like more information about the Dominican Republic real estate please contact Rich at [email protected]

References:

World Monuments Fund – www.wmf.org/project/puerto-plata-lighthouse

Travel Pulse – www.travelpulse.com/news/destinations/arrivals-surge-puts-puerto-plata-on-dominican-republic-travel-map.html