Luxury travel to the Caribbean is often filled with exotic escapades, but if you find yourself staying in the Dominican Republic, there's one particular journey you might just have to make to see an area of the island where the most adventure awaits.
If you're daring enough, make your way to the 27 Charcos, a series of 27 waterfalls naturally formed on the side of a mountain that cascade all the way down to the ground, but not before collecting in pools & lagoons tourists of all types can enjoy, reported USA Today.
The northern shore of the Dominican Republic is filled with mountains, rivers & waterfalls along with tropical beaches that give you the chance to either explore the dense vegetation or engage in other thrilling activities.
Fields of sugarcane & forests of coconut trees blend in with the foreign backdrop, presenting many opportunities to appreciate the natural beauty of the country, but there's another way you can enjoy it that's a bit more demanding.
A secret treasure of the Dominican The 27 Charcos weren't discovered by travelers until as recently as 1994 because the area was kept largely hidden for the use of locals that knew about it, reported Colonial Tours. However, in the short amount of time that's passed, the natural wonder has become one of the best adventure tourism locations on the whole island, 27charcos.com stated.
People from all over come to this protected nature reserve to test their strength at climbing to the top pool. The Damajagua River feeds these pools & waterfalls as it makes its way all the way down the side of the Northern Corridor mountains, carving the lagoons out of limestone over countless years.
The area is in close proximity to the main highway connecting the city of Santiago the nearby Puerto Plata, making it relatively easy to reach from any 5 star hotels on the island, stated My Destination. There are even public transportation options that can take you to the site for a low cost.
Once you're there, you'll realize getting to the 27 Charcos was the easy part. Now you have to climb them to experience the real fun & thrills of this natural attraction.
Making it to the top is no easy task If you wish to climb all the way to the top waterfall of 27 Charcos, you need to be prepared for the challenge. You won't be walking up a steep path, but climbing up the very river itself. Most of the normal tours only take you as high as the first seven pools & falls, but a private guide can be arranged to reach the top.
While the spot is unique & beautiful, it's not necessarily a place for family vacations. Children under the age of 8 are usually only allowed to climb to the first pool due to safety concerns, added Colonial Tours.
The hike up the waterfalls will be difficult for even the most seasoned adventurers with the slippery surfaces & rushing water flowing all around you. Everyone who makes the climb is required to wear life vests & helmets to ensure their safety, according to USA Today.
If you endure the struggles of reaching as high up as you desire, rest assured the downward journey is much more exhilarating than the hike up. The guides will show you how to properly lay in the water so you can use the waterfalls & pools as a natural waterslide for your descent. The cool water combined with the shade from the treetops make this voyage a relaxing one after the strenuous hike up.
No matter how high you climb, the fun will be all the same as you experience nature in a new way.
