Puerto Plata continues to solidify its status as a key hub for cruise tourism, with 36 cruise ship arrivals scheduled for July 2025. According to the Ministry of Tourism, 20 of these ships will dock at Amber Cove and 16 at Taino Bay, the port located within the city.
This influx highlights Puerto Plata’s growing importance within the global cruise circuit, bringing thousands of international visitors and positively impacting the local economy through trade, job creation, and cultural promotion. Notable vessels set to arrive include Carnival Mardi Gras, MSC World America, Symphony of the Seas, Norwegian Escape, and Enchanted Princess.
July is expected to be another pivotal month for Puerto Plata, reinforcing its position as a leading cruise destination in the Caribbean. This follows from the 300 cruise ships that docked in the province during the first five months of the year.
Whilst cruise passengers are very welcome, their visit to the city and area are limited to one day, so the news of the incorporation of six new weekly flights from Copa Airlines, beginning in January 2026, represents a significant boost for the provinces of Santiago and Puerto Plata. There will be three weekly Panama-Puerto Plata and three weekly Panama-Santiago flights, using 166-seater Boeing 737 aircraft.
With these routes, a significant increase in visitors from Central and South America is expected, two markets with great interest in Caribbean destinations such as the Dominican Republic. Visitors arriving by air are also people who plan to stay for longer periods, staying in hotels or privately rented accommodations, and dining in local restaurants. They are also more inclined to visit places of interest and use local transport and facilities.