In the forested hills near the town of Imbert about 22 kilometers southwest of Puerto Plata, 27 waterfalls or Salto del Río Damajagua 27 Charcos (info [at] 27charcos [dot] com, www.27charcos.com, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, waterfalls 1–7 RD$250, waterfalls 1–12 RD$310, waterfalls 1–27 RD$460) connect through a series of canyons, tunnels, caves, and natural pools. In this area you can take heart-pumping leaps off cliffs, slip and slide through naturally formed water slides, and dunk into waterfall pools.

The hike to get to these waterfalls can be demanding, from the aptly named first waterfall, La Virgen, to the last, The Last One. Visitors interested in seeing this set of cascades should be able to swim and should have good upper-body strength. You can either go it on your own or with an organized tour company. If you choose to go it alone, the price includes a life vest and helmet. Wear your swimsuit and closed toe shoes that can get wet, bring a waterproof camera, and take some small bills for tipping and refreshments.

Since the waterfalls have absolutely exploded onto the ecotourism scene in the last 10 years, the visitors center has become quite nice. It has a restaurant, very clean bathrooms, and a gift shop.

Many hotels arrange excursions available for booking at their excursion desks. However, one of the drawbacks of using a tour company is that they tend to take you only through the first seven waterfalls. With twenty-one left to go, you have missed out on a vast majority of Los Charcos. But the most reputable adventure-tour company in the country, Iguana Mama (Cabarete, tel. 809/571-0908, www.iguanamama.com, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, US$79 per person), leads regular trips to Damajagua and will take you all the way to the top. Iguana Mama also provides transportation to the area, breakfast, and lunch.

Getting to Salto del Río Damajagua 27 Charcos

To get to Damajagua from Puerto Plata by car, travel the Puerto Plata–Navarrete Highway (Highway 5) heading towards Santiago. After 20 minutes, you’ll pass through the town of Imbert. Continue on the main highway; you will see a sign that reads Ingenio Amistad on your left and then cross a bridge. The road veers left by a sugarcane field. You will see a large Brugal billboard; this is directly next to the entrance to the Damajagua waterfalls.

To reach Damajagua by guagua, board a Santiago-bound guagua and tell the cobrador that you want off at “27 Charcos” or “la cascada.” The trip should cost you around RD$50 one-way.