From $159.99Damajagua Waterfalls (27 Charcos)
What it is
The Damajagua waterfalls, known locally as the 27 Charcos, are a chain of twenty-seven limestone cascades and pools carved into a canyon in the hills southwest of Puerto Plata. Protected as a natural monument and run with community guides, they are the most popular natural attraction reached from the Amber Cove and Taino Bay cruise ports. Visitors climb up alongside the river, then descend by jumping and sliding through the smooth rock chutes into clear pools below. The site is managed in partnership with the surrounding villages, so the entry fees and guide work directly support the local economy, a model often cited as one of the Caribbean's better examples of community ecotourism. The rock here is travertine, worn glass-smooth by centuries of running water, which is what makes the natural slides possible without injury. Because the upper falls require more climbing and rope work, cruise excursions stick to the lower section, which delivers the highlights inside the tight window of a port day.
How to visit
On a cruise day, reach Damajagua on an organised excursion that collects you at the terminal, around forty-five minutes each way. Cruise tours typically do the lower seven falls, a guided loop of one to two hours in the canyon with life jackets and helmets supplied. The route involves a moderate uphill walk before the fun part, where you wade, swim and slide back down a series of natural rock chutes into deep pools. Guides position themselves at each jump to talk nervous first-timers through it, and you can opt out of any individual leap and take the walking path down instead. The water is cool and refreshing year-round, a welcome contrast to the humidity of the port. Go with the earliest available tour to leave a safe buffer before all-aboard, and confirm whether the operator includes the local food stop and a change of clothes area on the way back.
Hours & practical info
Open daily, roughly 8:30am to 4pm. Entry and a guide are included in cruise excursions.
Insider tips
- ✓ Book the earliest tour to guarantee a return before all-aboard.
- ✓ Wear water shoes that strap on, the rocks are slick.
- ✓ Carry small cash for the local food stop and guide tips.
Tours featuring this attraction
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many waterfalls do cruise tours visit at Damajagua?
- Most cruise excursions do the lower seven falls, a guided one-to-two-hour loop. Longer versions reaching higher falls exist but are harder to fit into a port day.
- Do I have to jump at the waterfalls?
- No. Every jump and slide is optional, and there is a walking path down past each one, so you can go at your own comfort level.