Dominican Republic has it all, and it’s not just beaches, so all that is needed is to explore and discover all that this Caribbean Island has to offer.
While you will find interesting places in the central provinces of the country, the north coast has a privileged location, as it is no more than 2 hours away from places of incredible natural beauty that are worth discovering and exploring.
To begin with, we want to talk about some of the provinces that make up the Cibao Valley, fertile land of the country, surrounded by mountains and mountain ranges. So, we will start with the Cordillera Central, an area of lush pine forests where temperatures can reach a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius and maximums of more than 28 degrees Celsius during almost the whole year.
Constanza:
If you want to enjoy cold nights in front of the chimney, Constanza is the perfect place. This area is considered the coldest place in the country as well as in the Caribbean, with cool temperatures, and it is not surprising to see the ground freezing in the mornings. Last winter, between January and February, a temperature of -1° C was recorded in Valle Nuevo de Constanza.
In Constanza there are several chalets and hotels where you can stay, but before traveling it is good to do a search to find out about the available accommodations. It is also advisable to book a tour to the Pyramids of Valle Nuevo de Constanza and the Aguas Blancas waterfall. We recommend you do this tour in a 4×4 vehicle, hiring the services of operators in the area.
Furthermore, you should not forget to visit the strawberry plantations and buy the products made from this fruit. Likewise, enjoy a walk through the town and know every corner of its streets, in the center is the Japanese Garden, which is worth a visit.
We cannot avoid mentioning that every year, this city celebrates the Festival de la Primavera (Spring Festival), so it is a good idea to investigate the date before traveling and see if it coincides.
Jarabacoa:
Jarabacoa is a symbol of ecotourism and has become the perfect destination for extreme adventure sports. Santiagueros and locals alike love to escape to this area all year round, but especially in summer.
At the same time, it is not unusual to see people from Santiago or Puerto Plata taking a day trip to this beautiful city. On the other hand, foreigners living on the north coast, when they visit Jarabacoa, are enchanted by the climate and the greenery of this town, as well as by its hospitality.
In Jarabacoa you can go canyoning, hiking, paragliding, and rafting. But, if you wish, you can also practice golf and horseback riding, as well as visit the national parks and the freshwater springs.
This town also produces most of the vegetables and fruits sold in the country, as well as coffee. We could say that Jarabacoa and Constanza are the national nurseries, since their climate allows them to produce a great variety of agricultural products.
La Vega
La Vega is a symbol of carnival, since this city celebrates every Sunday of the month of February the most famous and well-known carnival in the country, an experience that must be lived, even once in a lifetime.
In fact, from Cabarete there are many foreigners who decide to go on a popular adventure and travel to La Vega to participate in this great cultural parade on a Sunday in February.
However, La Vega is not only carnival, but also an agricultural area, where coffee, cocoa, flowers, and citrus fruits are produced. We suggest you try the wine and carambola liquor sold in La Vega and Jarabacoa.
Finally, La Vega Vieja, which is near Cerro Santo, deserves a special mention and is an area worth visiting, as it is an archeological ruin belonging to the town founded by Christopher Columbus in 1494.
Visit Santiago and The Mountain Municipalities that Belong to This Province
In the Cibao Valley, just 40 minutes’ drive from Puerto Plata and 1h20 minutes from Cabarete and Sosua you will find the second most important city in the country, Santiago, also known as the Ciudad Corazón (Heart City). Many people take weekend getaways to go out for drinks, go to the movies, shopping or visit museums.
The Centro León, where you can enjoy the exhibitions on display, is among the recommended visits. Experience the artisanal process of making or rolling cigars or, if you prefer, have a drink or a coffee at the institution’s bar.
On the other hand, the Monument of the Heroes of the Restoration and its interior museum is a mandatory stop. From this building there is a 360-degree view of the entire city.
You can also visit Camp David and enjoy magnificent views over the city, as well as admire the collection of antique cars on display. Also discover the Las Aromas Golf Course, you can rent the clubs that you need to have a good time.
Nightlife in Santiago is very lively, as it is a university and industrial region. It is a very modern metropolis where students and workers coexist. However, to go out in this city we recommend keeping your flip-flops together with your bikini, as the most usual nightlife style is mostly city style.
There is also a Botanical Park in the city that is worth a visit. However, Santiago is not only a valley, but also a mountain, so we will briefly cover the municipalities that belong to it and are located about 15–20 minutes from the city center by car.
Important note: The Cibao is a tobacco-growing area that is very important in the world, and when you travel from Puerto Plata towards Santiago you can see the tobacco fields from the road.
Likewise, La Aurora, which is the oldest and most prestigious tobacco industry in the country, as well as being a world leader in the manufacture of cigars, belongs to the León Jiménez group that offers guided tours.
Sabana Iglesia:
Sabana Iglesia is a small mountain municipality belonging to Santiago, which is located just 15 minutes by car from the center of the Ciudad Corazón.
This town is a recreational area for the santiagueros, and it is normal to see boats and Jet Skis being towed in the direction of the Presa de Bao (“Bao dam”), where people enjoy spending the day sailing.
If you want to live a similar experience, you can check the internet for places where Jet Ski rentals or boat rides are available. Nearby, there is also the Presa de Tavera (“Tavera Dam”), where you can both stroll and eat fresh fish while enjoying the view in the restaurants in the area. These two reservoirs of great importance in the Cibao supply the city of Santiago.
San José de las Matas:
San José de las Matas has become a tourist destination dedicated to ecotourism. It can be easily reached from Santiago by bus, car, or cab. But keep in mind to check the rates of cab services to avoid surprises when embarking on this adventure.
San José de las Matas is a place to disconnect amid the greenery and freshness that characterize this area. On the way to this town, we recommend stopping at the viewpoints and enjoying the views.
The economy of this municipality revolves around livestock and agricultural production, in addition to the commercialization of pine and furniture manufacturing. However, this municipality has been excelling in ecotourism or mountain tourism.
This community, also known as Sajoma, is an ecotourism treasure that has a great attraction. So, exploring it in a single weekend will not be enough; there are too many rivers to enjoy! Sajoma has also always been a place of recreation for all locals doing domestic or inland tourism.
Are there thermal springs in the Dominican Republic? There are! And Sajoma is home to a complex where they can be enjoyed. In fact, Aguas Calientes is a project that has two pools, one of which is fed by a pipe, installed in the crevice of the rocks, through which the thermal water flows directly.
At the second pool, the thermal water and the fresh water from the river are mixed in such a way that the temperature is pleasant. In addition, you can go down a wooden walkway to La Playita, a spa that is in this place, on the banks of the river Bao.
Conclusion
If you are planning to buy real estate in the country, Century 21 Perdomo, as a North Coast real estate company, expects that these locations, which are relatively close to Puerto Plata, Sosua and Cabarete, will serve as an inspiration for you to invest in the Dominican Republic.
Explore, discover, and enjoy the experiences that the northern region of the Dominican Republic has to offer.
