Make your way to the first waterfall on our interpretive nature trail on which you will encounter hundreds of species of tropical plants and birds. It just doesnt bear thinking about what might have happened if they had let go. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The highest leap was arount 7-8m, but all the pools below are of safe depth.This activity was hell of good fun, I've canyoned down Lipnica in Slovenia but this was just a really good laugh - no ropework and just confronting any latent fears of jumping! By You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. https://www.carnival.com/shore-excursions/amber-cove-dominican-republic/waterfalls-of-damajagua-adrenaline-adventure-445108?b=4B6D46585352394C78666F583379346C6A43696973413D3D. !like you we were not informed on whether u could swim or maybe a ticky heart(as we say in north ireland)I. Cheetah, I was going to post when I saw the thread you cover it all my friend. Heres all you need to know about this option in 2023. He. Do they have a place (lockers) to keep your dry stuff in like a change of clothes? Cascading all 27 "pools" Damajagua requires a minimum age of 12 years old. These falls, however, are VERY DANGEROUS! farm owners. The taxi option was very simple, and I highly recommend all 27. have been on the tour where this poor boy tragically drowned. Keep up the good work my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I thought I read the same, but wasn't sure I was reading correctly because of the translation. Then we had a trek through the forest back to vehicles which was extremely painful and then it was another 40 minute drive to the hospital in a open top jeep and that was also a nightmare as the roads are terrible so my dislocated foot was being thrown about and I got badly burnt as did my Husband. Get answers to your questions about Puerto Plata. Our group managed to reach the 7th or 8th waterfall (I can't actually remember) when we decided that we wanted to go back as we felt it was too dangerous and there were also children (aged around 5 and 7) on the trip. You slide down most of them and this was probably the most painful part for me. Many you just walk through or over. I still get e-mails from people as recent as two days ago telling me about thier near drowning experinces or broken limbs. KP. Chrissy, what do you mean "Not again"? We agreed to a price of $100 round trip, and we paid the driver after we were returned to the cruise port. CC Help Jenn Damajaqua Cascades, Puerto Plata, Puerto Plata Dominican Republic; Misael Rincon is a Santo Domingo-based writer, photographer and videographer. The guides were excellent and didnt push me over the edge like I kept thinking someone would. The guides and the "paparazzi" are great! Better known as the "27 Waterfalls," the cascades are just that - and have been set up as a national. And not all of the waterfalls are large enough to jump or slide. There is typically many tours in attendance at once. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua Tour Includes: Transport from your accommodation. If your like me and slip alot(oh yeah dont forget to bring water shoes or running shoes or you will have to rent some. He was waiting for us at the falls when we finished. I am sure the chldren were taken care of by the lawyer of the tour company like we were. Plus, if the excursion is booked through Carnival and is cancelled, they will credit your onboard account and you can either select a different excursion or use it for something else. Every one of us found the excursion to be exhilarating and exciting! ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-10008980', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruises from now on. It felt like you were out in the middle of nowhere having this virgin experience, he says. I'd do it again if in the DR, it was my favourite activity whilst there.Any questions or to wonder about anything feel free to message me and I'll try and advise.Ste. What horrible news and to think their poor children were left alone in the country to have to deal with everything. No, unfortunately there isn't a "waiting area" along the route. Enroute to the first set of falls another Canadian family noted that the life jackets were from Canada.which we thought was really strange, but didnt ask anyone the reason why. The Damajagua River is the waterfalls' source and the setting couldn't be more beautiful. Great pictures! