Puerto Plata: Damajagua Waterfalls, Monkeyland & Buggy Tour

Summary

Monkeyland laughs, waterfall splashes, and muddy buggy roads near Puerto Plata

You’ll get muddy driving a Polaris buggy through countryside roads near Puerto Plata, then cool off at Damajagua Waterfalls—jumping and sliding just like locals do. Feed squirrel monkeys at Monkeyland (watch your sunglasses), with a friendly guide leading you all day. Expect laughter, splashes, and a few surprises along the way.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re definitely going to get soaked,” our guide Luis grinned as we climbed into the Polaris buggies outside Puerto Plata. I thought he was exaggerating—he wasn’t. The first splash of river water hit my shoes before I even got used to the wheel. My friend kept yelling “left!” but honestly, I was just trying not to stall out in front of the kids waving from their porches. The air smelled like wet earth and engine oil, and there was this weird joy in getting absolutely covered in mud together. I still find dirt under my nails sometimes.

We rolled up to Damajagua Waterfalls with our legs tingling from the ride. There’s nothing like that first cold shock when you slide down into the pools—my heart was pounding so hard I almost forgot to look up at the light coming through the leaves. Luis told us about how locals grew up jumping these falls; he laughed when I hesitated at one of the bigger drops (“Don’t worry, everyone screams here”). It’s loud with water and laughter, but there are these little moments where you just hear birds or your own breathing.

I didn’t expect Monkeyland to be so… lively? Squirrel monkeys everywhere—on your arms, your head (one tried to steal my sunglasses). The staff handed us fruit and showed us how to hold our hands so the monkeys wouldn’t freak out. It felt a bit surreal, honestly—like being dropped into some cartoon jungle for half an hour. On the way back, we stopped at a colmado for cold drinks; people hanging out on plastic chairs, music playing from somewhere behind the counter. My Spanish is terrible but nobody seemed to mind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Buggy ride, waterfalls, and monkey visit

• Drive buggy through villages
• Cross river in buggy
• Explore Damajagua Waterfalls
• Visit Monkeyland jungle
• Feed squirrel monkeys fruit

Top questions

How long does this tour last?

The tour lasts around 8 hours total.

Do I need a driver’s license for the buggy ride?

Yes, a valid driver’s license is required to drive the off-road buggy.

Is hotel pickup included?

The tour includes transportation by open-air safari truck from Puerto Plata.

Are entrance fees included for Damajagua Waterfalls & Monkeyland?

Yes, entry fees for both Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkeyland are included.

Can children join this tour?

The minimum age to participate is 8 years old.

Is lunch included?

No lunch is mentioned as included; bottled water is provided.

What should I bring?

You should bring your driver’s license if you want to drive the buggy; also expect to get wet and muddy.

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular problems.

What’s included

Your day includes transportation by open-air safari truck from Puerto Plata, bottled water along the way, entry tickets for both Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkeyland—with guides showing you around each spot before heading back in the afternoon.