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Loma Isabel de Torres, Puerto Plata’s Scenic Mountain

Loma Isabel de Torres, Puerto Plata’s Scenic Mountain

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If it’s green and steep like Rio de Janeiro, boasts a Christ the Redeemer statue like Rio de Janeiro, and offers breathtaking views of the city and its coastline, then it must be Rio de Janeiro, right? Wrong! Instead, this description describes Loma Isabel de Torres, a forested mountain on the outskirts of Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, where visitors can hike, watch endemic birds and gaze at the ocean if the weather permits.

By: Omri Westmark

Date: 20:51 22.11.24

Last Update: 20:51 22.11.24

Forests Mountains Nature Replicas Scenic Points Urban Puerto Plata Dominican Republic North America & The Caribbean

Overlooking the city of Puerto Plata, Isabel de Torres National Park bears an uncanny resemblance to the green cliff in Rio de Janeiro where tourists huddle for hours before gawking at the famous ivory-hued sculpture that crowns its peak. Yet, despite its relative anonymity, the place emerges from the shadow of its Brazilian counterpart by providing a glimpse into the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity.

Encompassing 15 square kilometers, the park’s crown jewel is Loma Isabel de Torres, an 800-meter-high mountain that offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the town below. At the summit, visitors are greeted by the Cristo Redentor statue, a scaled-down replica of Rio’s famed monument, perching atop a white dome since the early 1970s.

Nearby, the botanical gardens unfold with an array of subtropical plants, including native palms, a medley of colorful flowers, and towering pines. Beyond its ample flora, there are various wild animals too. In fact, the park’s wide array of feather-bearing species makes it a favorite spot for birdwatchers.

Among its winged critters are several endemic ones, such as the palmchat, known for its quirky call, and the Cuban kite, a rare bird of prey. Other avian inhabitants include woodpeckers, chatty parakeets, and the ash pigeons, conspicuous by their delicate gray plumage. The skies above the woods are also teeming with guaraguaos, a type of red-tailed hawk regularly seen soaring in search of prey.

Reaching the summit is an experience by its own right, particularly if one opts to do it with the site’s cable car, or teleférico. Built in collaboration with an Italian engineering firm, the cable car was inaugurated on July 19, 1975, to the fanfare of grand celebrations. Over the years, it has undergone careful maintenance and multiple renovations that ensured its safety. During the ride, passengers are treated to sweeping vistas of the area and an up-close look at the treetops just beneath their feet.

The lush landscape is crisscrossed by several hiking trails of varying difficulty that lead to points of interest within the jungle. Among these are a small artificial lagoon filled with koi fish and sunbathing turtles, a reconstruction of a pre-Columbian indigenous home, a small cave, and a verdant tunnel crafted entirely from tropical foliage.