Fuerte San Felipe

San Felipe Fortress is the oldest military construction in the Americas and Puerto Plata's main historic landmark. Ordered built in 1564 by King Philip II of Spain, it defended the bay from pirates and privateers for centuries. Today it is a museum with cannons, dungeons and ramparts overlooking the malecón and the Atlantic. It sits at the end of the waterfront, a few minutes from the historic center and Independence Park.