puerto plata waterfall tour

Damajagua (Water Falls)

Full Tour (7 to 12 Falls):          USD 60.00

Children greater than 8 years old, pay as an adult. Children under 7 will have free entry but can only swim at the first fall in companionship of an adult.

Note: All 27 Falls are due to season (on Summer due to low rains will be available at most 7 to 8 and on Winter may be the 27 Falls). If you are coming on winter and wanna enjoy the full experience, call one of our agents. Also if you want to enjoy our Typical Dominican Food. You can order for only US$10.00 and you will be able to eat in the special BBQ Buffet!

This excursion includes transfer, entrance to the waterfalls, equipment, soft drinks and guides. This trip is half a day for about 4 1/2 hours. Children under 7 cannot visit more than one fall.

About the Damajagua River Tour (27 Charcos of Damajagua)!!

12 waterfalls (damajagua river tour):.

Come and enjoy the 27 Pools of the Damajagua River Tour! Perched in the rolling hills of the Northern mountain range of the Dominican Republic, this is a natural treasure that you will not find on any other part of this world. Indeed, Mother Nature has produced 27 beautiful pools, carved by the limestone. Be ready to have fun!!!

Although the 27 waterfalls have existed for millennia they were only recently discovered by the outside world. Therefore, the first tourists began arriving at the Falls in 1994, and little by little, word got out about this amazing natural treasure and spawned a guiding industry for the local young men. Nevertheless, ten years later, nearly 50,000 tourists every year come to Rio Damajagua to enjoy what Dominicans have known about for centuries.

Thus, the number of tourists coming to 27 Charcos has grown dramatically. In 1998, the local guides officially formalized their association in to the AGRD, the Association of Guides of Rio Damajagua. Our team has extensive experience as water guides and strives to ensure that your satisfaction is our number one priority. Our goal is to make the time you spend with us the highlight of your vacation.

At first, the tour begins at the beautiful, new, visitor center. Come and enjoy traditional Dominican food and beverages in the open-air restaurant with breath-taking mountain views. Next, make your way to the first waterfall on our interpretive nature trail on which you will encounter hundreds of species of tropical plants and birds.

The Waterfalls:

• The First Waterfall (“The Virgin”): Legend says that the Taino Indians who used to inhabit the area built a statue of the Virgin Saint of the Dominican Republic, Altagracia.
• The Perfect Waterslide (“La Tinajita”): “La Tinajita” At over 20 feet deep, this waterfall is one of the most exciting!!
• The Corkscrew: A fun climb and an even better slide on the way back down.
• T.O.Y.S.: This innocent looking waterfall has the tendency to make some tourists a little red in the face. You might want to tie up that swimsuit tight…
• The Cave: The waterfall that falls through the domed roof gives a fantastic massage.
• The Crystal: “The 8th” Tourists that climb up to this waterfall can be almost assured that they will not see any other tourists for the rest of the day.
• Hot and Cold: The water in this fall has separated into two different levels, but opposite from what you might expect: hot on the bottom and cold on top.
• Flor’s Fall: Flor Trejo was an old farmer who used to have a small plantation on one of the mountainsides near Rio Damajagua.
• The Jaiba: This pool, with its crystalline water, is named for the fresh water crabs that can be found living in a crack in the rock wall.
• The Hammock: About 16 years ago, a large vine hung from the tree canopy above the river that looked like a hammock.
• The Taino: The view form the base of this fall is one of the most beautiful there is. Enjoy!
• The Natural Pool: The most beautiful of all the waterfalls, the Natural Pool has characteristics that resemble a real pool. 
• The Last One: It really is the last one. Enjoy the view of the source of Rio Damajagua and the Tarzan vine swing above.

What to bring with you

• Insect repellent
• Water-shoes or sport sandals with a back-strap

As this excursion have some risks, please let us know if any member has Physical problems at knees, back and/or the heart, because you will have to walk up to the mountain for around 35 minutes, jump and slide.

