2027 cruise season · Updated November 1, 2026

The 10 Best Amber Cove Excursions for 2027

Docking at Amber Cove or Taíno Bay? These are the best Amber Cove excursions for 2027, from the Damajagua waterfalls and the squirrel monkeys at Monkey Home to buggy and ATV rides near Maimón and a Puerto Plata city tour. For each one, you’ll see the price, what’s included, where your driver meets you and how long the drive is from the pier, along with a route map.

4.7 3,202 reviews ★★★★★ 4.8 Google reviews
See the top 10 Compare prices & drive times

Top picks at a glance

Short on time? Start with the tour that fits your group.

Best overall Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch From $49 · 31 min from the pier Best for families Monkey Home, Butterflies & Birds From $57.99 · 18 min from the pier Best for couples Double Buggy Adventure From $50 · 10 min from the pier Best value Double ATV Adventure From $45 · 10 min from the pier

Compare all 10 Amber Cove excursions

Prices are our current rates in US dollars when you book direct; see how they compare with Viator’s. Drive times are based on Google Maps’ fastest route from the Amber Cove cruise terminal.

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The 10 best Amber Cove excursions compared by price, duration, drive time from the cruise terminal, activity level and who they suit
# Excursion From Duration Drive from Amber Cove Activity level Best for
1 Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch $49per guest 3 hours 31 min23.8 km (14.8 mi) Challenging Active first-timers
2 Monkey Home, Butterflies & Birds $57.99per guest 3 hours 18 min16.3 km (10.1 mi) Easy Families with young kids
3 Double Buggy Adventure $50per person · 2 sharing 3 hours 10 min5.7 km (3.5 mi) Moderate Couples and friends
4 Double ATV Adventure $45per person · 2 sharing 2 hours 30 minutes 10 min5.7 km (3.5 mi) Moderate Thrill seekers on a budget
5 Puerto Plata City Tour $44.55per guest About 4 hours 18 min12.5 km (7.8 mi) Easy History buffs and easygoing travelers
6 Damajagua Waterfalls + Monkey Park + Lunch $99per guest About 4 hours 31 min23.8 km (14.8 mi) Challenging Families with kids 8 and up
7 City Tour + Double Buggy or ATV $75per person · 2 per buggy About 6 hours 18 min12.5 km (7.8 mi) Moderate Travelers who want culture and adventure
8 7 Waterfalls + Zip Line + Lunch (Private Transfer) $110per guest 4 hours 31 min23.8 km (14.8 mi) Challenging Couples and small groups
9 Damajagua + Zip Line + Buggy Combo $149per guest 5 hours 31 min23.8 km (14.8 mi) Challenging Adrenaline junkies
10 Damajagua Waterfalls + Buggy + Dominican Food $110per guest 5 hours 31 min23.8 km (14.8 mi) Challenging Couples who’d rather skip the zip line

The 10 best Amber Cove excursions for 2027, ranked

Every pick includes round-trip transportation from inside the terminal, plus a route map from both Puerto Plata cruise ports. See how we ranked them.

Best overall

1. Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch

Damajagua is Puerto Plata’s signature excursion: a guide leads you into the canyon, and you slide, jump and swim your way down a series of natural limestone pools. The lunch option adds a Dominican meal for US$10 more than the waterfalls-only ticket, which does not include lunch.

Price
From $49 per guest
Duration
3 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
31-min drive 23.8 km (14.8 mi)
From Taíno Bay
38-min drive 32.8 km (20.4 mi)
Time needed in port
5+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Guided tour of the seven waterfalls
  • Helmet and life jacket for the slides, jumps and swimming
  • Dominican lunch

Good to know

Expect an uphill hike with stairs and wooden ladders before the first pool. Reviewers mention water-shoe rentals and lockers on site.

Challenging Best for: Active first-timers

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to 27 Charcos de Damajagua

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → 27 Charcos de Damajagua: 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best for families

2. Monkey Home, Butterflies & Birds

Feed curious squirrel monkeys at Monkey Home, then stroll through a tropical butterfly garden and hand-feed colorful birds. It’s the most relaxed tour on this list, with discounted tickets for kids and free admission for infants.

Monkey Home Puerto Plata has a 5.0 rating from 353 Tripadvisor reviews, ranks #1 of 65 things to do in Puerto Plata and meets Tripadvisor’s Animal Welfare Policy. Read the reviews on Tripadvisor

Price
From $57.99 per guest
Duration
3 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
18-min drive 16.3 km (10.1 mi)
From Taíno Bay
24-min drive 25.3 km (15.7 mi)
Time needed in port
5+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Hands-on squirrel monkey visit with a local guide
  • Butterfly garden and tropical bird encounter
  • Kids 3–11: US$39 · Infants 0–2: free

Good to know

Monkey Home is about 18 minutes from the Amber Cove pier, and the easy pace works well on a shorter port day.

