JARABACOA / CONSTANZA — THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Backpackers and extreme sports enthusiasts who pass through Santiago and other northern areas of the Dominican Republic (like Puerto Plata and Cabarete) eventually find themselves drawn to the mountainous central areas of the island, such as the towns of Jarabacoa and Constanza – which have become major destinations for ecotourism. Such travelers stay in these towns in order to partake in activities not found elsewhere, such as white water rafting, mountain-climbing (nearby Pico Duarte is perhaps the largest peak in the Caribbean), mountain-biking, cascading, and canyoning. Here are details on both places:
Jarabacoa – located in the agricultural La Vega province, has a tropical rainforest climate with warm days and mild evenings for most of the year, as well as temperate days and cool nights during the winter, due in part to its elevation (approx. 525 meters, or 1,700 ft. above sea level). Jarabacoa has three rivers: Baiguate, Jimenoa, and the Yaque del Norte (with the latter two merging at the Confluencia, continuing on as the Yaque del Norte – the island’s second-largest river). The town is known for the production of strawberries, coffee, pimiento & ají pepper, as well as flowers.
Constanza – also located in La Vega province, this town has an even higher elevation than Jarabacoa (at 1,164 meters, or 3,800 ft. above sea level). The average annual temperature varies from less than 10 °C in highlands to 18 °C in town. Fog is quite common in this area, especially during the winter season. Like Jarabacoa, agriculture is the main economic activity here, with strawberries, peaches, apples, garlic and potatoes grown here, as well as flowers (especially roses). The scientific reserve of Ebano Verde is the stronghold of the widest variety of flora and fauna on the island.
For ecotourists pursuing white water rafting, mountain-climbing, mountain-biking, cascading, and/or canyoning near these towns, area hotels are usually the “go to” places to arrange such pursuits. Those staying at these hotels usually offer packages which includes these activities. Among the hotels offering them are: “Rancho Baiguate” in Jarabacoa (www.ranchobaiguate.com), River Club Jarabacoa (www.riverclubjarabacoa.com) (Carretera Jarabacoa-Manabao Km 4, Pinar Quemado,), Rancho Constanza (https://ranchoconstanza.tripod.com/) (Calle Duarte, Constanza); and Villa Pajon in Constanza (https://villapajon.do) (Reserva Científica Valle Nuevo).
There are also companies that arrange such excursions, like “Rancho 2 Rios” (https://hotelcal.ipower.com/rancho2rios/), and “Iguana Mama” (www.iguanamama.com) – whose office is based in Cabarete.