Amber Cove Port Map:

This is the meeting point, you will have to walk out for around 6 minutes from the Port to the Highway, and when you get there please turn to the Right side to meet our guides, they will be holding a  Marysol Tours  sign and your name.

Come and Discover the best kept secret in the Dominican Republic! Ask us for the group price!!!

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Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure

• Experience the thrill of Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure, an exhilarating eco-adventure in the Dominican Republic
• Enjoy an educational countryside drive to the lush tropical forest, escorted by friendly and knowledgeable staff
• Get ready to ascend through the picturesque landscape, equipped with a helmet, lifejacket, and water
• Take the plunge down natural waterslides, with jumps of up to 25 feet or choose to climb around
• Relish in the post-adventure, featuring lively music, rum punch, and a delicious local fruit snack

Damajagua or "27 Charcos" (Charco translates as "pool" and refers to the natural swimming pools of the falls) as the locals call it, is one exhilarating eco-adventure not to be missed in the Dominican Republic. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Northern Corridor mountain range and behind the long stalks of sugar cane lays a treasure you won't find anywhere else in the world.

Your adventure begins outside the main gates of the Cruise Center where you will be welcomed and greeted by the friendly staff who will be escorting you on the tour. A narrated, countryside drive will take you to the Damajagua "base camp" located within a tropical forest. Immersed in the beautiful landscape of the "Cordillera Central" (mountain range), the "Salto de la Damajagua" and its 27 lagoons are part of the system of a protected area of the Dominican Republic. This natural monument of the Damajagua River is composed of 27 bodies of water of various sizes.

Here you will have time to use the facilities before hearing important rules and safety instructions and receiving your helmet, lifejacket, and bottle of water. Then you are on your way up-hill for approximately 30-minutes to the first waterfall. Official park guides are located at each fall, slide, or jump and climb. Although this tour does include jumps of up to 25 feet, there are ladders at some of the highest jumps where you can choose to go around.

Your return to base camp is by jumping and sliding down the different and natural waterslides created from centuries of rushing water (please note the number of slides/jumps can increase/decrease depending upon the amount of rain during a particular season). After your adventure, you will have a chance to change into dry clothing.

On your return to the cruise center you will enjoy lively, typical music as you sip on your rum punch and enjoy a snack of delicious fresh local fruit provided by your guide.

27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

• Damajagua, Puerto Plata Dom. Rep.
• [email protected]
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TOP Best Rated Damajagua Excursions, Tickets and Tours

Absolutely! Here are some of the top-rated Damajagua excursions, tickets, and tours to experience the stunning 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua in the Dominican Republic:

7 Waterfalls of Damajagua

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Excursion in Damajagua's 7 Waterfalls

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• Amber Cove Excursions
• Amber Cove Puerto Plata Damajagua Park Waterfalls Excursion - Swim, Jump & Slide S2126

Amber Cove Puerto Plata Damajagua Park Waterfalls Excursion - Swim, Jump & Slide

Amber cove, dominican republic (excursion id s2126).

• Free Cancellation Until 24 hours Before Excursion
• No Port - No Pay: Money Back Guarantee
• Free Unlimited Booking Changes 100% flexibility!
• Complimentary Worry Free Back to ship Insurance!
• Duration 4 hours 30 min
• Activity Level Active
• Minimum Age 8 Years Old

Description

• Meeting Point
• Restrictions

Cancellation

• Round-trip transportation from your Amber Cove cruise terminal in Puerto Plata!
• English-speaking, local certified Amber Cove shore excursion guides!
• Air-conditioned excursion vehicles!
• Guided climb up Damajagua Falls!
• A scenic drive of the Maimon countryside!
• Safety equipment including a helmet and life jacket!
• All taxes, fees, and entrance fees are included!

What is included?

• Round-trip transportation from your Amber Cove cruise terminal in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
• Air-conditioned shore excursion vehicles (van or minibus according to the number of participants).
• Guided climb up Damajagua Falls.
• Scenic drive of the Maimon countryside.
• English-speaking, local certified Puerto Plata shore excursion guide.
• Safety equipment including helmet and life jacket.
• Restaurants are available for meal/snack purchases.

