They pick you up in an air conditioned bus and you travel about 20 minutes to get to the park. Unfortunately, the passage of time has completely destroyed any trace of their handiwork. URGENT: Royal Suites at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort, The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort. But it also has one of the highest rates of type one diabetes in the world. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Then a young boy drowned. Perfect, these were both the ones I found as well, thanks! Are the rocks that you walk through slippery? Tours climb up to the 7th, 12th, or 27th waterfall and then return through each level by jumping, swimming, and sliding down natural waterslides. The great peculiarity of this place is that you have to climb each of these waterfalls, making routes until you reach the end, and then throw yourself down its rocks using them as slides in each of them. You slide down most of them and this was probably the most painful part for me. Indeed, Mother Nature has produced 27 beautiful pools, carved by the limestone. Mind you a tropical storm had hit a few days prior (delayed our flight 10 hours) so it probably was not the best idea; though nobody told us. Thanks! I was at the falls the day before; I thought it was the most incredibly dangous tour I have ever been on. I believe there were 7 jumps/slides that we went down. We had a trek of about 30 mins before we got to the falls and the joke on the way up was that a donkey on the hillside that we saw was the ambulance! more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. It also depends on the child's swimming abilities. Would like to do the Falls and be back to enjoy the Port Area a couple of hours. Very stinky life jackets and helmets. 12 Waterfalls (Damajagua River Tour): Come and enjoy the 27 Pools of the Damajagua River Tour! Then recharge with a Dominican buffet lunch. We arrived at about midday and it was fine to do them all. I'm debating if I need to bring a hat. As a beach bum, this wasnt her preferred excursion, but she kept up and enjoyed herself, opting for the easier route a few times. after a period of drought, but if ANY rain has fallen, the current reaches dangerous proportions. You go on a tour first of a coffee house and a couple of stores. The tragedy is that these people probably did not realize how much more dangerous it is when it has been raining, as it has every evening - very hard rain for the last 5 or 6 days. I lifted my leg out of the water and saw my right foot hanging limply to one side so I immediately knew I had at least dislocated and probably broken my ankle. I definately wouldn't have after reading this!!! On the last waterfall, only 1 person from our group could make it since the water was so strong. I am having another operation on my leg next week to remove one of the pins because its causing me a lot of pain. !like you we were not informed on whether u could swim or maybe a ticky heart(as we say in north ireland)I. Cheetah, I was going to post when I saw the thread you cover it all my friend. It just doesnt bear thinking about what might have happened if they had let go. Enjoy traditional Dominican food and beverages in our open-air restaurant with breath-taking mountain views. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua in the Dominican Republic also known as 27 Charcos is a place located about 30 minutes from Puerta Plata where there are a total of 27 waterfalls that you can jump and slide through. You must log in or register to reply here. just shows one cannot visit 27 charcos after the rain. These are 10 worth planning a visit for in 2023. I too saw the video and it shows ankle high water at the first river crossing while our's was waiste high. !I did not know about your 'Wee Lamb' until I returned from dom rep a few months later..in the excitement i dont think we realised how dangerous it was!in result I assure you I know now how dangerous it is!! farm owners. 7 and 12 are the other 2 options - more recommended for the less fit or younger folk, but still exciting. It does not store any personal data. We have a new reason for you to travel to Mlaga, Spain in 2023. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Yea it's all the same prices. Now your swimming through what lookes like deep but narrow little rivers. Im so glad that we did all 27. Many you just walk through or over. Eight people sit on the board, including the Secretary of Environment, to make sure the money gets spent wisely. Initially thought water shoes but are they OK for the hiking portion. Its just not for us. This Celebrity Cruises excursion in Puerto Plata , DR, was definitely worth our time and money. If I had not been calm enough to hold my breath and STRUGGLE to break free of the force, I surely would have been in trouble. I would strongly suggest that you go in groups max of 4 to avoid queuing on each waterfall.To say that this is dangerous is "Bunkum", as long as you listen to your guide CAREFULLY, do what he asks & be confident, you will not have a problem. The walk isint bad, about twenty min through forest and shallow rivers, hard on the ankles though. The 27 waterfalls of Damajagua or as the locals know them (27 Charcos) is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city of