I recently mentioned in a thread my favorite hotel in the country, Villa Paj?n in Valle Nuevo. Trying to find their contact details I realized the website was down and could not find a working number. I feared the worst...
So, I stopped by their office on Ave. Churchill in Santo Domingo this past Monday. I was assured by the secretary that everything was functional, but that the website was being updated and was taking forever. She gave me a brochure and asked when I would be visiting again. As I stared at the hotel brochure with photos of pine trees, a cozy log cabin den with a crackling fire in the chimney and wide open mountain ranges with people on horseback, I looked up and said: What about tomorrow?
Arrival to Villa Paj?n is simple. From Santo Domingo, you take the Autopista Duarte north, getting off at the Constanza exit. About 50km from the turn off, you will arrive in Constanza. As you enter the town, make an extreme left at the first traffic light (Calle Luper?n). This road more commonly known as the Carretera Contanza - San Jose de Ocoa. You will also see a sign just before the intersection that reads "Valle Nuevo" pointing you in the right direction. If you need any supplies before heading to Villa Paj?n, this is your last chance. Just past the traffic light on the right hand side is the Supermercado El Econ?mico. There is also a Banco Popular and Isla gas station at the intersection. Make sure to have cash of small denominations if you wish to purchase firewood or rent horses at Villa Paj?n. Besides food, be sure to bring a sponge to wash dishes, toilet paper and charcoal. These are the items most people forget.
After making the left towards Valle Nuevo the pavement ends after about 2km and the road splits - stay to the right. After about another 3km you'll see a sign pointing to the right for Villa Paj?n. This is a shortcut. If you stay on the Carretera Constanza - San Jose de Ocoa and do not make a right at this point, you will ultimately arrive at Villa Paj?n, but it will add an hour to the trip. Some people opt for the longer ride to visit the tallest waterfall in the Caribbean: Salto Aguas Blancas. The short cut to Villa Paj?n does not pass by Aguas Blancas.
I took the short cut. From the carretera, you drive down to, and cross, the Rio Grande; any car can make this crossing. After crossing the river the road deteriorates a bit but I was pleasantly surprised to see the road had been recently improved, something I confirmed later with one of the owners of Villa Paj?n. The road is not paved but the ruts have been leveled and the large rocks removed. I was driving in a 2x2 small SUV and arrived absolutely fine; a major difference from my last trip. I cannot give an update on the Carretera Constanza - San Jose de Ocoa past the short cut turn off for Villa Paj?n but I’m confident that any vehicle can now arrive at Villa Paj?n. About 15km from Constanza you’ll come to the entrance for El Parque Nacional Valle Nuevo: RD$50 pp and RD$100 per vehicle. 5km after the park entrance, you arrive at Villa Paj?n.
Villa Paj?n is one of the great escapes in the Dominican Republic. Propped up on one of the country’s highest stages in the Parque Nacional Valle Nuevo at 7,500 ft above sea level, you couldn’t be further from the quintessential image of a Caribbean island: pine forests, alpine grass savannas and even wild blackberries when in season. The cabins have full kitchens, hot water (very hot), fireplace and outdoor terrace with barbecue. There is no electricity but the cabins do have kerosene lamps in each room. You’ll need a large cooler with ice to store any meats or perishables during your stay.
I arrived with my dog Blondie at four in the afternoon on Tuesday. The thermometer on the front door of the cabin read 66 degrees, a nice change from Santo Domingo. Firewood is available for purchase at RD$300 for a large bundle that will easily last one night. After walking the grounds a bit which are immaculately kept with beds of daisies, high pine trees and distant views of the surrounding Cordillera Central Mountain Range, I started a fire in the chimney and in the barbecue with a mix of coal and wood. The temperature had now creeped down to 57 degrees. After dinner I fell asleep on the couch in front of the fireplace. When I woke up at 2am, I stepped outside to enjoy the planetarium-like night sky of Valle Nuevo. No light pollution to speak of. My breath was showing now. Thermometer: 48 degrees.
On Wednesday, Blondie and I hiked the surrounding area. We walked to a very small community about a 40 minute hike from the cabin where we found some beautiful views at a local potato farm. There is really only one formal hiking trail from Villa Paj?n which takes you past a small mountain stream and into the Parque de las Rocas. This is a light hike of about 40 minutes as well. This can also be done on horseback. Villa Paj?n will rent you a horse for only RD$100 per hour. They just give you a horse and you get lost. The horses know the way so there is really no need for a guide.
