Dominican Republic: Raft & Kayak
Caribbean Whitewater: Rafting / Kayaking the Rio Yaque
Whitewater rafting / kayaking trips on the Dominican Republic's Rio Yaque, the longest river in the Caribbean: Raft or kayak Class II-IV whitewater rapids in the DR!
The Dominican Republic may be one of the best windsurfing spots in the world. But the interior of the Dominican offers a ride every bit as wild as the coast -- on whitewater rivers, by raft or kayak.
Getting to the Dominican Whitewater
After flying into either Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo, the coolest way to go is by local transport called the guagua inland to Jarabacoa. The guagua is an ancient Dominican van that carries passengers – about 100 pesos or $3 per person, chickens ride free. It’s crowded, but you’re likely to pick up a bit of Spanish and a lot of local flavor. If so inclined, you can explore the whole of the Dominican Republic this way. The guagua can take you into the interior of the Dominican, where you’ll find whitewater rafting and kayaking based out of Jarabacoa, the Dominican's best base for whitewater rafting or kayaying.
Jarabacoa: The Best Base for Dominican Rafting & Kayaking Adventures
On trips from Jarabacoa, you can choose from Class II-III whitewater rapids for the novice, or Class III-IV rapids for the intrepid adventurer. The most famous whitewater in the Dominican Republic is the Rio Yaque. The longest river in the Caribbean, the Rio Yaque offers both challenges and easy stretches. It may not be like your other rafting or kayaking trips – here, booking a trip on the whitewater probably won’t involve singing a waiver or going through any training. Here the guides help you on with your vest and helmet and then start splashing you the second you hit the river. They think that’s great fun. Sometimes they also jump ship to climb a cliff and cannonball into the river from up to 30 feet (three stories) above the river. Things are a bit more casual in the Dominican Republic.
Rio Yaque Whitewater Rapids
Whether you’re a novice paddler or an experienced whitewater veteran, rafting or kayaking the Dominican’s Rio Yaque is a great – and sometimes slightly terrifying – experience. Slamming down stretches like ‘Mike Tyson’ (a 12-foot vertical drop) … or bouncing off boulders in ‘The Cemetery’ (a stretch of rocks sticking up out of the river like a field of tombstones) is almost guaranteed to get your heart rate racing. Nothing like a little local adventure to get the blood going. In between the rapids are meandering curves of calmer water perfect for easy drifting and sightseeing. If you go during rainy season (winter / early spring), the water is high and white. Go out of rainy season, and sometimes you scrape over rocks.
And also in Jarabacoa, you can get yourself into other day trips like hiking, horseback riding, and waterfall-climbing (complete with guide, wetsuit, harness and lines and lessons for hauling yourself up against the current and rappelling back down). If you have some time, you can also get in a mountain climbing trip, on nearby Pico Duarte, the second highest mountain in the Caribbean, or take a trip to the Dominican Republic’s undeveloped north coast.
Need some resorts or resources for any or all of these activities? Check out these cost-effective options:
· Rancho Baiguate: 809-574-4940, kayaking or rafting $95 / day, waterfall $65 / day, and mountain trek a total of $400 / person for three days (also offers pleasant rooms for $35 / night).
· Franz Lang Adventures: 809-574-2669, kayaking $65 / day, waterfall $45 / day, and mountain trek $300 / person for three days.
· Colonial Tour Rafting: 809-688-5285, rafting $95 / day, and waterfall $45 / day.
· Iguana Mama: 809-571-0908, kayaking or rafting $85 / day, and waterfall $55 / day.
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