4.7 / 5
Amber Cove offers up a sizzling blend of history, flavors, and adventure, and is the perfect location for those looking to customize their shore experience. This place has it all — stunning waterfalls, lush rainforests, sun-kissed beaches, great food, and a resort full of non-stop fun. With a variety of activities to do and see, cruisers will be able to find their perfect excursion.
About Amber Cove, Dominican Republic
You might be wondering: Where is Amber Cove?
Amber Cove, the newest cruise port in the Caribbean, is tucked inside the Bay of Maimón and is just 7 miles northwest of Puerto Plata Cruise Port. Named after the beautiful amber tree resin abundant in the area, Amber Cove is a popular stop for cruisers due to its natural beauty and attractions such as the beaches and the Amber Cove waterfalls.
Opened in 2015, this exclusive 30-acre port retreat playground was built into the Dominican Republic coastline and is only accessible on any cruise itinerary that has it listed as a port of call.
This beautiful port will greet you with a long pier that will lead you to the Welcome Center Marketplace with its cobblestone plaza, duty-free shops, and artisan craft stalls. The Dominican Republic is known for its coffee, rums, and chocolate, and you will find them right here along with cigars, clothing, handmade jewelry, and even the country’s famous “faceless dolls.” Well known shops are here too, including Del Sol and Diamond International.
Then there is the Aqua Zone, with three free pools connected by pedestrian bridges and a meandering Lazy River. The largest of these pools has tall, winding water slides and a swim up bar (drinks on your own). You’ll find a Wet Zone and Splash pad for the kiddos, plus complimentary lounge chairs and hammocks on site. Water toys (e.g. kayaking), private cabanas, bars and restaurants are also on site, serving up delicious local and international cuisine (additional cost).
About Puerto Plata
Puerto Plata is a major coastal city and major trading port on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. The city dates back to the 16th century with the arrival of Spanish conquistadors who opted to develop a small settlement here to take advantage of the growing maritime trade.
The city was later destroyed by Phillip II of Spain in an attempt to thwart raids by pirates and privateers. It was repopulated a century later, briefly went under Haitian control, then was completely razed during the 1863 Dominican Restoration War. Puerto Plata regained its prominence by the end of the 19th century and today enjoys a thriving agribusiness and tourism market.
Amber Cove Excursions
You can choose to relax right at the Amber Cove resort with all its amenities, or venture out to Puerto Plata to catch the city highlights, including:
For the History Buffs
Fort San Felipe — this coastal 16th-century Spanish fortress and Puerto Plata’s oldest surviving building protected the then-Spanish city from French and English pirates looking to overtake the town for all the silver and gold being mined in the area. It was later used as a prison, and today the fort is a museum.
Walk along the fort’s old stone walls and check out the bayonets, cannon balls and other military artifacts for a glimpse back in time at Fort San Felipe.
Dominican Amber Museum — housed in a beautiful Victorian building, this museum contains one of the largest Amber exhibits in the Dominican Republic. Amber is a precious stone, the result of millions of years of fossilized tree resin. Look closely at the pieces and you will see flecks of organic matter and even insects that were trapped in the fluid. Puerto Plata has some of the more rare amber colors including blue and green, thanks to volcanic activity in the area.
Learn how amber is formed, extracted, and crafted into stunning jewelry and other items such as chess pieces and decor. It is said that Steven Spielberg visited the museum while filming Jurassic Park, searching for a piece of amber with a mosquito in it. Did he find one? Visit the shop and find out!
Historic Victorian District — head to the historical center of Puerto Plaza to marvel at well-preserved Victorian buildings in all manner of tropical colors. These late 19th and early 20th century structures were built after the 1863 Dominican Restoration War, which explains the prevalence of this beautiful architectural style lining the city streets. And is partly why this charming colonial city is on the short list for inclusion as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Del Oro Chocolate Factory — learn the chocolate making process from bean to bar while you tour this working factory creating chocolate delights out of raw cacao. You’ll watch a short video on the cultivation, processing, and exportation of their product, then see the raw cacao and the processing machines for yourself as you learn how vital the cacao industry is to the country’s history and economy. Afterward, enjoy a free chocolate tasting as you browse the many shelves and pick up a bar – or two, or three – to enjoy back in your cabin or at home (note: they make great gifts too!)
Small size, excellent tour guide full of personality! We enjoyed all of our stops, and felt very well taken care of! Highly recommend this (city) tour!
Jill C.
Sample Traditional Dishes
Typical Dominican fare has many of your traditional Latin American staples including rice, beans, and plantains, but with a Dominican flavor twist; its flavor profile extends out past the indigenous Taino and Spanish to include African and Middle Eastern influences as well. Pork is the favored meat, though fresh fish, chicken, beef, and goat are more widely used in many recipes.