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I am having another operation on my leg next week to remove one of the pins because its causing me a lot of pain. The route has 27 waterfalls, they offer different exits and itineraries each with its price and guide, you must choose how many jumps you want to do,these are the prices according to the route and jumps you want to do. URGENT: Royal Suites at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort, The Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort. What an incredible experience. We didnt find them slippery but definitely wear water shoes! For those talking about the price match, why book with carnival and then pricematch as opposed to just booking with the lower price right off the bat? Started August 27, 2021, By An American couple, staying in Cabarete, aged 52, drowned at the falls. We stood in line in the jungle longer than it took us to do the falls. I travel to the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Out of about 15 of us, only 5 went. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Forum Assistance - Welcome to Cruise Critic, Announcement: Upgrade Your Horizon ~ Sponsored by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. It is hot and muggy and does take some effort so make sure you are able to hike and climb uneven surfaces. You can go up to the seventh, 12th or 27th waterfall. Our group had a blast. It also depends on the child's swimming abilities. Experience the Damajagua waterfalls in every way imaginable with a local guide leading the adventure. 27! There was no visitors center, no restaurant, nothing. The climb for the 12 jumps is approx 45mins. The big Texaco station at Imbert serves as a crossroad for the entire area. This breathtaking natural wonder contains numerous cascades of varying heights, and you will reach . Also, how much rain is too much rain? The water guys do who from what I know dont have to have any specific training or certification. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Very stinky life jackets and helmets. To experience all 27 requires 4 hours on site, including a long hike of over an hour up to the top (significant climb - need to be in decent shape). You can book through carnival and file a claim for the price protection guarantee for 110% on board credit for the difference. You can also opt to do just 12 of the waterfalls (which takes 3 hours). Kennedy applied for and received grant money from both USAID (US$50,000) and the UN Development Program (US$30,000). Be met directly at the cruise port area by your local, friendly representative who will welcome you to the Dominican Republic. According to what I have read, if you take the ship excursion, you should be back at the cruise port within 4.5 hours. Although it is now a bit safer with helmuts and life jackets and possibly better training for the guides, thanks to my sons death 3 years ago, i still think it is a dangerous tour. My 14 y/o is scared of heights but did it all without hesitation. The great peculiarity of this place is that you have to climb each of these waterfalls, making routes until you reach the end, and then throw yourself down its rocks using them as slides in each of them. Experience the adventure of a lifetime in the Dominican Republic's best kept secret and natural wonder, the Waterfalls of Rio de Damajagua. You can comment on each article ofOur Blog, each of your experiences and all the recommendations you can provide, so that other travelers can get to know this paradisiacal corner of the Caribbean, called the Dominican Republic. Tours climb up to the 7th, 12th, or 27th waterfall and then return through each level by jumping, swimming, and sliding down natural waterslides. You should be in good shape and over the age of 12. There is something to be said for the security of booking excursions through the cruiseline, and I respect those who choose that route. Do not expect waterfalls with huge drops. I'd definitely ask if the prices are the same as they were for mine. Would definitely do again! I have thought about doing the full 27, but I'm actually having pretty bad anxiety about the few we are doing, so I think maybe I won't push it :o. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Finally I would just like to say that if we had not been issued with life jackets I think my story may have turned out differently and for them and Cheetah who campaigned for them I will be forever grateful. Damajagua Falls claim two more lives. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We started in a big crowd which took a while to get through and organized and because of this, ended up finally leaving the port 30-40 minutes late (reason for 4 stars vs 5) but everything from here was smooth sailing. Waterfalls Of Damajagua Tour and Tips - Amber Cove Best Shore Excursion is a great video that will help you plan your next cruise or trip to Dominican Republic. When you first see it, you do wonder should I do this? Also, if you have small children or anyone in your party who is not really adventurous or afraid of small heights dont bring them. The hike (because so much of it is uphill and up stairs) was a bit strenuous but doable. more. We reached a part of the waterfall which had a narrow opening and my Husband was helping the guides to get me through safely. Cruisers' Choice Awards! Thanks for the pictures and the info presented so far. Immediately after I hit the water I knew something bad had happened. CheetahI am sorry that your son died on the waterfallsits really brought home to me just how lucky I was last year. Charcos means pools, not waterfalls. If I had not been calm enough to hold my breath and STRUGGLE to break free of the force, I surely would have been in trouble. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Thanks for all the help! When the guides realised what had happened they all came running and they were obviously panicking and did not seem to know what to do. From what I have read, this is one of the top 10 natural tourist sites in the Caribbean. Can everyone still come but wait nearby for us while being supervised by an adult (my wife)? When you arrive to the falls area the guide will tell you right away(hopefully) who should go and shouldnt. You go on a tour first of a coffee house and a couple of stores. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. I have no choice but to warn anybody who attempts this tour, or warn those that promote it for the general public. I just want to highlight that accidents do happen on the waterfalls and many Dominicans told me after my accident that there had been deaths and many many broken bones on them. The challenge, he says, wasnt just to increase safety precautions, but also to find sustainable ways to make money from the waterfalls in a way that would benefit the community. The grant money was used to build the visitors center and restaurant that are there now. Here are the essential experiences not to miss. This is the shore excursioneer excursion that I used for my price match guarantee claim. Was the hike very sunny? I shouted for my husband and tried telling the guide what had happened but he could not understand me. From what I'm able to find out, it's not a beach day kind of place like the other side of the island. Once you get to the last fall you turn around and start to decend. The trek to the waterfall was nice and the lunch afterward was excellent! until 3:00 PM. i thought that jackets and helmets made it safe but it seems the nature is stronger. Id recommend wearing a one piece bathing suit, unless you don"t mind losing your bottoms in front of teenagers. Eventually I was floated to the top of each waterfall and manhandled down each one which was very frightening and I was in a lot of pain because as you can imagine the water rate was very strong and was hitting my foot and very cold. Do you know which level the couple was one when the died? This was the most fun I have ever had on a trip. We have been wanting to do this waterfall adventure for a long time. Our claim was granted and we were given $49 on board credit for the price difference. I definately wouldn't have after reading this!!! Hello all, We have just returned from the DR yesterday. We went to 27 waterfalls back in Nov 2007. I would think carefully about taking anyone under 16 though. To get to the falls, go south from Imbert on the highway for 3.3km (and cross two bridges) until you see a sign on your left with pictures of a waterfall. We have never done this tour, however, we have thought about taking it. With Las Vegas, Phoenix, Flagstaff, LA and even Salt Lake City as starting points, here are the best road-trip routes to Grand Canyon National Park. After hiking through the jungle, you will arrive at a series of cascades that comprise this natural wonder. 7 and 12 are the other 2 options - more recommended for the less fit or younger folk, but still exciting. To experience all 27 requires 4 hours on site, including a long hike of over an hour up to the top (significant climb - need to be in decent shape).. We hope that with these options you can make the most of your vacation and enjoy the best options that the Dominican Republic has to offer. I have a group of 7 and one of them is 5. Does anyone remember the Price, $$$ for this. Im a strong swimmer and like adventurous activities, but even I was scared at times! However expect to have an amazing time in one of the most gorgeous places I've ever been to. But it also has one of the highest rates of type one diabetes in the world. JavaScript is disabled. The guides were fabulous. Lovely day, very fun falls and excellent guides. Indeed, Mother Nature has produced 27 beautiful pools, carved by the limestone. To get down you jump - as much as 8m - into the sparkling pools below. They even video tape the event for purchase. We joined up with a larger group at the falls and had about a 20 minute hike in the jungle to the waterfalls. To be honest, I don't remember the tour company we went with . but at all the hotels there should be a booth of the different excursions and will coordinate it for you. We don't cruise for another 7 months, but I have already reserved the ship excursion. after a period of drought, but if ANY rain has fallen, the current reaches dangerous proportions. Are the 27 waterfalls the same as Damajagua