5 Great Eco-Adventures In The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is one of the larger islands located in the Caribbean. The island is characterized by beautiful white sandy beaches, tall mountains and lush tropical rainforest. In terms of eco-adventures, it is the ideal outdoor playground. There are a number of local adventure operators that offer some exciting adventure activities. We took a look at five different eco-adventures that provide you with an excellent experience in the Dominican Republic.
Cascades and Canyoning
Canyoning is arguably the most fun you can have getting wet but it is not for the fainthearted. Canyoning involves following a river course down a rocky canyon, occasionally having to swim rapids, climb down waterfalls and jump off rocks into the pools below. It’s thrilling and will certainly push your personal limits and perceptions of what you can do. At times staring down into a pool below, you may feel terrified but all the jumps are safe and the guides are there to coax you along. At the end of it, you’ll feel invigorated and ready to take on whatever challenges life throws at you. Canyoning in the Dominican Republic takes place on the Rio Yaque del Norte River near Jarabacoa. The river carves its way through an area known as the Dominican Alps and provides guests with a thrilling canyoning experience. Participants need to have a good level of fitness and be able to swim.
Magical Trekking Experience
Trekking in the Dominican Republic is one of the best ways to explore the natural landscapes. There is a variety of shorter day trails but the best experience is a three-day trek through the Dominican Alps. It requires a good level of fitness as you cover between 20 to 30 kilometers a day. Accommodations are tents during the trek and it is a true wilderness experience. Luggage is portered using mules and you carry only your day pack with you. The landscapes are breathtaking and trekking through the rainforest vegetation is simply a magical experience. At night, you can hear the forest creatures calling and in the morning, you awake to the sounds of birds overhead.
Choose Your Mountain Biking Adventure
Regardless of if you are a novice mountain biker or a downhill junkie, the Dominican Republic has mountain biking trails to suit your cycling ability. For more leisurely riders, you can take a relaxed 10-kilometer cycle along the coast. Along the way, you will learn about the natural fauna and flora of the island, experience some of the local village life and get to enjoy the beautiful coastal scenery. For intermediate riders, there are forest trails that you can follow in the more mountainous areas of the island. Most of the trails are on Jeep tracks and not particularly technical; however, a moderate level of fitness is required. If you are an advanced rider or downhill mountain biker, you can experience the thrill of the Dominican Republic’s downhill trails. Technical twists and turns wind through the vegetation and will provide you with a memorable riding experience.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
The Dominican Republic is surrounded by incredible coral reefs. Most of the time the diving conditions are idyllic, with crystal-clear visibility, warm water temperatures and moderate currents. The marine life is abundant and the diving experience in the Dominican Republic is not one that you will soon forget. Local dive charters head out to the reefs three times a day, depending on the prevailing weather conditions.
One of the top dives sites is the Zingara Wreck. The wreck sits in an upright position and lies at a depth of 35 meters. It is 45 meters long and has been an artificial reef since 1993. The Airport Wall is another favorite dive site for advanced divers. The wall starts at 12 meters and dives to a depth of 33 meters. The site has impressive corals, abundant reef fish and tunnels that can be explored. The Pyramids are a collection of impressive underwater rock formations which lie at a depth of 15 meters. This site is ideal for entry-level divers.
Horseback Riding Adventures
If you enjoy being in the saddle, the ideal way for you to experience the Dominican Republic’s natural wonders is to join a horseback riding excursion. Both half-day and full-day excursions are available on various routes around the island. A wonderful experience is to do an early morning beach ride and see the sunrise over the ocean. Alternatively, you can follow ancient trails that link the various villages and meander through the rainforests.
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