DK Travel : Dominican Republic : The Central Highlands : Outdoor

Bird-Watching

The Cordillera Central is home to a number of exotic species, especially in the national parks. Look out for parrots and parakeets, as well as the Hispaniolan woodpecker and the emerald hummingbird.
Canyoning

Jimenoa is the place for this energetic and alarming sport, which involves holding onto a rope and jumping down a sheer rock face into the water below.
Cascading

In this variant on canyoning, the participant jumps through a waterfall into the pool at the bottom. The Salto de Jimenoa is a recommended spot.
Cycling

Whether on or off road, cyclists will enjoy fantastic views as well as a warm welcome in villages, where you can always buy drinks.
Hiking

The Dominican Alps (see Constanza & “The Dominican Alps”, are the perfect place for walking, whether short strolls or hikes. Most hotels can recommend a specialist operator for the more ambitious.
Horseback Riding

The region is well equipped for riding enthusiasts, with several outfits such as Rancho Baiguate offering top-class facilities.
Kayaking

The Río Yaque del Norte and the Jimenoa (see Salto de Jimenoa) are good kayaking rivers, with a mix of white water, sharp turns, and precipitous drops.
Swimming

This can be enjoyed on the quieter stretches of the Cordillera Central’s rivers as well as in many balnearios or swimming holes.
Tubing

The low-budget version of rafting uses a large rubber ring. Swimmers are swept down the river, protected to some degree by the inflated tube.
White-Water Rafting

The fast-flowing Río Yaque del Norte near Jarabacoa is a favorite place for this adrenaline-fueled sport, involving a fast descent through rocky canyons on a rubber raft shared by several paddlers.