Easy Best for: Families with young kids

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to Monkey Home Puerto Plata

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → Monkey Home Puerto Plata: 18 min · 16.3 km (10.1 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best for couples

3. Double Buggy Adventure

You and a partner share a side-by-side buggy on muddy country trails and stream crossings, just minutes from the Amber Cove pier. Along the way, you stop at a Dominican home for coffee, chocolate and mamajuana, then wrap up with a dip at Teco Beach.

Price
From $50 per person · 2 sharing
Duration
3 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
10-min drive 5.7 km (3.5 mi)
From Taíno Bay
17-min drive 14.6 km (9.1 mi)
Time needed in port
5+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Two-seat buggy, safety gear and a bilingual guide
  • Coffee, chocolate and mamajuana tasting
  • Teco Beach stop, showers and changing rooms

Good to know

You will get muddy, so wear closed-toe shoes and bring a change of clothes for the ship.

Moderate Best for: Couples and friends

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to Playa Teco, Maimón

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → Playa Teco, Maimón: 10 min · 5.7 km (3.5 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best value

4. Double ATV Adventure

At US$45 per person when two riders share an ATV, this is the cheapest off-road adventure on the list. After a practice run at base camp, you follow your guide along Maimón’s back roads, creeks and mud trails, with stops for Dominican tastings and Teco Beach.

Price
From $45 per person · 2 sharing
Duration
2 hours 30 minutes
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
10-min drive 5.7 km (3.5 mi)
From Taíno Bay
17-min drive 14.6 km (9.1 mi)
Time needed in port
4.5+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Practice session, safety briefing and a bilingual guide
  • Coffee, chocolate and mamajuana tastings at a Dominican home
  • Teco Beach stop and base-camp showers

Good to know

Want your own ATV? A single-rider ATV is US$85.

Moderate Best for: Thrill seekers on a budget

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to Playa Teco, Maimón

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → Playa Teco, Maimón: 10 min · 5.7 km (3.5 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best for history and culture

5. Puerto Plata City Tour

See the best of Puerto Plata in one easy outing: Fortaleza San Felipe, the Malecón, a chocolate factory, Umbrella Street, Pink Street, the Amber Museum area, Central Park and the cathedral. There’s only light walking, with no mud or swimming, so it works for most ages.

Price
From $44.55 per guest
Duration
About 4 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
18-min drive 12.5 km (7.8 mi)
From Taíno Bay
5-min drive 1.7 km (1.1 mi)
Time needed in port
6+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Fortaleza San Felipe, the Malecón and the Puerto Plata sign
  • Chocolate factory, Umbrella Street and Pink Street
  • Amber Museum area, Central Park and the Cathedral of San Felipe

Good to know

Docking at Taíno Bay? The historic center is only about 5 minutes away, so you spend more time sightseeing and less time on the road.

Easy Best for: History buffs and easygoing travelers

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to Fortaleza San Felipe, Puerto Plata

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → Fortaleza San Felipe, Puerto Plata: 18 min · 12.5 km (7.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best combo for kids 8+

6. Damajagua Waterfalls + Monkey Park + Lunch

This four-hour combo pairs the seven Damajagua waterfalls with a squirrel monkey visit at Monkey Park and a Dominican lunch. Admission to both attractions, safety gear and transportation are included, and every guest must be at least 8 years old.

Price
From $99 per guest
Duration
About 4 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
31-min drive 23.8 km (14.8 mi)
From Taíno Bay
38-min drive 32.8 km (20.4 mi)
Time needed in port
6+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Admission to Damajagua and Monkey Park, plus a guide
  • Helmet and life jacket for the waterfalls
  • Dominican lunch (alcoholic drinks not included)

Good to know

Traveling with 6 or more guests? You get 5% off the whole booking automatically at checkout, or 10% off with 11 or more.

Challenging Best for: Families with kids 8 and up

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to 27 Charcos de Damajagua

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → 27 Charcos de Damajagua: 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best full-day combo

7. City Tour + Double Buggy or ATV

Pair Puerto Plata’s top landmarks with a guided buggy or ATV ride through the countryside. It’s US$75 per person, with two people sharing each vehicle, and takes about six hours, so it’s best on a longer port day.

