14 Best Resorts in Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata is located on the northern shore of the Dominican Republic, flanked by stunning white-sand beaches.

The area’s resorts tend to be more family-oriented and also more affordable than the giant complexes at ritzy Punta Cana, but tourists will also find more to do and see in Puerto Plata for excursions beyond the resort walls. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Fortaleza San Felipe, a 16^th-century Spanish fortress that is now a museum and historic complex.

This stretch of coastline is also known as the Dominican Republic’s Amber Coast, and the area has plenty to offer beyond resorts. You can tour local amber mines like those made famous in the classic film Jurassic Park, and local shops are full of amber jewelry and trinkets.

Find your perfect tropical vacation spot with our list of the best resorts in Puerto Plata.

1. Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort

Accommodation: Senator Puerto Plata Spa Resort

This five-star all-inclusive resort is located on the westernmost end of the Puerto Plata beaches next to Amber Cove, a popular cruise ship port filled with shopping and things to do. The hotel sits on Bahía Maimón Beach, where guests can take advantage of snorkeling, diving, and fishing, among other water sports. Guests who want a break from the sand can take advantage of the resort’s multiple pools, including several with swim-up refreshments.

Guest rooms and suites each feature private balconies, blackout curtains, and excellent views of the ocean or mountains. Plus, they are soundproofed, so families don’t have to worry about the kids disturbing others. Kids can also enjoy the freedom of a kids-only pool and supervised Kids Clubs for ages 4 to 7 and 8 to 12. Adults can enjoy the fitness center and an array of classes, while the whole family can enjoy day and night entertainment.

The resort has several restaurants, each prepared to cater to special diets if needed. Guests can watch their food be prepared at live cooking stations in the main buffet restaurant, or enjoy table service at one of the specialty restaurants. There is also a full-service spa on-site, and plenty of shopping to be found on the resort’s own “Caribbean Street.”

Address: Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

2. Iberostar Costa Dorada

Accommodation: Iberostar Costa Dorada

This all-inclusive resort is another five-star gem, offering a variety of room types to fit every budget and need. In addition to standard rooms, guests can opt for pool views, ocean views, ocean-view suites, and two-bedroom family suites. There is direct beach access for guests, as well as three pools and plenty of water sports equipment for guests to enjoy. Recreational facilities include a fitness center, tennis, and even an archery range.

Families are welcome here, and there are special touches for the kids like the designated kids’ pool with its own swim-up “aquabar” specializing in smoothies and snacks for young ones. Parents can enjoy their day stress-free thanks to the Star Camp, a supervised day activity center, and babysitting is available for kids too young for that program.

This resort’s main restaurant is an international buffet featuring show cooking, and there are three other specialty restaurants including Mediterranean, Mexican, and Japanese cuisine. You can also enjoy live entertainment nightly, and several on-property shops including a market.

Those who want to get pampered can get a-la-carte services at the resort spa, and there is professional scuba instruction available for an extra fee.

Address: Carretera Luperon Complejo, Km 4, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

3. Be Live Collection Marien

Accommodation: Be Live Collection Marien

Another top five-star resort in Puerto Plata, the Be Live Collection Marien is surprisingly affordable for an all-inclusive, although guests may find that several of their services are add-ons. It’s still an incredible value for a luxury resort, however, and a great choice for both families and adults traveling in groups or as a couple.

While there is plenty to keep kids occupied, including babysitting and a supervised day program catering to age groups of 4 to 7 and 8 to 12, there are places just for the grown-ups. Guests can book an “Adult Club” room in a designated kid-free area of the resort, which has extra perks like a private beach just for members.

The resort offers many activities, including a fitness center with aerobics classes, tennis, snorkeling, and sailing. The Playa Dorada Golf Course is only a kilometer away, and the on-site spa has a full suite of services to unwind after a day on the green. The pool areas are also lovely, featuring umbrellas and hammocks for tropical relaxation.

A wide variety of guest rooms are available, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, and some with ocean views. Premium rooms include a hydromassage tub, and family suites have well-equipped kitchenettes.

Informal dining is at the main buffet-style restaurant, which features live cooking, and there are themed options as well, including Mexican, Mediterranean, and Italian cuisine.

Address: Carretera Luperón, Km. 4,5 Complejo Turístico Costa Dorada, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

4. Playabachata Resort

Accommodation: Playabachata Resort

The Playabachata sits right next door to the Senator Puerto Plata on Bahía Maimón Beach, close to the cruise ship port. There is a wide variety of guest rooms and suites, which offer either garden or ocean views, each with a private balcony or terrace. There are two buffet-style restaurants, two table service restaurants, and two snack-style restaurants, plus poolside refreshments, all of which are included in the price.

