Jarabacoa
Jarabacoa is a beautiful mountain town. See pine trees on the same mountain side as palm trees, do some (fairly tame) river rafting, use it as a base for treks into the mountains, visit the waterfalls.
Cheap place to stay in the town centre -Hotel Plaza Central, Calle Mario Nelson, phone 574 2626. Strictly Spanish speaking and apparently a bit of a brothel. (I didn’t know that when I stayed there in 2004) It was adequate for my needs. 300 pesos.
Jarabacoa Guest House in the town centre – Run by Tim (nice German), www.jarabacoa-guest-house-de.vu. Email horn31@hotmail.com . Call 809 574 7885.
We stayed at Mi Vista Mountain Resort, a couple of miles from the town centre. The cleanest pool in the DR! Beautiful views of the mountain and a most hospitable host. In many ways Angel “made” our visit to Jarabacoa. He can arrange anything. Going to the brick making factory was unbelievable! Angel’s wife made us wonderful Dominican meals for us while we were there. A unique opportunity to get home cooked real Dominican food. Call 809 574 6696, contact by email via Tim above. Price per night in 2005/6 US 50/night.
Highly recommended by a young couple I meet is Hotel Brisas del Yague close to the town center. US 25 (2005).
Restaurante El Rancho had the best Dominican waiter, very professional. I had a massive club sandwich there and a wonderful breakfast where I brought along an avocado I purchased at the market and the waiter kindly cut it up for me. The coffee was great too. Also, some interesting local art adds to the pleasant decor. (A number of artists live in the area.) Located just at the entrance to town on the left across from the gas station.
There are lots of restaurants in Jarabacoa. It is a popular place for wealthy Dominicans and expats.
Tony who you will find at the Carib bus station, speaks good English and can arrange guided tours of Pico Duarte.
Tony at Super Mercado (the supermarket on you way into town – the sign says we speak English) is very helpful.
I have to say, everyone in Jarabacoa made me feel welcome.
Waterfalls:
The left turn off for Salto Je Jimeona waterfall is about 5 miles before Jarabacoa on the La Vega – Jarabacoa road. This turn off is well posted and is the same turn off for Rancho Jarabacoa and Forest Park. Favour left turns on this road until you come to a military post. Walk along a series of suspension bridges. There is a shelter near the waterfalls, a nice place for a picnic.
If you are reasonably fit, there is another waterfall up the mountain. Just past the outhouse you see on the way to the first waterfall there is a path up the mountain at a 75 degrees angle. (Grab the tree roots that act as ropes.) Follow this path, which gets dangerously close to a deep drop into the gorge, to a very large waterfall with a beautiful swimming hole. This 60 meter waterfall is little visited. It is stunning. (Actually, it is what LP refers to as Salto de Jimenoa Uno.) Take note of the bees along the canyon wall at the swimming hole. Be careful if you are swimming – the undercurrents and water flow are strong. The alternative way to get to Salto de Jimenoa Uno is described in LP. (Get on the road going to Constanza and about 5-7 miles outside of town start looking for a way down the mountain – a small path is said to take you to the waterfall.)
The nicest market I saw in the DR was in Jarabacoa. It is inside a building in the town centre. An amazing array of tubers and avocado the size of watermelon!
The graveyard behind a high white wall near the Shell station on the main street is worth a look.
I suspect there is a fair few missions from overseas in Jarabacoa. There is an American brat camp in Jarabacoa!
If you are interested in art, like a ceramics workshop contact Susan at austadsanchez@hotmail.com. She is organizing retreats and has some accommodation in her beautiful, peaceful mountain home. She should know what’s on the go. English and Spanish spoken.
Manabao, further up the mountain is apparently powered entirely on solar energy, although this is not real obvious to the casual visitor. It seems a nice place to spend a few days if you like small small Dominican towns.
There are loads of activities in Jarabacoa – they are well described in LP. We went river rafting (reef shoes recommended), and it was fun. (My first time – no Hell’s Gate by any means, but about the level I was ready for.)
