Fortaleza de San Felipe image

Fortaleza de San Felipe

Tourist attraction Museum Monument Fortress

Spanish fort dating to the late 1500s & built to defend against pirates, with history displays. People often mention Puerto, Plata, fort, history, views, lugar, visit, audio, tour, nice,


Address

Puerto Plata Harbor LightHouse, Parque San Felipe, Av. Gral. Gregorio Luperón, Puerto Plata 57000, Dominican Republic

Contact

+1 809-261-1911

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (2.5K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Friday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Wednesday: 10 AM to 6 PM
  • Thursday: 10 AM to 6 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Puerto (26) Plata (26) fort (24) history (20) views (15) lugar (14) visit (13) audio (12) tour (11) nice (10)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Guillermo L. 2 years ago on Google
    If you are visiting Puerto Plata, go there. It is probably the best place to visit from your ship. It is a nice little fort built in 1577, commissioned by king Felipe 2nd of Spain. It has a very nice 3 or 4 room museum that has lots of info about the fort, the city, and the Dominican Republic. The views are great. Below, see the photo of our cruise ship from the fort. There is also a photo of the fort from our ship as the ship entered the bay of Puerto Plata.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Susan 2 months ago on Google • 292 reviews New
    $2 to get in, and you get a tour using a head set that is not reliable. Not busy. We went with our walking tour guide who we met when we were off the cruise ship. He was awesome
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Abigail E. 6 months ago on Google • 451 reviews
    I visited Fortaleza de San Felipe back in June 2023. Provided with an English-language audio guide, I learned the full history of the fort and surrounding area. Besides history, part of the fort is an open air gallery featuring the photography of local artists who won the contest POP Me Hace Sonreir hosted by Puerto Plata Ashonorte, the tourism council of the area. Another incredible exhibit inside the fort are the Primicias de América en República Dominicana (American Firsts in the Dominican Republic). This fun national project document early settlements, buildings, places of worship, and events that took place during Spanish colonization of Hispaniola. Unfortunately, not all visitors can access these exhibits. Like many old forts, this building is only accessible by stairs, and no ramps are available. Audio tours come in Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, and many other languages, but no written equivalent is available. The inside spaces of the fort are dark and cramped. Frequent pictogram signage reminds visitors to mind their heads. All written signage was in Spanish and used plain language. The restrooms were super clean and monitored, a surprise bonus. Tickets were $400RD (about $2US) and include the audio headset. This is another not-to-be-missed spot for history lovers visiting Puerto Plata.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Mike C. 2 months ago on Google • 361 reviews New
    Audio tour in various languages plus signs help the guest to appreciate the history and architecture of the fort, which contrasts dramatically from the cruise ship modern look that is often docked outside its windows.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Allstar P. 1 year ago on Google
    Pretty cool place. We saw many people not go in because it says $100 to enter... Folks, you are in another country with a different currency... $100 pesos is only about $2 US... Well worth the price. Unless you took the Cruise ship tour and paid $100 US... Then, you're foolish and I'm sorry.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lorna C. 1 year ago on Google
    Nice place, wonderful views. There are a lot of art projects displayed right now. Tickets cost us 2 $ per person. They offer audio guides. Very nice experience.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ihor N. 2 years ago on Google
    If you are in Puerto Plata, be sure to come here. This is a very good place. The price of the entrance ticket (100 pesos) even includes an audio guide with many languages ​​to choose from. From here there are beautiful landscapes.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rafael Jose R. 2 years ago on Google
    This historic Spanish fortress is one of the main tourist attractions in the city of San Felipe de Puerto Plata. The fortress protected the city from raids by French and English pirates and corsairs. With the passing of time the function of this monument has changed. Today, it is a museum where historical objects like weapons of war from the colonial era are exhibited.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hualniery R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent place to go to share with the family, if you visit the city of Puerto Plata you should not miss, (Original) Excelente lugar para ir a compartir en familia, si visita la ciudad de puerto Plata no debes dejar de conocer,
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Elián Portorreal P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Place with a lot of history of our country, excellent to visit with the family. (Original) Lugar con mucha historia de nuestro país, excelente para visitar en familia.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Veronica B. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The best to spend an afternoon with the family (Original) Lo mejor para pasar una tarde en familia
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ana C. 5 months ago on Google
    Beautiful views. It’s smaller than I expected but totally worth it. It was 100 pesos for each person. Toddler was free. They give you an audio guide.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Лина �. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The fort is located in a very beautiful place, it used to guard the lagoon from pirates and conquistadors. We drove there after Mount Isabel de Torres (Original) Форт находится в очень красивом месте, раньше охранял лагуну от пиратов и конкистадоров. Заехали туда после горы Исабель де Торес
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Dejan B. 2 years ago on Google
    This is an old historic fort in old town Puerto Plata. It dates back to mid 16 century being built for several decades as a protective fort for the Spanish crown colonies. Despite that, it was conquered several times by the pirates who looted the city. In 19 c it was used as a prison for independence fighters and one of the inmates was Juan Pablo Duarte, father of the nation, and there's a room dedicated to him inside. Fort is pretty small yet interesting, offering scenic views. Entry fee is only a couple of dollars.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Marc C. 2 months ago on Google • 165 reviews New
    Actually not bad for a fairly small place. The history behind the fort gives you a better understanding of the North Coast in the DR

