los saltos de jima

We went with some friends to explore this really well-done park just an hour from Santo Domingo. Oddly enough, there's no sign that we could see coming from the south but we were following friends who had seen the sign from the north. The road to the park starts out amazing and then turns to dirt a few minutes before the park. Enjoy that little bit too as you drive through a small village with friendly people drawing water from the river. Entrance is free as the park is totally funded by the Ministry of Tourism. We paid a random guide to take us in. Apparently, you're supposed to use a guide for the first time and then are allowed to go in without a guide. Naturally, no one keeps track of this but it made sense considering some of the more strenuous hiking options.The first set of falls (and swimming hole) is easy to reach on an easy trail. The second (and cooler) falls/swimming hole requires a bit more effort over some scary looking but apparently safe elevated walkways and stairs. It was totally worth the effort. There is no food available in the park. The guards will check bags to make sure that you don't bring any glass or weapons into the park. Booze, however, is permitted. By noon or so, there were quite a number of young Dominicans in the park - drinking rum and vodka from plastic water bottles. They started to get a little raucous as they got drunker. Everyone was friendly and no one (no matter how drunk) was any cause to concern but to themselves as they started to perform riskier dives off the rocks.Beyond the second of countless falls lies the treacherous climb to the third and fourth falls. It was really risky but some in our party did it. We didn't bring cameras or anything so there was no record. But, we were scaling wet, slippery cliffs aided by some sort of electrical cord tied to trees as a climbing aid. We actually were advised to climb barefoot (which we did) because our shoes were wet and it allowed us to grip with our fingers and toes. Yeah, not exactly safe. One of our party almost had a serious fall...but we did make it. Some guides seem to have good ropes for this part. Our did not. It was our choice. I'm glad that we did it once but I wouldn't do it again. I'll stick to the second falls and pool.There is a large and seemingly safe parking lot. When we arrived, there was no sign with fees. A sign appeared when we left. We paid the RD$100 fee but some have told us not to pay. We plan go go back so we didn't want to irritate the people there even if it was a scam...Good luck!!

I went with a group from Santiago. Took about an hour to get there and there are signs off the autopista just before Bonao. It's not far off the highway (to the right if you're coming from the north) and we took a dirt road a mile or two to a little field where the locals directed us to park, and there's an official gate to the trails. We paid a modest fee to park and for a guide. There are several sites to visit there (Casa Don Felipe? and some other pools), but we took the trail to the main falls. Our guide was a young man who strolled along with us in flip-flops and was friendly and unassuming. We walked maybe a mile (or less) to the first and second falls. The trail is maintained with bridges and steps built over the tough spots, so kids or elderly people who are modestly in shape could do this. There's a bit of climbing, but it's not strenuous. And there are various places one can stop and wade into pools below various falls. Several (el primero y segundo) are pretty high - like 40 feet and impressive. There are evidently 20 falls, but the trail only takes you to about 10. Beyond that it would be rough climbing. The water was cool but very refreshing and there's a place you can slide down one of the big falls if you're adventurous. As for the visitors, most are Dominicans and many bring food or drink and make a day or half-day of it. So it wasn't secluded, but it wasn't crowded either, and everyone was having fun and relaxed. We went on a Saturday, and the guide told me weekdays are considerably less crowded. This makes for a great half-day trip from Santiago.

Beautiful walk up to the waterfalls.....was a lovely excursion just loved it!! i would go here again. The water was so cold but yet very refreshing since it is so hot out there!

I went with my husband and 2 friends. We parked our car and didnt have to pay anything. The guard was cool he even took pictured with us. The hike was a very long up and down. The excitement kept building up. We only made it as far as the first waterfall as we were told that there were about 10 others... ??... when we finally got to the waterfall, the water was so cold but felt great after the walk. Very refreshing. Its a little hard to get into the river at forst because some rocks are slippery. After that we went to a small colmado and the man there was very nice. Overall, my trip there was amazing!

Vale la pena la travesía, ya que podrás disfrutar de la naturaleza que se conserva casi intacta y disfrutar de estos saltos de agua cristalina que están a pocos kilómetros de la ciudad, puedes ir en familia o en coro con amigos y así tendrás una experiencia bastante grata...

via a la poblacion de bonao te encuentras un desvio hacia los saltos de jima,sitio espectacular con unas charcas con aguas transparentes y muy frias eso si,y si te gusta caminar subes a los saltos en lo particular me gusto el segundo es de dificulta media pero vale la pena ir y ver aquella maravilla a no dejes de bañarte en esas aguas recorfortan ,los guias locales no cobran la entrada al parque es gratuito ,es cuestion de conciencia y colaborar

exelente los saltos de Jima se los recomiendo asi como si ciudad Bonao sus rios todo muy lindo y el hotel no habalr me gusto todo volvere de nuevo eso si