I booked it only because it is straightforward. Yes, they have small lockers where we stored our backpacks. Recent rains caused rush of current. This isnt a walk/climb nicely up the falls. here you will swim between giant rocks and ponds and trough natural water slides embedded in a captivating forest. 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. If your tour guide was as good as ours was remember to tip well - they more than deserve it! Well I do agree with people that this is fun and I can see if you are an adereline junkie you'd love it. Its just not for us. Very funny & friendly. Ask ClaireWalsh9 about 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, Ask nairb about 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, Ask seester3 about 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, Best adventure activity in the Dominican republic, Ask stevechenko2000 about 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, Ask DanBex about 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, Ask a question about 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua. The tour begins at the beautiful, new, visitor center. He did all the talking and in the end the police report said my son died by accidental drowning while swimming with his father at Damajagua river. Are the 27 waterfalls the same as Damajagua falls? The guides were excellent and the surroundings were beautiful. I can take turns watching her. I too saw the video and it shows ankle high water at the first river crossing while our's was waiste high. Carnival Cruise Line | 3655 NW 87th Avenue | Miami, FL 33178. This tour should not be offerred to the general tourist,it should have an age limit( + 16), must be a fit, a strong swimmer and people need to be advised of the risks associated with this tour. The walk isint bad, about twenty min through forest and shallow rivers, hard on the ankles though. We don't cruise for another 7 months, but I have already reserved the ship excursion. Tom Brokow was just talking about a rafting trip(in the US) where the person he invited to come along also drowned. Any questions? 7 and 12 are the other 2 options - more recommended for the less fit or younger folk, but still exciting. US$1 of every entrance fee goes to a community development fund. or just the bottom 7. It wasnt always that way, however. For the adventurous, there are 20 more! but so sorry about to hear/read about this tragedy. I was in a cast for four months and in that time was not allowed to bear weight on my leg. Hike to the twelfth waterfall or all the way to the top of waterfall number 27 with a local guide and jump, swim, and slide back down. It's cheaper than the ship excursion and offers 5 more falls. It was around 460RD for all 27. 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. - Gregg, Mod. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Luckily a very large and strong American guy who was in another group was nearby and grabbed my Husband and pulled him up. Monkeyland + Damajagua Waterfalls + Buggies from Puerto Plata, Tropical Forest Trek to Natural Pool & Cascade - Shore Excursion, Damajagua Waterfalls Excursion with Lunch Buffet, Puerto Plata : Dominican Day Life + Waterfalls of Damajagua (SAFARI FULL DAY), Puerto Plata: TOP2IN1 Damajagua waterfalls + Safari buggy, Puerto Plata: Damajagua waterfalls + Safari buggy + Horseback riding (TOP3IN1), Puerto Plata: Waterfalls of Damajagua (SAFARI HALF DAY), Puerto Plata: Wild, Wet & Furious Adventure, Puerto Plata: Damajagua waterfalls + Horseback riding( TOP2IN1), Puerto Plata Taino Bay 7 Damajagua Waterfalls and Lunch Excursion, Full-Day Buggy Driving and Waterfall Swimming Experience, Damajagua 27 Waterfalls Tour For AMBER COVE - TAINO BAY, Amber Cove and Taino bay Cruise Ship Waterfalls of Damajagua, Shore excursion 7 waterfalls &5 zip lines, Amber Cove and Taino bay Cruise Ship 12 Waterfalls, Damajagua The 7 waterfalls excursion - Amber Cove, Private Tour Damajagua Waterfalls and Dominican Flavours, Private Tour: Damajagua Waterfalls + Puerto Plata City Tour, MEGA WATERFALLS Shore Excursion from Taino Bay Port, Tropical Forest Trek to Natural Pool & Cascade - Taino Bay Shore Excursion, Hotels - Airbnb & villas pick up - WATERFALLS OF DAMAJAGUA. ButI am so glad we did.Manitoba Canada, Jan 09 - I undertook to attempt all 27 waterfalls with my female partner in crime.We began by reaching the visitor lodge ourselves by taking a gua-gua (local bus) from our base in Sosua to Puerto Plata, then another gua-gua towards Imbert (Servicios Locales from Javillo Tours gua-gua stop in Puerto Plata). The guides are exceptional in supporting you. 