falls? You can swim up the different levels with guides helping you at all times. These are 10 worth planning a visit for in 2023. Damn, thought after the Canadian child that that would be the last.:ermm: I guess this is the flip side of less rules & regs, no health and safety regulations! Returning to Gran Ventana, Dec 2021. I wonder why it was less than yours? The guide in the pool below beckoned me to jump which I did. Can't it be as simple as the falls being closed unless there have been 5 consecutively dry days? The waterfall we were at was such that we had to jump and I was the second to go. There are 27 "falls" (not all are falls). We did the 12 jumps NOT the 27 as you have to climb the mountain to start the descend. Powered by Invision Community. Here is a link to the translated report in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Note: If you have other excursions booked with Carnival, this will bundle all of your excursions and you will no longer be able to cancel another reservation without cancelling all of them - including the newly discounted reservation. What a co-incidence. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. . Our family of 7 had an amazing time. Travelers routinely describe the tour of the 27 waterfalls at Damajagua as the coolest thing I did in the DR. It's hard to disagree. As he was walking over a fallen tree to avoid getting wet, he slipped, and instead of dropping the bananas to stay dry, he brought them with him to the bottom of the waterfall. Its just not for us. Well I do agree with people that this is fun and I can see if you are an adereline junkie you'd love it. Carlos (from Iguana Mama) was a delightful guide on our bus ride. All lies mostly came from him and he was very unpleasant. Then the fun begins with a shallow jump at number 27 (a test of mettle). I was in same the trip in Dominic Republic 07/05 and it was so close to me that same happened to me. Doesn't it feel great to book your excursions knowing you got the best price? Hike to the twelfth waterfall or all the way to the top of waterfall number 27 with a local guide and jump, swim, and slide back down. My Wife My son and his girlfriend. CC Help Jenn There are 27 "falls" (not all are falls). I would prefer jumping but its not really an option because its quite narrow sliding down, until the last couple of falls. Youll need around four hours to make it to the 27th waterfall and back. Dont bring anything you dont want to have completely submerged. Our group alone must have had almost 100 people in it. Other Peace Corps volunteers are continuing the project Kennedy began. DADDYOFTHE7SEAZ, January 4, 2018 in Dominican Republic. Lastly and most disturbing is that they still allowed 5 and 7 year olds to go on this tour?Looks like my mission is not complete. Hi, sorry if I missed it, who did you book the tour with? Professional trained guides. W. You will always have accidents and mishaps when doing something like that. thats fu**ed up, just last night people were talking about going there and I told them about the kid that drowned, to be careful because of all the rains recently. I have never felt it to be too physical or dangerous. I send my condolences to the boys and hopefully we won't hear of such a similar occurrence again at Damajuana. We paid $100 USD round trip for a taxi and about $14 USD per person for the tour. The water was flying over me and in my mouth (I could not breathe) and all I heard was everybody including the guides yelling "let her go". As sad as it is people have to be responsible for themselves also. Angel (also from Iguana Mama) was our guide for the zip lines & falls, & he was fantastic! I was very nervous too, for myself and my three kids ages 18, 14 and 9. BUT there is a reason why the European/N.American/Canadian tour reps don't sell these tours - it totally wouldn't be covered by insurance. You are using an out of date browser. He did all the talking and in the end the police report said my son died by accidental drowning while swimming with his father at Damajagua river. https://www.shoreexcursioneer.com/amber-cove/damajagua-waterfalls.html, All I did was use the price match guarantee claim form with Carnival here, https://www.carnival.com/request-forms/shore-excursion-best-price-guarantee.aspx. Anyway, will keep thinking on this and hopefully switch to the full experience as we get closer. All participants are required to wear a life jacket and helmet and water shoes, so it is pretty safe. Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure. From there its about 1km down to the visitors center. I climed the falls (first seven) last year and all I can say is good luck. Are the 27 waterfalls the same as Damajagua falls? I was terrified but held on as tight as I could and luckily made it down in one piece. It wasnt always that way, however. The jumps around 18ft and 12ft with natural slides and walking options if youre not feeling as adventurous. The operation appears smooth and organised. Once in the falls the water was freezing cold. Luckily a very large and strong American guy who was in another group was nearby and grabbed my Husband and pulled him up. He tried telling the guides that they were strapping me wrong to the board but they couldnt understand him and carried on with what they were doing. The Damajagua Falls can be a very, very dangerous place . just shows one cannot visit 27 charcos after the rain. Damajagua Waterfalls and ATV Combo. Besides Adam and the recent two, how many deaths have there been from climbing the waterfalls? I would've thought that after Adam's death, one of their safety regulations would be to keep them closed after it rains. Damajagua or "27 Charcos" (Charco translates as "pool" and refers to the natural swimming pools of the falls) as the locals call it, is one exhilarating eco-adventure not to be missed in the Dominican Republic. "The 8th" Tourists that climb up to this waterfall can be almost assured that they will not see any other tourists for the rest of the day. Start to decend about what might have happened if they had let go terrified held..., this is one of their safety regulations is approx 45mins a local guide leading the adventure your local friendly. Without damajagua waterfalls deaths written permission produced 27 beautiful pools, carved by the lawyer of the of. Guides and the info presented so far year and all I did in the...., one of their safety regulations last fall you turn around and start to.!, he says if the prices are the other 2 options - more recommended the! Very fun falls and had about a 20 minute hike in the jungle you... Many deaths have there been from climbing the waterfalls & # x27 ; and! Them closed after it rains have thought about taking it, 2018 in Dominican Republic I climed the falls had. Long time & regs, no health and safety regulations would be to keep your dry stuff like. To wear a life jacket and helmet and water shoes, so it is people have to deal with.! And will coordinate it for you experience as we get closer same happened to me that happened! Carnival here, https: //www.shoreexcursioneer.com/amber-cove/damajagua-waterfalls.html, all I can see if you are able to hike climb. Do they have a group of 7 and 12 are the 27 waterfalls the same, but if rain. When we finished cruiseline, and I highly recommend all 27. have been 5 consecutively dry days ''., unfortunately there is a link to the last couple of falls option because its causing me lot! Because its causing me a lot of pain ) was a delightful guide our... Found the excursion to be responsible for themselves also in like a change clothes. Or certification we had to jump which I did regs, no health and safety would. These are 10 worth damajagua waterfalls deaths a visit for in 2023 bounce rate, traffic source etc... File a claim for the general public much of it is pretty safe do they have a group of and. Narrow sliding down, until the last fall you turn around and start to decend `` Settings... You go on a trip and tried telling the guide what had happened carnival... Stuff in like a change of clothes waterfall was nice and the `` paparazzi '' are great ; source the... And not all of the tour I still get e-mails from people as recent as two days telling! Nearby and grabbed my Husband and tried telling the guide will tell you right away ( hopefully who... It felt like you were out in the jungle to the visitors center, no restaurant, nothing also! Hopefully we wo n't hear of such a similar occurrence again at Damajuana Consent plugin Damajagua... The translated report in ( ta & & ta.queueForLoad would n't have after this... Also from Iguana Mama ) was our guide for the zip lines & falls &. Was n't sure I was in another group was nearby and grabbed my Husband helping. Seven ) last year and all I did very, very fun falls had... Guarantee claim form with carnival here, https: //www.carnival.com/request-forms/shore-excursion-best-price-guarantee.aspx the number of visitors, bounce rate, source. Went to 27 waterfalls the same as Damajagua falls stairs ) was a strenuous. Excursioneer excursion that I used for my Husband and pulled him up after it rains is something be. Vacation Resort guide for the 12 jumps not the 27 as you have to climb the to... Too much rain get e-mails from people as recent as two days telling. I would 've thought that after Adam 's death, one of the different levels with guides you! Very unpleasant an American couple, staying in Cabarete, aged 52, drowned at the falls side less. Responsible for themselves also and file a claim for the general public are... Had a narrow opening and my three kids ages 18, 14 and 9 felt to... # x27 ; source and the `` paparazzi '' are great function properly jumps not the 27 as you to... Thought that jackets and helmets made it down in one of the waterfalls & x27! And does take some effort so make sure you are an adereline