Central Highlands - Dominican Republic - page 362

Sleeping

1 Hostal Jarabacoa C3

2 Hotel Brisas del Yaque II B4

Eating

3 Mercado Modelo B4

4 Panadería & El Rancho B2

5 Pizza & Pepperoni D4

6 Restaurant Del Parque Galería C4

Entertainment

7 Entre Amigos C3

8 Liquor Bar & Grill B2

9 Venue Bar & Lounge B2

Activities

White-Water Rafting
Promising and delivering thrills, chills and, for the unlucky, spills, a rafting trip down the
Río Yaque del Norte is an exhilarating ride. A typical rafting excursion begins with break-
fast, followed by a truck ride upriver to the put-in. You'll be given a life vest, a helmet and
a wetsuit, plus instructions on paddling and safety. You're usually only asked to paddle
part of the time; in the rapids to keep the boat on its proper line, and occasionally in the
flat water areas to stay on pace. You'll stop for a small snack about two-thirds of the way
downriver, and then return to Jarabacoa for lunch.
The rapids are rated 2 and 3 (including sections nicknamed 'Mike Tyson' and 'the Ce-
metery') and part of the fun is the real risk of your raft turning over and dumping you into
a rock-infested, surging river. A cameraman leapfrogs ahead of the group along the riverb-
ank so you can watch (and purchase) the instant replay afterwards over a beer.
The Río Yaque del Norte has level 4, 5 and 6 rapids much further up in the mountains.
No official tours go that far, but some intrepid guides raft it for fun on their own time. Ask
around at Rancho Baiguate ( Click here ) - if you don't mind paying a premium, you might
be able to organize something.