Fuerte de San Felipe Puerto Plata DR
Forteleza Puerto Plata ~ Dominican Republic Fort
Fuerte de San Felipe at Puerto Plata Dominican Republic is an old forteleza (fort) that dates back to when Columbus landed in Puerto Plata bay. I came here on a day tour that included the rum factory and the Larimar Mine Museum, then continued on to the beaches at Sosua and Cabarete. Check for tours to this historic Dominican Republic fort at your hotel (see resort communities).
Fuerte de San Felipe, or simply the forteleza, is a great place to take pictures of the bay. If the day is clear, you can see the teleferico (cable car) that goes to the top of Isabel de Torres in the national park. See the googlemap to orient yourself. Other day trips include a cigar factory at Santiago and the waterfalls, the church at Santo Cerro and a pottery.
Puerto Plata DR - On the Road to the Forteleza 
As our bus headed along Avenida General Gregorio Luperon, which runs along the coast from the fort east towards the airport, the driver pulled over so we could take a picture of this 'Little Mermaid' style statue on the island.
The beach along this coast goes for miles and miles. We were told that one can walk along the beach towards Playa Grande at Playa Dorada.
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Puerto Plata Bay Views from Fuerte de San Felipe 
The stone fort dates back about 465 years, and from the heights, you get a 360 degree view of this point of land at the entrance to the bay.
Lovely to see the bright sunshine on the January day!
This time of year, rain showers and downpours come and go daily.
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Visitors at Fuerte De San Felipe - Puerto Plata DR 
At the bottom of the path leading up to the fort, vendors hung about trying to sell various souvenir items.
One enterprising man with a donkey would take your photo for 100 pesos - about $3 USD.
The entrance fee to this fort is a few dollars and included in the cost of the day tour.
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View from the top of the Forteleza Puerto Plata 
Being an old stone fort, this tour is not fully accessible for wheelchairs; inside there are stone steps and narrow trails over grassy hillsides.
It's not a difficult walk, but do wear walking shoes.
From the ramparts, you can see the entire city and to the horizon, though it's not a clear view over the land areas as various buildings to break it up.
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Puerto Plata DR - Views from the Forteleza 
Inside the main building, the lighting is dim, and several tour groups may be there at the same time.
On this tour, a man we were told was 91 years old and blind talked for a few minutes in Spanish.
Through the guide, we learned he would like tips for having shared his knowledge of the fort.
On either side of this main room you could duck down through a crawl space on either side to see artefacts stored there.
A narrow stone staircase led up to the upper level lookout areas. A great place to be on a sunny Dominican day!
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