From $124Mount Isabel de Torres Cable Car
What it is
Mount Isabel de Torres is the 800-metre peak that towers over Puerto Plata, reached by the only aerial cable car in the Caribbean. The ten-minute ride climbs from the city through scrubland into cool cloud forest, ending at a hilltop crowned by a 16-metre statue of Christ the Redeemer that echoes the one in Rio de Janeiro. Around it spread botanical gardens of orchids, ferns and native trees, plus a wide terrace with sweeping views over the Atlantic coast, the cruise terminals and the patchwork of resorts below.
How to visit
Go early. The cable car runs limited hours and the summit clouds over by midday, so the clearest views and shortest queues come in the first hour after opening. Plan for about two hours total: the round-trip ride plus time to walk the gardens and photograph the statue and the coastline. Most city tours include the cable car as an optional add-on, which saves you arranging transport to the lower station. Lines lengthen sharply when cruise ships are in port, so booking a tour that times the visit early is worth it.
Hours & practical info
Cable car typically runs 9am to 5pm, with last ascent before closing. Closed in high winds. Ticket required.
Insider tips
- ✓ Ride in the first hour after opening for clear views before the midday cloud.
- ✓ Add it to a city tour so transport to the lower station is sorted for you.
- ✓ Bring a light layer, the summit is noticeably cooler than the coast.
Tours featuring Mount Isabel de Torres Cable Car
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does the cable car visit take?
- Allow about two hours: a ten-minute ride each way plus time to walk the botanical gardens, see the Christ statue and take in the coastal views from the summit terrace.
- When is the best time to ride the cable car?
- First thing in the morning. The summit clouds over by midday and queues grow once cruise ships dock, so the early window gives the clearest views and the shortest wait.