Puerto Plata Cable Car begins major transformation after five decades

Puerto Plata.- The Dominican Republic has begun a comprehensive modernization of the Puerto Plata Cable Car, an iconic tourist attraction that has served the province for more than 50 years.

Minister of the Presidency José Ignacio Paliza led the start of the project, which is being carried out by the Unit for the Redevelopment of Neighborhoods and Environments (URBE) and the DOMA Consortium, made up of Austrian cable transport manufacturer Doppelmayr Seilbahnen GmbH and Dominican construction company Grupo Malespín.

The project will replace the existing system with a modern double-cable aerial tramway (ATW) featuring two panoramic cabins capable of carrying 55 passengers each, compared with the current capacity of about 18 to 20 passengers. The new system will be able to transport up to 430 passengers per hour in each direction.

The modernization will include new drive, control, monitoring and safety systems, as well as upgrades to the electrical infrastructure and stations. The historic route connecting Puerto Plata with Loma Isabel de Torres will remain in place.

Paliza said the project seeks to preserve the cable car’s historical importance while providing a safer, more accessible and higher-capacity attraction for residents and visitors. “This is not just about replacing the cabins,” Paliza said, emphasizing that the work involves a comprehensive renewal of the cable system and its main operating and safety components.

The new Puerto Plata Cable Car is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2028, following installation, technical testing and the required procedures for commissioning the system.