Discovering Paradise
Discovering Paradise
Type
Adventure
Difficulty
Hard
Duration
2-3 days
Price
$150-300 USD (guided)
Min Age
12+
Group Size
4-12
Best Season
December-March (dry season)
Fitness
High
Rating
4.8/5
Physical Req.
Strenuous multi-day trek. The standard route from La Ciénaga is approximately 46 km round-trip over 2-3 days, reaching 3,098 meters — the highest peak in the Caribbean. Elevation gain is roughly 2,300 meters. Prior hiking experience and good cardiovascular fitness are strongly recommended.
Pico Duarte stands at 3,098 meters (10,164 feet), making it the highest peak in the entire Caribbean. Located in the Cordillera Central mountain range within José Armando Bermudez National Park, this iconic summit is a bucket-list trek for adventurous travelers visiting the Dominican Republic.
The mountain is named after Juan Pablo Duarte, one of the founding fathers of the Dominican Republic. The trek passes through diverse ecological zones — from subtropical pine forests at lower elevations to cloud forests and alpine-like meadows near the summit. On clear mornings, the summit offers breathtaking 360-degree views encompassing both the Atlantic Ocean to the north and the Caribbean Sea to the south.
There are several routes to the summit, each with different difficulty levels:
The standard La Ciénaga route gains approximately 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) of elevation over 23 km. The trail is non-technical but demanding — long uphill sections through pine forests, exposed ridgelines, and occasionally muddy conditions. Altitude sickness is uncommon at this elevation but can affect sensitive individuals.
Proper gear is essential for a safe and comfortable trek to the summit:
Plan your Pico Duarte trek with these practical tips:
The main trailhead is in the village of La Ciénaga, accessed through the mountain town of Jarabacoa:
Difficulty
Hard
Duration
2-3 days
Price
$150-300 USD (guided)
Best Season
December-March (dry season)
Meeting Point
La Ciénaga trailhead (Jarabacoa)
This activity is in
Jarabacoa →