I'm planning a trip to the DR this summer. My family is most interested in the mountains and hiking. (We live in Antigua, so no need to spend time on a beach.) I'm trying to decide between spending a week in Jarabacoa or Constanza. I like the idea of being higher in the mountains and more remote in Constanza. However, I'm wondering if there's really anything to do there. I've read about the waterfall. Is there any hiking to do? Even if it's just walking on a seldom used logging road? I'm also struggling to find a place to stay there. We prefer self-catering type accomodations where we can cook our own meals. Any advice on things to do in either Jarabacoa or Constanza as well as on places to stay would be greatly appreciated. Also, I've read that the roads around Constanza are bad when wet. We'll be coming in July or August. That is technically the rainy season in Antigua, but we really don't get any real rain until Sept. What will the weather be like in July/August?? Thanks for any help/advice you can give.:squareeye
- Thread starter hahm74
- Start date
Constanza vs. Jarabacoa
Both places are very nice, Jarabacoa has a lot more to offer as far as things to do. I would recommend checking Virtual Tourist as they have lots of information on there about the area. As far as places to stay, You should be able to find a villa or a rental around fairly inexpensive if you start looking now.
Constanza is more tranquil. It is an agricultural community that aspires for more tourists. Yet, its infrastructure is really not in harmony for tourist demands at this time. One sees growth in this area with the improvement of the road from Autopista Duarte, the rebirth of the airport, and the government promoting projects to improve tourism.
Jarabacoa at this time offers more recreational and accomodation opportunities for the visitors. There are ranches and hotels that offer activities for the whole family.
Weather in July and August is hot during the daylight hours with mild evenings. There are at times localized rain showers.
Enjoy your stay.
Regards,
PJT
Jarabacoa at this time offers more recreational and accomodation opportunities for the visitors. There are ranches and hotels that offer activities for the whole family.
Weather in July and August is hot during the daylight hours with mild evenings. There are at times localized rain showers.
Enjoy your stay.
Regards,
PJT
I'd agree with ^^^this^^^.
Constanza is nice, clean, has awesome cooler weather...but not a whole lot to do there. Makes a fine day trip, though. Maybe an overnight.
Jarabacoa has a much better infrastructure for tourists. Many more options.
There will be a major new website for tourism in Jarabacoa by the Ecotouristic Cluster in the near future.
That's a neat road, but not for the faint of heart. Dirt bike or 4WD is the right tool for the job. And ONLY if the weather has been nice and dry for a few days...
There atre places where the road literally falls off cliffs on both sides.
Leonel promised to pave that road. I'll believe it when I see it.
Also: he promised to pave the goat path between Constanza ans San Jose de Ocoa. Now if that happens, that will the definition of DR infrastructure awesomeness!
I agree with the previous posts: there is more to do in Jarabacoa than Constanza. On the other hand, if you really want to escape into the mountains, I would very much recommend Villa Paj?n in Valle Nuevo. Unfortunately, you will need a 4x4 vehicle to arrive using this "goat path" as Cobraboy put it. The ride to Valle Nuevo goes through Constanza and then another 2 hours into the mountains taking the Constanza-San Jose de Ocoa Road.
This is by far my favorite hotel in the country. These are immaculate log cabins with no electricity but plenty of character. Each caba?a has a full kitchen, hot water, chimney, and plenty of blankets because it gets coooold at 7,150 ft!
They have beautiful grounds with hiking trails past cold streams and mini-waterfalls and will even give you a horse to ride for only RD$100 an hour.
Valle Nuevo is one of the most beautiful sections of our country. It is also known as "Madre de las Aguas" or "Mother of the Waters" because more than 40 rivers are born in the park. This is an area of pine trees and even blackberries! Very far from the tropical image our country portrays to the world.
For some reason their website is down, although I can get the number for you since their office is close to mine.
This is by far my favorite hotel in the country. These are immaculate log cabins with no electricity but plenty of character. Each caba?a has a full kitchen, hot water, chimney, and plenty of blankets because it gets coooold at 7,150 ft!
