The Puerto Plata cable car is one of the most emblematic monuments of the north coast of the Dominican Republic. It gives you the opportunity to admire the beautiful city and its flora and fauna from the heights, with incredible views. It is installed on the mountain and Isabel de Torres National Park, with a height of 855 meters above sea level.
The cable car and views
The trek to the top is quite steep. However, it is well worth the effort. Along the way, you will enjoy magnificent views of the city, the coast, natural caves and streams. You will also see a variety of animals and plants along the way.
Once at the top of the mountain, you will find a beautiful botanical garden with various trees, orchids, ferns and bromeliads. You will have the opportunity to admire endangered species that are only found here on the island, such as the mahogany tree and the trumpet tree.
However, the most important thing you will see is the statue of Christ that stands at the highest point of the city, perched on the dome of the fortress atop the Isabel De Torres. This statue was inaugurated in 1975, under the government of President Joaquin Balaguer. The statue is a twin of the Corcovado of Rio de Janeiro and has a height of 38 meters.
The cable car history
Mount Isabel de Torres was chosen by the Dominican government to become a tourist attraction. The idea was to build a cable car to the top of the mountain. This became a reality in 1972, when a road was built to the top to transport all the machinery and equipment.
Later, in 1972, the construction of the cable car began. First an elevator with two cabins guided by three ropes was built, and later the two stations were constructed. By the end of 1974, construction was completed, and the cable car was publicly inaugurated on July 19, 1975, and remains a popular attraction to this day.
How to get to the cable car and opening hours
The Puerto Plata cable car station is located in the neighborhood of Las Flores, near Santiago de los Caballeros. It is recommended to take a cab or mototaxi to the station.
The cable car is open daily from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. The last trip starts at 16:45 at the latest and the ride to the top takes about 10 minutes. However, it is recommended to go up early to make sure the sky is clear.
Visit to the cable car with Pico Duarte Tours
Take an excursion to the Puerto Plata cable car with Pico Duarte Tours. The tour operator will arrange transportation to the cable car and entrance fees. In addition, the tour will show you many other amazing places on the island with accommodation, food.
