Loma Quita Espuela is open to true lovers of eco-tourism. By participating in the programmed excursions, visitors are contributing to preserve the mountain. Mountain trails with guided tours open up the 942-meter mountain to slow-paced day or intense hiking trips accessible to most everyone. The mountain is located 15 kilometers from the city of San Francisco de Macoris, about a two hour drive from Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo. Groups of 5 tourists, can take a guided tour for RD$1,050, with additional persons at RD$160 and participate in a 2.8 km hike through the scientific reserve. The tourists can choose how long they want to hike. The complete hike takes approximately seven hours. There are shorter visits. The reserve has 18 streams, for cooling off with the pure waters coming from 60 rivers that are born in the mountain. This is a rain forest where horizontal rains can be observed. Mules and horses can be rented for RD$250. Lunch takes place on site at a creole restaurant with organic products prepared by the wives of the park rangers. One of the highlights of the route is to observe the production of organic chocolate, from the tree to a cup of hot chocolate at the restaurant.
To book a trip, see http://www.flqe.org.do, or call 809 588-4156.