SANTO DOMINGO. As of December 1st, Puerto Plata, Pedernales, Santo Domingo, and La Romana were ranked as the busiest and most visited maritime destinations in the Dominican Republic during 2025, according to data from the Dominican Port Authority (APORDOM) .
According to the quarterly statistical report of the Planning and Development Directorate of the entity , the country received more than 1.8 million cruise passengers .
According to the report, in Puerto Plata operations were concentrated at the Amber Cove and Taíno Bay , while in Pedernales they took place at Cabo Rojo . The report specifies that in Santo Domingo arrivals were registered at the Sans Souci terminal, while La Romana received passengers at its local tourist terminal, consolidating these points as the busiest of the year.
Puerto Plata
The official document states that the first quarter ( January-March) saw the highest influx of visitors, with 1,004,143 passengers and 358 cruise ships . Puerto Plata accounted for the majority of these arrivals, primarily from international cruise lines with routes in the Caribbean.
During April-June, the area maintained a steady flow of vessels. The third quarter saw 390,416 passengers , a period marked by a seasonal decrease compared to the previous year.
In November, APORDOM highlighted the arrival of 67 cruise ships throughout the country , most of which were concentrated in Puerto Plata, reaffirming its leadership in cruise tourism.
Pedernales-Cabo Rojo
According to the records of the government entity, during the first quarter this port, which was incorporated into the national registry in 2024, received 8 vessels , in the second quarter 4 , and in July-September 7 operations , which shows a progressive growth.
In December, two cruise ships arrived at the same time, an event that mobilized thousands of visitors to destinations such as Bahía de las Águilas, Hoyo de Pelempito and Los Pozos de Romeo , according to a press release from the Pro-Pedernales Trust .
The chief executive, Sigmund Freund , explained that the progressive increase in operations reflects the interest of international airlines in integrating this destination into their regular itineraries.
Santo Domingo
Meanwhile APORDOM data 119 vessels in the first quarter 126 in the second 111 in the third , consolidating its position as a cultural destination.
In July alone, Santo Domingo registered 5,777 passengers , equivalent to about 3% of the national total, driven mainly by visits to the Colonial Zone , a historical heritage site and the main attraction of the capital.
La Romana
La Romana reflected a decrease in its activity during 2025. In January-March it registered 77 operations , in April-June 27 , and in July-September 14 vessels , which represented a year-on-year drop of 22%, according to the data.
In November, the entity reported the arrival of 10 cruise ships that touched Dominican waters for the first time , including the Aida SOL , Cel Xcel , Brilliant Lady , Brilliant OTS , Rhapsody , Carnival Legend , Majestic Princess , Coral Princess , NCL Getaway and NCL Joy .
APORDOM's CEO, Jean Luis Rodríguez , emphasized that the addition of these vessels strengthens the confidence of international cruise lines in the Dominican Republic as a cruise destination.
