Waterfalls on the North Coast

[mike.n.amy]

Originally Posted by Mcmanus

Thank you to those who replied.

I was interested in this waterfall because of the people jumping from it in the picture. Looks like a lot of fun. Heading to a condo in Costambar in 2 weeks with my girlfriend and just looking for stuff to do other then sightsee in PP or head up Mount Isabel (both of which we will do of course). This will be my 6th or 7th time visiting and I have never seen either the whales in Samana or any of the waterfalls.

I have read some of the posts regarding the behaviour of one of the tour guides and should we end up visiting this location I shall keep my eyes and ears open.

As I am not staying in a resort I was wondering if there was a reputable company in downtown PP that I could contact regarding arranging a tour....

As for a restaurant...neither of us are big Lobster fans but aren't picky eaters either...just looking for someplace...should I say with a romantic ambiance...

Thanks again for the help,

Dave

Dave:

We just went to 27 Waterfalls yesterday from Sosua. What a fantastic day trip! There were 4 of us (3 guys, 1 girl, all fairly fit) and I have to say it's worth it to do all 27 falls (you have the option of choosing to complete 7, 12, or all 27 falls. I say this only if you're in pretty good shape, as there are some falls you have to climb up using a rope to pull yourself up while your feet try to find traction through the waterfall itself and lots of places you're doing a lot of fairly taxing climbing.

Rather than spend up to $75 per person using a tour (most tours don't even do all 27 falls - only the first 7 or 12), I would suggest doing what we did. Hop on a GuaGua (in our case it was from Sosua) to Puerto Plata, stop at the Javilla Tours bus stop, and ask for the bus to 27 Charcos. It's easy and only 50 pesos per person from Javilla in POP to the Falls. The bus drops you off on the roadside by the sign for 27 Charcos, so you have maybe a quarter mile walk to the entry. There's a customer counter where you can pay your entrance fee and get your guide. Doing it this way it's only 460 pesos per person to do all 27 Falls.

They'll even put your bag (if you bring a change of clothes) in a locked closet behind the counter for you to pick up when you're done. We didn't have anything of value in it, so left it and retrieved it at the end without any trouble.

Our guide was great - no problems like mentioned in other posts. Hopefully you don't have any fear of heights as one of the jumps is about 30 feet up and another two were in the 15-20 foot range. We didn't see anybody chicken out - everybody seemed game no matter the difficulty level and the guides ensured you always knew where to place your hand or foot while climbing as well as where to jump to ensure your safety (plus you wear helmets and life jackets at all times).

Things to remember:
1. Don't bring anything past the customer counter that you don't want to get wet.
2. Wear comfortable and tough shoes (My husband wore water socks and they were destroyed by the end of the trek. Even our friend's sneakers were coming apart at the seams from all the rock climbing and walking in water)
3. Bring your sense of adventure!
4. Be sure to tip your guide if you're pleased with the tour.

The falls are fantastic and we had a great time. I highly recommend it!

Enjoy your trip!
Amy

[Mcmanus]

Hi All,

Thanks again for the replies. Very impressed with how helpful people are in this community. Regarding the restaurants, we shall definitely make an attempt to get to one or two that have been mentioned.

Thank you Amy for the very informative post regarding getting to/ costs/ and tips for the falls. This sounds exactly like something we want to do (both of us are varsity athletes back here in Canada and love adventure). Just one other question for you...would bringing a camera in a waterproof/shockproof case be ok? Do you have the opportunity to stop on dry land to take pictures of these falls or is it all in the water? Thanks

Dave

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by Mcmanus

Hi All,

would bringing a camera in a waterproof/shockproof case be ok? Do you have the opportunity to stop on dry land to take pictures of these falls or is it all in the water? Thanks

Dave

Only if you are able to strap it onto yourself.
You need your hands free most of the time.

[mike.n.amy]

There are lots of spots to stop and take photos, so it would be great if it's waterproof. In fact, the group ahead of us had a video camera (not waterproof) that one of the guides was carrying above water for them (I wouldn't do it myself - rather have both the guide's hands free for help when needed).

