The Twenty Seven waterfalls have existed for millennia but were only recently discovered by the outside world. The first tourists began arriving at the Falls in 1994, and little by little, word got out about this amazing natural treasure and spawned a guiding industry for the local young men. Ten years later, nearly 50,000 tourists every year come to Rio Damajagua to enjoy what Dominicans have known about for centuries.
The number of tourists coming to 27 Charcos has grown dramatically, and so have we. In 1998, the local guides officially formalized their association in to the AGRD, the Association of Guides of Rio Damajagua. Our current team of 38 guides has extensive experience as water guides and strives to ensure that your satisfaction is our number one priority. All of our guides have training from the International Red Cross in First Aid and CPR and have intricate knowledge of every waterfall. Our goal is to make the time you spend with us the highlight of your vacation.
The vast majority of tourists who visit 27 Charcos do so as part of prepaid guided excursions from professional guide companies in Puerto Plata or Cabarete. These groups arrive at 27 Charcos and climb up with a tour guide to the 7th Waterfall before returning back down, about 2- 3 hours round trip. This is a fantastic way of visiting 27 Charcos if you are unfamiliar with the area. The only drawback is that these groups only go up one quarter of all the Falls; 21 remain, untouched in the winding Damajagua above. Because of the length of the trip to the top, 4- 5 hours in a group of about 5- 7, tourists wishing to go all the way up must come on their own, either through rental car, taxi or public transportation. These private tours are catered to the tourists wishes and can be extended or turned around whenever you want.
Rules and Regulations
These rules were established by the Secretary of Environment in order to ensure the safety of our visitors and the conservation of a national park. Please keep the following in mind during your visit:
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What to Bring
Rio Damajagua is an adventure. You’re going to be swimming, jumping, sliding and climbing until your heart’s content. In order to ensure that you come prepared, however, you should bring the following and leave the rest at home:
| What to Bring | What NOT to Bring |
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Entrance Fee
Price is per person, and listed in Dominican Pesos($).
Tours climb to the 7th, the 12th, or the 27th waterfall.
| Level | Extranjero | Dominican |
| Waterfall 1 – 7 | $500 | $400 |
| Waterfall 1 – 12 | $550 | $450 |
| Waterfall 1 – 27 | $700 | $550 |
Price includes life jacket, helmet, and trained guide.
Directions from Puerto Plata by car
Leave Puerto Plata on the Puerto Plata-Navarrete Highway (Highway 5) heading towards Santiago. Continue on the highway for about 20 minutes before passing through Imbert and a Texaco station on your left. Stay on the main highway and you will pass over one bridge on your way out of town before climbing a hill. On your way down the hill you’ll pass a sign for Ingenio Amistad on your left and will cross another bridge. The road will then turn left and a large sugar cane field will open to your left. Up ahead you will see a large Brugal billboard. Just before the billboard you will see the AGRD kiosk on your right immediately opposite the dirt road entrance to the waterfalls.
Directions from Santiago by car
Head out of Santiago on Autopista Duarte towards Monte Cristi. When you get to Navarrete, bear right and follow the signs to Puerto Plata. You’ll climb a mountain and go through a tunnel. After about 15 minutes on the other side of the tunnel, in Llano de Perez, the road will become extremely rough (be careful) and you’ll see a school on your right. About a mile down the road will curve hard to your left and you will see a large Brugal billboard on your right. The kiosk for the AGRD is a 100 meters further down on your left, immediately opposite the entrance to the waterfalls.
