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The Dominican Republic is the second largest island in the Caribbean, so it\u2019s no surprise that in addition to prolific nature and beach activities there is also quite a bit of history and culture to experience.\u00a0 In fact, the island\u2019s recorded\u00a0history <\/b>began on 5 December 1492 when the European navigator Christopher Columbus arrived on the island.<\/p>\n
Today the walls and cobblestoned streets of it\u2019s Colonial cities remind travelers that the Dominican Republic is home to the first city founded in the Americas. Many travelers love spending a day exploring the culture and history of the Dominican Republic.<\/p>\n
Amazing Views at Mount Isabel de Torres<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Standing at over 2600 feet, Mount Isabel de Torres offers breathtaking views of Puerto Plata and the surrounding coastline.<\/p>\n The peak of Mount Isabel can be easily accessed via cable car. A quick seven-minute ride up the nearly vertical slope brings you to stunning views and lush botanical gardens. If time allows consider exploring the botanical gardens by horseback, which can be arranged at the visitor center once you reach the top of the cable car.<\/p>\n Be sure to get some photos of Puerto Plata\u2019s own Christ the Redeemer, very similar to the famous statue in Rio de Janiero.<\/p>\n The Dominican Republic Houses the World\u2019s Best Amber<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Housed in a fine Victorian mansion downtown Puerto Plato, the Amber Museum (Museo de Ambar Dominicano) is a unique opportunity to check out rare amber pieces and to learn more about this semi-precious gem and it\u2019s role in the Dominican Republic\u2019s history.<\/p>\n While there are thousands of specimens at the Amber Museum, travelers love viewing the perfectly preserved 16-inch lizard and a full feather, both of which are completely encased in amber.<\/p>\n If Walls Could Talk at Forteleza San Felipe<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n The Fort of San Felipe, also known as\u00a0El Morro de San Felipe<\/em>, is the main colonial and national monument of Puerto Plata.<\/p>\n Originally constructed in 1549, the fort was intended to protect Puerto Plata from bandits and pirates. The Fort was the scene of one of the few land battles in the\u00a0Quasi War, against the\u00a0United States\u00a0in May of 1800.<\/p>\n This Fortaleza is the only remnant of the 16th century in\u00a0Puerto Plata, as everything else was destroyed in battles or fires during the\u00a0War of Restoration. Today the fort serves as a museum. Enjoy the views of the bay and relax on the adjacent grassy knoll overlooking the water. Head back to the hotel to freshen up after a full day of sightseeing.<\/p>\n <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Dominican Republic is the second largest island in the Caribbean, so it\u2019s no surprise that in addition to prolific nature and beach activities there is also quite a bit …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8258,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[61,2],"tags":[43,21,16,29],"yoast_head":"\n