Rocky's right on the money - make sure it has a strap because you'll need both your hands free most of the way.

We didn't bring a camera but next time we go we'll bring a disposable waterproof one just for snapshots since it is a great photo op.

Enjoy!

[trabajadora]

Originally Posted by Lambada

La Parillada is on THE big roundabout opposite old baseball stadium & new Courts. Ponderosa is on 12 de Julio not far from the everything for 10 pesos store.

Thanks Lambada for rescuing my attempt to tell about those two restaurants. Today I was driving by both of them and noted the streets and landmarks nearby and ws planning to update my post. You beat me to the punch so thanks again.

[trabajadora]

Originally Posted by mike.n.amy

Dave:

We just went to 27 Waterfalls yesterday from Sosua. What a fantastic day trip! There were 4 of us (3 guys, 1 girl, all fairly fit) and I have to say it's worth it to do all 27 falls (you have the option of choosing to complete 7, 12, or all 27 falls. I say this only if you're in pretty good shape, as there are some falls you have to climb up using a rope to pull yourself up while your feet try to find traction through the waterfall itself and lots of places you're doing a lot of fairly taxing climbing.

Rather than spend up to $75 per person using a tour (most tours don't even do all 27 falls - only the first 7 or 12), I would suggest doing what we did. Hop on a GuaGua (in our case it was from Sosua) to Puerto Plata, stop at the Javilla Tours bus stop, and ask for the bus to 27 Charcos. It's easy and only 50 pesos per person from Javilla in POP to the Falls. The bus drops you off on the roadside by the sign for 27 Charcos, so you have maybe a quarter mile walk to the entry. There's a customer counter where you can pay your entrance fee and get your guide. Doing it this way it's only 460 pesos per person to do all 27 Falls.

They'll even put your bag (if you bring a change of clothes) in a locked closet behind the counter for you to pick up when you're done. We didn't have anything of value in it, so left it and retrieved it at the end without any trouble.

Our guide was great - no problems like mentioned in other posts. Hopefully you don't have any fear of heights as one of the jumps is about 30 feet up and another two were in the 15-20 foot range. We didn't see anybody chicken out - everybody seemed game no matter the difficulty level and the guides ensured you always knew where to place your hand or foot while climbing as well as where to jump to ensure your safety (plus you wear helmets and life jackets at all times).

Things to remember:
1. Don't bring anything past the customer counter that you don't want to get wet.
2. Wear comfortable and tough shoes (My husband wore water socks and they were destroyed by the end of the trek. Even our friend's sneakers were coming apart at the seams from all the rock climbing and walking in water)
3. Bring your sense of adventure!
4. Be sure to tip your guide if you're pleased with the tour.

The falls are fantastic and we had a great time. I highly recommend it!

Enjoy your trip!
Amy

Amy, sounds like you guys really had a fantastic time at the waterfalls. Thats really good to hear. Back in the day when I did the falls, they didn't even issue helmets nor lifejackets and I'm deathly afraid of deep water!!
I am a little curious as to who gave you a price of $75 per person; that's highway robbery. I know for a fact several tour operators who charge much less than that for the full 27. Possibly a tour desk at a resort maybe? Anyway, glad you had fun. Do it again and post some pictures.

[mike.n.amy]

trabajadora:

Yep, we had a blast! The $75/pp quote was from Iguana Mama's website. You can review it here:

Iguana Mama - Mountain Biking, Hiking & Ecological Adventures

They say they go up all 27, but while we were chatting with our guide, Moreno, he said they don't go all the way up, so I can't say for sure.

Next time we'll take pics and post (any excuse to go back and do it again!)

Take Care,
Amy

[trabajadora]

Originally Posted by mike.n.amy

trabajadora:

Yep, we had a blast! The $75/pp quote was from Iguana Mama's website. You can review it here:

Iguana Mama - Mountain Biking, Hiking & Ecological Adventures

They say they go up all 27, but while we were chatting with our guide, Moreno, he said they don't go all the way up, so I can't say for sure.

Next time we'll take pics and post (any excuse to go back and do it again!)

Take Care,
Amy

O.K., and better you than me. I'll look forward to seeing your pictures next time.