Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
DON'T MISS
RESERVA ANTROPOLÓGICA CUEVAS DEL POMIER
There are 55 limestone
caves
( 829-680-4423; admission RD$100, guide RD$500; 8am-4pm)
in the area just 10km north of central San Cristobal, five of which are open to the public, with Cave 1
carrying the mother lode, some 590 prehistoric paintings. The caves contain thousands of drawings
and carvings that constitute the most extensive example of prehistoric art yet discovered in the Carib-
bean, including works by Igneri and Caribs as well as the Taínos. The faded drawings, painted with a
mix of charcoal and the fat from manatees, depict birds, fish and other animals, as well as figures that
may be deities. Relatively little is known about Hispaniola's earliest inhabitants, though the paintings
here, believed to be as much as 2000 years old, provide some tantalizing clues. Sir Robert Schombur-
gk, who left his name and that of his companions on the wall, first discovered the principal cave in
1851.
It's a challenge to get to the caves on your own, even with the slew of signs. The easiest way there
is to take a taxi or
motoconcho
, which should cost between RD$300 to RD$500 roundtrip including
wait time. If you're driving, follow Calle General Cabral north from Parque Colón to Calle Máximo
Gomez, head one block east to Av Constitución and follow it north to La Toma, a small community
across the highway from San Cristobal, where there is an easy-to-spot sign just over the bridge. From
there, it's 400m until a right turn on Carratera de Medina (there's no official sign but a faded, hard-to-
see 'Francis Gas' signs mentions the caves). Follow this road 2.6km to a prominent T-intersection,
where you turn left (it's unsigned but look for the 'Club Gallistico El Pomier' cockfighting ring) and
proceed up the hill another 2.6km. Just past the DoCALsa factory entrance, turn right at the sign (it
will seem as though you are turning into a mining quarry, which you are). Stay straight another 600m,
veering left at the fork, until you come upon a small field with a small green house on your left - this
is the entrance. Ask as you go, as the turn-offs are easy to miss. Be alert for giant dump trucks coming
down the road from the mine - there are a number of blind curves.
The RD$500 guide is obligatory - and they don't speak English. But you can ask for a handy Eng-
lish translation pamphlet for your tour, which can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a full day, de-
pending on your interest.
Sleeping & Eating
Hotels in San Juan are generally full of Dominican business travelers, and for this reason
are often good value.
Hotel Nuevo Tamarindo
( 809-557-7002;
hoteltamarindosjm@hotmail.com
; Calle Dr Cabral 26; s/d/tr with air-con RD$900/
1400/1700, without air-con RD$600/1000; )
Clean and simple rooms, international cable
TV, a fast wi-fi signal and a small but charming courtyard hang area all feature in this per-
fect location right across the street from Caribe Tours.
HOTEL
$