Rates also include a variety of non-motorized water sports including kayaking, windsurfing, pedal boats, and snorkeling equipment, as well as diving lessons in the pool. There are three outdoor pools that are adult-only and one that is for kids. Other on-site recreation includes volleyball, tennis, and an ocean-view fitness center.

Address: Bahía de Maimón Bahia De Maimón, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

5. Viva Wyndham V Heavens – All-Inclusive Resort

Accommodation: Viva Wyndham V Heavens – All-Inclusive Resort

This adults-only all-inclusive is a favorite for those looking for a low-key, relaxing tropical getaway. The resort offers five-star concierge service for those who want to explore beyond the resort, and a complimentary shuttle service to local attractions, like the Malecon Puerto Plata, is included.

Here, you can enjoy on-site live entertainment as well as a theater, and there are several good restaurants to choose from, including one with poolside service. This resort offers a fitness center with a sauna and tennis courts, and the Playa Dorada Golf Course is nearby. There is also a full-service spa on the property, with in-room services available.

Address: Playa Dorada Complex, Puerto Plata 5700 Dominican Republic

6. Emotions by Hodelpa Playa Dorada

Accommodation: Emotions by Hodelpa Playa Dorada

Emotions by Hodelpa Playa Dorada is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort on a gorgeous stretch of gold-sand beach. This five-star property was recently renovated and features luxe accommodations in a variety of sizes.

There are spacious deluxe family rooms that can sleep up to five people and come with furnished balconies and contemporary style, as well as swim-out rooms that offer direct access to a shared private swimming pool.

Emotions also has an adults-only area, where couples on romantic getaways won’t have to listen to the patter of children. This portion of the resort has its own swimming pool and hot tub also reserved for adults.

There are nearly a dozen dining options on-site, with food from around the globe and both a la carte and buffet selections. Amenities are also plentiful. If you enjoy golf, the resort is near the Playa Dorada Golf Course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr.

There is also a climbing wall on the grounds and, of course, a plethora of water activities. Kids and teens both have clubs to keep them busy during the day. And there are multiple swimming pools.

Address: Calle Principal Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

7. Casa Colonial Beach & Spa

Accommodation: Casa Colonial Beach & Spa

This exclusive 5-star resort only has 50 suites, but if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot, you will be treated to extra-spacious accommodations. Even the junior suites are huge, complete with a comfy seating area and private balcony, and the furnishings and décor that were curated by a local designer are both sophisticated and welcoming.

You will find a good range of property amenities, including a rooftop infinity pool and Jacuzzis, a fitness center, on-site dining, and a spa that offers a range of high-end services.

The gorgeous setting here is the highlight, though, with a private stretch of beach outfitted with cabanas and a tranquil orchid garden that provides a cool respite with benches and a fountain.

Address: Playa Dorada Beach & Golf, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

8. Gran Ventana Beach Resort

Accommodation: Gran Ventana Beach Resort

This 4-star resort sits within the upscale Playa Dorada community, directly on the beach. It’s a great option for families and groups, offering mid-range prices for truly all-inclusive packages that take the guesswork out of vacation budgeting.

The property is airy and spacious, with a sprawling pool complex that includes designated children’s and adults-only areas and swim-up refreshments. There is a kids’ club for ages 4-12 so that the grown-ups can get some R&R, and an extensive lineup of organized activities for all ages, from Spanish-language and Merengue dance lessons to active fun like the Beach Olympics.

If you’ve had enough lounging on the private beach, be sure to take advantage of the resort’s water sports equipment, with everything from snorkeling to sailing gear available. The resort also offers one-hour SCUBA lessons at the pool, included in the rate.

Address: Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

9. The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort

Accommodation: The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort

This five-star resort is part of a large complex with four distinct areas, offering a variety of lodging and meal plans to fit travelers’ budgets and needs. It’s located along a mile and a half of the beautiful Cofresi Beach, close to the Ocean World Adventure Park.

There is a complimentary shuttle service within the resort, as well as to local attractions, Puerto Plata, and the airport. Among its most popular amenities is the resort’s own Los Mangos Executive Golf Course, which is included in your stay.

In addition to other recreational facilities, there are a total of a dozen swimming pools, including three kids’ pools. Kids aged 4 to 12 can spend the day at the supervised kids’ club, and there is also a club designed for ages 12 and up with big-kid games and activities.

There are a total of 11 restaurants on-site throughout the complex, some of which are limited to “VIP” guests, as well as numerous spots offering live entertainment day and night. There is also a shopping area, as well as a salon and two full-service spas. Guest rooms feature a range of options, including a full kitchen, ocean views, and family suites.

