Town centre
Food, busesThe compact centre.
Town guide
Things to do in Jarabacoa
The Dominican Republic's mountain town: pine forests, cool evenings, white-water rafting on the Río Yaque del Norte, waterfalls, coffee farms, and the start of the trek up Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean.
530 m
Above sea level
3,098 m
Pico Duarte
The Dominican Alps
Jarabacoa is a town in the Cordillera Central, the mountain range in the middle of the Dominican Republic, at around 530 metres. Dominicans call it the city of eternal spring: days are warm, nights are cool, and the hills are covered in pine forest, coffee and flowers, a world away from the beach resorts.
It is the adventure capital of the country. The Río Yaque del Norte, the longest river in the Dominican Republic, has some of the best white-water rafting in the Caribbean, and the hills have waterfalls, canyoning, paragliding and horse riding. Salto de Jimenoa and Salto de Baiguate are short trips from town.
Jarabacoa is also the base for climbing Pico Duarte, at 3,098 metres the highest mountain in the Caribbean, on a guided trek of two or three days. Give the town three days, or five with the climb.
Where to base yourself
The town centre for food and buses, or the hills around it for mountain lodges and views.
The hills
Lodges, viewsMountain lodges around town.
Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Jarabacoa
Raft the Río Yaque del Norte, with grade III and IV rapids, or go canyoning in the gorges nearby. Visit Salto de Jimenoa, a waterfall reached by suspension bridges, and swim at Salto de Baiguate.
Paraglide over the valley, ride horses through the pine forest, and tour a coffee farm to see how Dominican coffee is grown.
For the big one, climb Pico Duarte, the highest peak in the Caribbean, on a guided trek from La Ciénaga, with mules to carry the gear and a pre-dawn walk to the summit.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking the town, its market and the riverbanks costs nothing, and the views from the hill roads are free.
The cool evening air is the main attraction for Dominican visitors.
The waterfalls charge small entry fees, and the national park and treks need permits and guides.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Food in Jarabacoa is hearty mountain cooking: sancocho, chicken stews and la bandera for €3 to €6 at comedores. Fresh strawberries and local coffee are everywhere.
A handful of restaurants serve steaks and international food.
Restaurant bills add 18 per cent tax and a 10 per cent service charge by law, so check whether menu prices include them; a little extra for good service is appreciated.
Nightlife
Going out
Jarabacoa is quiet at night. There are a few bars and colmados with music in the town centre, busier at weekends when Dominicans come up from the cities.
Most visitors are up early for rafting or trekking.
A Presidente costs €1.50 to €3.
Getting around
Getting around
Caribe Tours runs direct buses from Santo Domingo to Jarabacoa in about two and a half hours. Guaguas connect with La Vega, on the main highway.
In town, use motoconchos or taxis to reach the waterfalls. A car is useful for the hills.
Tour operators provide transport for rafting and Pico Duarte.
Costs
What Jarabacoa costs
Jarabacoa is cheap. Dorm beds and simple rooms start at around €12 to €20 a night. La bandera costs €3 to €6.
Rafting costs about €50 to €70, paragliding about €60 to €80, and a guided Pico Duarte trek about €120 to €200, with mules and permits.
Carry pesos; cards are not accepted everywhere.
Safety
Safety and scams
Jarabacoa is safe and friendly. River levels rise after rain, so raft only with established operators that check conditions.
Pico Duarte is a serious trek: go with a licensed guide, as required, and bring warm layers, as it can drop close to freezing at the summit.
Do not drink the tap water; bottled and refill jugs are cheap everywhere. In an emergency, call 911.
Worth the trip
Peaks, rivers and valleys.
Constanza
A high, cool valley of farms.
La Vega
Home of the biggest Carnival.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Carnival and the dry season.
Sundays in February
Carnival of La Vega
La Vega
The country's biggest Carnival, 45 minutes away.
March or April
Semana Santa
Jarabacoa
Dominicans head to the mountains.
When to go
Jarabacoa is pleasant all year, warm by day and cool at night. December to April is driest, and the best time for Pico Duarte. May to November brings afternoon rain, and higher rivers for rafting.
Jan
Cool nights, dry
Feb
Carnival in La Vega
Mar
Dry
Apr
Semana Santa
May
Rain begins
Jun
Afternoon rain
Jul
Summer holidays
Aug
Rafting
Sep
Wet
Oct
Wet
Nov
Drying
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Much cooler than the coast, especially at night.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Jarabacoa prices.
Treat these as a guide. Rafting and treks cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Jarabacoa questions
The ones we get asked most.
How do I get to Jarabacoa?
By Caribe Tours bus from Santo Domingo in about 2.5 hours.
Can I climb Pico Duarte from Jarabacoa?
Yes, with a licensed guide, on a trek of two or three days from La Ciénaga.
Is rafting in Jarabacoa good?
Yes, the Río Yaque del Norte has some of the best rafting in the Caribbean.
Is Jarabacoa cold?
Days are warm, but nights are cool, so bring a jumper.
How many days do you need?
Three, or five with Pico Duarte.
When is the best time to climb Pico Duarte?
December to April, the driest months.
Is Jarabacoa safe?
Yes, it is one of the most relaxed places in the country.
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