Taino Bay Cruise Port Guide: Beaches, Pools & Top Things to Do
Jun 03, 2026
Published October 2024 | Updated June 2026
Taino Bay Cruise Port Guide: Beaches, Pools & Top Things to Do
- Pool + lazy river are free. Plus hammocks, sand bar, in-water loungers. No excursion needed for a great day.
- Walking distance to historic district. Umbrella Street, Paseo Doña Blanca, and the fortress are all reachable on foot from the pier.
- No beach at the port, but Cosita Rica Beach is a short walk. Don’t expect Instagram-worthy water.
- Monkey Island on-site for $25. Saves a trip to MonkeyLand if all you want is the monkey experience.
- Taxis are expensive. Consider a private driver for the day if you plan to explore multiple locations.
In This Guide
The Taino Bay cruise port is located in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic (pronounced Tah-ee-no Bay). If you’re sailing to Puerto Plata, it’s important to note your specific cruise port, as there are two popular ones here: Taino Bay and Amber Cove.
Generally speaking, Carnival Cruise Line brands Carnival, Holland America Line, and Princess all berth at Amber Cove, and most of the other cruise lines dock at Taino Bay. So if you’re sailing a non-CCL ship, chances are good that you’ll visit Taino Bay.
If you’re cruising to Taino Bay, you’ll probably want to decide if you just stay in port and enjoy the amenities there or get out of port and explore the city of Puerto Plata. Fortunately, Taino Bay is close to some of Puerto Plata’s top attractions, like Umbrella Alley and Paseo de Doña Blanca, all within walking distance.
Is Taino Bay Free?
Taino Bay cruise port is one of my favorites because it is beautiful, new, clean, and chock full of free activities for cruisers. Check out the Taino Bay port map to understand its expansive size. As Port Taino Bay only accommodates two cruise ships, it also does not generally get overly crowded.
It’s a large port with a wide variety of shops, a beachfront spa, aviaries, several beach bars (the legal drinking age in the Dominican Republic is 18), and a fantastic pool and lazy river that winds through the western part of the port. The pool and lazy river are free, and the pool has many chairs and in-water loungers, so cruisers should not have an issue finding one, even during peak times.
There’s a sand bar area with hammocks and loungers, although, like Amber Cove, there is no direct access to the ocean. There is also a “Monkey Island” experience at port for $25 per person.
Related: Watch all my Taino Bay video content
Beaches Near Taino Bay
Many wonder whether Taino Bay has a beach, but unfortunately, it does not. There are beachfront views, but there is no direct beach or ocean access, meaning you cannot enter the water. Near the pool area, Taino Bay features a sand bar with hammocks and loungers to allow cruisers to enjoy a beach-like experience with feet in the sand, but it’s not a traditional beach day where you can enter the water.
If you are interested in a beach day, cruisers docking at Taino Bay have the benefit of docking at a pier that is within walking distance of a public beach: Cosita Rica Beach. Personally, however, I don’t love this beach. The sand is pretty grainy, there’s some litter on the beach, and the water is prone to being filled with seaweed. On another visit, I explored further from the cruise port and spent the day at Playa del Pueblita, and while I like this beach better, it still just doesn’t compare to the beautiful beaches of many other Caribbean ports of call.
Look, I love a good beach day, but in my experience, Puerto Plata is not the best cruise port for that. However, if you want to still embark on a beach day experience, there are numerous Puerto Plata beaches with free public access.
Pro Tip
If you dock at Taino Bay and want to visit Amber Cove, you can’t. Each port controls its own access and verifies which ship is docked there before allowing re-entry. The two ports aren’t within walking distance anyway, making a taxi trip an expensive detour.
Things to Do in Puerto Plata
While there’s a lot to do in the Taino Bay port area, if you decide to leave the port and explore Puerto Plata, here are my top recommendations.
Historic Puerto Plata
Cruisers wishing to venture outside the port often visit the historic district, a great free option. This area of Puerto Plata features the Paseo Doña Blanca, an Instagram-worthy Victorian pink alleyway, and the famous Umbrella Street. Fortunately, both are just a short distance from Taino Bay and within walking distance.
Be forewarned that these popular historic district attractions are chronically crowded but great for a quick visit and photo opp, especially as they’re close to one another. They’re also just a stone’s throw away from the center of the historic town district, known as Central Park (Parque Central), where there are beautiful buildings, most notable of which is the eye-catching St. Philip the Apostle Cathedral.
Locals often populate the square with buckets of birdseed and accept tips from travelers who wish to feed the flocks of pigeons that populate the area. Of all the things we did on a recent visit to Puerto Plata, feeding the pigeons and having them eat from her hand was the highlight for my kiddo.