Puerto Plata due to its ecological beauty and the beautiful waterfalls that have formed over the years creating natural slides on the rock to slide, this tourist attraction is made up of 27 waterfalls but most people only go through 12 waterfalls due to the time and physical effort that it would take to cross all the waterfalls in one day, the Damajagua River is located in a natural area protected by the government of the Dominican Republic. The route has 27 waterfalls, they offer different exits and itineraries each with its price and guide, you must choose how many jumps you want to do,these are the prices according to the route and jumps you want to do. We are trying to figure out which way we will go - ship excursion and back in 4.5, or do the full deal and be back basically in time to board the ship. It was a Honeymoon that we will never forget. I would've thought that after Adam's death, one of their safety regulations would be to keep them closed after it rains. But remember even in "safe" beaches people drown every year. I haven't visited but what would need to be done to prevent something like this from happening again? If your tour guide was as good as ours was remember to tip well - they more than deserve it! Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. If they approve the claim, they will send you an email confirming that you have been awarded an on board credit for 110% of the price difference. Lovely day, very fun falls and excellent guides. The operation appears smooth and organised. Copyright 19952022 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. Can you wear a GoPro during this excursion? You can book through carnival and file a claim for the price protection guarantee for 110% on board credit for the difference. Cheetah, my heart goes out to your and your family. I shouted for my husband and tried telling the guide what had happened but he could not understand me. Me and one other kid cut our elbows, and scraped up our knees. Water has been pouring through the rocks, carving its way through the terrain for millennia. They had been staying in Cabarete since June 6th and were scheduled to leave for home tomorrow. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Your adventure begins as you arrive at Monkeyland. Once you get to the last fall you turn around and start to decend. As sad as it is people have to be responsible for themselves also. Carlos (from Iguana Mama) was a delightful guide on our bus ride. I was not happy about my Husband not having his lifejacket but the situation seemed out of our control. I have posted your story on my sons web site under the Damajagua Waterfalls page as I am compiling all the horror stories I have received from other travellers to this excursion. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. W. We walked out of the port area where taxi drivers were waiting. Damajagua Waterfalls and ATV Combo. The taxi option was very simple, and I highly recommend all 27. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. We booked a zip line & waterfall combo excursion through Iguana Mama Tours, & it was absolutely great! I'm looking at an independent operator (iguana mama) that offers 12 falls in 5 hours. I climed the falls (first seven) last year and all I can say is good luck. Please take this as a warning along with cheetahs post that this waterfall is dangerous, I never thought something like this would happen to me but it did and it could happen to anyone. Those tours are checked by the cruse company. Only problem was he didn't know how to swim and almost drowned. LauraS We did the 12 jumps NOT the 27 as you have to climb the mountain to start the descend. They gather you like chickens in a coup, completely unorganized and force you in huge groups. The Damajagua waterfalls arelocatedabout 36 km by car, about 45 minutes fromPuerto Plata. 13 years ago Save An American couple, both aged 52, drowned at Damajagua Falls near Imbert while their two teenage sons tried disparately to save them. The lawyer told me it was best he said that otherwise if I had blamed the tour company they would keep me overnight at the police station for questioning. Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure. "The 8th" Tourists that climb up to this waterfall can be almost assured that they will not see any other tourists for the rest of the day. Well I do agree with people that this is fun and I can see if you are an adereline junkie you'd love it. He tried telling the guides that they were strapping me wrong to the board but they couldnt understand him and carried on with what they were doing. You will have the chance to swim in the natural pools of the waterfalls, and even jump from a 25-foot drop! This breathtaking natural wonder contains numerous cascades of varying heights, and you will reach . We have been wanting to do this waterfall adventure for a long time. I touched the bottom once when jumping which can't be good, and it took me ages to surface, I swallowed lots of water and was then really sick for the next few days (just read another review here that someone got a tropical parasite in their stomach from the waterfall, so going to the Dr on monday). You will be free to swim in the numerous mountain pools, slide down cascades with slick rock chutes and even jump off some of the waterfalls . 