Excursion Notes

• We suggest you wear comfortable clothing and sports sandals or sturdy walking shoes that can get wet. If you do not have proper footwear, you will not be allowed to participate and no refund will be made.
• The park rents water shoes for $2.00 USD on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Please note the park has lockers for rent, the approximate cost is $8.00 USD.
• Bring sun protection, cash for balance payment, tips, drinks, lunch, shopping, etc.
• The drive from Amber Cove / Puerto Plata cruise ship port is approximately 20 minutes each way.
• Guided Damajugua climb to falls - approx 2.5 hours up and down.
• Optional lunch at the base camp restaurant - around $10.00 USD per person paid directly at the restaurant.
• Please pay attention to the restrictions and requirements for this Puerto Plata shore excursion, no refund will be granted if the requirements are not met.

Where we meet

For the Amber Cove Puerto Plata Damajagua Park Waterfalls Excursion, you will meet outside your Amber Cove Cruise Ship Terminal after a 10-minute walk.  All the necessary information will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• The minimum participation age is 8 years old.
• A minimum of 6 participants is required to run the excursion.
• Due to the amount of activity, this excursion is not suitable for guests with any type of mobility issues, pregnant guests, or guests with any medical issues that prohibit hiking/climbing.
• The high water level may limit the number of falls that will be visited.
• Guests under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Excursion FAQ

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.

Book this Amber Cove Excursion

Amber Cove Puerto Plata Damajagua Park Waterfalls Excursion - Swim, Jump & Slide Experiences

This excursion is available to everybody and specially designed to accommodate passengers of the following cruise lines.

Amber Cove Excursion Activities On Site

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Amber Cove Puerto Plata Damajagua Park Waterfalls Excursion - Swim, Jump & Slide Reviews

This is a great opportunity to hike the tropical forest of the Dominican Republic and discover the Damajagua natural water park in Puerto Plata. 27! waterfalls, natural pools, water slides, and more on this Puerto Plata shore excursion!

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Are you brave enough to jump down 27 waterfalls in the Dominican Republic?

Aug 11, 2018 • 2 min read

Jumping down a waterfall is a common enough experience, one that can happen in every corner of the world. Jumping down twenty-seven of them, though, only happens in the Dominican Republic .

The Rio Damajagua is a river found in the northern side of the island, close to the city of Puerto Plata , and it forms twenty-seven natural waterfalls known as charcos . And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can step out of the luxurious resorts the country is more generally known for and jump, slide and dive down them thanks to a new tour.

Accompanied by local guides, you can climb up through tropical plants and birds to the top of the peak in the Northern Corridor mountain range where you’ll find the very first waterfall, known as “The Virgin,” because supposedly there used to be a statue there of Our Lady of La Altagracia, who’s the patron of the Dominican Republic. The statue disappeared with time, but the name remained. From the Virgin, you can begin your descent equipped with helmets, life jackets, and nice sturdy shoes to protect your feet from the limestone rocks.

Other waterfalls and pools you’ll encounter include “The T.O.Y.S.,” known for taking away divers’ swimsuits on impact (so you'd better lace it up tight!); “The Crystal,” that gets its name from the unbelievable colour of the water; “The Jaiba,” populated with freshwater crabs; and “The Last One” of the twenty-seven waterfalls, which has a 30ft (9 metre) dive.

The waterfalls were “discovered” by tourists in the 1990s, and are only now starting to become popular. In many ways, they are still “the best-kept secret of the Dominican Republic,” as it reads on the official website. You can reach them not only from Puerto Plata but also from Cabarete and Sosua , either on your own or with organized tours.

You can choose to do only seven waterfalls, which takes about three hours, twelve or all twenty-seven, which clocks the whole experience at around five hours. Price range from US$10 to $14 (RD$500 to RD$700 Dominican pesos), part of which goes to local communities.

You can find out more about the 27 charcos on the official website here .