They have beautiful grounds with hiking trails past cold streams and mini-waterfalls and will even give you a horse to ride for only RD$100 an hour.
Valle Nuevo is one of the most beautiful sections of our country. It is also known as "Madre de las Aguas" or "Mother of the Waters" because more than 40 rivers are born in the park. This is an area of pine trees and even blackberries! Very far from the tropical image our country portrays to the world.
For some reason their website is down, although I can get the number for you since their office is close to mine.
CB, that road between Ocoa and Constanza is where we have a lot of property in our family - heart failure drop-offs. I hope it gets paved some day. We lost several feet of roadway on our property that "fell" into the valley a few years ago - the fence literally hangs mid-air in that section. I say a Hail Mary before we go up and before we go back down - and on the way down I turn my head away from the 'view'. When we reach the bottom I want to kiss the ground, but instead we stop and buy some of the best dulce de leche in DR.
AE
Thanks for all the info so far. I'm starting to think I might want to spend more time in Jarabacoa and then a few days in Constanza. I like the sound of Villa Pajon and plan on checking it out. How long is the drive from Jarabacoa to Constanza if you take the "main" roads and not the "goat path"??
if you take the main roads, you will have to drive from Jarabacoa to La Vega, taking the autopista towards SD, and then taking the exit towards Constanza... total time around 2 hours but worth the ride, believe me...
if you take the "goat path" the views are also incredible, but in a different way... and although much shorter, will also take you around 2 hours...
one word of advice though... if you would stay in Jarabacoa... take the goat path for a short way, and on your left you will see a small office, which is the entrance to the Jimenoa waterfall # 1 (not quite original as there is also a Jimenoa waterfall here). It is quite a steep hike, and not for those people out of shape, but the fall, the view, and the swimming in all that quietness is certainly worth it...
if you take the "goat path" the views are also incredible, but in a different way... and although much shorter, will also take you around 2 hours...
one word of advice though... if you would stay in Jarabacoa... take the goat path for a short way, and on your left you will see a small office, which is the entrance to the Jimenoa waterfall # 1 (not quite original as there is also a Jimenoa waterfall here). It is quite a steep hike, and not for those people out of shape, but the fall, the view, and the swimming in all that quietness is certainly worth it...
I was hoping to try that waterfall hike. I understand you hike down to the falls and the hard part is hiking back up. How long does it take to hike back up? Are we talking 15 minutes or 2 hours?
Also, I've read about the Cientifico Ebano Verde. Sounds really nice. Anyone been there? How long does it take to drive there from Jarabacoa? 4WD needed?
Thanks again for all the help!
Also, I've read about the Cientifico Ebano Verde. Sounds really nice. Anyone been there? How long does it take to drive there from Jarabacoa? 4WD needed?
Thanks again for all the help!
Ebano verde is pretty cool, I know it well. Definately worth a visit. From Jarabacoa you need to take the road that goes to Constanza (a dirt road, but a generally good one, you could do it without 4WD though it might be bumpy and a bit dodgy in rain). Turn left as you hit the main tarmac road that links Constanza to Bonao (i.e. head towards Bonao and away from Constanza) and after about 20 miles (shortly before the big descent out of the mountains) there is a little side road in a village called La Palma that takes you about 2 miles up through a village called El Arroyazo towards Ebano Verde. Have a swim in the charco there!
Renting a 1-bedroom apt/small house for 3 months, JARABACOA
I am planning to stay in Jarabacoa starting November 1, 2010 for about 3 months:nervous:
How do I go about finding such a place , preferably 5 minutes from a large grocery store ?
What s the going monthly rate ( electricity, water, microwave, small fridge, modern shower/toilet ) ?
thanks to all .
I am planning to stay in Jarabacoa starting November 1, 2010 for about 3 months:nervous:
How do I go about finding such a place , preferably 5 minutes from a large grocery store ?
What s the going monthly rate ( electricity, water, microwave, small fridge, modern shower/toilet ) ?
thanks to all .