Excursions 27 Charcos waterfall Puerto Plata Jesus and Jhensy tour

The main event is a string of clear mountain pools where you walk, swim, slide, and jump through Damajagua’s rocky canyon. Although the name promises 27 waterfalls, this excursion visits seven pools, the section open for this activity.

I like the personal transport with Jesus, who meets you near Taino Bay, and I like the mix of effort and fun: the uphill walk gets you warm before the cool water fixes that problem. The main caution is timing. A busy day can bring long waits, and the walk includes plenty of stairs.

Key things to know before booking

• Seven pools, not 27: The name refers to the full waterfall system, but this tour visits seven accessible pools.
• A real physical outing: Expect about four hours at Damajagua, with stairs, walking, swimming, and repeated water jumps.
• Meet outside Taino Bay: The pickup point is near the police station outside the port gate, about a 15-minute walk from the ship.
• Jesus handles the driving: He provides an English-speaking service, clean transport, bottled water, and direct communication before the outing.
• Lunch costs extra: Entrance, transport, and water are covered, but lunch is not included in the listed price.
• Bad weather can change plans: Heavy rain may close the waterfalls, with another date or a full refund offered in that situation.

Why Los 27 Charcos is Puerto Plata’s big adventure

Puerto Plata has beaches, city sights, and mountain views, but Damajagua gives you something more active. You move through the water instead of simply looking at it. The pools sit among forested hills, and the route feels more like a guided canyon adventure than a standard sightseeing stop.

The experience begins with a walk uphill to the first accessible waterfall. From there, you work your way down through seven pools. At different points, you can jump into the water, slide over smooth rock, or swim through a short natural channel. The guide sets the pace and helps you judge each jump.

I like that the route gives you choices. You do not have to treat every jump like a personal bravery contest. If a jump feels too high, you can ask for help or use the safer route offered by the guide. Still, this is not a gentle stroll. You need a moderate level of fitness, and the activity is not suitable for anyone with a leg injury.

Meeting Jesus near Taino Bay

The port meeting point deserves careful attention. Jesus picks you up at a designated location near Taino Bay, outside the main gate by the police station. If you arrive by cruise ship, allow about 15 minutes to walk from the ship to the meeting area, and allow extra time to find the exact spot.

This matters because port days run on a tight clock. A missed meeting point can turn a good plan into a stressful one. Message Jesus before the day of your excursion and ask for clear directions. His communication is reported as quick and direct, and he has handled groups arriving from cruise ships.

Transport is by van. Jesus is described as a safe driver, and the vehicle has been described as clean and comfortable. The maximum group size is 30, though the actual vehicle arrangement can change if a large group arrives. On one crowded day, an extra van was arranged, but the larger number of people also created delays.

At around $50 per person, the transport alone gives this outing useful value for cruise passengers. You do not need to arrange a taxi, find the waterfall entrance, or negotiate a ride back to port. The value depends on how smoothly the day runs, so confirm the pickup details and your ship’s return time.

The 40-minute ride out of Puerto Plata

The first transfer from Taino Bay to Damajagua takes about 40 minutes. This is more than a simple ride from the dock. You leave the port area and head toward the waterfall site near Imbert, giving you a look at the area beyond the cruise terminal.

Jesus serves as the driver and speaks English. He also provides bottled water, which is useful in the Dominican heat, especially before the uphill section. The listed service includes public transport, meaning the focus is practical transport rather than a private luxury vehicle.

The overall excursion is advertised at about five hours, while the detailed schedule describes a six-hour day. Treat the timing as approximate. The ride, group size, queues, weather, and time spent at each pool can all affect the return.

Seven pools and a long walk uphill

At Damajagua, plan on roughly four hours with the guide. The trail climbs toward the upper part of the route, then the water portion brings you back down through seven pools. The guide leads the group and explains how to move through each section.

The uphill walk is the part many people underestimate. You will handle stairs and uneven paths, often in warm weather. There may be stops along the way, especially when the group is large. I would wear secure footwear that can get wet and bring only what you need for the outing.

Once you reach the water, the mood changes quickly. The pools offer a series of short challenges. You may jump into one, slide into another, and swim across a third. The water is described as crystal clear, and the forest setting provides a welcome break from the heat.

Some jumps can feel intimidating. That is normal. The guide encourages you, but you remain in control of what you do. This is one reason the outing works well for people who want an adventure without signing up for a technical canyoning trip.

You should not confuse the word waterfall with a quiet viewing stop. You will get wet. You will climb, sit, slide, swim, and repeat the process several times. A moderate fitness level is required, and anyone with a leg injury should skip this activity.

Why the number 27 can confuse people

Los 27 Charcos means the 27 pools of Damajagua, but this specific route visits seven. The seven-pool section is the part available for the excursion described here. That distinction is important if you are comparing Puerto Plata activities or expecting a full-day route through all 27.

Seven pools still make a substantial outing. With the climb, guide stops, jumps, slides, and swims, the activity can fill most of the day once transport is included. The advantage of the shorter route is that it fits more easily into a port visit.

