Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RESPONSIBLE DIVING
Please consider the following tips when diving and help preserve the ecology and beauty of reefs:
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Avoid touching or standing on living marine organisms or dragging equipment across the reef.
Polyps can be damaged by even the gentlest contact. If you must hold on to the reef, only touch ex-
posed rock or dead coral.
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Be conscious of your fins. Even without contact, the surge from fin strokes near the reef can damage
delicate organisms. Take care not to kick up clouds of sand, which can smother organisms.
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Take great care in underwater caves. Spend as little time within them as possible as your air bubbles
may be caught within the roof and thereby leave organisms high and dry. Take turns to inspect the in-
terior of a small cave.
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Resist the temptation to collect or buy corals or shells or to loot marine archaeological sites (mainly
shipwrecks).
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Do not feed fish.
White-Water Rafting
The Dominican Republic has the only navigable white-water river in the Caribbean, the
Río Yaque del Norte. It's mostly a Class II and III river, with a couple of serious rapids,
and the rest consists of fun little holes and rolls. The river winds through bucolic hilly
countryside and makes for a fun half-day tour.
Be aware that the water can be cold - you'll be issued a wetsuit along with your life
vest and helmet. While you can make this a day trip from the north coast or Santo
Domingo, it's a long journey in a bus - you'll enjoy yourself a great deal more if you
spend a couple of nights in Jarabacoa. Trips cost around US$50 per person.
Fishing
Like most places in the Caribbean, there is good sport fishing to be had for those so in-
clined. Blue marlin peaks in the summer months, there's white marlin in springtime, and
mahi-mahi, wahoo and sailfish in wintertime.
The best places to go deep-sea fishing are the north-coast region and Punta Cana. Ex-
pect to pay around US$70 to US$100 per person (US$60 to US$70 for watchers) for a
group half-day excursion. Most captains will also gladly charter their boats for private
use; expect to pay upwards of US$700/900 for a half-/full day.
