One of the Dominican Republic’s most recognizable tourism landmarks is set to undergo a landmark modernization, after government officials announced a $20 million rehabilitation project for the Puerto Plata Cable Car. The joint initiative, backed by the nation’s Ministry of Tourism and the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), aims to breathe new life into the iconic mountain transit system and elevate the overall visitor experience for travelers coming to the Puerto Plata region.
The scope of the renovation brings sweeping upgrades across every core component of the cable car operation. Most notably, the existing smaller cabins will be replaced with new, higher-capacity models that expand passenger throughput from 18 people per trip to 50, cutting travel time along the route from eight minutes to just five through comprehensive upgrades to the cable car’s electromechanical infrastructure. Beyond capacity and speed improvements, the project will integrate rigorous European safety certifications into the system’s design, boosting long-term operational reliability, passenger protection, and overall energy efficiency. Officials note these upgrades are critical to strengthening the Dominican Republic’s standing as a competitive global tourism destination.
Heading project execution is the Executive Unit for the Readjustment of Neighborhoods and Environments (URBE), which has designed the renovation to balance modern improvements with heritage preservation. Alongside the cable car system upgrades, both terminals will be fully remodeled to add universal accessibility features that accommodate travelers of all physical abilities, while careful planning will protect the cable car’s unique historic identity that has made it a favorite among visitors for decades.
First opened to the public in 1975, this 18-month overhaul will mark the most extensive transformation the attraction has seen in its nearly 50 years of operation. Once completed, industry leaders expect the upgraded cable car to solidify Puerto Plata’s reputation as one of the Caribbean’s leading leisure and tourist destinations, drawing more visitors and supporting sustained growth in the region’s vital tourism economy.