Puerto Plata will continue to strengthen its position as the Dominican Republic’s leading cruise destination during August 2026, with 29 cruise ship calls scheduled between the Cala Ámbar y Bahía Taína terminales de cruceros.
According to the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM), 15 cruise ships are scheduled to dock at Cala Ámbar, mientras 14 will arrive at Bahía Taína, bringing thousands of international visitors to Puerto Plata throughout the month.
The schedule features vessels from some of the world’s best-known cruise operators, including Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, y Celebrity Cruises, reflecting the continued confidence these companies place in Puerto Plata as one of the Caribbean’s premier cruise destinations.
Around 100,000 Visitors Expected
Although the exact passenger numbers vary from ship to ship and not every passenger disembarks, modern cruise ships visiting Puerto Plata typically carry between 3,000 and 4,000 passengers. Based on the August schedule, the province could welcome close to 100,000 cruise passengers during the month, providing another significant boost to the local economy.
These visitors support hundreds of local businesses, including restaurants, cafés, shops, excursion providers, tour guides, taxi drivers, transportation companies, attractions, artisans, and many other tourism-related enterprises throughout Puerto Plata Province.
The busiest days are expected to be 5th, 18th and 19th August, when three cruise ships are scheduled to be in port simultaneously, creating excellent opportunities for businesses serving both visitors and local residents.
Continued Confidence in Puerto Plata
APORDOM Executive Director Jean Luis Rodríguez said the August schedule demonstrates the continued confidence that major international cruise lines have in the Dominican Republic’s ports.
“Receiving 29 cruise ship calls in Puerto Plata during August demonstrates the confidence that major cruise lines continue to place in the Dominican Republic. At APORDOM, we continue working to guarantee safe, modern, and efficient ports, capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly competitive industry and continuing to contribute to the economic and tourism development of our country.”
Among the vessels making the most frequent visits during August are NCL Luna, with five scheduled calls, Caribbean Princess con four, y Carnaval Mardi Gras y Carnival Vista, each making three visits to Puerto Plata.
APORDOM also noted that this performance is particularly encouraging because August falls within the Caribbean’s traditional low cruise season, when itineraries are often reduced due to the summer and hurricane season. Maintaining this level of activity further demonstrates Puerto Plata’s growing importance within the regional cruise industry.
Make It Easy for Visitors to Find Your Business
With almost 100,000 potential visitors expected during August alone, local businesses have an excellent opportunity to attract new customers. Many cruise passengers research restaurants, attractions, shops, transportation, and other services before their ship arrives, while others search online after docking to decide how best to spend their limited time ashore.
If your business is located anywhere within Provincia de Puerto Plata, ensure that potential customers can easily find you by creating or claiming your listing in the GoPuertoPlata Business Directory.
A free listing provides your basic business information, while a Premium Business Listing allows you to showcase your business with a detailed description, photographs, Google Maps location, contact information, opening hours, website and social media links, products and services, and customer reviews. Unlike many online directories, the Premium Listing requires just a single lifetime payment of RD$2,000, with no annual renewal fees.
Help Others Discover Great Local Businesses
GoPuertoPlata.com is more than just a business directory. We encourage residents and visitors alike to support local businesses by leaving recommendations and reviews based on their own experiences. By sharing your feedback, you help other people discover reliable businesses while rewarding those that provide excellent products and customer service.
Help Build Puerto Plata’s Business Community
GoPuertoPlata.com is more than just a business directory. Our aim is to create the most comprehensive online resource for businesses throughout Puerto Plata Province, making it easier for residents, visitors, and cruise passengers to discover and support local enterprises.
If you’ve had a positive experience with a local business, why not leave a recommendation or review? Your feedback helps other people make informed choices while rewarding businesses that provide excellent products and customer service.
Applications Now Invited – Community Business Development Partners
As Puerto Plata continues to welcome increasing numbers of visitors, many local businesses are still missing valuable opportunities simply because they have little or no online presence.
We are inviting enthusiastic local residents to help us expand the directory by encouraging businesses throughout Puerto Plata Province to claim their existing listings or add new ones where they are not yet represented.
This is not simply about promoting GoPuertoPlata.com—it is about helping strengthen the local economy by making it easier for residents and visitors to discover the excellent businesses, services, shops, restaurants, attractions, and professional organisations that Puerto Plata has to offer.
Successful applicants will receive:
- Earn RD$1,000 for every Premium Business Listing you secure.
- Full training and ongoing support—previous directory sales experience is not essential.
- Flexible working hours that can fit around existing employment or family commitments.
- The opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and promotion of Puerto Plata’s business community.
If you enjoy meeting people, have good communication skills, and would like to earn additional income while helping local businesses gain greater visibility, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Together, we can build Puerto Plata’s most comprehensive and trusted business directory—one that benefits local businesses, residents, visitors, and the entire province.
Please use our contact form to get in touch if this opportunity interests you.