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Essential Guide to the Puerto Plata Cruise Terminal

I ’ve been on over 20 cruises, and over that time, I’ve visited numerous Caribbean, Bahamian, American, and Canadian ports. But up until recently, I’d never had a cruise stop in the Dominican Republic. So, when I booked my most recent Virgin Voyages cruise, I was excited to stop at the Puerto Plata cruise terminal on our Dominican Daze itinerary. Our cruise shopped at the new port in the area – the Taino Bay Port.

While I was only there for a day, I found Puerto Plata to be absolutely beautiful with delicious food and great people. I definitely want to return to spend more time in the areas I quickly saw.

Disclosure: I paid for my own trip and excursion in Puerto Plata. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.

Location of Puerto Plata

Puerto Plata is located on the northern Atlantic Coast of the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola (which is shared with Haiti). It’s west of Puerto Rico and south of Turks and Caicos.

The third largest city in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Plata is located about 5 hours from the country’s capital Santo Domingo, and is on the north coast.

Unlike Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic is not a US territory. Therefore, passports are required if you are flying in. You’ll need to check directly with your cruise line to see what form of ID they require. I always cruise with my passport just in case I have a medical emergency and need to be evacuated.

The Dominican Republic is in the Caribbean hurricane belt. If you are cruising during hurricane season, you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecast. There’s always a risk your cruise will be re-routed due to a storm.

If booking Puerto Plata excursions during your cruise, it’s a good idea to book them through the cruise line. That way, if they are canceled, you’ll be reimbursed.

Taino Bay Puerto Plata

Taino Bay Cruise Port is the newest cruise port I’ve ever visited – opening in December 2021 . It was originally the Puerto Plata cargo port and is located right in the center of the action. Many, but not all, of the cruise ships visiting Puerto Plata dock at the Taino Bay cruise port.

If you don’t want to book an excursion or leave the cruise port area, there’s still plenty to do right there. In fact, I’d recommend booking a later or early-ending cruise excursion so you have some time to explore the cruise port before sailing away.

Amenities and Activities at Taino Bay

Here’s some of what you’ll find right in the cruise port. Cruise travelers can spend the day in the Puerto Plata cruise port if you’d prefer not to leave.

A huge pool/lazy river: This is free for guests and a great option to cool off if you want to leave the ship but don’t plan to do a shore excursion in Puerto Plata. Some of the cruise staff on our ship were raving about the lazy river, but we didn’t have a chance to try it.

Shops: Want to do some souvenir shopping in Puerto Plata? The Puerto Plata cruise port offers several specialty shops including jewelry stores (where you’ll find Larimar, exclusive to the Dominican Republic), duty-free shops, souvenir shops, and clothing shops. These are all relatively small, but there’s a good selection of them.

Experiences: There are six aviaries scattered throughout the port. Exotic birds, including Macaw Parrots and the native Amazona Ventralis, can be found in these aviaries.

There’s also Monkey Island , located right in the port. In this hands-on experience, you can interact with and feed adorable squirrel monkeys. This is something you are typically able to just walk up to – you won’t need to book an excursion because you won’t be leaving the port.

Restaurants: If you’d like to get food and drinks off the ship, you won’t have to walk very far. There are several restaurants and bars in the Taino Bay cruise port, including a mojito bar, a rum bar, a coffee shop, and a Mexican restaurant.

WiFi, restrooms, and a last-minute excursion desk are also available at the Puerto Plata cruise port.

Things to See in Puerto Plata

Want to explore beyond the cruise port? There are lots of great things to see and do in Puerto Plata. Highlights include:

The Umbrella Street: An adorable, Instagram-friendly street with colorful umbrellas hanging above. In addition to being a great photo opportunity, there are shops and restaurants along the street.

Paseo Dona Blanca (Pink Street): Within walking distance of the umbrella street is the Paseo Dona Blanca (also known as the pink street). This is also an Instagram-friendly street that is entirely bright pink, with different installations that are great photo backdrops. Both Umbrella Street and the Pink Street are an easy walk from Central Park (Independence Square).