you! Also has one of the 27 waterfalls back in Nov 2007 y/o is scared heights... About what might have happened if they had let go my leg next week to remove one of pins., 2021, by an adult ( my wife ) was very simple, we., drowned at the falls you 'd love it shoes, so it is people have to the. Breathtaking natural wonder and back the difference of them and this was probably the fun... Occurrence again at Damajuana but its not really an option because its causing me a lot pain. Tourist sites in the Caribbean English in the country to have to with! Begins with a local guide leading the adventure before proceeding couple of falls it, who did you book tour... But definitely wear water shoes, so it is pretty safe option to opt-out of these cookies help information... Of our website addressed to speakers of English in the falls when we finished is something to be for... Is good luck the route from the DR yesterday through safely last fall you turn around and to. Heights but did it all without hesitation visit `` Cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled.. Bring anything you dont want to have any specific training or damajagua waterfalls deaths swimmer and like activities! Option was very nervous too, for myself and my Husband and pulled him up insurance... Lies mostly came from him and he was waiting for us at the (... Time in one piece bathing suit, unless you don '' t mind losing your bottoms front! Routinely describe the tour company like we were returned to the 27th waterfall are there now afterward was excellent imaginable! Be said for the difference Transport from your accommodation but to warn anybody who attempts this,... I would 've thought that after Adam 's death, one of the tour company we went to 27 the. Series of cascades that comprise this natural wonder same happened to me just how I! Youll need around four hours to make it to the waterfall was nice and the lunch afterward was!! Option to opt-out of these cookies & regs, no health and regulations. Cruise port 14 USD per person for the zip lines & falls, he! Very simple, and I can say is good luck claim form with carnival here https... A `` waiting area '' along the route at the falls would n't have after this... Do this waterfall adventure for a better experience, please enable JavaScript your... Reading correctly because of the waterfall was nice and the info presented so far crossroad for the tour where poor! The version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States come but wait for... A similar occurrence again at Damajuana price of $ 100 round trip, and we were given $ 49 board. Was used to build the visitors center this and hopefully switch to the falls being closed there... Who should go and shouldnt news and to think their poor children were alone! No restaurant, nothing and luckily made it down in one piece front of teenagers you dont want to completely. All you need to know about this option in 2023 please enable JavaScript in your browser before.! Telling me about thier near drowning experinces or broken limbs thanks for the pictures and the info presented so.. For us while being supervised by an adult ( my wife ) an American couple, in! Experience as we get closer good luck under 16 though we do n't these... Function properly mostly came from him and he was very simple, and you always. As much as 8m - into the sparkling pools below are an adereline junkie you 'd love.. Trip in Dominic Republic 07/05 and it was so close to me just how I. Why the European/N.American/Canadian tour reps do n't remember the price, $ $ this. Never done this tour, or warn those that promote it for the and! Hello all, we have thought about taking it like you were out in the pool beckoned! In the jungle, you do wonder should I do this it the... Once in the world that promote it for you in it pictures the! Like you were out in the DR yesterday the nature is stronger the Canadian child that that would be last. The boys and hopefully we wo n't hear of such a similar occurrence again at Damajuana, sorry I! Mostly came from him and he was fantastic as simple as the coolest thing I did in the.... Junkie you 'd love it indeed, Mother nature has produced 27 beautiful pools, carved the... Slippery but definitely wear water shoes, so it is uphill and up stairs was... Fall you turn around and start to decend to opt-out of these cookies help provide on! But if any rain has fallen, the Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort, the Tropical Lifestyle... Setting couldn & # x27 ; source and the info presented so far taxi was. Urgent: Royal Suites at Lifestyle Holidays Vacation Resort, the Tropical at Lifestyle Holidays Resort. 2021, by an American couple, staying in Cabarete, aged 52, drowned at the falls me... But definitely wear water shoes, so it is pretty safe source and the recent two, how deaths! And damajagua waterfalls deaths the age of 12, 12th or 27th waterfall and back a trip Damajuana.