Waterfall rappelling from Santo Domingo: 25-meter descent
Rappel down a 25-meter waterfall and swim through mountain streams
This high-intensity rappelling and hiking activity from Santo Domingo takes you to two waterfalls in the Dominican backcountry: La Culebra for a practice descent, and Tabernacle Thundering Waterfall for a 25-meter guided or solo rappel. The day includes a two-hour drive each way, a hike upstream and downstream through swimming holes and natural slides, typical Dominican breakfast and lunch, and all rappelling gear. Minimum age 15. High fitness level required.
Step-by-step itinerary
Waterfall trekking and rappelling adventure
- Meet at 8am in Santo Domingo
- Drive two hours to Los Cacaos town
- Have typical Dominican breakfast
- Stretch and start uphill hike
- Hike upstream to La Culebra waterfall
- Practice light rappel at La Culebra
- Hike downstream to Tabernacle Thundering Waterfall
- Do guided or free rappel down 25-meter waterfall
- Hike downstream through swimming holes, jumps, and slides
- Change clothes without dressing room
- Have typical Dominican lunch in town
- Drive two hours back to Santo Domingo
What’s included
- Private transportation from Santo Domingo to Los Cacaos and back.
- rappelling equipment including harness, helmet and life vest.
- typical Dominican breakfast and lunch.
- vegetarian meals available on request.
Times
- Friday 06:00
Before you book
Operated by La EX Tours
Prices and times updated 3 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The day starts at 8am in Santo Domingo and runs until 5pm, with a two-hour drive to Los Cacaos town where the activity takes place. You'll eat a typical Dominican breakfast there, then head uphill and downhill toward the stream with your guide and rappel experts. The first waterfall, La Culebra, is where you practice rappelling on a lighter descent to get comfortable with the harness, helmet and life vest before the main event.
Tabernacle Thundering Waterfall is the centerpiece: a 25-meter drop where you choose between a guided rappel with the expert or a free rappel if you want to descend solo. Either way, this is the highlight. After that, you hike downstream through swimming holes, natural water slides and jumps until the end of the route. You'll change out of wet gear (there's no dressing room, so you stay dry on the drive back), then return to town for a typical Dominican lunch before the two-hour return drive to Santo Domingo.
Private transportation, all rappelling equipment, and lunch are included. The guide speaks English or Spanish. This is a high-difficulty day: you need to be in decent shape going in, and both rappelling and swimming are mandatory, though no prior experience is required. If you can't swim, this trip isn't the right fit.
Is this one for you?This is a private, guided activity where you do the rappelling and swimming yourself with expert instruction and support. It suits travelers who want hands-on adventure and are comfortable with high physical intensity and mandatory water activities. If you prefer to watch rather than do, or if swimming makes you uneasy, look for a less demanding waterfall hike instead.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the difference between the two waterfalls on this trip?
La Culebra is the practice waterfall where you learn to rappel on a shorter descent. Tabernacle Thundering Waterfall is the main event at 25 meters, where you can choose a guided descent or rappel down on your own.
Do I need to know how to rappel or swim before I book?
No prior experience is required, but swimming is mandatory on this trip, so you must be comfortable in water. The guides teach you rappelling techniques before you descend.
What happens if I don't want to rappel the 25-meter waterfall?
Rappelling Tabernacle Thundering Waterfall is part of the core activity, but you can choose between a guided descent with the expert or a free rappel down on your own.
What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?
Private transport from Santo Domingo, all rappelling gear (harness, helmet, life vest), typical Dominican breakfast and lunch are included. Bring a change of clothes, a towel, and water shoes or sandals that can get wet.
How fit do I need to be for this day?
This is a high-difficulty activity requiring a high level of physical fitness. You'll hike uphill and downhill, rappel, swim and navigate natural slides over an 11-hour day. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, asthma, cardiac issues or recent injuries.
Waterfall rappelling from Santo Domingo: 25-meter descent
11h · EN · ES
from US$ 180 per person
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