They will recommend you to visit the Salto del Limón. obey
When you say you are going on a trip to Dominican Republic , many think that you will be inseparable from your bracelet in one of the all-inclusive resorts in Punta Cana. However, another experience is possible on this Caribbean island.
A vacation on beaches of fine sand and crystal clear water, but in places where you will see nature in its purest state and of which, probably, you have not heard before. Jarabacoa, Las Terrenas and Las Galeras are three destinations that should be on your radar if you are one of those who they flee mass tourism and seek to live a local experience.
Jarabacoa, pure nature
JARABACOA, GREEN LUNG
This city is in the heart of the island, on the slopes of the Cordillera Central and about 140 km north of Santo Domingo. It is known as the 'City of Eternal Spring' . Here many Dominicans from the capital and from Santiago have bought a second home.
One of its biggest claims is to stay in one of the wooden cabins that go into the mountains. The higher it is, the better because you will be able to see in all its splendor the wild nature of this place, with sunrises and sunsets that will remain etched in your memory.
The town itself is a small cluster of hilly streets for which they do not stop going up and down motorcycles and station wagons. Here you can enjoy the local food in one of its colmados, that will attract you by the smell of their goat and barbecue and that the locals usually accompany with a Presidente beer.
Jarabacoa is the perfect place for lovers of nature and adventure with hiking trails and rafting, canoeing and paragliding activities.
Rapids and currents for a day of rafting
Some climbing excursions depart from here Pico Duarte (3,087 meters), the highest peak in the Dominican Republic and all the Caribbean islands. One of the easiest ways to reach its top is book an organized tour in advance. Rancho Baiguate offers three-day excursions and also organizes all kinds of activities such as rafting in the Yaque del Norte river, where the most adventurous will not get bored with its rapids and currents.
Jarabacoa is one of the green lungs of the island , becoming one of the best local secrets. Not many tourists know that the Dominican Republic is not only a paradise of beaches with crystal clear water, but also of inland paradises like this mountain town.
LAS TERRENAS, RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT
In this Dominican town, tourists and locals mix in equal parts. It was a small fishing village that has opened the doors to tourism with small hotels and restaurants At the sea's shore.
It is located in the Samana Peninsula (east of the island) and is reached by a road that is the dream of any biker. It's his fault Atlantic Tourist Boulevard, a 22 km toll road with serpentine curves and countercurves with panoramic views of its coast and its hills of lush nature.
Get lost to find yourself in this little fishing village
Its beaches like Bonita, The Whales and Punta Popy they have nothing to envy to those of Punta Cana with their turquoise waters, white sand and palm trees for miles.
The locals will recommend you to do an excursion to the El Limón waterfall, 52 meters high and half an hour from Las Terrenas.
The february 27 street It is one of the main streets of the town where the restaurants, bars and shops. In Coconut Pizza , for example, they offer you a very varied menu with pizzas and ceviche and a great cocktail menu. Their caipirinhas you'll want to take them in pairs.
In the area of Fisher's town you will find small beachfront restaurants with fresh fish as a star product. Here is ** El Mosquito , a reference place to go out at night **. Locals and tourists mix to the rhythm of salsa, bachata and merengue until 4 in the morning.
LAS GALERAS, PURE DISCONNECTION
Las Galeras is a small village that also found on the Samaná Peninsula , but at the easternmost point. It's one of the most remote places of the island, where you will lose track of time.
All-inclusive resorts have not yet arrived. Your accommodation offer is made up of small hotels and villas with gardens and views of the beach that you can book online.
Punta Popy Beach
The town is basically a small main street, with a bank and several local restaurants. One of them is The Bodega. It is run by a French man and a Dominican woman with a local charter lambí salad, yucca chulitos and fried plantains, among other dishes; and in which there is no lack mamajuana: a local drink that is prepared with rum, honey, red wine, and tree bark and herbs.
Its beaches are probably replicas of what Punta Cana would be like before its tourist boom. highlights small beach which, as its name suggests, is a small beach that is surrounded by nature and palm trees and without a trace of buildings.
There is only two small restaurants. One of them is run by Isabel and it is a modest cabin with benches and wooden tables to share with the rest of the diners. in your kitchen, they prepare fish for you, that varies depending on what has been captured on the day, accompanied by large portions of rice and tostones.
Another of its beaches that you will want to visit is Rincon beach. To get there, you will need to do it by car or by boat. It is a 3 kilometer beach of fine sand and crystal clear water and with a couple of local food and coconut stalls, and whose peace is only disturbed by the arrival of a boat that brings tourists to spend the day.
Rincon Beach
In the evening, the locals buy rum in the colmados and dance in the street with music that comes from the speakers placed in the trunks of the cars. Some tourists join with their drink in hand, while others finish their drink in one of the restaurants in the area.
Apart from this, the only distraction of the night is enjoy the views of the starry sky of the island, which gives you a perfect setting without pollution and hardly any lighting , which you are not used to seeing at home. If you are patient, you will be able to see more than one shooting star.
The sunrise in these parts is another level