Welcome ! - The north coast - Further down |
Los 28 Charcos de Damajagua : Lets go through Puerto-Plata, then a few km after Imbert, on the left, there is the path for the 28 falls (los 28 charcos). At the entrance, an official guide will propose its services. Don't try to visit the site by yourself without any assistance: it could be dangerous and you could miss the most important. Thus, dare to spend 500 to 1 000 RD$ to visit the 7 or 8 first falls (function of the number of people).
One will propose to you to rent shoes to walk in water. It is great idea to do it while the visit is composed, first of all, of a walk for a few km. with multiple crossings of brook, to arrive at the first fall. You will climb this first fall and then walking in the bed of the river and easily (or not...) go up at the 6 following falls. To know to swim is essential although it is useful only to cross a few meters, the remainder of time the depth is lower than 1.50 m. and the visit consists to walk into the throat created by the erosion of the river. This site is remarkable by its beauty and is addressed to the people having a normal physical condition (not necessary to be an accomplished super-sportsman) and you will have an imperishable memory of it. For the 8th. falls, the things become harder and it is necessary to play like Tarzan, but it is worth while there is the most beautiful fall...
For the 20 remaining falls, it takes time, you have to leave early and pay more the guide |
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Luperon is growing around servicing boaters and there are a handful of interesting watering holes and restaurants. Luperon Bay is a large multi-fingered estuary with narrow access to the open water that makes it the best hurricane hole on the north coast. |
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Punta Rucia One of the most beautiful beach that dominican family invade on sunday. There, you will find this special dominican atmosphere, eat in restaurant where cerveza, decibels of bachata, lobsters, crabs and fishes are for small prices. |
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La Isabela is the first permanent settlement built by Christopher Columbus on his maiden voyage in 1492, now a historical point of interest. |
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Rio San Juan and Laguna Grigri. Coastal town popular for boat rides through the mangrove-choked lagoon like Laguna Grigri. This fresh water lagoon is a mangrove forest forming a canopy over its various channels. The lagoon winds its way to the seawater of the Atlantic, and the contrast of entering the blue ocean water from the covered mangrove forest is a memorable sight. |
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Playa Grande is well known for its magnificent turquoise-clear water. There are several Dominican open-air restaurants where you can feast on delicious fresh fish or lobster. |
Playa Preciosa is next to Playa Grande and is equally appealing except there are no restaurants, fewer people, and no beach vendors.
Playa Magante, a lovely and secluded beach, is right after the town of Rio San Juan. With two restaurants and a horseback riding outfit, many people like to go to this beach to get away for the afternoon.
Cabrera is a serene, agricultural region that is attracting well-to-do foreigners who are building luxurious countryside estates far from the madding crowd.
Samana Bay is this region of spectacular hills that feature a vast forest of coconut palms lying at the eastern extremity of the north coastal highway. Places like the town of Samana, Las Galeras and Las Terrenas are Dominican towns that have been developed into charming, cosmopolitan villages by foreigners who have moved in and set up shop.
The bay of Samana is more particularly known for the whales which come to reproduce from January till March every year. Report
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Las Terrenas. After crossing through the mountains of the Samana's peninsula and a vertiginous descent towards the sea, is Las Terrenas, charming village at mainly French community. The french hippies from the years 1968 in search of nirvana while settling in this small Dominican village almost transformed it into a French one. Shopping center, French school and French products (wines and cheeses) that can't be find nowhere elsewhere in Dominican Republic. Las Terrenas it is a splendid coral sand beaches, an immense lagoon with a crystalline water , the sympathy and nonchalance of a population which lives in the paradise. To know more :
Las Terrenas - République dominicaine
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Cordillera Septentrional, with the Sabaneta-Moca mountain road, is a really worthwhile trip. Ten minutes east from Cabarete lies the junction of Sabaneta. Here you take the only right from the main road, which will lead you winding through a mountain road going through the Cordillera Septentrional. You will pass tiny Dominican towns, along breathtaking panoramas and eventually end up in the city of Moca (cigar making capital of the Dominican Republic) not far from Santiago. This mountain road is also an absolute favorite of motorbikers. The road between Gaspar Hernandez and Tenares is very similar - some say it's even more beautiful. A great day trip by motorbike is the round trip Cabarete - Sabaneta - Moca - Tenares - Gaspar Hernandez - Cabarete.
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Santiago is the second largest city in the country and contains a few worthwhile things to see. Some of them are Tomas Morel Museum of Folkloric Art, the Monument of the Heroes of the Restoration, and the bustling downtown area alive with colors, sights, and sounds. The Tobacco Museum is recommended as well.
At the western extremity lies the border with Haiti and the towns of Dajabón, Manzanillo and Montecristi. These are authentically Dominican towns with little or no tourist influence. Beyond the border lies another world, Haiti.
See relative websites : La Costa Verde (in french) - Gaviota Tours.
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