  • 4/5 Jason T. 1 month ago on Google • 71 reviews New
    This place is really neat. It only cost $1.00 USD to get in and walk around. Nice views of the harbour and sea. Just a nice piece of history to enjoy for about 45 minutes or so. Lots of local peddlers around trying to sell their wares. I love chatting them up and buying a few trinkets.

  • 5/5 Tomasz N. 3 weeks ago on Google • 62 reviews New
    16th century fortress built to protect city from pirates, interesting place to visit and to have little bit of understanding for life of early settlers. Must see when in the area

  • 5/5 Misiek M. 6 months ago on Google • 42 reviews
    Enjoyed the small audio tour. It was $2 USD to enter and well worth the two bucks. Definitely recommended for anyone visiting the area.

  • 4/5 Martyb2525 2 years ago on Google
    Cool place to explore for an hour or two. Nice views and the walk along the water to get here was pleasant. Definitely worth checking out! @nothin_but_views

  • 5/5 Julio M. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful historical park in Puerto Plata City, come with family

  • 5/5 Aaron G. 2 years ago on Google
    Old Spanish Fort. Only $2 to do the short tour. Interesting, some old cannons.

  • 5/5 Jojo A. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place!

  • 5/5 Q. C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great view! Clean and friendly staff made for an awesome experience with the family!

  • 5/5 Ieva 2 years ago on Google
    A must see when visiting Puerto Plata! Great historical fort with an audio guide, also in English (I advise to listen to the track 507 - it tells a brief and interesting history of Puerto Plata) and it has a great view!

  • 5/5 Greg D. 2 years ago on Google
    Great old fortress with an interesting history. Make sure you get the guided tour device so you can listen to information about the displays. They could definitely provide more information, but the information code on the door to roof gives you a great overview of the Fort and Puerto Plata in general.

  • 5/5 Shawn R. 3 years ago on Google
    Looks 😌 good BUT they have it closed for some reason Not Reasonable. But a good look at the outside and still a destination

  • 4/5 Mohit P. 2 years ago on Google
    Nice history and view.

  • 5/5 Sarah p. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful monument of my hometown, it is not open to the public yet, but it is worth visiting next to the amphitheater that is next to it (Original) Maravilloso monumento de mi ciudad natal, todavía no está abierto al público, pero vale la pena visitarla junto al anfiteatro que se encuentra a su lado

  • 5/5 Creilyn L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) As much as the history the place is splendid ... you feel that you transport yourself to that time (Original) Tanto como la historia el lugar es espléndido...sientes que te transportas hasta esa época

  • 5/5 Haydee E. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) An experience that every Dominican and tourist should know. Suitable for any age. (Original) Una experiencia que todo dominicano y turista debe conocer. Apto para cualquier edad.

  • 5/5 Linda W. 5 years ago on Google
    $5, to enter and use headphones with your language to hear information about the fort. Great views, nice breeze, pretty park setting.

  • 5/5 Mark C. 2 years ago on Google
    This fortress was used to porotect Puerto Plata from pirates. Much smaller than many other orts and castles that I have seen but it would have been well located to protect the harbour which now house cruise ships. With reefs surrounding the area this would have been effective protection. The fort is also known as El Morro de San Felipe. Best time to take photos would be late afternooon or first thing in the morning. I will be back there later to take some photos and videos as it is very photogenic.

