The combination of ocean and mountain provides the natural lighting that characterizes Puerto Plata and first attracted Admiral Christopher Columbus's attention more than 500 years ago. During his second trip to the island in 1496, he would return to the site, enchanted by the natural bay and port at the foot of Mount Isabel de Torres. He would name the city Puerto de Plata (or Silver Port) for the low clouds that created a silver ring around the mountain. During that trip he would also draw up the plans that Hispaniola governor Nicolas de Ovando would use to found the city in 1502 at the same chosen location. Indeed, Puerto Plata is the only colonial city that continues to thrive in the same spot it was founded on, testimony that Columbus was astute in his selection.

The vety same elements that contributed all those years ago to the development of the destination still prevail today, now extending to the entire Puerto Plata coastal strip. The province of Puerto Plata, which spans a 60-kilometer stretch of coastal land from Maimon to the eastern town of Cabarete, is now poised to promote itself on the same intrinsic strengths of its natural features. In the 21st century, geography and climate are further enhanced by the precious cultural identity it has accumulated over the years, as it drew other generations of immigrants from around the world.

Tourism in the Dominican Republic is projected to continue to grow at a faster pace than the rest of the Caribbean throughout the next 5 to 10 years. The DR has experienced a soaring boom, giving it the largest accommodation inventory in the Caribbean outside of Cancun, with over 55,000 hotel rooms. Of these, approximately 15,000 are situated in Puerto Plata.

When the Dominican Republic became a popular worldwide destination, major international chains purchased the vastly undeveloped extensions of beach land along the Punta Cana-Bavaro eastern coast to erect the large resorts that would soon be luring tourists by the thousands. While Puerto Plata was the cradle of tourism of the DR, the domestic competition resulted in a plateau for the North Coast development until only recently.