Behind Puerto Plata the land rises abruptly to Pico Isabel de Torres, a forested mountain of just under 800 m whose summit is a protected area. Since the 1970s a Teleférico — a two-cabin aerial cable car, long promoted as the only one in the Caribbean — has carried visitors up from a station on the southern edge of town in about ten minutes.
At the top you step out into noticeably cooler air. A statue of Christ the Redeemer, a smaller cousin of the one in Rio de Janeiro, stands on a dome above the upper station; behind it paths wind through a botanical garden of tree ferns, bromeliads and ponds. And if the weather is on your side, the view takes in the city, the port with its ships, the reef line and the coast for miles in both directions.
That "if" matters. The mountain makes its own cloud, usually from late morning, and the cable car stops in high wind, in thunderstorms and for maintenance, sometimes for long periods. Never build a port day around it without a plan B.
Top things to do at Teleférico & Pico Isabel de Torres
Ride the cable car
The cabin holds a small group standing, with an attendant, and glides over forest canopy with the city falling away behind. Queues build quickly when several tour buses arrive together, so be there at opening time.
The Christ statue and viewpoints
The statue is the obvious photograph; the terraces around it give the widest view. Local photographers and "guides" will offer to take trick-perspective pictures for a tip — agree a price first or politely decline.
Walk the botanical garden
Paved and gravel paths loop through the gardens behind the statue, past ponds, a small cave and lookouts. Allow 30–45 minutes. It can be damp and slippery, and it is several degrees cooler than at sea level.
Go up by road instead
A steep, winding road also climbs the mountain. Some tours use it in safari trucks or 4×4 vehicles, which gives you a way to the summit on days when the cable car is not running. It is not a road for a rental car or a casual taxi.
How to get to Teleférico & Pico Isabel de Torres
- From Taino Bay: the lower station is about 10–15 minutes by taxi, on the inland side of the city. It is too far and too hot to walk comfortably.
- From Amber Cove or Playa Dorada: around 20–25 minutes by road.
- By tour: city tours that include the mountain handle tickets, queues and — importantly — know on the day whether it is open. Compare them on our best excursions page.
Insider tips
- Look at the mountain before you leave the ship. If the summit is hidden in cloud at 9 am, it will rarely improve.
- Ask at the port information desk or your tour operator whether the Teleférico is operating that day before paying for a taxi.
- Tickets are sold at the lower station; bring cash in pesos or dollars and check the current fare. There may be a wait for the return cabin, so keep an eye on your all-aboard time.
- Take a light layer — it can be windy and cool at the top even when the town is sweltering.
Best tours for Teleférico & Pico Isabel de Torres
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Teleférico & Pico Isabel de Torres:
City tour from US$99 Puerto Plata: City Highlights Tour with Mount Isabel & Lunch
The most-reviewed Puerto Plata tour on GetYourGuide: the city’s main sights, a ride to the summit of Mount Isabel de Torres for the view over the coast and the national park, and a typical Dominican lunch. The mountain is often in cloud — go on a clear morning if you can choose.
- Ride to the top of Mount Isabel de Torres
- Bird’s-eye view of the coast and a walk in the national park
- City highlights and a typical lunch
City tour from US$65 Puerto Plata City Tour and Cable Car Ride
A guide-led tour of the historic centre and its monuments followed by the cable car up Mount Isabel de Torres. It has a small number of reviews but they are very good. As with every cable car tour, the ride depends on the weather and on the cable car operating that day.
- Guided visit to the historic heart of the city
- The stories behind Puerto Plata’s monuments
- Cable car ride up Mount Isabel de Torres