  • 4/5 Shamel S. 1 year ago on Google
    I love history, so this was a good place to visit. Relaxed, self-paced in a beautiful setting.

  • 3/5 Glenda S. 2 years ago on Google
    This place is stuck in the 80s technology wise. Affordable but so boring. The views are great.

  • 5/5 Ilona Nesterova (. 1 year ago on Google
    Great place to visit for historic site of Puerto Plata and see the strength of this country and its development through centuries. Take a taxi and visit with your family. Entrance is only 2$ and they give you free audio guide that’s included. Great view. Great experience.

  • 5/5 Nikola L. 1 year ago on Google
    The fort has great historical significance to Puerto Plata and is well worth visiting. There is an audio guide, and the entry is very cheap. The views of the water are stunning, and the grounds are well maintained. The worlds largest cruise ship, World of the Seas, docked today, so it was packed and locals were taking photos as well.

  • 5/5 Royland F. 1 year ago on Google
    Neat little mini fort to finish our malecón walk. Like many other destinations in the area, it had great views and the breeze from the fort lookout is a treat. Headphone tour was unfortunately very glitchy, so I couldn’t catch most of it.

  • 4/5 Sue R. 9 months ago on Google
    We had a delightful time visiting this beautiful area. The history is fascinating and of course the sea is amazing. My only caution is that the people who have the little tables up selling their wares are very, very aggressive. It makes it hard to enjoy the scenery because they will not leave you alone.

  • 5/5 Sloba tata m. 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful site. Once in Puerto Plata you must visit this place. Nothing spectacular but if you wanna see the history of the place this is where you start. Later on you go downtown. Little spoiled by 21st century exhibitions inside this old building but still very worth visiting.

  • 4/5 K R. 11 months ago on Google
    The fort did not open on time the day we were there, so we did not get to go inside but the grounds were very nice. We walked from the port (took about 15 minutes) and got to stroll around the park and enjoy the views.

  • 4/5 Ajay P. 9 months ago on Google
    A piece of Dominican Republic history where you can spend a couple of hours to learn about it. The views are admirable. If you are coming to Puerto Plata on a cruise ship, this place is not too far.

  • 5/5 Damion W. 6 months ago on Google
    Nice little tour to learn a little bit about the Dominican history, and take some nice photos.

  • 4/5 Leonardo M. 3 months ago on Google New
    Nice historic site. The fort itself it’s not very big. The price for admission $2 US dollars. It will be a quick stop. The view is great.

  • 4/5 Humberto W. 3 weeks ago on Google • 17 reviews New
    Besides its historic value, it offers beautiful views of the shore and surroundings.

  • 5/5 Divanny P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Ample place of recreation (Original) Amplio lugar de esparcimiento

  • 5/5 Tomas S. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice show of history

  • 5/5 giancarlos v. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) My favorite place in all of Puerto Plata (Original) Mi lugar favorito en toda Puerto Plata

  • 4/5 Sandra R. 3 years ago on Google
    This was a stop on the Puerto Plata City tour. The first impression we had of the fort was that of being inundated by craftsman trying to sell their wares as we got off the bus. Once we were able to free ourselves of their clutches we we're able to enjoy the beautiful views of the ocean. The Fortress provides tourists with headphones and as you walk through which explains what you are seeing. Unfortunately, many of the devices did not work and when reported to the staff, didn't seem to care. From what I did hear it was quite interesting. It's just too bad I didn't hear the entire recitation.

  • 5/5 Zoltán S. 3 years ago on Google
    Super!!!!

  • 4/5 Ivan T. 3 years ago on Google
    Stunting view , great historical place

  • 2/5 Erika L. 3 years ago on Google
    The fort itself isn't open because of covid. You can walk around the outside of it though.

  • 5/5 Pedro E. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Impressive historical place from the Colonial period, the interior part is very interesting. (Original) Impresionante lugar histórico del periodo Colonial, muy interesante la parte interior.

  • 4/5 Yayo C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very nice and touristy and good atmosphere. (Original) Muy bonito y turístico y bien ambiente.

  • 4/5 Chicho L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is closed Sunday (Original) Está cerrada domingo

  • 5/5 Frank V. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) beautiful place, wonderful good for many photo sections. (Original) hermoso lugar,maravilloso bueno para muchas secciones de fotos.

