Things to Know About Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic

Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic is one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean. You can arrive in this magical place within a day and a half from Miami, Florida.

Amber Cove is a new port but has already gained much popularity among the cruisers. More than millions of people have visited so far. It’s the important cruise destination you need to pay attention to.

The completion of the Amber Cove was made fairly recent. This new cruise port was built at a cost of $85 million with Carnival in 2015. The port opened as one of the biggest cruise ports in the Caribbean. It was also the biggest cruise industry investments as ever made in the Dominican Republic. 

This 25-acre complex features spectacular swimming pools, a huge market place, restaurants, bars and shops. There are plentiful things to do in Amber Cove. It’s highly recommended to investigate what are things to do in Amber Cove. Plan ahead and organise transfers. So that you can maximise your day out in the port.

Amber Cove is a wonderful place to visit for any cruisers. Palm trees, scenic landscapes and Dominican dancing make you feel welcomed.

In this article, you will find port information and reviews for Amber Cove. Learn the best things to do in this miraculous place. Dominican sunshine and beautiful smiles of people are truly uplifting.

A friend of mine, a TV producer, is from the Dominican Republic who I worked with. I feel somehow he represents Dominican ways of hospitality and openness. Have fantastic cruises to Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic. Enjoy your cruise. I am sure you will!

Where is Amber Cove

Amber Cove is located along the north coast of the Dominican Republic. It is situated in the eastern part of the island of Hispaniola. The port is 12 km away from Puerto Plata in the Bay of Maimon. Grand Turk Island is only about 100 ml (160 km) away from Amber Cove. 

Puerta Plata is a historical town. Christopher Columbus, a 15th-century Italian explorer, built La Isabela, a settlement built near Puerto Plata. Columbus was lucky enough who became the first European to see this magnificent country. (source)

Cruises to the Dominican Republic

You can find cruises to the Dominican Republic as a part of the eastern Caribbean cruises. It’s mostly a 5-night cruise. The itinerary includes Amber Cove, Grand Turk and Caicos as well as San Juan and St. Thomas.

Amber Cove Map

What is Amber?

Amber is fossilized tree resin, which has been appreciated for its colour and natural beauty. 

• Amber is used as jewellery.
• It’s originated from such a soft and sticky resin. Sometimes insects or plants of millions of years ago are included.
• Such amber is highly valuable and is considered as a precious material.

What made Ambar Cove famous is after rare Amber stone was discovered in this region. Amber Cove is named due to its location, close to the coast known for the famous Amber stone.

Weather in the Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic has a tropical rainforest climate. The annual average of the Dominican Republic temperatures is 25 °C (77 °F). Near sea level, the average temperature is 28 °C (82.4 °F).

The Dominican Republic weather is moderate. But since it is a tropical climate. You can expect a high temperature and humidity. Amber Cove weather and Puerto Plata can be more pleasant throughout the year.

Check out the weather in the Dominican Republic. It’s important to know about it. If you visit the Dominican Republic in the wrong season, you would be disappointed. You can avoid the risk of rain on a cruise vacation. A cruise to the Dominican Republic can be avoided particularly in the hurricane season and which is from June to November.

Amber Cove Cruise Port

Amber Cove is Carnival Cruise Line’s exclusive port. It’s literary Dominican Republic’s Carnival port. Amber Cove port is only open to ships of the Carnival groups. Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Cunard, Costa, P&O Cruises and Fathom fleets can dock at this port.

This Dominican Republic’s giant cruise port is receiving about 8,000 cruise guests and nearly 2,000 crew members every day. (source) But no worries. It only takes about 5 minutes to walk over out of the ship. You will find large duty-free shops along the way towards Amber Cove.

The list of other Carnival-owned private islands and ports

Find out Carnival’s privately owned islands and exclusive ports of call. And plan ahead to receive the best what the ports of call can offer:

• Puerta Maya (Cozumel, Mexico)
• Mahogany Bay (Roatan, Honduras)
• Half Moon Cay (Bahamas)
• Princess Cays (Bahamas)
• Grand Turk Island 

Amber Cove Excursions

You have plentiful options for Amber Cove shore excursions. For cruise passengers, Amber Cove excursions include visiting Puerto Plata and the villages and towns around Cabarete or Sosua.