This time around I felt like walking and exploring something new. Along this formal trail, about a 30 minute walk from Villa Paj?n, you either make a right into the Parque Las Rocas, an area of open mountain grass with large rock outcroppings, or go straight past a sign that says: Do not enter. The gate was open so I thought I would try. Fortunately, we found a helpful gentleman working on the property of a log cabin owned by a family member of the owners of Villa Paj?n. He told us that following the trail to the end would take us to a small gazebo with some of the best mountain views around. He was right. The view was so incredible, we hung out for a couple hours to watch the sunset, hiking back in the dark.
Returning to Santo Domingo, we kept along the Carretera Constanza - San Jose de Ocoa. The conditions of this road are terrible, much worse than I remember it two years ago. I would recommend a vehicle with high clearance because of deep ruts and jutting rocks. My car made it but it wasn’t fun at all. During the 45km drive to San Jose de Ocoa, we made stops at the Francisco Caama?o memorial and the Pir?mide, a small stone pyramid sliced in four pieces and the supposed center of the Dominican Republic. The Fundaci?n Propagas has constructed a visitor center at the Pir?mide with bathrooms, barbecue and camping area, as well as two rooms for rent. The gentleman in charge had no idea how much the room was a night and directed me to contact the Ministry of Environment in Santo Domingo for pricing. They also had one map with some info for office use only and it was apparent the gentleman and his female assistant were not trained in offering tourist information as all of my question were answered with blank stares. Just after the Pir?mide, you begin a long descent to San Jose de Ocoa with all out views making the arduous road, you may have regretted up until this point, worthwhile.
On a side note, I made several contacts while at Villa Paj?n and I may be interested in organizing a tour. I’m mentioning this to try and gauge if anyone might be interested in visiting Villa Paj?n for a weekend. I do not have pricing yet but this tour would be organized through dr1.com so you can expect quality. Please PM me if interested.
You can check out photos at this public link for facebook: Tj Murray's Photos - Return to Villa Paj?n-Valle Nuevo | Facebook
To contact Villa Paj?n call 809.412.5210. Their website is not functional right now. All payments must be made before visiting. This can be done at their office in the capital or by making a deposit in their bank account.
So, I stopped by their office on Ave. Churchill in Santo Domingo this past Monday. I was assured by the secretary that everything was functional, but that the website was being updated and was taking forever. She gave me a brochure and asked when I would be visiting again. As I stared at the hotel brochure with photos of pine trees, a cozy log cabin den with a crackling fire in the chimney and wide open mountain ranges with people on horseback, I looked up and said: What about tomorrow?
Arrival to Villa Paj?n is simple. From Santo Domingo, you take the Autopista Duarte north, getting off at the Constanza exit. About 50km from the turn off, you will arrive in Constanza. As you enter the town, make an extreme left at the first traffic light (Calle Luper?n). This road more commonly known as the Carretera Contanza - San Jose de Ocoa. You will also see a sign just before the intersection that reads "Valle Nuevo" pointing you in the right direction. If you need any supplies before heading to Villa Paj?n, this is your last chance. Just past the traffic light on the right hand side is the Supermercado El Econ?mico. There is also a Banco Popular and Isla gas station at the intersection. Make sure to have cash of small denominations if you wish to purchase firewood or rent horses at Villa Paj?n. Besides food, be sure to bring a sponge to wash dishes, toilet paper and charcoal. These are the items most people forget.
After making the left towards Valle Nuevo the pavement ends after about 2km and the road splits - stay to the right. After about another 3km you'll see a sign pointing to the right for Villa Paj?n. This is a shortcut. If you stay on the Carretera Constanza - San Jose de Ocoa and do not make a right at this point, you will ultimately arrive at Villa Paj?n, but it will add an hour to the trip. Some people opt for the longer ride to visit the tallest waterfall in the Caribbean: Salto Aguas Blancas. The short cut to Villa Paj?n does not pass by Aguas Blancas.