  • 5/5 Arialdys Yismelly R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A historical place, it dates from the colonial era; You cannot miss it in Puerto Plata. (Original) Un lugar histórico, data de la era colonial; no puedes dejar de visitarlo en Puerto Plata.

  • 4/5 Chris H. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice place to visit, thought the view of the ocean was actually better than the Fort itself. A few more vendors set up here selling things off tables right where you get dropped off if you are doing it as part of a tour, not sure about prices but there was a nice selection.

  • 5/5 Roberto S. 5 years ago on Google
    Beautiful place to relax, read a book or just take in the nice breeze from the blue and green ocean.

  • 5/5 Canadian 5 years ago on Google
    Cool place to visit, I took a taxi from hotel and back for 30USD.

  • 4/5 Simo N. 5 years ago on Google
    The museum inside the fortress was quite small and our visit altogether was quite quick. There's a small entrance fee to the museum that includes an audio guide. Nice site anyway and worth it to check if you are around.

  • 5/5 Carol G. 5 years ago on Google
    This fort was an interesting reminder that Spain once controlled the Island. It has the same basic style as the Spanish forts in St Augustine and Puerto Rico, except this one is noticeably smaller.

  • 4/5 Sox P. 5 years ago on Google
    Its a fun half hour in Puerto Plata. A lot of good information and they do have English language audio guides included in the 2 dollar admission.

  • 5/5 Eugene O. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice place to visit. Looks much smaller than I expected. Entry ticket is 100 pesos. For this you will get an audio guide (English and Spanish) and headphones

  • 4/5 Ryan R. 3 years ago on Google
    Marvelous to look at, but I was unable to go in. It looks very good to be one of the oldest structures on the island!

  • 5/5 Rafael L. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a premium place for a visit to Pto. Pta. There is an atmosphere for all audiences and a pleasant and pleasant organization of the place (Original) Es un lugar premium para una visita a Pto. Pta. Hay un ambiente para todo público y una organización del lugar ameno y placentero

  • 5/5 Jennifer J. 3 years ago on Google
    🥰🥰🥰

  • 5/5 florinda S. 3 years ago on Google
    Beautiful to see history still standing The entire scenery was surreal

  • 5/5 Rut T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) so cute (Original) muy lindo

  • 5/5 Carlos S. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A very beautiful historical place. (Original) Un lugar histórico muy hermoso.

  • 5/5 Yonathan Q. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) In the late afternoon (Original) Al caer la tarde

  • 5/5 Jochy T. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is an excellent place to share with the family, enjoy a spectacular view (Original) Es un sitio excelente para compartir en familia, disfruta de una vista espectacular

  • 5/5 Frank P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is a historical monument of Puerto Plata, R. D ,. From the colonial era, from the discovery of the hispaniola. (Original) Es un monumento histórico de Puerto Plata, R. D,. De la época colonial, del descubrimiento de la hispaniola.

  • 5/5 Leidy A. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful place (Original) Hermoso lugar

  • 5/5 Ana Elsa R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) La puntilla malecon puerto plata (Original) La puntilla malecon puerto plata

  • 5/5 julio cesar puello E. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Good place of national history (Original) Buen lugar de historia nacional

  • 5/5 Edward R. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful all (Original) Bello todos

  • 5/5 Chevalier Parra P. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A historical place worth visiting! (Original) Un lugar histórico digno de visitar!

  • 5/5 Félix Corona C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A great icon in the history of the colonization of the island of Hispaniola. (Original) Un gran icono de la historia de la colonización de la isla Hispaniola.

  • 5/5 Jessica C. 3 years ago on Google
    ❤❤❤

  • 5/5 abigail mercedes g. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A beautiful and familiar place. (Original) Un lugar hermoso y familiar.

  • 4/5 Amauris V. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Historical place where you can take good photos and even have a picnic in the green areas. (Original) Lugar histórico donde se pueden tomar buenas fotos y hasta realizar un picnic en las áreas verdes.

  • 5/5 Joel C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very beautiful (Original) Muy bello

  • 5/5 Maiker C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very clean and organized ... Good atmosphere (Original) Muy limpio y organizado... Buen ambiente


Call +1 809-261-1911 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

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