An airline adds a key destination in the Caribbean: beaches and the clearest amber in the world

If there's one Caribbean destination that seems to be on everyone's lips this year, it's the Dominican Republic . The reason is in the numbers (and a favorable change for travel abroad): the number of Argentines traveling has grown rapidly recently, and this has helped consolidate our country's position in 2025 as "the leading source of South American tourists to the Dominican Republic and the third worldwide," according to Tourism Minister David Collado . This year, the official has already been to Buenos Aires twice—in February and late June—conducting roadshows with travel agencies and specialized press.

And also showing all the attractions of his country, which go beyond Punta Cana.

In this context, Copa Airlines – with its hub in Panama – announced that it will add a new route : starting January 13, it will begin flying to Puerto Plata , in the Dominican Republic, with three weekly flights, on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays from Panama.

This airline will have 37 weekly flights from Ezeiza to Panama in August, 17 weekly flights from Córdoba, 10 from Rosario, 6 from Mendoza, and starting in September, 3 weekly flights from Salta and 3 weekly flights from Tucumán, making it "the airline with the most international flights in Argentina."

Puerto Plata is the fourth destination the airline serves in the Caribbean country, along with Punta Cana—the Dominican Republic's flagship destination—Santo Domingo—the capital—and Santiago de los Caballeros, the country's second-largest city, known as the Heart City for its location in the center of the Cibao Valley.

And since we're talking about flights, Arajet—the Dominican "low-cost" airline with direct flights from Buenos Aires—also announced a new route between Córdoba and Punta Cana starting November 8, with three weekly flights.

On the country's northern coast , on the Atlantic, Puerto Plata is an iconic location for the Dominican Republic. This is where tourism began to gain momentum several decades ago.

Over the years, another destination—Punta Cana—became the center of activity, concentrating the largest number of hotels and the greatest flow of visitors.

However, as the Caribbean country seeks to diversify its offerings and introduce visitors to other destinations, Puerto Plata is re-emerging with its beaches, surfing, history, cuisine, and natural and cultural diversity.

It's also key because it preserves the first traces of Christopher Columbus in America . What's more, here you can visit the ruins of La Isabela, the first Spanish settlement in America, founded by Columbus in 1494 as part of his second voyage.

A witness to history, the San Felipe fortress, dating back to 1577 , is one of the oldest in America and today functions as a museum.

Note the collection of late 19th-century neoclassical and Victorian-style houses , featuring pastel colors and charming openwork wooden balconies.

The Amber Museum , located in a restored 17th-century building, is a journey into the world of this fossil resin, which was generated as a residual product of some prehistoric trees.

“ Millions of years ago, this resin was a sticky fluid. Over time, it transformed into a stable and beautiful material,” the museum explains.

But amber also holds treasures , such as the Dominican proplebeia , an extinct species of stingless bee discovered in 1964 trapped in Dominican amber.

Indeed, Dominican amber is considered the most valuable in the world . The reasons: it's the most transparent, it contains an abundance of fossil insects, and it's also because of its color. In addition to yellow—the most common—it can also be found in deep red and unusual colors like gray, black, and blue.

Puerto Plata is known as “The Bride of the Atlantic” and the geography of this region combines sea, mountains, green valleys and rivers , with high-quality cocoa and coffee crops.

Within a distance of 40 minutes to two hours there are several beaches that stand out, such as Playa Larga (with a coastline of trees that offer natural shade, little waves and good for snorkeling), Chiquita (small as the name indicates, pretty and with stronger waves, something to keep in mind if going with children), La Ensenada (little waves and crystal-clear waters).

Departing from Punta Rucio, you can visit the small Cayo Arena (or Paradise Island, 25 minutes by boat), a sandbank with fine white sand and shallow waters teeming with tropical fish, ideal for snorkeling.

About 20 minutes from downtown Puerto Plata, Sosúa Beach stands out for its turquoise bay and soft sand. It has a lively atmosphere, bars, restaurants, and shops. Snorkeling and diving are also available.

An hour away, surfers' paradise is Playa Encuentro , between Sosúa and Cabarete. There are several surf schools for beginners.