Parks and Adventure
We were just sitting in her office talking about all of the golfing options when ace tour expert Alden Modesto popped in and asked her a question about mountain climbing and rafting. Where am I, in the Grand Canyon? So the prescient Anna Jimenez, the PR Queen of Tourism, reached down into her magical bag of DR information and started educating me on the outdoor opportunities in the country. Little did I know. "The Dominican Republic is one of the few countries in the Caribbean with nine life (or ecological) zones. This diversity plays a major role in making eco and adventure tourism in the country so remarkable and exciting," Anna smiled. Who would have thought the Ministry of Tourism possessed such an erudite wonder? "We have the highest and lowest sea level points in the Caribbean with Pico Duarte at 10,128 feet above, and Lake Enriguillo at 144 feet below. In between these elevations is a playground from tropical rainforest to arid desert. These areas and activities designed to get adrenaline rushing, hearts racing and senses bursting." P Earckos- aAnd dventure So, let's explore the alternatives: "We've already touched on water sports [page 64-65], but catamaran boat rides, kayaking, white-water rafting, windsurfing, parasailing, glass-bottom boats for marine life observation, scuba diving [Punta Cana has the a 20-mile coral reef ], snorkeling and boating. Just check out the new Casa de Campo and the Cap Cana marinas," she advises. I have. Nice. The former is like a tasteful harbor town with a window on the Caribbean, and Cap Cana's new showcase marina is a cross between the Acropolis, Disney World and Venice. What else? Bird-watching The DR is a haven for birdwatchers with over 300 species that call the island home either permanently or as a migration layover. The Southwestern Region is very popular because it combines a semi-desert zone with coast, lagoons, islands, lakes and cliffs. Camping There are no official campgrounds in the DR. The three most popular areas for a more primal experience are Pico Duarte in the central mountains, Cayo Levantado on the Samana Peninsula, Isla Catalina near La Romana. Canyoning and Cascading Canyoning is a blend of hiking, swimming, rock climbing, jumping and repelling and usually ends with a dip in a cool mountain pool. The DR serves as an excellent arena due to its multitude of mountain ranges. The most popular access point is Jarabacoa in the central region. Hiking Abundant trails line the countryside with the most famous at Pico Duarte. Most paths are within the national parks system and require permits. Horseback Riding For equestrians seeking more concentrated time with a horse, the northern mountain range of the Domincan Republic can provide an ideal arena. Kayaking Like whitewater rafting, kayaking is most popular in the central region along the Yaque del Norte and Jimenoa rivers near Jarabacoa. Kiteboarding One of the fastest growing water sports, this surfing-like activity uses a huge kite to capture the wind as participants balance on a board. Kiteboarding rentals are available in Cabarete, considered the sport's world capital. Mountain Biking This is one of the quietest and most exhilarating ways to see the DR, allowing tourists to reach places not accessible to most visitors. Pico Duarte Climbing Pico Duarte is not for the weak. With a peak reaching 10,128 feet, the mountain is the highest in the Caribbean. As part of the "Dominican Alps," the climb is strenuous. Rock Climbing The DR is considered to be one of the world's best rocking destinations among those who know the ropes. With four mountain ranges, the country provides a great landscape for adrenaline. Surfing Just a five minute car ride outside of Cabarete is Playa Encuentro, a beach known throughout the country for great surfing. Additional surfing spots include Playas Grande and Preciosa beach just east of Rio San Juan and Playa Boba north of Nagua. Waterfalls Salto de Jimenoa and Salto Aqua Blanca (both in Jarabacoa National Park) this 492-foot waterfall is one of the highest in the Caribbean; El Limon (found in the Samana area); Damajagua Falls (also known as the "seven falls," is a series of 27 cascades near Puerto Plata). Whale watching From January through March, Samana Bay is nearly taken over by humpback whales. For centuries, thousands of make an annual trip to spend winter in the warm waters of the DR. Tours from Samana Bay are available during this time and most offer a 99 percent sighting rate. White-water rafting White water flows from the mountains through canyons and jungle. The best white water rafting location is on the Yaque del Norte in the central mountain area. This is the largest river in the DR and has exhilarating class III to V rapids including a 12-foot drop. Try Rancho Baiguate and Rancho Jarabacoa.