This resort also offers residential-style all-suite accommodations for those who are planning on a longer stay at The Residence Suites at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort and its newest section, Presidential Suites by Lifestyle .

Address: Cofresi Beach, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

10. Grand Paradise Playa Dorada

Accommodation: Grand Paradise Playa Dorada

The Grand Paradise is an excellent four-star beachside resort located close to downtown Puerto Plata, the airport, and Mount Isabel de Torres. This is a family-friendly resort with the convenience of all-inclusive rates. Guest rooms and family suites are available with an ocean view, and each room has a private balcony.

All-inclusive rates include all meals, snacks, and domestic beverages, as well as the use of non-motorized water sports gear including windsurfing, sunfish sailing, fishing, and snorkeling equipment. There are daily activities planned for both kids and adults, including a supervised kids’ club for ages 4 to 12.

Guests are free to use the resort’s sun umbrellas and chairs, and can even use bicycles to explore the area. When not lounging by the pool or sunning on the sand, there is plenty to do, from tennis to the game room where there is table tennis, billiards, darts, and more. There is also nightly entertainment, as well as spa services available.

Address: Playa Dorada Beach & Golf, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

11. BlueBay Villas Doradas

Accommodation: BlueBay Villas Doradas

Blue Bay is an 18-plus all-inclusive resort perfect for couples and groups of friends. Guests enjoy the use of a private beach, with all necessary amenities provided for a day on the sand from seating to shade.

This resort also offers a variety of pools, including smaller more private pools, as well as multiple larger pools, and of course the main pool with swim-up refreshments.

Golfers will love its proximity to the Playa Dorada Golf Course, and although greens fees are not included, on-site recreation like tennis and water sports are, as well as nightly live entertainment. There is also a fitness center, sauna, salon, and spa within the resort, as well as shopping.

Address: Calle Principal Playa Dorada 538, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

12. Sunscape Puerto Plata

Accommodation: Sunscape Puerto Plata

The Sunscape sits close to the Playa Dorada Golf Course, east of the city. This is an all-inclusive resort that caters to both families and adult guests, offering an adults-only section for vacationers looking for a break from younger ones. The Sunscape has nine separate dining options, with no reservations required and 24-hour access to unlimited food choices.

This resort offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, including water aerobics, water yoga, water volleyball, and introductory scuba lessons in the pool. Non-motorized water sports are also included at no extra cost, including snorkeling, windsurfing, paddleboard, kayaking, and more. For an additional fee, guests can utilize the resort’s motorized watercraft, catamarans, and scuba gear.

Accommodation packages have reasonable rates, and a range of rooms to fit guests’ needs, from basic lodgings to family suites with connecting rooms and kitchenettes. All rooms are spacious and bright with private balconies, and there are plenty of ocean-view rooms available. The resort also has an on-site spa that offers in-room services.

Families with kids ages 3 to 12 can take advantage of the Explorer’s Club, a supervised day program that is open 9am to 9pm daily. Run by Red Cross-certified staff, the center keeps kids happy, with games, storytelling, music, movies, crafts, and more. The Core Zone Teens Club is open 10am to 10pm for ages 13-17, giving them a place to enjoy socializing with other teens with numerous games and events.

Address: Carretera Luperón. Km 5 Playa Dorada, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

13. Blue JackTar Hotel & Golf

Accommodation: Blue JackTar Hotel & Golf

This is a much smaller resort than many of its counterparts in and around Puerto Plata, but it is the ideal place for a low-key vacation that won’t break the bank.

This family-oriented resort has a playground, kids’ pool, and babysitting available, as well as family suites and condo-style lodgings for longer stays.

The pool and beach are equipped with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and Bali beds for a luxurious atmosphere. There are in-room spa services available and live music on-site, as well as two restaurants. The concierge will help arrange any off-site trips, from a game of golf nearby to adventurous excursions inland.

Address: Playa Dorada Complex, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

14. Cofresi Palm Beach & Spa Resort

Accommodation: Cofresi Palm Beach & Spa Resort

The Cofresi is the most affordable sibling within the Lifestyles Resort complex, catering to families and couples alike. For those who want a low-key stay, adult-only suites are available. Guests here can enjoy some of the amenities at the neighboring resorts, including several of the pools, restaurants, and facilities.

Located right on Cofresi Beach, this is a good option for families who want to visit the Ocean World Adventure Park; the resort’s complimentary shuttle service is available for transport around the resort, as well as to local attractions.

Address: 1 Paradise Drive Cofresi Beach, Puerto Plata 57000 Dominican Republic

Map of Resorts in Puerto Plata