Ambar Museum
Another attraction close to the others in Puerto Plata’s city center is the Ambar Museum. It might be a smidge generous to call this a “museum,” as it’s more like a glorified gift shop that entices would-be shoppers into the stores under the guise of a free activity, but on a recent visit to historic Central Park, I decided to stop by since it was so close.
This location is the “Ambar Mine Museum,” not to be confused with the Amber Museum, a different attraction with a nominal entry fee. It was worth the stop, especially as it’s free. There’s a small “museum” section where a guide will describe Puerto Plata’s history of amber mining. After exploring this area, guests enter a gift shop offering amber jewelry and other trinkets.
Fortaleza de San Felipe Fortress
History buffs will enjoy a stop at Fortaleza de San Felipe Fortress because of its history and the incredible sight of the coast, including views of the ships docked at Taino Bay. Exploring the exterior grounds on foot is free, but entering the fortress costs just $2 per person. Like the historic district, this landmark is also within walking distance from Taino Bay at just under a mile.
Damajagua Falls
One of the most popular Puerto Plata excursions is Damajagua Falls. This attraction has a lot to love, but it’s important for cruisers to research it before booking. While it offers an exhilarating adventure with stunning natural beauty and thrilling water activities, it requires good physical fitness, and the hike can be challenging for some visitors. This one is geared toward more active cruisers, requiring a one-hour steep hike in hot and humid rainforest conditions.
Related: Read my complete review of Damajagua Falls
MonkeyLand
A popular Puerto Plata excursion is MonkeyLand, where visitors can interact with friendly, free-roaming squirrel monkeys in a lush, tropical environment. I took this excursion on my first-ever visit to Puerto Plata, and I loved it. However, it’s a bit far from the cruise ports, approximately 9.8 miles and 30 to 45 minutes by car, depending on traffic and road conditions.
If cavorting with monkeys is your thing, consider saving the money on transportation and instead paying the $25 per person to enjoy Monkey Island, which is conveniently located on-site at Taino Bay (although it is not as large a facility as MonkeyLand).
Transportation & Private Drivers
Taxis are readily available at a well-organized taxi stand in Taino Bay, but the pricing is obscene. For a 2024 visit, the taxi fare round trip for 1 to 5 people from Taino Bay to Damajagua Falls was $120, which is outrageous (although prices are somewhat negotiable).
If you’re visiting Puerto Plata and not staying at port or participating in an excursion where transportation is included, I highly recommend hiring a private driver. You’ll get personalized service, often for the same price as a single taxi ride if you’re heading to destinations like Damajagua Falls, and have the flexibility to see what you want and skip what you don’t.
When booking a private driver, always verify their license and credentials (don’t be afraid to ask to see them and even photograph them!) and vet them in advance by reading reviews or getting recommendations from fellow cruisers.
Language & Currency
Spanish is the official language of the Dominican Republic, but most port-area employees speak English. I’ve visited many times and never had trouble communicating. The currency is the Dominican Peso (DOP), but US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted, so exchanging money isn’t necessary.
I highly recommend using a travel-focused credit card, like this one, instead of a debit card when shopping. Credit cards offer better fraud protection, plus perks like travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and rewards points. Debit cards put your bank account at risk if fraud occurs, as funds are withdrawn immediately and may take longer to recover.
The Puerto Plata cruise port schedule for Amber Cove and Taino Bay is available online here.
Exploring Taino Bay
Taino Bay Cruise Port FAQ
Is Taino Bay free?
Pool, lazy river, hammocks, and sand bar areas are all free. Monkey Island costs $25/person. Shops, bars, spa, and cabanas have additional costs.
Is there a beach at Taino Bay?
No. The port has a sand bar area and pool but no direct ocean access. Cosita Rica Beach is a short walk from the pier but is not a standout Caribbean beach.
What cruise lines dock at Taino Bay?
Most cruise lines other than Carnival brands, Holland America, and Princess. This includes Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Norwegian, MSC, and others.
Is the historic district walkable from Taino Bay?
Yes. Umbrella Street, Paseo Doña Blanca, and Fortaleza de San Felipe Fortress are all within about a mile of the pier.
Can I visit Amber Cove if I dock at Taino Bay?
No. Each port controls its own access and staff verify which ship is docked there before allowing re-entry.
Are taxis expensive in Puerto Plata?
Yes. A round trip to Damajagua Falls was $120 for 1 to 5 people in 2024. A private driver for the full day is often a better value.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.
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