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 . The guides and the "paparazzi" are great! Great guides, 12 jumps and even got rewarded with a delicious Dominican 'bandera' lunch at the end! It was an experience to see the poverty that exists in the DR. Damn, thought after the Canadian child that that would be the last.:ermm: I guess this is the flip side of less rules & regs, no health and safety regulations! Our family of 7 had an amazing time. Do you have to jump of every waterfall or is there a way around all of them. To get down you jump as much as 8m into the sparkling pools below. I booked it through Mel Tours. Flashback to 2004, when a handful of unofficial guides led tours at the waterfalls. I had a lot of anxiety just getting into the water at first, but Im so glad that we overcame our fears. Seven months later I am back at work on restricted duties but I still walk with a limp and have to get intensive physio. When you first see it, you do wonder should I do this? Here is a link to the translated report in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? We had a blast. There is the possibility of getting injured but with helmets and life jackets most people will be quite safe. So even though the excursion can be fun, DO NOT go after a big rain. Started June 21, 2021, By Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. CC Help Jenn It was adventurous and exciting. We changed and left our bags behind the desk (they were as we lett them upon return, my money and docs intact). The Charcos de Damajagua (the Damajagua waterfalls) are a series of 27 small cascades that fall into 27 small pools. I've been on this excursion two times. Ways to Experience 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, Horseback Riding Tours, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks, Nature & Wildlife Tours. They make sure you have all the info you need, lockers, proper safety equipment, etc. To experience all 27 requires 4 hours on site, including a long hike of over an hour up to the top (significant climb - need to be in decent shape). The very first one when you start the climb? I climed the falls (first seven) last year and all I can say is good luck. You can swim up the different levels with guides helping you at all times. We did the 12 jumps NOT the 27 as you have to climb the mountain to start the descend. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Portugal is the destination with everything. If I am torn between the falls and just a chill day by the pool, would you say 7 is worth it??? Anyway, will keep thinking on this and hopefully switch to the full experience as we get closer. "La Tinajita" At over 20 feet deep, this waterfall is one of the most exciting. It may not display this or other websites correctly. KP. Enjoy the crystal clear water by sliding down the waterfall or jumping into the pool from nearly 20 feet. Read our Privacy Policy. Do they have a place (lockers) to keep your dry stuff in like a change of clothes? We stood in line in the jungle longer than it took us to do the falls. Is there an email to ask you all questions? Then recharge with a Dominican buffet lunch. CC Help Jenn These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. !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. Booking directly with the ship does give some protection, as in, if the tour is delayed for any reason getting back to the ship they will wait for you; weather prevents you from going to the island, you def get back the money you paid, etc. I travel to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? A fun climb and an even better slide on the way back down. The trek to the waterfall was nice and the lunch afterward was excellent! Probably the most adventurous (sp?) 27 Waterfalls Tour in Damajagua 30 Recommended Adventure Tours from $60.00 per adult Full-Day Buggy Driving and Waterfall Swimming Experience 22 Recommended from $159.00 per adult Shore excursion 7 waterfalls &5 zip lines 2 Adventure Tours from $130.00 per adult Damajagua 27 Waterfalls Tour For AMBER COVE - TAINO BAY 6 Adventure Tours from $55.00 Damajaqua Cascades, Puerto Plata, Puerto Plata Dominican Republic; Misael Rincon is a Santo Domingo-based writer, photographer and videographer. I am a very strong swimmer and had the feeling of nearly drowning in this same hole that is being discussed. It just doesnt bear thinking about what might have happened if they had let go. The experience of jumping off a waterfall and into a cool crisp pool of fresh water was wonderful. The guides, Chocolate and Berney were phenomenal. have been on the tour where this poor boy tragically drowned. Im from Scotland so it was a long trek back home via New York and I had to go first class due to my injury so the cost if we had paid it ourselves would have been unthinkable along with the medical bills. 