Things to do in Guananico and within an hour's drive.
Guananico is a mountain town in Puerto Plata province: cacao, a river, merengue típico and a main street with all the basics. From NOLUS RC the closest spots are five minutes away and the beach about an hour.
- ~5 min
- cacao trail
- ~25 min
- Damajagua 27 Waterfalls
- ~40 min
- Luperón beach
- ~1 h
- Puerto Plata and airport
Right here in Guananico.
Guananico has lived off cacao for over a century: the lot where NOLUS RC stands today was a collection hub where local growers sold coffee and cacao wholesale. You can see, smell and drink that cacao at Hacienda Cufa, five minutes away.
In the afternoon the river is the town's plan; at night, if there's perico ripiao at Rincón Caliente, it's worth going. Everything is minutes from the apartment.
- Guananico River ↗~15 minThe town's swimming hole: cool mountain water for an afternoon.
- Hacienda Cufa · cacao trail ↗La Mariposa · ~5 minCacao farm since 1918: seven-stop trail, hot chocolate, Dominican lunch and a river dip. Tel. 809-756-4806.
- Rincón Caliente, birthplace of merengue típico ↗In GuananicoLive güira, tambora and accordion; the community offers basic perico ripiao lessons.
- César Estrella Bruzzo Taíno Museum ↗In townLocal Taíno archaeology; a good morning with kids.
Under 30 minutes.
The Damajagua 27 Waterfalls are the north coast's classic outing: a guided hike upriver, then you come down jumping and sliding through the pools (7, 12 or 27-waterfall circuits). Go early, with water shoes and clothes that can get wet; from Guananico it's about 25 minutes via Imbert.
- Damajagua 27 Waterfalls ↗Imbert · ~25 minLimestone waterfalls and natural slides; go early.
- Choco Lalá, Altamira ↗~30 minWomen's cacao co-op: workshop and handmade chocolate.
- Sonador River ↗~30 minTurquoise mountain river, perfect to cool off.
Beaches and the city.
The nearest beach is Playa Grande in Luperón (~40 min). Puerto Plata is an hour away: the cable car up Pico Isabel de Torres, San Felipe Fortress, the seafront and Playa Dorada. Sosúa and Cabarete are a bit further, and Cayo Arena is a full-day trip from Punta Rucia.
- Playa Grande, Luperón ↗~40 minThe closest beach: golden sand and calm water in Luperón bay.
- Puerto Plata: cable car and San Felipe fort ↗~55 minCable car up Isabel de Torres, the colonial fort and the seafront.
- Playa Dorada ↗~1 hPuerto Plata's golden-sand beach, with restaurants and shade.
- Sosúa and Cabarete ↗~1 h 15Snorkeling in Sosúa; kitesurfing and sunsets in Cabarete.
- Cayo Arena and Gri-Gri Lagoon ↗Day tripA sandbar island (Punta Rucia) and mangrove caves (Río San Juan).
A day from NOLUS RC.
Coffee on the balcony facing the mountain; leave for Damajagua at 8, before the crowds; lunch in Imbert or back in the apartment kitchen; an afternoon at the river or in a hammock under the shade sails; and at night, the fire pit in the yard. The next day, the beach.
Practical bits: NOLUS RC sits on the main street, so corner stores, food, a gas station and an ATM are minutes away. A car is the easiest way to get around; if you arrive without one, we help you arrange transport on WhatsApp.
In photos
Frequently asked questions.
About 25 minutes by car via Imbert. Arrive early (they open in the morning) and bring water shoes.
Playa Grande in Luperón, about 40 minutes away. Puerto Plata's beaches (Playa Dorada) are about 1 hour.
Yes: Hacienda Cufa in La Mariposa (~5 min) runs a cacao tour with hot chocolate, Dominican lunch and a river dip. Tel. 809-756-4806.
For the outings, yes. In town there are motorbike taxis and the basics are walkable. If you come without a car, we help you arrange transport.
Yes, on Guananico's main street. And every apartment has a full kitchen; if you prefer, a local cook can prepare meals for the group (extra cost).
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