Day trips

The 14 Best Day Trips from Puerto Plata

Drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan for every place worth the trip.

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There are 14 good day trips from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, led by Santiago de los Caballeros, San Francisco de Macorís, La Vega. The closest is Villa Bisonó, about 35 min by car, and 5 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Day trips from Puerto Plata at a glance

DestinationDistanceDrive timeBest as
Santiago de los Caballeros38 km S45 minHalf-day trip
San Francisco de Macorís72 km SE1 hr 25 minFull-day trip
La Vega66 km S1 hr 15 minFull-day trip
Bonao99 km S1 hr 35 minFull-day trip
San Juan de la Maguana123 km SW1 hr 55 minFull-day trip
Azua149 km S2 hr 20 minLong day or overnight
Mao49 km SW55 minHalf-day trip
Salcedo54 km SE1 hrHalf-day trip
Esperanza39 km SW45 minHalf-day trip
Cotuí100 km SE1 hr 35 minFull-day trip
Villa Altagracia136 km SE2 hr 10 minFull-day trip
Nagua99 km SE1 hr 35 minFull-day trip
Villa Bisonó32 km SW35 minHalf-day trip
Jarabacoa75 km S1 hr 25 minFull-day trip

Drive times are estimates from the distance. Check live traffic before you leave.

The best day trips from Puerto Plata

  1. 1

    Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car38 km south of Puerto Plata1 hr 30 min round trip

    Known for Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración.

    Also nearby: Moca.

  2. 2

    San Francisco de Macorís, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car72 km south-east of Puerto Plata2 hr 50 min round trip
  3. 3

    La Vega, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car66 km south of Puerto Plata2 hr 30 min round trip
  4. 4

    Bonao, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car99 km south of Puerto Plata3 hr 10 min round trip
  5. 5

    San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 55 min by car123 km south-west of Puerto Plata3 hr 50 min round trip
  6. 6

    Azua, Dominican Republic

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car149 km south of Puerto Plata4 hr 40 min round trip
  7. 7

    Mao, Dominican Republic

    Half-day trip
    About 55 min by car49 km south-west of Puerto Plata1 hr 50 min round trip
  8. 8

    Salcedo, Dominican Republic

    Half-day trip
    About 1 hr by car54 km south-east of Puerto Plata2 hr round trip
  9. 9

    Esperanza, Dominican Republic

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car39 km south-west of Puerto Plata1 hr 30 min round trip
  10. 10

    Cotuí, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car100 km south-east of Puerto Plata3 hr 10 min round trip
  11. 11

    Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 10 min by car136 km south-east of Puerto Plata4 hr 20 min round trip
  12. 12

    Nagua, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car99 km south-east of Puerto Plata3 hr 10 min round trip
  13. 13

    Villa Bisonó, Dominican Republic

    Half-day trip
    About 35 min by car32 km south-west of Puerto Plata1 hr 10 min round trip
  14. 14

    Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car75 km south of Puerto Plata2 hr 50 min round trip

A sample day trip: Puerto Plata to Santiago de los Caballeros

A realistic pace for Santiago de los Caballeros, 38 km from Puerto Plata. Packy AI builds this for any place on the list, with a route, opening hours and timings you can edit.

  1. 08:30Leave Puerto Plata
  2. 09:15Arrive in Santiago de los Caballeros (45 min drive)
  3. 09:30Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración
  4. 11:30Lunch
  5. 12:45Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Santiago de los Caballeros
  6. 15:15Head back to Puerto Plata
  7. 16:00Home in Puerto Plata

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Puerto Plata?
The best day trips from Puerto Plata are Santiago de los Caballeros, San Francisco de Macorís, La Vega, Bonao, San Juan de la Maguana. The closest is Villa Bisonó, about 35 min away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Puerto Plata?
Villa Bisonó is the closest, 32 km south-west of Puerto Plata, roughly 35 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Puerto Plata?
5 places are within about an hour's drive of Puerto Plata: Villa Bisonó (35 min), Santiago de los Caballeros (45 min), Esperanza (45 min), Mao (55 min), Salcedo (1 hr).
What is the biggest city near Puerto Plata for a day out?
Santiago de los Caballeros is the largest city in day-trip range, 38 km south of Puerto Plata and about 45 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
How far is too far for a day trip from Puerto Plata?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Azua at 149 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.

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