27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

The 27 Charcos (waterfalls) of Damajagua are one of the Dominican Republic's most thrilling natural attractions. Located in the lush foothills of the Northern Corridor between Puerto Plata and Santiago, this series of cascading waterfalls connected by natural limestone pools offers an unforgettable adventure of jumping, sliding, and swimming through a tropical river canyon.

Managed as a community-run ecotourism project, the waterfalls were formed over thousands of years as the Damajagua River carved through layers of calcium carbonate limestone, creating smooth natural waterslides and plunge pools ranging from 1 to 8 meters deep. The surrounding forest is rich with native flora, including towering ferns, bromeliads, and mahogany trees.

The adventure begins with a moderate uphill hike of 25-45 minutes through tropical forest to reach the upper falls. From there, you descend the waterfalls one by one, jumping into pools, sliding down natural rock chutes, and swimming through turquoise water:

• 7 waterfalls route: The most popular option, taking about 1-1.5 hours. Suitable for most fitness levels and includes the most iconic jumps.
• 12 waterfalls route: A longer adventure (2-2.5 hours) with additional falls and more challenging jumps.
• 27 waterfalls route: The full experience takes 3-4 hours and includes the most remote and dramatic upper falls. Good fitness required.
• Jump heights: Vary from gentle slides of 1-2 meters to the highest jump of approximately 8 meters (25 feet). All jumps have a walk-around option for those who prefer not to jump.
• Water conditions: The pools are freshwater, cool and refreshing (around 20-22°C / 68-72°F). The water is usually clear with a blue-green tint from the limestone.