There is plenty of local color in Puerto Plata. The city was founded around 1500 and given its name – which means “silver port” – by Christopher Columbus, who thought the clouds hiding the nearby mountaintop had a silvery appearance. Also identified by its hue, the main public beach is called Playa Dorada, or Golden Beach, after the color of its sun-kissed sand. If you spend some time there, you’ll find it’s a great place to bronze yourself. Or you can head into town to the Museo del Ámbar to see more shades of amber than you probably knew existed. Be sure to bring your green, as you can buy jewelry there too.