Taino Bay & amber cove 7 Damajagua Waterfall Lunch Excursion

The main event here is Damajagua’s seventh waterfall, where a steep jungle walk leads to rock slides, swimming holes, and waterfall jumps. You can jump from ledges as high as about 20 feet, slide down several falls, or use ladders at some points. Guides stay with you and explain how to move safely.

I like two things right away: the $54 price includes a lot, including port pickup, admission, lunch, a helmet, a life jacket, water, and an air-conditioned vehicle. I also like the local touches, from Dominican food and coffee to hot chocolate, a mamajuana shot, and a short chocolate stop in Imbert.

The catch is that this is an active outing, not a gentle sightseeing ride. The uphill walk is about a mile, the route includes stairs and uneven ground, and some falls require a slide or jump rather than a simple walk down. Long lines can also slow the waterfall portion.

Key things to know before you book

• The waterfall route is the real attraction: You hike uphill through jungle to the seventh waterfall, then work your way down by jumping, sliding, swimming, and walking.
• The price covers the main extras: Lunch, entrance, port transportation, one bottle of water, safety equipment, and several local drinks are included.
• You need moderate fitness: The hike is steep and lengthy enough to challenge anyone who has trouble with stairs, heat, or uneven paths.
• The tour serves cruise passengers: Pickup and drop-off are offered at both Amber Cove and Taino Bay ports.
• Bring or buy water shoes: They are not included, and the operator charges $3 per person if you need them.
• Photos cost extra: A photographer may capture much of the waterfall route, but the photo and video package is not part of the $54 price.

The seventh waterfall is the reason to go

Damajagua is not a viewpoint-only excursion. You do not simply arrive, take a few pictures, and leave. The route asks you to get wet and take part.

After reaching the waterfall area, you begin the fun by moving through the falls one at a time. The exact mix described for this outing is three jumps and four slides, though the experience can vary with water conditions and park operations. Some drops are modest. Others feel serious when you are standing above the pool in a helmet and life jacket.

You can expect the guides to demonstrate how to position your body for the slides and jumps. Keep your arms tucked in on the slides, especially since one person found that careless positioning can make the ride rough. Wear old swimwear or old shorts and a shirt. One pair of pants was damaged during the sliding section.

The water provides welcome relief after the climb. You will likely appreciate the bottle of water handed out before the walk, but do not treat it as a luxury extra. The uphill hike and humid conditions make hydration important.

The setting is beautiful, with thick jungle, rock walls, and clear pools. Still, the route is physical and occasionally crowded. Long lines may form at the more popular slides and jumps, so the day is not nonstop action.

The hike up takes effort

The walk to the upper waterfall is the part you should think about most carefully. It includes steep uphill sections, stairs, and uneven paths, and one description puts the climb at about a mile before reaching the first main waterfall.

The park provides breaks, and the guides check on the group along the way. That helps, but it does not turn the hike into an easy stroll. You should be comfortable walking uphill in warm weather and staying active for several hours.

Bathrooms are available at the national park before you start. Use them. The walk is long, and facilities are not presented as a regular part of the waterfall route.

The climb itself is worthwhile if you enjoy being outdoors. You pass through jungle scenery rather than sitting in a vehicle all morning, and the waterfall section feels more rewarding because you worked to reach it. If you have a fear of heights, note that the route does not always offer a simple stairway down. At several points, you may need to slide or jump, although ladders are available at some locations.

Children under eight cannot join this activity. Older children who are active may manage it, but parents should judge comfort with heights, water, and a demanding walk rather than age alone.

A group tour with practical cruise-port transport

This is a shared excursion with a maximum of 70 people. That capacity is fairly large, so your experience may range from a small group to a busy outing. A smaller departure can feel more personal, while a full group may create longer waits at the waterfall obstacles.

Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle. Several people especially appreciated clean, comfortable buses, and one bus reportedly had Wi-Fi. The operator serves cruise passengers arriving at both Taino Bay and Amber Cove, with pickup and return to the port.