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua 3,140 Reviews #1 of 46 things to do in Puerto Plata Nature & Parks, Waterfalls Puerto Plata 57000, Dominican Republic Save 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata 232 Book in advance from $85.00 per adult Check availability View full product details ClaireWalsh9 This adventure carries a risk (like all) but you should only go and do it after a good dry spell. If the province of Puerto Plata has one attraction, it is its more than 125 kilometers of golden sand beaches and turquoise waters dotted with palm trees and exotic nature. It is hot and muggy and does take some effort so make sure you are able to hike and climb uneven surfaces. We have never done this tour, however, we have thought about taking it. The scenery is beautiful and the water falls are amazing. Do not expect waterfalls with huge drops. I am very sorry for your loss. That seems odd, don't ya think? "The Virgin" Legend has it that the Taino Indians who used to inhabit the area built a statue of the Virgin Saint of the Dominican Republic, Altagracia. We were able to jump or take a ladder down to get into the water and pretty much remained in and out of it until the end. MUEREN AHOGADOS EN CHARCO DE DAMAJAGUA TURISTAS NORTEAMERICANOS. It wasnt always that way, however. Are the 27 waterfalls the same as Damajagua falls? have been on the tour where this poor boy tragically drowned. Everything that you see here is the experience that you will receive. From condors and cactuses to pueblos and Indigenous sites, Arizona is more than just desert. Can't it be as simple as the falls being closed unless there have been 5 consecutively dry days? All participants are required to wear a life jacket and helmet and water shoes, so it is pretty safe. My family did all 27 waterfalls last week, and I estimate that we were onsite about 4 hours from drop off to pick up by taxi. There have been many broken limbs on this tour and more than one death. This seemed like the best way to avoid the tours (which I wouldn't recommend - try to get there yourself and go with one of their tour guides who are awesome). You can also opt to do just 12 of the waterfalls (which takes 3 hours). I felt pretty safe doing the first 7. The schedule is from 8:30 AM. First time going to Puerto Plata - things to do? The waterfalls were about $14 USD per person, and we were assigned two guides who we tipped at the end. Waterfall Adventure: Damajagua Waterfalls, the premier attraction of Puerto Plata, offers hiking trails with breathtaking scenery, thrilling canyoneering through narrow passages, sliding down natural waterslides and swimming through caverns. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Re: Damajagua Falls claim two more lives. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. The word "charcos" is mistranslated. We joined up with a larger group at the falls and had about a 20 minute hike in the jungle to the waterfalls. Any comments are appreciated. To get down you jump - as much as 8m - into the sparkling pools below. Be prepared with cash to tip these amazing locals who work hard to give you an amazing experience. We were told we would go with a smaller group and have a jump start to head out early. Have to wait on others to get your group going. To be honest, I don't remember the tour company we went with . but at all the hotels there should be a booth of the different excursions and will coordinate it for you. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Yes, they have small lockers where we stored our backpacks. 27 Waterfalls With Locals Expert Guides from Amber Cove Shore Excursion: 27 Waterfalls of Zip N Splash Adventure plus Horseback Riding. All rights reserved. Meeting point map provided with booking confirmation. The guides do not want to have to turn around and take you back once they are in the falls with the group. Hotels near Santiago Municipal Airport (STI), Amber Cove Excursion: Horseback Ride and Tropical Garden Tour, Shopping in the Souks of Marrakech Private Tour, Visit Mount Vernon by Bike: Self-guided Ride with Optional Boat Cruise Return, Best Of Full-Day Snorkeling and Beach Excursion with Hot Lunch in Sint Maarten, Sea Scooter Snorkeling Tour - Wailea Beach, See all 37 Damajagua Waterfalls tours on Tripadvisor, See all Damajagua Waterfalls experiences on Tripadvisor. I am a good swimmmer--on the swim team in High School, I thought it very dangerous. And I am extremely dissappointed that they allowed the tour to continue during high flows. The guides are exceptional in supporting you. Upon arriving at the place, visitors realize that the Damajagua Waterfalls are located within the Sencin family farm, on the same property you can enjoy the experience of finding a booth where they sell handicrafts and drinks by locals. Who did you take the tour with, your level of fitness and -of course- did you enjoy it? I will do it again in June but I will probably use an outside company to do at least 12, if not all 27 falls. They do not guide or supervise you while you are climbing the falls. A leisurely hike through a jungle-like landscape will bring you to the waterfalls, whose source is the Damajagua River, a cool mountain stream. Having said that, I have no idea who would be able to