The best things to do in Amber Cove are a lazy day at the port’s big free pool and lazy river, a ride on the port zip line, and short trips out to the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, the Puerto Plata cable car, the old town’s Fort San Felipe and Amber Museum, or a nearby beach such as Playa Dorada or Sosúa. Puerto Plata town is only about 15 minutes away by taxi, so you can pack plenty into a single port day.
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Amber Cove is a purpose-built cruise port on Maimón Bay on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. Carnival Corporation opened it in 2015, and it covers around 25 acres. Below you will find a numbered list of the top things to do, what is free and what costs extra, how to get around, and the practical details worth knowing before you go ashore.
Amber Cove Cruise Port at a Glance
Amber Cove has two berths and is used mainly by Carnival Corporation brands. Carnival Cruise Line calls most often, and you will also see ships from Princess, Holland America, Costa and other group brands. Ships from Norwegian and a few other lines call now and then. The port is private, so it is not open to walk-in visitors. Everyone inside is either a cruise passenger or there on a booked tour.
Don’t mix Amber Cove up with Taíno Bay, a newer cruise port right in Puerto Plata city about 20 minutes’ drive to the west. Some tour operators collect from both. Always check which port your ship uses before you book an independent excursion.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Maimón Bay, Puerto Plata province, Dominican Republic |
| Distance to Puerto Plata town | About 6 miles, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi |
| Main cruise lines | Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa and other Carnival Corporation brands; occasional calls by other lines |
| Currency | Dominican peso (DOP); US dollars are widely accepted in the port and by taxis |
| Language | Spanish; English is spoken in the port and on most tours |
| Free in port | Main pool and loungers, lazy river, bicycle taxis from the ship, Wi-Fi in some cafes and shops |
| Paid in port | Zip line, umbrellas, cabanas, water sports, food and drinks |
Things to Do in Amber Cove Without Leaving the Port
Lots of passengers never go past the port gates, and that’s a perfectly good choice. The port works like a small resort, and you can do most of these things without booking anything.
1. Spend the Day at the Free Pool and Lazy River
The main draw is the large pool area, often called the Aqua Zone. It has a winding lazy river, a swim-up bar, a waterslide and a splash area for younger children. Using the pool and the loungers is free. Umbrellas, floats, lockers and the VIP areas cost extra. Loungers near the water fill up quickly when two ships are in, so get off early if a poolside spot matters to you. Note that the waterslide has height and weight limits.
2. Ride the Zip Line Over the Port
A zip line runs over the port and the pool area. You can ride it in your swimsuit or normal clothes, with no excursion to book. Reports from recent years put it at around $28 for unlimited rides during your call, but check the current price on the day. Holland America lists a minimum age of 8 and a minimum weight of 80 lbs for the zip line.
3. Rent a Cabana for a Private Base
If you’re in a group or want shade and service, the port has poolside, hillside, oceanfront and overwater cabanas. They cost hundreds of dollars a day. For example, Holland America lists its overwater Ocean Cabana from $499 for up to eight guests, including waiter service, bottled drinks, zip line passes and an hour of water sports. Split between a family or group of friends, the cost per person is more reasonable. Book through your cruise line, because cabanas sell out.
4. Try Kayaks, Paddleboards and Pedal Boats
You can rent kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal boats for a calm paddle on the bay. Past prices have been around $35 an hour, and shorter half-hour slots are sometimes offered. The water inside the cove is usually sheltered, so it suits beginners.
5. Head Up to the Sky Bar for the View
The hillside Sky Bar has some of the best views in the port, looking over the ships, the bay and the green mountains behind Puerto Plata. Other places to eat and drink include Coco Cana’s oceanfront restaurant and lounge, Café Cibao and a cabana bar. Your ship’s drinks package and Wi-Fi plan don’t cover the port, so budget for bar prices.
6. Shop for Amber, Larimar, Cigars and Coffee
The shopping village has duty-free stores and local craft stalls. Look out for Dominican amber, blue larimar stone (found only in the Dominican Republic), hand-rolled cigars, Dominican coffee and cacao, rum and mamajuana, a local spiced drink. Buy amber and larimar from shops that give a certificate or receipt, because fakes are common across the Caribbean.
Best Amber Cove Excursions
If you want more than a pool day, there’s plenty within an hour of the pier. These are the most popular Amber Cove excursions. You can book most of them through your cruise line or with reputable independent operators.
7. Climb and Slide the 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua
This is the port’s signature adventure. You hike up a forested river valley with a guide, then jump, slide and swim back down through a chain of limestone pools and cascades. Cruise line versions often pair it with a short zip line course. Princess describes one such tour as about 5.5 hours, rated strenuous, with a minimum age of 8. It includes a 45-minute uphill hike and about a 30-minute drive each way. Closed-toe water shoes are required, so bring your own or expect to rent a pair. This tour isn’t for anyone with back, knee or heart problems, or for anyone who is pregnant.
8. Take the Puerto Plata Cable Car Up Mount Isabel de Torres
The Teleférico carries visitors to the top of Pico Isabel de Torres, about 2,600 feet above the city. At the top you’ll find botanical gardens, walking paths and a replica of Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue. On a clear day the view over the coast is superb. Tickets have usually been inexpensive, around $10 return in recent reports, but the cable car can close in strong wind or heavy rain. Go early, before the clouds build.