Price
From $75 per person · 2 per buggy
Duration
About 6 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
18-min drive 12.5 km (7.8 mi)
From Taíno Bay
5-min drive 1.7 km (1.1 mi)
Time needed in port
8+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • City highlights, from Fortaleza San Felipe to the cathedral
  • A buggy or ATV for two, with a guide and safety briefing
  • Country trails, streams and muddy paths

Good to know

Two-guest minimum. Two people share each vehicle; in an odd-numbered group, one guest rides alone at the same price.

Moderate Best for: Travelers who want culture and adventure

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to Fortaleza San Felipe, Puerto Plata

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → Fortaleza San Felipe, Puerto Plata: 18 min · 12.5 km (7.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best private tour

8. 7 Waterfalls + Zip Line + Lunch (Private Transfer)

This is the only tour on our list with private round-trip transportation from Amber Cove. In about four hours, you zip-line over the treetops, swim and slide through the seven Damajagua waterfalls, and finish with a Dominican buffet lunch.

Price
From $110 per guest
Duration
4 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
31-min drive 23.8 km (14.8 mi)
From Taíno Bay
38-min drive 32.8 km (20.4 mi)
Time needed in port
6+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Private round-trip transportation from Amber Cove
  • Zip-line course and Damajagua admission
  • Guided waterfall tour with safety gear
  • Dominican buffet lunch and water

Good to know

Pricing is per person, and having your own vehicle makes it an easy choice for couples and small groups.

Challenging Best for: Couples and small groups

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to 27 Charcos de Damajagua

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → 27 Charcos de Damajagua: 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Most adventurous

9. Damajagua + Zip Line + Buggy Combo

Three adventures in one booking: Damajagua’s natural pools and slides, an off-road buggy ride through the countryside and a zip-line ride. No other tour on this list packs more adrenaline into a single port day.

Price
From $149 per guest
Duration
5 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
31-min drive 23.8 km (14.8 mi)
From Taíno Bay
38-min drive 32.8 km (20.4 mi)
Time needed in port
7+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Damajagua admission and guide
  • Off-road buggy ride on country trails
  • Zip-line ride with a safety briefing

Good to know

It takes about five hours, so book it only if your ship is in port for at least seven.

Challenging Best for: Adrenaline junkies

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to 27 Charcos de Damajagua

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → 27 Charcos de Damajagua: 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

Best waterfall and off-road combo

10. Damajagua Waterfalls + Buggy + Dominican Food

This five-hour day combines Damajagua’s guided slides, jumps and clear pools with a two-seat buggy ride on muddy trails and a traditional Dominican meal. Showers and changing rooms are included, so you can clean up before heading back to the ship.

Price
From $110 per guest
Duration
5 hours
Pickup
Inside the terminal Amber Cove or Taíno Bay
From Amber Cove
31-min drive 23.8 km (14.8 mi)
From Taíno Bay
38-min drive 32.8 km (20.4 mi)
Time needed in port
7+ hours Tour + time to get back

What’s included

  • Round-trip transportation from inside the cruise terminal
  • Damajagua admission and a waterfall guide
  • Two-seat buggy with driving instructions
  • Traditional Dominican meal

Good to know

The order of the buggy ride and the meal may change depending on the day’s schedule.

Challenging Best for: Couples who’d rather skip the zip line

Check dates & book See the full itinerary
Route to 27 Charcos de Damajagua

Amber Cove Cruise Terminal → 27 Charcos de Damajagua: 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi)

Fastest driving route on Google Maps as of November 1, 2026. Tour vans may take longer in traffic. Open in Google Maps

How did we rank these Amber Cove excursions?

We looked at four things: what guests praise in our 3,202 Tripadvisor reviews (rated 4.7 out of 5), how easily each tour fits into a cruise day once you add the drive from the pier, what you get for the price, and who each tour suits best. Full disclosure: we sell every tour on this list, so this ranks our own excursions, not every operator in Puerto Plata.

  • Guest reviewsWhat reviewers bring up most: the falls, the hike, the jumps and the pools.
  • Cruise-day fitTour length plus the real drive from the pier, so you’re back well before all-aboard.
  • ValueWhat the price covers: transportation, admission, gear and meals.
  • Who it’s forA clear pick for families, couples, budget travelers and thrill seekers.

Where do you meet your driver at Amber Cove and Taíno Bay?

Pickup and drop-off are inside the cruise terminal. At Amber Cove, your driver meets you in the terminal lobby; at Taíno Bay, you meet inside the port. We send your exact meeting point and driver details before your port day and plan the tour around your ship’s arrival time.

Amber Cove and Taíno Bay are separate terminals, about 13 minutes and 10.8 km (6.7 mi) apart by car, so confirm which one your ship uses before you book. Our cruise schedule guide shows you how.