Puerto Plata excursions are particularly popular among the cruisers. It’s a beautiful historic town and is recommended to anyone to visit while you stay in Amber Cove,

Things To Do in Amber Cove

So what to do in Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic?

If you are looking for adventure, take ATV or buggy and enter into the rainforest. You can have a private catamaran tour with a small group. Enjoy sailing and jump into the sea for snorkelling. There is plenty to do in Amber Cove!

In just a port area, you can take kayaking, zip lines or paddleboarding. It’s also a good idea to relax at insanely large swimming pools.

One of the great things about cruising is that you can visit different countries in just one cruise. Take advantage of this opportunity. Discover the history and culture of the Caribbean’s most intriguing country, the Dominican Republic.

1. Explore Dominican History and Culture

One of the best things to do in Amber Cove, the Dominican Republic is to have an Outback Adventure Tour. First, you get on a safari-style truck and discover all the hidden gems of the Dominican countryside.

Outback Adventure will pick you up and show you real Dominican history, culture and everyday lives. It’s an all-inclusive day out tour ideal for any ages. It’s really fun! This adventure tour includes: 

• See Mount Isabella and find out local villages
• Visit a local school and meet the children
• Visit a typical home and meet the people that live in the Dominican countryside
• Explore a rural fruit, coffee and chocolate plantation
• Enjoy Dominican rum

The tour includes an authentic Dominican lunch. After lunch, you will enjoy

• Cool off Dominican style in a freshwater river pool
• Experience the Wildlife and meet native turtles, rhinoceros and iguanas
• Visit artisan craft markets 

2. Discover one of the 27 waterfalls of the Dominican Republic

Visiting 27 Waterfalls of Rio Damajagua comes at the top Amber Cove things to do. Luckily Amber Cove is very close to Puerto Plata where the waterfalls are located. Hiking Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure heals your body and mind. You become one with surrounding nature.

It’s really not surprising why Amber Cove attracts millions of cruisers. The port is just next to rich nature and wildlife. Within a half-hour, you will find spectacular natural landscapes. Enjoy hiking in the rain forest and feel close to its diverse ecosystem.

This adventure tour will pick you up and drop off at the port. It’s easy to get Damajagua Waterfalls and jump into the falls. You are also safe. You will enjoy the water activities under the supervision of your guide. Have some waterfall treck and swimming.

The tour staffs will entertain you with laughter and smiles on your way back to the port. Enjoy the Dominican hospitality. This is something I loved the most here. And have some rum. You will dance and enjoy the Dominican music.

3. Catamaran & Snorkeling Tour

Take some adventure and sense of luxury with a freestyle catamaran at the high sea. You will enjoy sailing the beautiful coastline of the northern part of this island. When water is calm and less windy, catamaran sailing is one of the best things to do in the Caribbean.

You can meet dolphins from February to April. It is highly likely that you can watch whales from late January to March. Get snorkelling gear and jump into the sea. It’s safe, and you can meet them. When you encounter animals as the same or larger than us, it is a real sensation! This can be an unforgettable experience in a lifetime.

The catamaran will stop around coral reefs. You will enjoy seeing colourful tropical fish and sea animals. The Dominican Republic snorkelling is one of the best and so as Cozumel on the Caribbean cruises!

4. 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours

ATV’s Private Tour is really spectacular. Experienced guides tell you how to handle the ATV. A helmet will be provided for extra safety. After that, you are ready for adventure! You will drive an ATV Quad 420cc mostly along beautiful beaches and rivers. Enter the deep forest around the area. You will greet local people and appreciate the ways they live.

5. Zipline through Tropical Forest

Have some stunning landscapes with Ziplines in Amber Cove. There are a couple of Ziplines available in Amber Cove. The best way is to use an unlimited all-day pass. I was thrilled and loved it! It costs $20 for each adult person. Kids for $10.

The longest zip line is about 850 meters. Enjoy one of the longest zip lines in the Dominican Republic. You will find spectacular panoramic views and countrysides from the air! Start from the hillside behind the port and go over the pool area.

