Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
JARABACOA
POP 40,550 / ELEV 488M
Nestled in the low foothills of the Cordillera Central, Jarabacoa maintains an under-the-
radar allure as the antithesis to the clichéd Caribbean vacation. Nighttime temperatures call
for light sweaters, a roiling river winds past forested slopes that climb into the clouds, and
local adventurers share their exploits over a beer in the handful of bars or nightclubs near
the town's Parque Central. The fact that thousands of well-to-do Dominicans from Santo
Domingo and Santiago have built summer homes here is a testament to Jarabacoa's laid-
back charm as the 'City of Eternal Spring'. With a number of good hotels outside town,
this is the place to base yourself if you want to raft, hike, bike, horseback ride, go canyon-
ing or simply explore rural life. On weekends, locals head to the Balenario la Confluencia,
where the Rio Yaque and Rio Jimenoa meet 4km north of town, to swim and picnic.
