One of the best ways to get to know any city is to visit its most popular market. So that’s what we’ll do first on your tour of Puerto Plata. This colourful and noisy place proudly displays the best of Dominican traditions. Here we’ll learn about the exotic fruits and vegetables that grow on the island, the traditional seasonings that are used by locals to give flavour to their dishes and about the raw tobacco that’s been cultivated here for centuries.

Next up, we’ll admire the island’s handicraft credentials at a traditional gallery and you will see jewellery crafted from our national stone, Larimar, which is unique to the Dominican Republic. This is a great stop for a spot of authentic souvenir shopping should you wish to indulge yourself.

We will then move on to discover the religions of our country with a visit to a popular local church. We’ll discuss the continuing practice of the voodoo religion, as well as other religions that were imported from Europe centuries ago.

Next, we’ll get off the tourist trail and take a stroll amongst the locals to explore hidden alleys that hide the true spirit and lifestyle of Puerto Plata. As we walk, you’ll see the local cemetery where many important people have been buried since its inception in 1800. You’ll also see the traditional barbershops, street food stalls that locals love and, in the old market neighbourhood, you’ll learn many unique things about Puerto Plata from your local, expert guide.

We’ll eat a chulito, a deliciously savoury fried treat made with yucca (cassava) that locals just love and you will too!

From here we'll walk to the historical district, learning about the Victorian-style houses that dot the streets and admiring the typically Caribbean buildings with their bright colours — very Instagram-worthy!

Then we’ll enjoy a refreshing artisanal ice cream at the main square with the pigeons, underneath the beautiful Victorian gazebo symbol of our fair city.

From here we are going to visit the Gregorio Luperon Museum, where you will learn about the everyday lives of the families who lived here 200 years ago, from the point of view of one of our national heroes and former presidents.

After working up an appetite exploring the city and learning about local life in Puerto Plata, we’ll end our tour on a tasty high, with a mouth-watering lunch of traditional local dishes at the home of a local family. Here you will try some specialities of the island, get to know a local family and reflect on everything you have learned during your action-packed morning.

You have definitely earned the right to lounge on your sun lounger this afternoon but if you do want to continue your exploration of the area, don’t forget to ask your local guide for tips on what else there is to see, do and eat in Puerto Plata.