Puerto Plata sits on the northern shores of the Dominican Republic's Amber Coast and was the first custom-built tourist destination in the Dominican Republic, complete with gorgeous golden beaches. If you head off the resort in Puerto Plata, consider a visit to its historic colonial-era fort, Fortaleza de San Felipe which protected the city from pirate attacks. Walk along its oceanfront promenade, El Malecón, and maybe see dolphins or humpback whales in the winter. Ride one of the country's only cable cars and take in the view of the north coast. Or, get a feeling for its past in the central Parque Independencia.