Puerto Plata Cable Car

[CammieO]

Hi all! We will be in arriving at Amber Cove next week and would like to take the teleferico cable car up the mountain. I’ve looked at their website and several other places, but I’m seeing conflicting information/not finding what I need. I saw someone mention that the cable car was closed for maintenance in post on Reddit a couple months ago. I’ve also seen some people say that taxis are only available outside of Amber Cove and others say that there is a taxi stand inside the port. 
 

If anyone has been to Amber Cove and the cable car in the last two months, without purchasing an excursion, would you be able to tell me if 1) the cable car is open, 2) can we get a taxi inside the port 3) is it difficult to get a taxi back from the cable car or are they waiting there, and 4) if you also had time to go into Puerto Plata and if you did, how easy was it to get a taxi from there back to Amber Cove. 
 

Our cruise line has an excursion that drives you to the top of the mountain, but we would really like to take the cable car. If we purchase the excursion, can we buy tickets at the top of the mountain to take the cable car down and back up? 

[CammieO]

We successfully went to the teleferico cable car and I want to share my experience for other people who might have questions. The cable car is open for business as of this week. There are taxis inside Amber Cove and the rates are clearly posted. Your driver will wait for you to return if you do a round trip fare. 

[geovet]

Do you know how much extra if you also want to go to puerto plata also to shop?

 

thanks

[CammieO]

I’m not sure, but the person at the taxi stand asked us if we wanted to do both the Teleférico and the city. We declined, but it’s definitely an option 

[DorothyB]

I am thinking about doing this solo.  Leave the ship, take the taxi round trip to the cable car, ride the cable car and back to the ship.  

 

Any thoughts on safety / ease of doing it safely solo?

 

How long was the taxi ride each way?  

 

Thanks!

[Greg901]

Does anyone know when the cables cars are closing for maintenance? We are schedule on a excursion there 6/26 and hoping they are still operating.

[Cruze4Ever]

Has anyone walked from the cruise ship?  I understand that it is walkable.  Is it easy to find your way there?  Thank you!

[ggTexasGal]

9 hours ago, Cruze4Ever said:

Has anyone walked from the cruise ship?  I understand that it is walkable.  Is it easy to find your way there?  Thank you!

I have been wondering the same!

Google maps shows it to be 1.1 to 1.2 miles one way.

What I have not determined is: from what starting point that is measured (since one would first need to get from the ship and through the port area).

My guess is the distance is more like 2+ miles (each direction).

Other issues include: How steep is the walk? Traffic?  Weather?

[Cruze4Ever]

2 hours ago, ggTexasGal said:

I have been wondering the same!

Google maps shows it to be 1.1 to 1.2 miles one way.

What I have not determined is: from what starting point that is measured (since one would first need to get from the ship and through the port area).

My guess is the distance is more like 2+ miles (each direction).

Other issues include: How steep is the walk? Traffic?  Weather?

Thanks for your post.  I was wondering the same and hope someone can answer about how steep the walk would be.  We can also take a taxi.

 

[DorothyB]

To further confuse the issue for those of us who haven't been there:

- There are TWO docks at Puerto Plata - Taino Bay and Amber Cove.  

- Carnival docks at Amber Cove.  Sometimes NCL docks at Amber Cove.  

- Taino Bay is the one with the Lazy River

 

Regarding the Cable Cars, it might not matter if you can or cannot walk to it from either port.  If you google, it appears that the cable cars themselves will be closed for "18 to 24 months" effective maybe June 2024

 

[ggTexasGal]

I guess hubby is going to be happy, since he didn't show much interest in do this. 😏

Taino Bay's pool and lazy river it shall be, then!😁

[Gallivanting Souls]

According to my contact in Puerto Plata, the cable car is closed for an extended time. We did this tour with him before COVID. It is possible to do this tour DIY once it opens up, but keep this in mind: At any time only two cable cars can run. When we did this, only one was working. Time is limited, so be cautious. This excursion might be best if staying on the island or an extended stop. We did make it back to the ship in time, but it was stressful.

[ggTexasGal]

12 hours ago, Gallivanting Souls said:

According to my contact in Puerto Plata, the cable car is closed for an extended time. We did this tour with him before COVID. It is possible to do this tour DIY once it opens up, but keep this in mind: At any time only two cable cars can run. When we did this, only one was working. Time is limited, so be cautious. This excursion might be best if staying on the island or an extended stop. We did make it back to the ship in time, but it was stressful.

Thank you for the additional information!