Lebawit Lily Girma | 20 January 2023
Jarabacoa vs Constanza: Which Dominican Republic town should you visit?
Wild forests and cool breezes make it hard to pick between these Dominican Republic mountain towns...
Wild forests and cool breezes make it hard to pick between these Dominican Republic mountain towns...
Population: Approx 56,800
Average July temp: 30°C
Famous for: Outdoor adventure; the tallest peak in the Caribbean; home-grown coffee, arts and crafts; an annual flower festival.
Population: Approx 59,000
Average July temp: 25°C
Famous for: Local produce, plus the Caribbean’s coolest temperatures at Valle Nuevo National Park.
Agriculture is part of Constanza's history (Alamy Stock Photo)
Perched 530m above sea level, historians believe Jarabacoa was once the hub of the Caribbean’s Indigenous Taíno chiefs. Its name translates as ‘place of waters’, though it’s widely known as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’. Early 20th-century settlers felled wood for export here, until agrarian reform took place in 1957, which finally allowed local farmers to own and work the land. Coupled with the arrival of Japanese and European immigrants, industries such as flower exports later took hold.
Tucked in the DR’s Cordillera Central mountain range, Constanza sits 1,200m above sea level. Nicknamed the ‘Switzerland of the Caribbean’, locals began settling in this remote area in the 18th century, taking with them their cattle and crops. But it was the wave of immigration in the 1950s, bringing Lebanese, Japanese and Hungarian settlers, that fuelled the province’s economic growth. Constanza also once served as a hub for revolutionaries seeking to overthrow past dictatorships.
Jarabacoa town (Shutterstock)
Jarabacoa’s small downtown bustles with outdoor cafés (serving coffee made from locally harvested beans), art galleries and motorbike traffic. It’s a stark contrast with the waterfalls at nearby Salto Baiguate and Salto de Jimenoa I and II. Opt for swims and horseback rides at La Confluencia river park, where three rivers merge, while a hike with Jarabacoa Eco-Adventures to the summit of Pico Duarte (3,101m) is a two-day expedition to the roof of the Caribbean.
A scenic drive around the serpentine roads of the El Tireo neighbourhood, which towers above the agricultural fields below, makes for a pleasant escape in this largely rural part of the island. Also spare time to drive up to the El Divino Niño Monument, a 15m-high statue of an infant Jesus that looms over Constanza from on high. Closer to sunset, you can join families relaxing in the shaded Central Park, then cross over to La Esquina bar to sample some made-in-Constanza brews.
Baiguate falls (Shutterstock)
River rafting on the Rio Yaque del Norte is a great way to experience the sheer power of the country’s longest body of water and get an adrenaline kick. Alternatively, gentler horseback rides to Salto Baiguate falls take in lush forest trails, while hour-long motorbike trips to the neighbouring town of Manabao reveal more wild mountain views as you power past pine forests and rolling green hills. Another option is paragliding, with the chance to soar over waterfalls and rivers at sunset from Jarabacoa.
Vast flower and strawberry fields soon give way to national parks smothered in creole pine trees. The river forests and rugged terrain are perfect for mountain biking, hiking and spotting some of the area’s 70 bird species. Trails in Valle Nuevo NP, up in the highlands, lead you through a breathtaking cloud forest home to bromeliads and giant fern trees, and the area certainly earns it ‘Jurassic Park’ nickname. Birders might even spot the endangered golden swallow, which is endemic to the island.
Coffee beans in Jarabacoa fields (Shutterstock)
Jarabacoa’s coffee is highly coveted across the country. Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed beans at Café Monte Alto after touring its nearby family-owned factory. Combine with a meal at the brightly painted Café Colao, though it pays to seek out Jarabacoa’s signature parrilladas (steakhouses), with the terrace at Aroma de la Montaña, nestled 900m above town, a particularly good option. A stop at Helados Ivon for artisanal ice cream, made fresh from local fruits, is also a tradition in these parts.
Constanza’s bistros, cafés and local breweries reflect its diverse roots. This is the breadbasket of the DR and a haven for locavores, with the fresh produce grown on its slopes ubiquitous in town – even on the pizzas at Antojitos D’Lauren. Sancocho, a hearty meat and root vegetable soup, and spicy goat stew are the local antidote to the cold nights. Look out, too, for roadside strawberry shacks selling fruit and fresh milkshakes, while dessert is also a passion here; think strawberry flans and plenty of coconut sweets.
Mountain view from a balcony in Constanza (Shutterstock)
The waters of Rio Yaque del Norte rumble through the lush, forested grounds of Hotel Gran Jimenoa. Pick between pool or river dips, while spa treatments and quiet garden corners offer more room for contemplation. A suspended bridge over the river also makes for the perfect photo.
Seven mountain cabins, complete with fireplaces and porches, dot the 28 hectares of Villa Pajon Eco-Lodge, a solar-powered escape deep in Valle Nuevo NP. Expect birdwatching, horseback riding, fruit-picking and hiking trails that whittle their way through the savannah and cloud-smothered pines.
Need to know: Rent a 4WD in town to head into the highlands. Pack layered clothing – temperatures can drop below zero (ºC) in Constanza’s Valle Nuevo NP.
How to get there: British Airways fly direct from London Gatwick to Punta Cana three times a week. TUI also fly direct from Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham to Punta Cana.
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