The Dominican Republic is famous for its beaches, but it’s also worth taking a
break from the sea and sand to travel inland and discover the beauty and wonders
of the tropical mountain landscape, rivers and waterfalls. One of the most
exciting ways of doing this is by taking a breathtaking canyoning or cascading
tour through the mountains, winding through the river canyons and sliding down
waterfalls.
Canyoning, sometimes also called canyoneering, is a fast-paced adventure sport
where you travel up and down through wet or dry river canyons by means of
sliding, swimming, climbing or abseiling. This has become a popular pursuit for
travelers to the Dominican Republic, and there are several companies organizing
tours to the different parts of the country where canyoning takes place, mainly
in wet river canyons in the lush northern and central mountain ranges.
Canyoning also usually involves some specialized equipment like safety helmets,
wetsuits and harnesses, while cascading is more of a freestyle sport, although
sometimes ropes will have to be used. The difference between cascading and
canyoning is that cascading involves climbing up to the top and sliding down
waterfalls, while canyoning is the sport of navigating the length of a river
canyon. For both activities, protective footwear - like an old pair of tennis
shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or throwing away - is essential.
There are two main areas in the Dominican Republic where you can take part in
canyoning and cascading. The northern mountains (the Cordillera Septentrional)
are accessible from the north coast hotel and resort areas of Puerto Plata,
Sosua and Cabarete. For tours to the central mountains of the Cordillera
Central, also known as the Dominican Alps, the mountain resort towns of
Jarabacoa and Constanza are the ideal bases. It is important to note that the
weather is cooler in these highland areas, especially at night.
You need to be reasonably fit to engage in either of these activities, and
knowing how to swim is a must. Although both canyoning and cascading are
sometimes defined as extreme sports and safety precautions are necessary, this
is not a dangerous sport, in the correct conditions. It is not advisable to
engage in canyoning or cascading after a period of unusually heavy rainfall, due
to the risk of flash flooding or excess water flow. A reputable tour company
will be able to provide responsible advice on safety measures and current
conditions.
Two of the independent companies in the Dominican Republic offering this type of
adventure are Iguana Mama, based in Cabarete on the north coast; and Rancho
Baiguate in Jarabacoa.
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