Is the Puerto Plata cable car open?
No. The Teleférico de Puerto Plata, which began carrying visitors up Mount Isabel de Torres in 1975, is closed for a full rebuild. The Dominican government started the works on 3 October 2026 and expects the new cable car to open in the first quarter of 2028, once assembly, technical tests and the approval steps are complete (Presidencia de la República Dominicana, 3 October 2026).
Tour operators on Viator already describe the cable car as out of service for renovation. If a tour still promises a cable car ride, check with the operator before booking.
What the new Puerto Plata cable car will be like
The project replaces the whole system: cable, drives, controls, safety systems, electrical installation and stations. It is led by the URBE unit with Consorcio DOMA, formed by the Austrian cable car maker Doppelmayr and the Dominican builder Grupo Malespín. The two new panoramic cabins will carry 55 passengers each, against about 18 to 20 in the old cabins, and the line will move up to 430 passengers per hour in each direction. The route up Mount Isabel de Torres stays the same.
How to visit Mount Isabel de Torres now
At least one tour listed on Viator now makes the climb by 4x4 truck. The Puerto Plata City Tour & Mount Isabel de Torres by Truck lasts about 4 hours 40 minutes, includes hotel or port pickup, a guide and entrance fees, and spends around 90 minutes in the Isabel de Torres park with its Christ the Redeemer statue. On 25 October 2026 it held a 4.6 rating from 244 Viator reviews and offered free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
Other views over Puerto Plata without the cable car
- The Fortaleza San Felipe on the Malecon looks over the bay and the old port.
- The Malecon seafront is the classic sunset walk in the city.
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Frequently asked questions
No. The Puerto Plata cable car is closed for a full rebuild that the Dominican government started on 3 October 2026. The new system is planned to open in the first quarter of 2028.
According to the Dominican Presidency (3 October 2026), the new Puerto Plata cable car is planned to start operating in the first quarter of 2028, after assembly, technical tests and approvals.
By 4x4 truck on a guided tour, such as the Puerto Plata City Tour & Mount Isabel de Torres by Truck listed on Viator, with hotel or port pickup included.
