27 Waterfalls of Damajagua from Punta Cana

27 Waterfalls of Damajagua from Punta Cana

A fun-packed 2-day private tour to the most exciting adventure tourism site in the Dominican Republic! This is a unique opportunity for folks staying in Punta Cana, to combine:

• The 27 Waterfalls at Damajagua – spectacular for the whole family!
  
• Santo Domingo - the oldest city in the New World
  
• Altos de Chavón – the perfect recreation of 16th century Mediterranean village, an artist colony, with its famous amphitheater that has hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to the Pet Shop Boys!

• Depart hotel in early morning, 1-hr drive south west.
  
• Guided walking tour of Altos de Chavón, (close to La Romana), with cobbled streets, picturesque tiny church & stunning views of the Chavón river out to the Caribbean Sea.
  
• Continue drive west along the south coast past the resorts of Juan Dolio & Boca Chica to Santo Domingo
  
• 2-hr walking tour through the historic colonial zone of Santo Domingo, replete with many firsts of the New World amongst its landmark sites, including;
  
  • Cathedral María La Menor – where Columbus was originally buried
    
  • Calle Las Damas – the oldest paved street in the New World
    
  • National Pantheon – a shrine to the heroes of the Dominican Republic
    
  • Alcázar de Colón - palace built by Diego Columbus, son of Christopher, when he was governor of the West Indies. Palace later sacked by pirate, Sir Francis Drake
    
  • Reloj de Sol - Oldest sundial in the world – that still works!
  • Museum of the Royal Households
    
  • El Conde – traditional pedestrianised shopping street of the capital

The tour is followed by a delicious typical Dominican lunch, buffet-style, at renowned El Conuco restaurant then:

• Continue to Puerto Plata on the north (Atlantic) coast, with a short orientation drive to show the main places of interest such as:
  
  • San Felipe Fortress with the nearby open-air amphitheater
    
  • Malecón (ocean-front promenade)
    
  • Parque Central with picturesque bandstand and adjacent cathedral
    
• Overnight with dinner and breakfast in a 3-star hotel in/near Puerto Plata or Sosúa

After breakfast, depart hotel for the Damajagua Waterfalls (40 mins’ drive); a series of natural pools, canyons & cascades carved out over the centuries, from the limestone, by the local river, where you can enjoy the adrenaline rush of descending through all (or just 7 or 12 falls), swimming, jumping, sliding your way down through the azure waters.

Experienced waterfall guides, will accompany you throughout this adventure. To reach the Falls, there is a hike on a marked trail, through attractive tropical vegetation, with colourful birds and butterflies - of between 40 – 70 minutes (depending on how many falls you wish to tackle).

The descent is the fun part! Jumping, swimming and sliding between the levels. For the energetic there are jumps of 20 ft or more, but there is always an easier option, which the patient guides will show you. Included at the falls:

• Experienced waterfall guides, safety equipment, helmet and life jacket & bottle of water.  Waterproof shoes can be hired. There are lockers to leave personal items that you don’t wish to get wet. Your luggage is safe in the van with our driver.
  
• Tasty buffet lunch of typical Dominican fare, barbecued chicken, pork, rice, beans, salads etc. (incl.) in open-air restaurant at the foot of the Falls
  
• Return drive to Punta Cana with a stop in Santiago de Los Caballeros, the country's second city, to see its famous landmark the Monument to the Heroes of the Restoration. Symbolic to all Dominicans of their reclaiming sovereignty from the Spanish.
  
• A further stop at Santo Cerro near La Vega where the first cross in the New World was erected, and site of a ‘miracle’ involving Christopher Columbus. Legend has it that on this hilltop site, with far reaching views of the valley, Columbus erected a large wooden cross. In a battle with the Taino Indians, supposedly a vision of the Virgin of the Mercedes appeared on an arm of the cross and the Tainos fled in fear – this giving victory to Columbus and his men. The holy cross is no longer to be found, but instead a ‘Holy Hole’ is tended by the Jesuit priests and nuns of the famous pilgrimage church that is was built on the site.

This private tour can be arranged with departure from your Punta Cana hotel any day of the week except Mondays.