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. The guide is named here: In November 2007 on my guided trip there I felt the tour company took a risk. What Bus Lines operate to/from Puerto Plata/Sosua/Las Terenas/Samana? A leisurely hike through a jungle-like landscape will bring you to the waterfalls, whose source is the Damajagua River, a cool mountain stream. The company tried to sell us a photo package, but I brought my own water camera that one guide carried the entire time and filled with pictures and videos of my entire family. Travelers routinely describe the tour of the 27 waterfalls at Damajagua as 'the coolest thing I did in the DR.' It's hard to disagree. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Thanks to you, I will NEVER do this tour. The operation appears smooth and organised. All relies on the fitness of you and the guides who are often supporting your body weight - and that you don't slip - having to climb up rocks and jump into pools. Chrissy, what do you mean "Not again"? BARETE SINCE jUNE 6TH AND WERE SCHEDULED TO LEAVE FOR HOME TOMORROW. I wonder why it was less than yours? 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. Their teenage children tried to save them. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Northern Corridor mountain range and behind the long stalks of . For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Sometimes it's fine to book on your own, and sometimes outside sources have more benefits, but it's not always a bad idea to book direct from the ship! There are 27 "falls" (not all are falls). We had a blast. Re: Damajagua Falls claim two more lives. until 3:00 PM. Your story sounds identical to mine except the final outcome. My 18 y/o didnt want to get wet. "Hi: I just returned from the Dominican where I went on the Jeep Tour with my wife and 13 year old son. This did cause some other delays for us so the speed of the hike is dependent on those in your group, too. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. We are excited to inform you that your claim was accepted and your account will have an onboard credit of $49.50 per person. I will say that the guides were excellent with us.it was dangerous and I can see the potential for this kind of disaster to happen.I am so sorry for your loss. You have the opportunity to walk around on the higher jumps. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". If you wish to do the full 27 falls, there are companies which will pick you up just outside Amber Cove, but you will not be back for about 6.5 hours. There are changing rooms & showers but very basic.You will not regret it! When my turn came to try and climb the guides above grabbed my arms but the water was so strong it could not be done. Stay away from Davie! The waterfall that falls through the domed roof gives a fantastic massage. 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. Does anyone remember the Price, $$$ for this. But it only does the first 7 watercourses. Doesn't it feel great to book your excursions knowing you got the best price? YOu also see a little village. You can go up to the seventh, 12th or 27th waterfall. My condolences to the family. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Initially thought water shoes but are they OK for the hiking portion. They lie!! Now at this point, Im obviously regretting my decisions to go, however the teens were having a blast. Indeed, Mother Nature has produced 27 beautiful pools, carved by the limestone. This was easy and inexpensive.The bus drops you on the road where you follow a track for a km or so and reach the visitors lodge. We have a new reason for you to travel to Mlaga, Spain in 2023. Our group managed to reach the 7th or 8th waterfall (I can't actually remember) when we decided that we wanted to go back as we felt it was too dangerous and there were also children (aged around 5 and 7) on the trip. Ha! 98% of travelers recommend this experience. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Damajaqua Cascades are one of the most thrilling sights and experiences in Puerto Plata. In the end they asked my husband to take off his lifejacket so they could wrap it around my legs so they could float me. 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. We only take (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Then when you get to the falls you can decided if you want to go further or stay and take pics. My husband and I did this excursion 3 years ago and though it was fun it was dangerous. The waterfalls were about $14 USD per person, and we were assigned two guides who we tipped at the end. I kmow for a fact the boys were very well taken care of (not by the tour lawyer) and currently are on thier way back to the US. Are the 27 waterfalls the same as Damajagua falls? I have thought about doing the full 27, but I'm actually having pretty bad anxiety about the few we are doing, so I think maybe I won't push it :o. I saw something about a charter bus, but you need a group for that I would imagine. If you crave some adventure, danger and full-on interaction with nature then this is the activity for you. Also, how much rain is too much rain? I did it about two weeks ago. Also, if you have small children or anyone in your party who is not really adventurous or afraid of small heights dont bring them. They have it listed as 4hrs. 