6. Resort Beach Experience at Coconut Cove

If you fancy all-inclusive resort experience, Coconut Cove is the place to go. After about 45-minute off-road adventure, you will find the beautiful resort of Dominican countryside. Celebrate with a welcome drink. Have some tropical cocktails. You can enjoy kayaking, paddleboards and snorkelling. After some water sports, relax at a buffet where authentic Dominican cuisine entertain you.

Coconut Cove has a beautiful beach. It’s a beautiful white sandy beach. You can relax and swim. You can also visit Sosua beach which is close to Coconut Cove. It’s a resort area so you need to make a pre-booking. Coconut Cove is one of the best Amber Cove beaches.

7. Experience Spectacular Swimming Pools

If you are not fancy to get on bumpy bus tours, it is not necessary but can enjoy yourself without joining them. Just after disembarking the ship, gorgeous resort-style pools, restaurants and shopping centres are all waiting for your arrival within 5 minutes.

The pools are absolutely stunning. There are a kids area and lazy river float area. In Aqua Zone, kids will love the waterslides. You can have the zipline. Aqua Zone has a bar so that both adults and kids can enjoy together.

The bar, pool area and zip lines are just close to the main restaurant. You can enjoy shopping and visit the artisan market. Or just pop into coffee shops.

8. Amber Cove Shopping

Amber Cove is not an exception of the typical cruise port in the Caribbean. You will find plentiful opportunities for shopping. Diamond Internationals and Effy show jewellery, luxury ornaments and watches. Local artisan crafts are also entertaining.

Amber Cove is one of the best places for shopping in the Caribbean. You can take free shuttles to move to different shops in the area.

For the popular ideas of the Dominican Republic souvenirs:

• Carribean rum
• Locally grown and roasted coffee
• Wooden crafts and clothing
• Amber gemstone accessory (find fossilized insects inside)
• Local cigars

9. Visit a Cigar Factory

Even you are not smoker, it is always interesting to learn something new. Find out some history and culture of Dominican cigars at La Aurora Cigar Factory. It is one of the popular places to visit from Amber Cove.

La Aurora Cigar Factory opened in 1903 and has been known as the original cigar factory of the Dominican Republic. Many people visit there to experience the old age tradition of cigar making and learn the insight into the origins of cigar craftsmanship.

10. Discover Puerto Plata

As I mentioned previously, Puerta Plata is an important town in a historical context. In the 15th century, Christopher Columbus was based in La Isabela, the first village in New World. You trace Columbus’s trail and tour these archaeological ruins. There are plentiful things to do in Puerto Plata.

Puerta Plata is a place I would love to recommend anyone to visit. It’s a magical place because such preserved nature is accessible from Amber Cove. Imagine that cacao and coffee trees are growing while the world’s clearest rich amber rests underneath.

Mount Isabel de Torres is contrasting its colours and lights with Puerto Plata’s tranquil blue coastline. Columbus once named the “Port of Silver”. He observed the port from the top of the mountain. It’s frequently foggy as silver-like appearance, hence the name of the port. (source) You can get a cable ride to the top of the mountain.

How to Get from Amber Cove to Puerto Plata

It’s about a 25-minute drive from Amber Cove to Puerto Plata. You can take a taxi. Taxis line up at the port but can be costly. If you walk through and get out of the gate, cabs are waiting. You can get a cheaper taxi.

Ambar Cove Cruise Tips

Where to get free Wi-Fi in Amber Cove

The coffee shops offer free Wi-Fi for paying customers. If you stay near the port, just pop into coffee shops like Cafe El Cibao near Diamond Internationals.

Amber Cove Drink Prices

There is no secret, but it is true that onboard cruise beverages are expensive. Once you get off the ship, bars and restaurants are located just in front of you. You can grab a glass of wine or cocktails before you explore the town and village near Amber Cove.

What language is spoken in the Dominican Republic?

Spanish is an official language in the Dominican Republic.

Is Ambar Cove Safe?

Amber Cove is a new and beautiful resort port. It is an exclusive area. People are checked when getting in and out the gate of the port area. Only cruisers can access. Employees are with their iD cards. Amber Cove is safe. Just pay attention to valuable things and money around you.

There are lockers if you need to put your personal belongings. You can find them at Aqua Zone. It costs $ 6.00.

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