Waterfall Jumping At Damajagua: Dominican Republic

Guest Post By: Shaida K

Let me begin by declaring that I’m absolutely terrified of heights: my knees quiver, my heart starts to race and I avoid looking down at all costs. That being said, I can’t resist a good hike and I like challenging myself so on a recent trip to Puerto Plata, I decided to head to the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua with Bavaro Runners. The mission? Trek up the magnificent waterfalls and plunge off limestone cliffs into natural pools that dot the tropical forest. Here is a recap of my journey…

The Hike: We kicked off the adventure with a hike up the waterfalls (approx 30 minutes) which gave us a chance to see a wide variety of exotic fruits, plants (my fave was the mango tree) and animals (non-venomous snakes, lizards and birds). There are two resting stations on the way up (which you’ll need) — a chance to fill your lungs with fresh air, take in the beautiful landscape and rehydrate.

The Waterfalls: The falls are all natural and were an island secret until 1994. Well, the secret is out now and the 27 waterfalls and their pools of crystal-clear water are open for the public to enjoy. It’s kind of like a big water park for adults! The diving platforms can be up to 25 feet high, but there are limestone slides as an alternative route if nerves get the best of you. I mustered the courage and took the plunge!

The Guides: The Bavaro Runners team is super helpful and encouraging throughout the journey. If you’re tired, Carlos will serenade you to add pep to your step. If you’re straggling behind, someone will stay back with you to make sure you’re enjoying your walk. Most importantly, if you can’t swim (yup, there were a few people on our excursion who couldn’t), a staff member will help you swim to shore! The best part? The team is incredibly energetic and animated (they also like to joke around so just remember there aren’t any alligators in these waters — wish I remembered that when a guide popped out from under the cave). On a serious note, it’s really important to have these knowledgeable guides leading the excursion – they know the terrain like the back of their hands and will help you navigate it safely.

The Lunch: All the climbing, jumping and swimming will leave you starving at the end of this adventure. Fortunately, these guys have you covered: they’ll finish off the excursion with a fantastic buffet meal (the BBQ is delish). Oh, and there is plenty of cerveza and Dominican rum to calm those nerves! It’s a great time to recap the epic adventure and have some laughs with a great group of people.

The Memories: If you’re considering taking a camera or phone along, don’t bother because Felix will capture everything (you’ll also save your electronic devices from water penetration). He’ll take videos and photos every second of the excursion; he climbs rocks at lightning speed, skips through water and zooms ahead like a superhero! I highly recommend purchasing his CD at the end: he does a great job documenting the entire journey so you can watch the experience for years to come (proof of your courage)!

So, are you ready for plenty of laughs, a physical challenge and an experience that you’ll remember for a lifetime? Then put this Bavaro Runners adventure on your bucket list. Not only will you feel accomplished after conquering Damajagua, but the rejuvenating hike through the lush tropical forest will have you smiling from ear to ear.

Things To Know Before You Go…

• Cost: $75 US/adult which includes food, safety equipment, the guided excursion and roundtrip transport to and from most major hotels.
• The tour only takes you up to the 12th waterfall (which is plenty of time to get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping unless you’re a pro athlete).
• Don’t forget your water bottle — you’ll need it on the hike up.
• Wear water shoes on this excursion: they’ll give you enough support for the hike and won’t get heavy/damaged when wet. If you don’t have proper shoes, you can rent a pair for $2!
• A guide is required to experience Damajagua so make sure you book with Bavaro Runners before you head there!

Special thanks to Bavaro Runners for hosting us. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely our own.