Cabarete to Jarabacoa

[suzie_slider]

Hi All -

I am staying at a friend's place in Cabarete for the next couple of weeks and want to head up to Jarabacoa for at least a couple of tours (waterfalls, rafting, and/or biking). Do you all think it would be better to book separate tours with a company here in Cabarete or to take a Caribe Tours bus to Jarabacoa and stay there for a night or two, then book and take my tours from there? Also, how long is the trip from Cab to Jarabacoa?

Thanks in advance for any input/suggestions.

[CFA123]

Suzie,
Have you considered doing both? Perhaps find a day trip you like with a tour company and do that early in your visit... then, if you like what you see and want to go back you'll have time to do so on your own and do some hiking or other activities.

Perhaps start your search with Iguana Mama. Iguana Mama - Mountain Biking, Hiking & Ecological Adventures

[suzie_slider]

I hadn't considered that, but it's a great idea. Thank you for the suggestion. I was planning on scheduling a snorkel tour to Punta Rucia with a tour company for sure but just hadn't decided on whether I should do the Jarabacoa on my own (based on the difficulty in getting there). Have you been?

[CFA123]

I was in Jarabacoa once 2 years ago during a trip around the country with friends. I found it to be a big contrast to areas I've visited on the south coast, north coast and around the capital or Santiago. Cooler, cleaner, quieter, and different vegetation. The rivers and mountain views were beautiful.

The waterfalls that were easy to reach by foot I didn't find that impressive... however we picked up an unofficial guide for a few pesos that took us on a 30-40 minute climb/hike to one that was fantastic. Not sure I'd do that exact climb again, though... at one point we had to traverse a 6" wide ledge with a sheer drop to the river below... probably 80-100 feet down! What was I thinking??

[rubio_higuey]

Most of the "ranchos" offer tours, hiking, rafting, waterfalls, etc. Rancho Bayguate is probably the most expensive one, but well acclaimed.

Just get to downtown Jarabacoa and ask for the "ranchos". There's one before getting to La Confluencia (two rivers) There's one before the entrance to Jarabacoa up the road to the left (towards the Salto Jimanoa???I think) there's also Salto Bayguate, etc.

DR1 member TimH lives in Jarabacoa and has a B&B there so you can stay there and get information from the good source.