Dominicana
Fast facts History Geography NewsTravel info
Hotels Money Getting There Getting Around Car Rental Flights & Airports Shopping Dangers Culture Climate Weather Maps FAQThings to do
Windsurfing Rafting Scuba diving Canyoning GolfThings to see
Excursions Attractions Events & festivals PicturesSite map Contact us Links
Lodging
All-Inclusive Hotels Puerto Plata hotels Punta Cana hotels Santo Domingo hotelsPopular
Dominican Republic hotels
Barcelo Capella Beach Resort
Barcelo Bavaro Golf
Costa Caribe Coral
Canoa Coral
Catalonia Bavaro Resort
Ocean Bavaro Spa
Breezes Puerto Plata
Paradisus Punta Cana
Sun Village Beach Resort
Occidental Allegro Jack Tar
Dominican Republic > Puerto Plata > Amber Museum
Dominican Amber Museum at Puerto Plata
Villa Bentz - an attractive Victorian building in the centre of Puerto Plata on Duarte Street - houses the Amber Museum, showcasing a unique collection of valuable Dominican amber.
According to experts, Dominican amber is 90 % more transparent than amber from elsewhere. Amber lovers and collectors value Dominican amber for the diversity of inclusions it contains. The occurrence of insects in amber from the Dominican Republic is about 10 times higher than in Baltic amber.
A visit to the Amber Museum begins on the second floor of Villa Bentz. The guide explains how amber is actually a sap that oozed out of trees 30 million years ago, and while on its way down to wherever gravity takes it, insects and leaves and other bits of flora and fauna got stuck to it. Over time it hardened into what it is today, a light, transparent "rock".
The first floor of The Amber Museum has an excellent store filled with amber jewelry, as well as typical arts and crafts from all over the country.
Opening time: Monday to Saturday 9am to 6pm
Address: 61 Duarte Street; Telephone: (809) 586 2848