9. Explore Fort San Felipe and the Old Town
Fort San Felipe is a 16th-century Spanish fortress on the Puerto Plata waterfront. It’s compact, easy to see in under an hour, and has good views along the Malecón seafront promenade. Afterwards, walk to Parque Central (Plaza Independencia), with its white Victorian-style gazebo and cathedral, and the colourful, photogenic Umbrella Street nearby.
10. Learn About Amber at the Amber Museum
Puerto Plata’s amber museum occupies a handsome old mansion in the town centre. It shows pieces of Dominican amber with insects and plant matter trapped inside, alongside larimar and other local minerals. It’s a small, quick visit that fits well into a city tour or a taxi tour of the town.
11. Go to the Beach: Playa Dorada, Cofresí or Sosúa
Amber Cove sits right next to Maimón Beach, and the port sells beach-club excursions with loungers and service. For a classic resort beach, Playa Dorada is a short taxi ride away. Cofresí and Costambar are about six minutes from the port. Sosúa, about 40 minutes east, has a sheltered bay with calm water that’s good for snorkelling.
12. Visit Ocean World Adventure Park
Ocean World is at Cofresí, only a few minutes from the port. It offers marine animal shows and paid encounter programmes, plus a beach and pools. It suits families with children. Some travellers choose not to visit attractions with captive marine mammals, so read up and decide what feels right for you.
13. Taste Dominican Chocolate, Coffee and Cigars
Cultural tours often stop at small cacao and coffee producers or cigar workshops, where you see how the products are made and can taste or buy them. These are gentle, half-day options and a good alternative to the more physical tours.
14. Ride an ATV or Buggy Through the Countryside
Off-road buggy and ATV tours head along dirt tracks through farmland and small villages, sometimes with a stop at a river or beach. Expect to get very muddy after rain. Bring sunglasses or a bandana for the dust, and clothes you don’t mind ruining.
15. Day Trip to Cayo Arena (Paradise Island)
Cayo Arena is a tiny sandbar off the northwest coast with excellent snorkelling. It’s a long day: travellers report roughly an hour by road each way plus a boat ride of around 40 minutes. Only consider it on a long port call, and preferably through your cruise line, so the ship knows where you are if there are delays.
Getting Around Puerto Plata from the Cruise Port
It’s too far to walk from Amber Cove to town, but getting around is easy:
- Bicycle taxis: Free pedal taxis carry passengers between the ship and the port village, which helps anyone who finds walking hard.
- Taxis: There’s an official taxi stand inside the port. Fares aren’t metered, and reported round-trip fares to town vary a lot, from about $25 to $70 per car depending on the driver and how long you want them to wait. Agree the price, the currency and the return time before you set off.
- Independent tours: Outside operators meet guests in a separate pickup area at the port entrance. Choose a company with a clear back-to-ship guarantee.
- Cruise line tours: These cost more, but the ship will wait for you if the tour runs late, which counts for a lot on longer trips such as Cayo Arena.
Money, Safety and Practical Tips
The local currency is the Dominican peso, but US dollars are accepted almost everywhere cruise passengers go. Carry small bills for tips and taxis. Major cards work in the port shops.
The US State Department rates the Dominican Republic at Level 2, “exercise increased caution”, because of crime. In practice that means the usual sensible steps: stick to licensed taxis or organised tours, keep your phone and jewellery out of sight in town, use ATMs inside banks or the port, and don’t wander into quiet areas alone.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, water shoes and a dry bag if you’re doing waterfalls or boat trips.
- Midday is hot and humid all year, and short tropical showers are common.
- Make sure you’re back on board in good time. Traffic into and out of Puerto Plata can slow at busy times.
- Check your cruise line’s app for the all-aboard time, which is usually 30 to 60 minutes before departure.
Comparing Caribbean stops on your itinerary? See our guide to the best things to do in Cozumel cruise port, our Grand Cayman shore day guide, or what experts rate as the best cruise ports in the world.
FAQs
Can I get off the ship at Amber Cove without booking an excursion?
Yes. You can walk off and use the free pool, lazy river and loungers, or take a taxi from the official stand to Puerto Plata or a nearby beach.
What is free to do at Amber Cove?
The main pool, lazy river, loungers, bicycle taxis from the ship and Wi-Fi in some cafes are free. The zip line, umbrellas, cabanas, water sports, food and drinks all cost extra.
What is the best beach near Amber Cove?
Playa Dorada is the easiest classic resort beach, a short taxi ride away. Sosúa, about 40 minutes east, has calmer water for snorkelling. Maimón Beach is right next to the port.
How far is Amber Cove from Puerto Plata?
About 6 miles, or roughly 10 to 15 minutes by taxi. Amber Cove is a separate port from Taíno Bay, which is in Puerto Plata city itself.
Is Amber Cove safe for cruise passengers?
The port itself is private and secure. In town, take normal precautions: the US State Department advises increased caution for the Dominican Republic because of crime, so use licensed taxis or tours and keep valuables hidden.
