Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Central Highlands
Why Go?
Even diehard beach fanatics will eventually overdose on sun and sand. When you do, the
cool mountainous playground of the central highlands is the place to come; where else can
you sit at dusk, huddled in a sweater, watching the mist descend into the valley as the sun
sets behind the mountains? Popular retreats, roaring rivers, soaring peaks and the only
white-water rafting in the Caribbean beckon. Below, on the plains in the Valle del Cibao, is
where merengue spontaneously erupted onto the musical landscape, and where you'll find
some of the best Carnival celebrations in the country. Economic life in the central high-
lands revolves around Santiago, the DR's second-largest city and the capital of a vast to-
bacco- and sugarcane-growing region.
When to Go
»
February to March
Some of the most raucous Carnival celebrations in all the DR are in
Santiago and La Vega.
»
January to March & June to August
It tends to be dry during these times in the area
around Santiago. Rains can be torrential in May and again September to November.
»
Year-round
Temperatures in mountain towns such as Jarabacoa and Constanza are cool-
er year-round and can fall below freezing at night.
Getting There & Around
Santiago's Aeropuerto Internacionál del Cibao (
Click here
)
offers frequent international air
service to major destinations. There's a good selection of car-rental agencies at the airport.
Santiago sits on the main trunk highway that runs north from Santo Domingo to Puerto
Plata, with bus services to all points of the compass. First-class buses service all major des-
tinations, except for Constanza - you'll need to hop on a
guagua
(local bus). As always,
renting a car, preferably an SUV, will give you more freedom to explore the countryside.
