Jarabacoa

 

Surrounded by mountains, the towns of Constanza and Jarabacoa lie in the valleys of the the Central Cordillera and characterized by its scenic beauty.
 
For those seeking rest and relaxation, the fresh mountain air and the abundant vegetation will impress them as much as the most beautiful beaches on the island.
 
These villages, in the middle of the Caribbean called "Alps", enjoy year-round pleasant spring weather and extraordinary, inspiring panoramas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jarabacoa is a magnet for all who are interested in canyoning, river rafting or trekking peaks. 

 

The interior with its lively rivers, deep gorges, steep cliffs and the highest mountain in the Caribbean, Pico Duarte with the 3,175 meters.
 
Ideal starting point for one or more day trips to the countryside is the place Jarabacoa, 600 meters above sea level. Located on the edge of the Cordillera Central mountain range.
 
Here, in the valleys and on the heights of almost uninhabited mountain range of volcanic origin, the diversity of the island of Hispaniola is particularly clear.  

 

Getting there

 

Jarabacoa is located in the interior of the Dominican Republic and at the same distance from the international airport Puerto Plata (POP) and Las Americas (SDQ).

The Santiago (STI) International Airport is the closest airport, only 1 hour from Jarabacoa, where there is also a heliport (COZ) at the entrance of the village.

Buses from Caribe Tours drive four times a day from Santo Domingo to Jarabacoa. Jarabacoa is equidistant from Santo Domingo and Puerto Plata, about 130 kilometers.

Once you reach the city, you can either take taxis or minibuses for the journey to the final destination.

TIP: It is recommended to rent an SUV with four-wheel drive to explore this area.
Jarabacoa, located at 500 meters above sea level, is reached by a winding asphalt road through a pine forest. 

 

TIP: This route is also beautiful to go with the motobike but it is very curvy.

 

 

Attractions

 

Many of the small hotels provide information about the wide range of extreme sports that can be practiced in the region, including rafting, zip-lining, paragliding, mountain biking, horse riding or quad bikes. Furthermore, we mountaineering, hiking and there are many trails for bird watching.

Rafting

Feel the adrenaline (there are special protective suits) rafting on the rapids of the "Yaque del Norte" downriver in their veins while in the boat through the cold waters.
 
TIP: This is something for adventurers!

Waterfalls

There are a number of waterfalls in the area, the impressive waterfalls "Jimenoa" and "Baiguate" (Jarabacoa) and "Aguas Blancas" (Constanza) are emphasized.
 
The "Jimenoa" waterfall is a dam on the river of the same name, regulates above which hangs a suspension bridge.  

 

The visit of the waterfall is a short tour of about two hours, including the hike to the waterfall. Paved paths and information boards make the way possible interesting for young and old. 

 

After descending the cool water of the mountain river Jimenoa invites you for a refreshing swim against the stunning backdrop of the waterfall.

 

Along the way there are stunning views of the cascades and the valley of Jarabacoa. The existing public road was converted into a 1.5 km long environmental interpretation trail. 

 

 

The most impressive waterfall in the Caribbean is the "Salto de Aguas Blancas" about 10 kilometers south of Constanza fall at an altitude of 1,800 meters with several waterfalls from up to 87 meters in depth.

 

Mountainbiking

 

 "Rancho Baiguate" and "Rancho Jarabacoa" offer various mountain bike trails of varying difficulty, some of these cross the beautiful waterfalls.

 

Rancho Baiguate

 Tel.: 809 - 574 - 6890 

info@ranchobaiguate.com

ranchobaiguate.com 

 

Rancho Jarabacoa

Tel.: 809-222-3202

Tel.: 809-707-5523

info@ranchojarabacoa.com

www.ranchojarabacoa.com

 

Jarabacoa has many horse farms and some of the best horses are bred and kept here. You can find their proud owners on the riding paths and every year during Easter week the already known horse race "Rancho Baiguate" will be held. 

 

The Japanes Garden 

 

In the center of town, right in front of Mariahilf church in the "La Callecita", a small garden will surprise you with a Torii as a gate. This is a legacy of the Japanese, who had established an agricultural colony here in the fifties

Coffe Plantations 

To learn more about coffee cultivation and its production, you can visit the coffee factory Monte Alto or organic coffee plantation of the writer Julia Alvarez in Los Dajaos. In Los Dajaos is also aopen the herbs plantation Joseph Cross for visiting.  

 

Mountain Sports

 

Accessible by four-wheel drive off-road vehicles: 

Scientific Reserve Ébano Verde. This nature reserve is located in Arroyazo, shortly before Constanza, with its highest point at 1,565 meters. 

 

It offers the visitor center Fernando Dominguez which is mainly dedicated to the preservation of almost extinct green ebony tree; it also has  been identified over 687 plant species in this area of 37 square kilometers.

 

The trails attract the observation of flora whose types are labeled. Swimming in the river formed by the stone basin is allowed.

Accessible by four-wheel drive off-road vehicles:

 

 

A shorter visit to  Valle del Tetero.

 

The Environment Ministry has attached large signs to the rest stops along the route to Pico Duarte. 

 

These are located at strategic locations where hikers provide themselves with food and can ask for the stored or pending travel distance. 

 

The vegetation thickened so strong that hardly a ray of sunlight penetrated through the canopy to us through. 

 

Rainforest at its best:Old mahogany trunks, huge pines and Gujakan-trees stretch their tribes seventy, eighty feet high in the sky. On the ground, tree ferns and several species of palms try to follow them comply. 

 

All kinds of soil plants such as raspberries, wild tomatoes and agave of almost two meters in diameter compete for the few rays of light which still slip through the treetops. 

 

Shopping

 

Jarabacoa is a town that is proud of its unique art and culture. Well-known artists live in this city.
 
The fertile soil supplies the country with ornamental plants and a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including strawberries, which can be purchased on the way as the flowers.
 
The roadside stalls also sell corn tortillas and celery. Many Dominicans from the big cities have in Jarabacoa and Constanza their summer homes or their retirement home, with the advantage that  here are pleasant temperatures at night without air conditioning , although you are in the Caribbean.

Nightlife 

 

In Jarabacoa and Constanza, the nights are the best time to come to forces yourself again after a day of intense physical effort. 

Moreover, you can enjoy in the traditional "Colmados" the villages a cold beer, or go dancing in one of the lively nightclubs. 

 

The nightlife is mainly concentrated in the vicinity of good restaurants serving their finest dishes of Dominican cuisine.