How far are these excursions from the Amber Cove cruise port?

Most of these excursions are a 10- to 31-minute drive from the pier. Damajagua is the farthest, about 31 minutes and 23.8 km (14.8 mi) away. Monkey Home and downtown Puerto Plata are each about 18 minutes away, and the Playa Teco beach stop on the ATV and buggy tours is about 10 minutes away.

  • 27 Charcos de DamajaguaDamajagua waterfall tours and combos From Amber Cove: 31 min · 23.8 km (14.8 mi) From Taíno Bay: 38 min · 32.8 km (20.4 mi)
  • Monkey Home Puerto PlataMonkey Home tours From Amber Cove: 18 min · 16.3 km (10.1 mi) From Taíno Bay: 24 min · 25.3 km (15.7 mi)
  • Fortaleza San Felipe, Puerto PlataCity tours, Umbrella Street and Pink Street From Amber Cove: 18 min · 12.5 km (7.8 mi) From Taíno Bay: 5 min · 1.7 km (1.1 mi)
  • Playa Teco, MaimónBeach stop on the ATV and buggy tours From Amber Cove: 10 min · 5.7 km (3.5 mi) From Taíno Bay: 17 min · 14.6 km (9.1 mi)

Source: Google Maps, fastest driving route from each terminal, as of November 1, 2026.

Do you need to book an excursion in Amber Cove?

No, you don’t have to. You can spend the day at the Amber Cove complex, with its pools, bars and shops. But Damajagua, Puerto Plata’s historic center and the nearby beaches are a 10- to 31-minute drive away, and a tour with round-trip transportation is the easiest way to see them and still make it back before all-aboard.

You can book online up to 12 hours before your ship arrives. Days with several ships in port get busy, so book as soon as you know your date. Prefer to explore on your own? Read our guide to exploring Amber Cove on your own.

Amber Cove excursion FAQs

What is the best excursion in Amber Cove?

For most cruise passengers, it’s the Damajagua waterfalls: about 31 minutes from the pier, with guided slides, jumps and natural pools, starting at $49 with lunch. Families with young kids tend to prefer Monkey Home, and couples often go for the double buggy.

How far is Damajagua from Amber Cove?

The 27 Charcos de Damajagua are about 23.8 km (14.8 mi) from the Amber Cove cruise terminal, roughly a 31-minute drive on Google Maps’ fastest route. From Taíno Bay, it’s about 32.8 km (20.4 mi), or 38 minutes.

How far is Amber Cove from downtown Puerto Plata and Umbrella Street?

Fortaleza San Felipe, on the Malecón, is about 12.5 km (7.8 mi) from Amber Cove, roughly 18 minutes by car. Umbrella Street, Pink Street and Central Park are all in the same historic center, within about 1 km of the fort.

How far is Amber Cove from Taíno Bay?

Puerto Plata’s two cruise terminals are about 10.8 km (6.7 mi) apart, roughly 13 minutes by car. Double-check which one your ship uses, since the pickup instructions are different.

What happens if my ship is late or skips the port?

We’ll adjust the tour to your ship’s actual arrival time, so let us know as soon as the cruise line announces a delay. If your ship was scheduled to dock at the port you booked but doesn’t, you’ll get a full refund.

Can I cancel my excursion?

Yes. Cancel at least 25 hours before your tour’s scheduled start time for a full refund. Read the full cancellation policy.

Which Amber Cove excursion is best for kids?

Monkey Home, Butterflies & Birds is the easiest choice for young children: it’s about 18 minutes from the pier, kids 3–11 pay US$39 and infants go free. For kids 8 and up who are comfortable in the water, the Damajagua + Monkey Park combo adds the waterfalls.

Is the Damajagua excursion hard?

It’s the most physically demanding tour on this list. Expect an uphill hike with stairs and ladders, followed by swimming, sliding and jumping in a helmet and life jacket, so it’s best for reasonably fit guests who are comfortable in the water.

Do Amber Cove excursions run in the rain?

Buggy, ATV and monkey tours run rain or shine. Damajagua runs in showers, but guides can close it after heavy rain. If a tour can’t run for weather or safety reasons, we offer another tour or a full refund.

Ready to plan your Amber Cove day?

Start with our #1 pick, or browse every excursion with live dates and prices.

Book Damajagua Waterfalls + Dominican Lunch Browse all excursions

Free cancellation up to 25 hours before your tour. Questions about your ship or group? Contact our local team.

Plan the rest of your port day

Written by the Amber Cove Excursions team in Puerto Plata. Prices, inclusions and drive times were last checked on .