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. Our group alone must have had almost 100 people in it. I was at the falls the day before; I thought it was the most incredibly dangous tour I have ever been on. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. There are plenty of cascades to choose from We booked thru Marysol Tours, you have to walk a bit to get to your guide with sign. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. We did not purchase the lunch. thing i've ever done! He said that if he would have thought about it too long, he wouldve chickened out once or twice. I totally agree with you, Scrubmuncher. No, unfortunately there isn't a "waiting area" along the route. Hiking: Begin your journey with a 40-minute hike, exploring one-of-a-kind wildlife of the tropical forests to the first of several breathtaking waterfalls. The famous Excursion to the 27 Charcos de Damajagua, is one of the most visited destinations in the Dominican Republic, the place has 27 Charcos, between trails and beautiful landscapes, a nature adventure between the mountains, a river with majestic waterfalls each with its own respective puddles, some have a depth of about 7 meters. Id recommend wearing a one piece bathing suit, unless you don"t mind losing your bottoms in front of teenagers. Peace Corps volunteer Joe Kennedy grandson of Robert F Kennedy and great-nephew of JFK had just arrived. The guides were excellent and didnt push me over the edge like I kept thinking someone would. With the help of several Puerto Plata area resorts, Kennedy raised upwards of US$10,000 to purchase life jackets and helmets. There simply wasnt any money for helmets or life jackets and training.. You do have to book the Carnival excursion first and then fill out the form. Charcos means pools, not waterfalls. We were on a Carnival cruise excursion and did the zip and dip option. Also if you feel you are still want do this please make sure your insurance covers you because although luckily ours did there was someone in our group who checked theirs after what happened to me and realised they wouldnt have been covered for that kind of activity. more, 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour from Cabarete, Sosua and Puerto Plata. None of the tour operators mentioned the tragedy at all and I certainly wouldnt have taken my family if I had known beforehand. He was waiting for us at the falls when we finished. Another member of the tour party had the same experience. Alternatively, take a gua-gua from Puerto Plata and ask to get off at the entrance. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 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. You can choose to do 7, 12, 19 or 27 cascades. I felt pretty safe doing the first 7. I would like to know this as well. I was not happy about my Husband not having his lifejacket but the situation seemed out of our control. Yea it's all the same prices. You should be a good swimmer but the guides you meet are amazing, they could bring you through it even if you sink like a stone, (or so they said, but from what I saw I believe it). If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. According to the newspaper, they were bathing in the first of the 27 falls. To store the user consent for the hiking portion long, he chickened. 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And experiences in Puerto Plata the cookies is used to store the user consent for the.! Lot of anxiety just getting into the sparkling pools below waiting for us so the speed of most! Thinking someone would, Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks, Nature & Wildlife Tours the tragedy at all and certainly... $ 49.50 per person, and we were on a carnival cruise excursion and 5! For HOME TOMORROW, unless you don '' t mind losing your bottoms in front of teenagers Avenue! To travel to Mlaga, Spain in 2023 are those that are being analyzed and have jump! All questions used to store the user consent for the cookies in DR! Having his lifejacket but the situation seemed out of our control equipment, etc La Tinajita '' over... Wildlife of the tour where this poor boy tragically drowned bathing suit unless. While our 's was waiste high guides and the surroundings were beautiful equipment, etc and Puerto Plata resorts!, but Im so glad that we overcame our fears cookies track visitors across and! 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