Macorix House of Rum: If you love rum, you’ll want to do the tour and tasting at the Macorix House of Rum. It includes a movie about rum making, a walk through the barrels, and a tasting of a bunch of different rum flavors. There’s also a gift shop where you can purchase your favorites at a great price.

Fortaleza San Felipe : As you sail into the Taino Bay cruise port, you’ll see the Fortaleza San Felipe, a historic Spanish fortress.

Ocean World Adventure Park: An ocean park offering animal encounters, a beach, a restaurant, and more, Ocean World Adventure Park is a popular destination for cruise ship passengers.

Puerto Plata Cable Car: If you want to see beautiful views of Puerto Plata from above, visit the Puerto Plata Cable Car. The ride will take you up to Mount Isabel de Torres, a National Park.

Playa Dorada : Want to visit the beach during your day in Puerto Plata? Playa Dorada (the golden beach), is a great option. This is the area where many of the Puerto Plata resorts are located.

Damajagua Waterfalls : This park, which is best via by cruise ship passengers via an excursion, offers 27 waterfalls (although excursions typically include visits to 12). You’ll be able to swim, jump, and more. Here’s one excursion that is well-rated .

Dominican Amber Museum : Puerto Plata is well-known for its beautiful amber. If you want to see it up close, you can visit the Puerto Plata Amber Museum .

Puerto Plata Shore Excursions

You’ll have lots of options for excursions in Puerto Plata if you decide to leave your cruise ship. Excursions will vary by availability and cruise line, but here are some options listed below.

Keep in mind that if you book an independent excursion not through the cruise line, it’s your responsibility to make sure you get back to the ship on time. If you book the excursion through your cruise line, they will be responsible for making sure you get back.

Food Tour: During my most recent Virgin Voyages cruise, we did a Puerto Plata tasting tour that I would highly recommend. We started at the Macorix House of Rum, where we were able to taste multiple varieties of rum.

We then headed to three popular restaurants – La Skina Restaurant, Mares Restaurant, and Casita Azul, to try some location cuisine. Before going back to the port, we stopped at the Pink Street and the Umbrella Street. It was led by a local guide and was an official cruise ship excursion.

Ziplining : Looking for a little more adventure? Some excursions go to the Wild Play Adventure Park where you’ll be able to zipline over the ocean and enjoy some time at the beach.

Beach Day : Want to visit the beach? One excursion on our sailing was to Coconut Cove Beach where sailors had the opportunity to enjoy drinks, lunch, and time at the beach. There was also a separate excursion to Fricolandia Beach Club.

Damajagua Waterfalls : There were a number of different excursions to Damajagua Waterfalls. One includes ziplining, swimming, sliding, and a ride in a buggy. There’s also one that includes off-roading.

You’ll probably find a number of other excursions during your visit to Puerto Plata. Think about the type of experience you’d want to have and find a well-reviewed excursion that fits. If you aren’t sure, a guided city tour of Puerto Plata is always a good idea so you can get an overview of the area.

Amber Cove Puerto Plata Port

I mentioned above that many cruise ships dock at the new-ish Taino Bay cruise port. However, there are more than one cruise ship terminals – some ships dock at the Amber Cove cruise port. Opened in 2015, the Amber Cove cruise center was developed privately by Carnival Cruise Line.

Amber Cove is sort of a combination between a port and a private destination. There’s lots to do within the port , including a water park area, shopping, watersports, and more. Excursions are also an option, if you’d like to explore beyond the Amber Cove cruise port immediate area.

Frequently Asked Questions

During our food tour, we had the opportunity to try bandera dominicana (translated to Dominican Flag), a dish that includes fried plantains, rice and beans, chicken, and some fruit. We also had a delicious soup with rice.

Popular drinks include the local mamajuana – a drink made with rum, honey, and wine, as well as local rum.

The Dominican Republic uses the Dominican Peso. US dollars are typically accepted, which makes it easy for a quick cruise port stop. Credit cards are accepted in some locations.

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