Puerto Plata: Damajagua 7 Waterfalls Tour & Dominican Lunch

Summary

Jump swim and slide through Damajagua waterfalls then taste Dominican lunch

You’ll hike up through tropical forest near Puerto Plata to reach Damajagua’s 7 waterfalls with local guides leading the way. Jump into deep pools, slide down smooth rocks, then refuel with a big Dominican buffet lunch (and maybe a mamajuana shot). Expect laughter, muddy shoes—and memories that stick longer than your towel dries.

What’s the experience like?

We rolled out of Amber Cove in a van that smelled faintly like sunscreen and wet towels — you could tell it’d seen a lot of beach days. Our guide, José, pointed out the little roadside fruit stands as we bumped along, where folks were selling bright papayas and mangoes right from their porches. I kept thinking I should’ve grabbed one for later. The drive up to Damajagua was green and sticky-warm, with windows down and everyone kind of quiet, maybe sizing up the adventure ahead.

The visitor center felt surprisingly new — open-air tables, mountain views, that first waft of grilled chicken somewhere nearby. But before any lunch, José handed us helmets and life jackets (mine smelled like river water and sunblock) and made sure we had water bottles for the hike. The climb wasn’t easy — it’s humid, there are roots everywhere underfoot — but the local waterfall guides kept us moving with jokes in Spanish and lots of encouragement. At the top, you hear the water before you see it: just this rushing sound echoing off stone. I hesitated at the first jump (it’s higher than it looks!), but someone behind me just yelled “dale!” so in I went. Cold shock, then laughter.

Sliding down those natural rock chutes is wild — sometimes fast enough to make you yelp without meaning to. There were moments when all I could smell was wet leaves and river mud; my hands got scraped on the rocks once or twice but honestly I didn’t care. We swam under falls that hit your shoulders like a massage and watched one of the guides do a backflip off a ledge (no way was I trying that). On the way back down, someone asked if we could do one more slide but apparently seven is all you get this season — not enough rain for the rest.

Lunch hit different after all that. Big plates of rice, beans, fried chicken, some kind of tangy salad — plus ice-cold Coke and this shot called mamajuana that burned in a good way. We sat around swapping stories about who screamed loudest on which jump. Before heading back to port they brought out thick hot chocolate from local cacao; tasted earthy-sweet and made me wish I’d bought some to take home. Even now I still think about how my heart pounded standing above those waterfalls — part nerves, part joy or something close to it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Damajagua 7 Waterfalls Adventure

• Pick up at Amber Cove or Taino Bay
• Drive past countryside fruit stands
• Arrive at visitor center with mountain view
• Receive shoes, helmet, and life jacket
• Meet local waterfall guides
• Hike up to 1st through 7th waterfalls
• Jump, swim, and slide down waterfalls
• Leave bags and valuables at transport
• Stop to eat organic chocolate
• Enjoy authentic Dominican lunch with drinks
• Return to transport for departure

Top questions

How long does the Damajagua 7 Waterfalls tour take?

The tour typically lasts several hours including transport from Amber Cove or Taino Bay ports, hiking up to the waterfalls, time at each fall for jumping/sliding/swimming, plus lunch afterwards.

Is pickup included from Amber Cove or Taino Bay cruise ports?

Yes—pickup and drop-off are included for cruise ship passengers at both Amber Cove Port and Taino Bay Port.

What should I wear or bring for Damajagua waterfalls?

Wear old running shoes or water shoes (required), swimwear under shorts (recommended), bring a towel and dry clothes for after. Helmets and life jackets are provided.

Is lunch included on this day trip from Puerto Plata?

Yes—a traditional Dominican buffet lunch is included along with water, Coke, coffee or hot chocolate, plus a mamajuana shot.

Are children allowed on this excursion?

The minimum age is 8 years old; children aged 8-17 must be accompanied by an adult.

How many waterfalls can you visit right now at Damajagua?

You’ll visit 7 waterfalls on this tour; others are closed due to low rainfall currently.

Can I bring my camera on the waterfall tour?

You can only bring waterproof cameras; regular cameras/phones aren’t recommended due to water exposure during jumps/slides.

Is this excursion suitable for people with mobility issues?

No—the hike involves uneven surfaces and climbing; not recommended for travelers with walking disabilities or wheelchair users.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip air-conditioned transport from Amber Cove or Taino Bay cruise terminals, entry admission to Damajagua waterfalls with all safety equipment provided (helmet and life jacket), guidance from local experts throughout every jump and slide, plus a hearty Dominican buffet lunch featuring rice, beans, fried chicken, pork and salad—with drinks like water, Coke, coffee or hot chocolate—and even a mamajuana shot before heading back dry (or mostly dry) to port.