monitor that successfully. The only way to get off the waterfalls is to go back the way you came which involves either jumping or sliding into the water below, some of the waterfalls are very high. The hike (because so much of it is uphill and up stairs) was a bit strenuous but doable. It had been raining heavily in the weeks before so the water level was higher and the water force was stronger than normal (we didn't know this at the time). Make Sure Your Voice Is Heard! I went on this tour of the 27 waterfalls with my husband and college age kids and we all LOVED it! Iguana Mama wishes to make you aware of the deaths of two people at the Damajagua waterfalls last Thursday, June 11 2009. Very funny & friendly. The guide in the pool below beckoned me to jump which I did. Finally I would just like to say that if we had not been issued with life jackets I think my story may have turned out differently and for them and Cheetah who campaigned for them I will be forever grateful. I found the shore excursion department to be very helpful and responded to my email inquiries very quickly. The outcome was I had dislocated and broken my ankle in 3 places and also broken my leg which had to be operated on and pinned/screwed back together. BUT there is a reason why the European/N.American/Canadian tour reps don't sell these tours - it totally wouldn't be covered by insurance.This is so dangerous, nothing too bad actually happened to me, but I take my health and well-being seriously and this is a very danrgous activity. But against all odds we got there,and brought our 15 year old son-who broke his arm resulting in going through surgery in a local hosp.ps which was more like a morgue-We were devastated-so we thought! We did stop several times and the folks in the group struggling got lots of one-on-one help from the tour guides. We would have paid Carnival $490, but we got a much better experience for under $175. It gets its name because it resembles a container that farmers who once lived in the mountains used to store water called a tinaja. https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/amber-cove-dominican-republic/waterfalls-of-damajagua-adrenaline-adventure-445108?b=4B6D46585352394C78666F583379346C6A43696973413D3D. When you arrive to the falls area the guide will tell you right away (hopefully) who should go and shouldnt. All lies mostly came from him and he was very unpleasant. Angel (also from Iguana Mama) was our guide for the zip lines & falls, & he was fantastic! Equestrian Trails Horseback Riding Tours. I wonder why it was less than yours? I didnt feel this as the water rate was so intense. this is very sad and shocking. Professional trained guides. Hello just dropping you a little note. 27 Waterfalls Tour in Damajagua 30 Recommended Adventure Tours from 5,007.54 per adult Full-Day Buggy Driving and Waterfall Swimming Experience 22 Recommended from 13,269.97 per adult Shore excursion 7 waterfalls &5 zip lines 2 Adventure Tours from 10,849.66 per adult Damajagua 27 Waterfalls Tour For AMBER COVE - TAINO BAY 6 Adventure Tours from What's up with posting pics of the bodies on the internet? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. I've been on this excursion two times. We did the trip with our 2 kids 7 and 9. Our family of 7 had an amazing time. Jumping & sliding down the waterfalls was absolutely amazing! We changed and left our bags behind the desk (they were as we lett them upon return, my money and docs intact). This was the most fun I have ever had on a trip. Our teenagers said it was their favorite excursion ever! There is typically many tours in attendance at once. I just got an email saying they accepted my claim, but we were only granted $38.99 a person. Flashback to 2004, when a handful of unofficial guides led tours at the waterfalls. Your story sounds identical to mine except the final outcome. I have a group of 7 and one of them is 5. Anyway, will keep thinking on this and hopefully switch to the full experience as we get closer. Our son is 41/2 years old. Diving into Crystal Clear Water at 27 Charcos. If you are of a decent fitness level, it is possible to partake in the 27 falls as there are frequent breaks to the top of the mountain. This was SUCH a good time and exactly as expected. The tour talked about in this forum was nice. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-18690542', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Puerto Plata Digital: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.puertoplatadigital.com%2Fnoticias%2Fnacionales%2Fjunio2009%2Fmuerenahogadosparejaturitas.htm&sl=es&tl=en&history_state0=. I sent them an email back to inquire about it. Also, how much rain is too much rain? If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. The tour begins at the beautiful, new, visitor center. To get to the falls, go south from Imbert on the highway for 3.3km (and cross two bridges) until you see a sign on your left with pictures of a waterfall. "La Tinajita" At over 20 feet deep, this waterfall is one of the most exciting. Yes, but they also have watershoe's for rent. Tourists didn't start showing up until 1994. We agreed to a price of $100 round trip, and we paid the driver after we were returned to the cruise port. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.