I took the short cut. From the carretera, you drive down to, and cross, the Rio Grande; any car can make this crossing. After crossing the river the road deteriorates a bit but I was pleasantly surprised to see the road had been recently improved, something I confirmed later with one of the owners of Villa Paj?n. The road is not paved but the ruts have been leveled and the large rocks removed. I was driving in a 2x2 small SUV and arrived absolutely fine; a major difference from my last trip. I cannot give an update on the Carretera Constanza - San Jose de Ocoa past the short cut turn off for Villa Paj?n but I’m confident that any vehicle can now arrive at Villa Paj?n. About 15km from Constanza you’ll come to the entrance for El Parque Nacional Valle Nuevo: RD$50 pp and RD$100 per vehicle. 5km after the park entrance, you arrive at Villa Paj?n.
Villa Paj?n is one of the great escapes in the Dominican Republic. Propped up on one of the country’s highest stages in the Parque Nacional Valle Nuevo at 7,500 ft above sea level, you couldn’t be further from the quintessential image of a Caribbean island: pine forests, alpine grass savannas and even wild blackberries when in season. The cabins have full kitchens, hot water (very hot), fireplace and outdoor terrace with barbecue. There is no electricity but the cabins do have kerosene lamps in each room. You’ll need a large cooler with ice to store any meats or perishables during your stay.
I arrived with my dog Blondie at four in the afternoon on Tuesday. The thermometer on the front door of the cabin read 66 degrees, a nice change from Santo Domingo. Firewood is available for purchase at RD$300 for a large bundle that will easily last one night. After walking the grounds a bit which are immaculately kept with beds of daisies, high pine trees and distant views of the surrounding Cordillera Central Mountain Range, I started a fire in the chimney and in the barbecue with a mix of coal and wood. The temperature had now creeped down to 57 degrees. After dinner I fell asleep on the couch in front of the fireplace. When I woke up at 2am, I stepped outside to enjoy the planetarium-like night sky of Valle Nuevo. No light pollution to speak of. My breath was showing now. Thermometer: 48 degrees.
On Wednesday, Blondie and I hiked the surrounding area. We walked to a very small community about a 40 minute hike from the cabin where we found some beautiful views at a local potato farm. There is really only one formal hiking trail from Villa Paj?n which takes you past a small mountain stream and into the Parque de las Rocas. This is a light hike of about 40 minutes as well. This can also be done on horseback. Villa Paj?n will rent you a horse for only RD$100 per hour. They just give you a horse and you get lost. The horses know the way so there is really no need for a guide.
This time around I felt like walking and exploring something new. Along this formal trail, about a 30 minute walk from Villa Paj?n, you either make a right into the Parque Las Rocas, an area of open mountain grass with large rock outcroppings, or go straight past a sign that says: Do not enter. The gate was open so I thought I would try. Fortunately, we found a helpful gentleman working on the property of a log cabin owned by a family member of the owners of Villa Paj?n. He told us that following the trail to the end would take us to a small gazebo with some of the best mountain views around. He was right. The view was so incredible, we hung out for a couple hours to watch the sunset, hiking back in the dark.
Returning to Santo Domingo, we kept along the Carretera Constanza - San Jose de Ocoa. The conditions of this road are terrible, much worse than I remember it two years ago. I would recommend a vehicle with high clearance because of deep ruts and jutting rocks. My car made it but it wasn’t fun at all. During the 45km drive to San Jose de Ocoa, we made stops at the Francisco Caama?o memorial and the Pir?mide, a small stone pyramid sliced in four pieces and the supposed center of the Dominican Republic. The Fundaci?n Propagas has constructed a visitor center at the Pir?mide with bathrooms, barbecue and camping area, as well as two rooms for rent. The gentleman in charge had no idea how much the room was a night and directed me to contact the Ministry of Environment in Santo Domingo for pricing. They also had one map with some info for office use only and it was apparent the gentleman and his female assistant were not trained in offering tourist information as all of my question were answered with blank stares. Just after the Pir?mide, you begin a long descent to San Jose de Ocoa with all out views making the arduous road, you may have regretted up until this point, worthwhile.
On a side note, I made several contacts while at Villa Paj?n and I may be interested in organizing a tour. I’m mentioning this to try and gauge if anyone might be interested in visiting Villa Paj?n for a weekend. I do not have pricing yet but this tour would be organized through dr1.com so you can expect quality. Please PM me if interested.
You can check out photos at this public link for facebook: Tj Murray's Photos - Return to Villa Paj?n-Valle Nuevo | Facebook
To contact Villa Paj?n call 809.412.5210. Their website is not functional right now. All payments must be made before visiting. This can be done at their office in the capital or by making a deposit in their bank account.
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