The tradeoff is that the tour name may sound bigger than the actual route. Read the description carefully before paying. If your goal is a long, demanding canyon trip, seven pools may feel limited. If you want a lively half-day adventure with time to return to the ship, it is a sensible choice.

The return through Puerto Plata

After the waterfalls, the van returns toward Puerto Plata. The schedule includes a 15-minute stop at Imbert Bridge, plus a visit to a store. You also get a short drive through central Puerto Plata for photographs.

This city portion is brief, so think of it as an added glimpse rather than a full city tour. The bridge stop breaks up the ride, and the central drive gives you a chance to see more of Puerto Plata beyond Taino Bay.

The schedule also allows some flexibility. Jesus has arranged lunch afterward for some groups and has taken people to see the umbrella street when requested. Lunch is not included in the listed price, so treat any food stop as an extra arrangement rather than part of the standard package.

Group size, queues, and the value of time

The maximum group size is 30. That is manageable for a guided outing, but it can feel large on a narrow trail or at the tops of the pools. When multiple cruise ships arrive at the same time, queues can build at the waterfall site.

This is the biggest weakness of the experience. The activity itself can be exciting, but waiting takes some of the edge off. The uphill walk may also include frequent stops if the group is spread out or if the site is crowded.

I would book this tour for the waterfalls, not for a perfectly timed schedule. If you need a strict return time, tell Jesus when your ship leaves and ask how much buffer he recommends. The operator has adjusted transport for larger groups, but busy days can still run slowly.

The good news is that the trip is not locked into a rigid package. Jesus has shown flexibility with pickup arrangements, extra vans, lunch stops, and added Puerto Plata sights. That helps, but flexibility cannot remove every queue at a popular natural attraction.

What the $50 price includes

The $50 cost covers more than admission. You receive transport, entrance to the seven-pool section, an English-speaking driver, and bottled water. For a port visit, that combination can be cheaper and easier than arranging separate transport and entry on your own.

Lunch is not included. Bring money for food, and do not assume that a meal is part of the advertised rate. Some groups have had lunch arranged afterward, but you should confirm that directly with Jesus.

The price is strongest for people arriving from Taino Bay. You get a pickup plan, a driver who knows the route, and a return to Puerto Plata. If you are staying elsewhere in the city, confirm the pickup location and any transport details before booking.

A 4.8 rating from 37 reviews and a 95 percent recommendation rate suggest a generally strong service, but the uneven timing matters. The positive side is personal communication, safe driving, clean transport, and help with organizing the waterfall visit. The weaker side is the occasional crowding, along with one reported cancellation caused by heavy rain and a change to a city tour.

How weather can change the day

Damajagua depends on safe water conditions. Heavy rain can damage or close parts of the waterfall route, so the outing may be canceled or changed when weather turns poor.

If the operator cancels because of weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protection matters here because a rainy forecast is not just an inconvenience. It can affect water levels and safety.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. The same local-time cutoff applies to changes made shortly before departure.

Who should book this excursion

I would choose this trip if you want active sightseeing, enjoy getting wet, and can handle stairs and a warm uphill walk. It suits adults, older children who meet the fitness demands, and cruise passengers who want more than a beach day.

It is less suitable if you have a leg injury, dislike heights, or need a quiet sightseeing tour. Even though the jumps are optional, the walk and water crossings are built into the day.

You should also think about your ship schedule. The advertised duration is about five hours, but the detailed plan can run closer to six, and crowds may add waiting time. Leave enough time to return to Taino Bay before all-aboard.

Should you book Jesus and Jhensy’s Damajagua tour?

Book it if the idea of jumping and sliding through seven forest pools sounds better than sitting beside a hotel pool. At $50, the combination of transport, admission, bottled water, and personal coordination is good value, especially from Taino Bay.

Before you pay, confirm the exact meeting point, ask about the day’s pickup timing, and understand that lunch costs extra. If you can accept a little waiting and have the fitness for stairs, this is a memorable Puerto Plata outing with a useful human touch from Jesus and Jhensy.

FAQ

How much does the excursion cost?

The listed price is $50 per person.

How long does the excursion last?

The experience is listed at about five hours, while the detailed schedule describes a six-hour day. Actual timing can vary with traffic, group size, queues, and weather.

How many waterfalls will I visit?

You will visit seven pools. The name Los 27 Charcos refers to the wider Damajagua waterfall system.

Where is pickup in Puerto Plata?

Pickup is arranged near Taino Bay, at a meeting point outside the port gate by the police station. The walk from the ship to the meeting area takes about 15 minutes.

Who provides the transport?

Jesus provides the driving service, and Jhensy is also associated with the tour. The driver speaks English.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the listed price. A lunch stop may be arranged, but you should expect to pay separately.

Is bottled water included?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

Do I need to be physically fit?

Yes. You should have a moderate fitness level because the activity includes an uphill walk, stairs, swimming, and waterfall jumps. The outing is not recommended for anyone with a leg injury.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the excursion to be canceled.