The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

We have everything you need at the Villa as far as awe-inspiring natural beauty is concerned; there’s more gorgeous nature here than you can shake a stick at, but we always like to hear about other magical tourist destinations on our island. We found another one that’s just two and half hours up the beach and a little inland.

The history of The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua is relatively new. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua, located in the Dominican Republic, was discovered by tourists in 1994. Located on the Damajagua River, just ten kilometers from Puerto Plata, this natural monument is composed of 27 different size lakes and falls.

Since 2004, it has been mandatory for visitors to wear a helmet and a life jacket. Additionally, tour guides are trained in first aid and CPR. Before 2004, tour guides had little to no training, there were no safety measures, and injuries happened more frequently then they do today. Joe Kennedy, the great nephew of United States president, John F. Kennedy, was a Peace Corps volunteer. He arrived on the Damajagua River and had noticed that there was nothing here. There was no visitor center, no restaurant, and no money. Kennedy saw the beauty in the area, and the potential to bring tourists to the area, and he received grant money from USAID and the UN Development Program, totaling $80,000 US dollars to build the area. Kennedy used the money to add a visitor center, restaurant, and train tour guides to implement safety precautions as well as regulations. Also, he looked to find sustainable ways to make money from the 27 waterfalls that would benefit the community. Lastly, Kennedy raised $10,000 US dollars to purchase life jackets and helmets. Because of Joe Kennedy’s efforts combining with the beauty of the waterfalls, the waterfalls today are a huge tourist attraction in the Dominican Republic. About 3000 tourists go through these falls monthly. A tour guide is required, but there is no minimum group size so people may choose to go by themselves. It takes about four hours to go to the 27th waterfall and back, and it is open from 8:30am to 4pm.For people who may not have four hours to tour the falls, there are package tours that take people to the 7th and 12th waterfall. It is recommended to be in good shape and no one under 12 can go. Fees to go on these tours depend on the nationally of the tourists.