A landmark transformation is officially underway for the Puerto Plata Cable Car, one of the Dominican Republic’s most recognizable tourist landmarks that has served millions of visitors for over 50 years. The kickoff ceremony for the full modernization project was led by José Ignacio Paliza, Dominican Minister of the Presidency, marking the start of a multi-year overhaul that will reimagine this beloved attraction for a new era of tourism.
The initiative is being executed by the Unit for the Redevelopment of Neighborhoods and Environments (URBE) in partnership with DOMA Consortium, a joint venture between global industry leader Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH—an Austrian manufacturer renowned for cable car, funicular and rope transit systems—and local Dominican construction firm Grupo Malespín. At the core of the project is a full replacement of the aging existing cable system with a cutting-edge automatic double-cable swing gondola (ATW) system.
Unlike the current setup, which only carries 18 to 20 passengers per cabin, the overhaul will introduce two new spacious panoramic cabins that hold 55 passengers each—nearly tripling the per-cabin capacity. In addition to expanded passenger space, the project will fully replace all core infrastructure: outdated drive mechanisms, control systems, monitoring technology, and critical safety features will all be upgraded to 21st century standards. The project will also renovate the cable car’s stations and electrical systems, while preserving the attraction’s historic route that leads up to the summit of Loma Isabel de Torres.
Speaking at the groundbreaking event, Minister Paliza emphasized that the modernization forms a core part of the national government’s broader strategy to boost tourism-driven economic growth across Puerto Plata. “This project marries the cable car’s deep historical legacy for the province with a new infrastructure that is safer, more accessible, and better equipped to welcome both Dominican visitors and international tourists,” Paliza explained. “This is far more than just swapping out old cabins for new ones. We are rebuilding every essential component of the system—from cables and machinery to safety controls and station facilities—to deliver a next-generation experience that serves users better than ever before.”
Igor Rodríguez, Director General of the Dominican Institute of Civil Aviation (IDAC), also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering a facility that meets the strictest global safety and reliability benchmarks. As a member of the national Tourism Cabinet, IDAC will oversee technical compliance throughout the construction and testing phases. “This renovation is a critical step forward to ensure the Puerto Plata Cable Car operates with top-tier technology and rigorous safety standards,” Rodríguez noted. “Our team is supporting every stage of this process to guarantee the new infrastructure meets all required technical specifications, so we can deliver a safe, dependable experience for all users.”
Once complete, the upgraded system will be able to transport up to 430 passengers per hour in each direction, dramatically reducing wait times and expanding the attraction’s ability to accommodate growing tourist volumes to the Puerto Plata region. Following the conclusion of construction, assembly, and mandatory technical testing, the new Puerto Plata Cable Car is scheduled to open to the public in the first quarter of 2028.