Here are some local dishes to try:
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Sancocho — a thick soup with stewed meats and starchy vegetables such as plantains or yucca
Mangu — broiled plantains that are mashed and topped with red onions (and sometimes served with eggs, fried cheese, or salami)
La Bandera — this national dish consists of roasted meat and stewed beans (beans cooked in a broth with tomatoes, onions, and spices) over a bed of white rice
Pescado con Coco — a Dominican favorite of fresh fish in a spicy coconut sauce served with rice and vegetables
Amber Cove: Things to Do
For some people, the Amber Cove resort is a wonderful way to enjoy a low-key day in the tropics without worrying about a timetable or running around in a big tour group. For others, they’ve had their downtime on the ship, and are ready to go explore and experience. If you are in this latter group, fear not — we got you!
For the Beach-Goers
You won’t find a beach at the Amber Grove resort, however there are nearby beaches to punch your Salt Life card.
Playa Dorada (Golden Beach) is the region’s most popular beach and a short ride from Amber Cove. Located on the northern coast, its golden sandy beaches and turquoise green waters will melt any stresses away as soon as your toes touch the warm sand.
This tropical paradise has all the things — beach loungers, beds, and umbrellas to comfortably soak in the sun. There are plenty of water activities as well as a convenient beach bar for food and drinks (additional cost). Enjoy a day unwinding in the waves or relaxing on the shoreline as you take in the majestic beach surroundings.
This tour had 8 people in a nice van, much better than the large groups the cruise ships’ excursions have. Lounge chairs and umbrellas were plentiful, and the beach was a good one for taking a walk. This is a very good value for the price.
Sheila S.
For the Adventure Seekers
Damajagua Falls — this natural attraction is located in the nearby Northern Corridor Mountains, and offers thrill seekers the chance to go canyoneering through a series of 27 Charcos, or limestone pools. With jumps from as high as 25 feet, this eco-adventure is not for the faint of heart! You will need to be in good condition and be a good swimmer in order to participate.
Travel to a base camp in the rainforest to receive your helmet, life jacket, and safety briefing, then enjoy a 30 minute hike in this beautiful national park to the top of the stunning falls. Once here, you will make your way back down the falls via a series of pool jumps, swimming, natural waterfall slides over rocky formations, and even wading in waist deep water through canyon crevices in order to reach the bottom.
There are official park guides at every point to assist you, and walk-around ladders for those who want to bypass the higher pool jumps. This exciting excursion will really test your comfort zone — but oh, the unforgettable memories you will have!
Our family of four had an Amazing time on this excursion. The hike up to the falls was a little challenging but the jumps and slides made it well worth it all.
Kim and Steve
Hike to Damajagua — this 30-minute, guided rainforest hike to Damajagua Falls takes you over rocky terrain and includes some water fun such as river crossings. You’ll get a good (but not too challenging) workout while you learn about the area’s flora and fauna, and admire all the tropical birds and plants. Stop at one of the waterfall pools to enjoy a quick dip or swim, then make your way back to the start. There are restrooms and a small gift shop with drinks and food at start/return point.
Perfect for those wanting to see the waterfalls and rainforest, but not wanting to jump or slide.
Tracy W.
Countryside Zip Lining — Zip line lovers rejoice! You’ll feel like a bird zipping through the dense canopy as you fly along 8 ACCT-certified zip lines on double galvanized steel cables. Each run will go higher and longer, with the longest line tapping out at 2,460 feet. On this course you will not have to worry about active braking with gloves, unlike other zip line parks; just clip in, zip out, and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding lush landscapes, forests, and vegetation. This is also the perfect place to get a great photo of you and your group.
You will be provided with safety gear, water, and a safety briefing before you hit the course, and you will have the ability to choose the zip line option that best meets your comfort level. And did we mention … Line # 9 finishes with a refreshing plunge into a swimming pool!
We had so much fun on this zip lining excursion! It was totally safe and fun! Well worth the money spent and a great adventure!
Lori K.
What to Bring
The Dominican Republic has a casual vibe — so think light cotton clothes and comfortable walking shoes; save the swimsuits for the pool, though. A lightweight jacket is handy for the mountains or in the colder months. If a nice restaurant is in your plans, zhuzh it up a little when you go (e.g. slacks and a collared shirt or a nice sundress).
Also remember:
- Sunglasses and a sun hat
- Sunscreen and bug spray
- Water shoes, closed-toe shoes, or sports sandals with a back strap for hiking, the falls, and the zip lines (required at each)
- Water bottle
- Bring your camera!
What to Know
- The official language is Spanish, however English is widely used
- Driver-supplied golf carts are available at the resort for those with mobility issues
- Amber Cove is not a cruise line private island, so you will need to have cash or a credit card on hand for purchases
- The official currency is the Dominican Peso, however US dollars and credit cards are accepted by many vendors
- Speaking of currency, if you exchange money while on the island, don’t take a large amount; when you exchange it back, you will only be able to convert 30% of your pesos
When you are ready to visit Amber Cove, reach out to us for more information. Our tours are small, expertly guided, and will make your visit to Amber Cove the cruise experience of a lifetime.
Just ask Heather:
We were nervous at first, taking an excursion not run by the cruise line. However, this was the best tour of our entire cruise and we will definitely use this company again. (Damajagua Falls)