The tour information says the experience lasts about four hours and ten minutes, while the highlights describe roughly three and a half hours of touring. Plan your day around approximately four hours, allowing for the drive, waterfall visit, meal, and brief stop. Exact timing can depend on pickup, group size, weather, and lines at the falls.

If you are sailing the same day, leave a generous margin. The operator says cruise passengers are returned at least one hour before departure, and several outings made it back with time to spare. One account, however, described returning at 4:15 for a 4:30 gangway closing, which felt stressful. I would not book this with a dangerously tight ship schedule. The port pickup point and meeting instructions should be read carefully before you leave the ship.

The company has several guides and staff members associated with the outing, including Rosario, Antony, Lilo, Mara, Jon, Valentin, and Werebe. Names can vary by departure, but the consistent pattern is a team-based approach, with people helping during transport, the hike, and the water activity.

Safety gear and the rules that matter

A helmet and life jacket are included for both children and adults who meet the age requirement. Use them. This is a natural-water activity with rocks, slides, jumps, and moving groups, so the equipment is not decorative.

The park guides and tour staff explain how to approach each jump and slide. You should follow their instructions instead of copying the person ahead of you. Keep your arms tucked on the slides, listen for the signal before entering a pool, and do not attempt a jump simply because someone else made it look easy.

The activity is not available to children younger than eight. You also need moderate physical fitness and must be well enough to walk the route. The supplied information does not give a detailed medical restriction list, so anyone with concerns about joints, balance, heart health, or heights should ask the operator before booking.

Personal belongings are another practical issue. The tour materials do not specify a complete storage system, though one account described belongings as being kept safe. Do not bring anything you cannot afford to get wet or lose. You should also know that the photographer may handle the picture-taking while you enjoy the falls without a camera.

Lunch brings the Dominican flavor

Lunch is one of the strongest value points. The buffet includes white rice, red beans, fried chicken, and grilled pork. It is straightforward Dominican food, filling after the hike, and more useful than a small packaged snack.

Coffee from a local brewer and hot chocolate are included, along with bottled water. A mamajuana shot is served on the bus. Alcoholic drinks beyond that are not included, so you should budget separately if you want beer or another drink with lunch.

The meal gives the outing a local feel without pretending to be a formal food tour. You get a taste of familiar Dominican staples in a practical setting, usually after the wet and strenuous part of the day. For many people, that timing matters as much as the menu.

The tour also includes a ten-minute stop in Imbert to eat organic chocolate. Treat this as a quick local-product stop, not a long chocolate workshop. Some departures also include a family cigar shop or a demonstration of cigar making. That can be interesting if you want cultural context, but it may feel like a sales stop if you are not interested in buying souvenirs.

The advertised stops can sound broader than the actual schedule. Taino Bay and Amber Cove are the cruise ports used for pickup and return, and the vehicle passes through Maimon without stopping. The main sightseeing stop is Damajagua, followed by the short Imbert chocolate visit and, depending on the day, a brief shopping or cigar-related stop.

Photos can preserve the parts you cannot photograph

A photographer may accompany the group through the waterfall section, taking pictures and video while you jump, slide, and swim. This is useful because carrying a phone through the route is awkward and risky.

The package costs extra, with one reported price of $45, and photos and videos are not included in the tour cost. Payment may be made by cash or card. The supplied details say the files may be sent by email within two business days, while another account described receiving them within 24 hours. Confirm the delivery timing and email address before you leave.

I can see why many people consider the package worthwhile. The photographer can capture the jumps from angles you cannot manage yourself, and you can focus on the activity instead of protecting a camera. But do not assume the package is free or automatic. Decide in advance how much you want to spend, and keep your own record of the payment and delivery details.

If you skip the package, you can still enjoy the outing. Bring no expensive camera unless the operator gives clear storage instructions, and remember that the falls are a place to be present, not a good setting for a phone in your hand.

What the $54 price really includes

At $54 per person, this is a strong package for a cruise-port excursion. Admission to the seven Damajagua waterfalls is included, as are transportation, lunch, water, helmets, life jackets, and the guide team. Adding those items separately would quickly push the cost higher.

The shared format is the main reason the price stays low. You are not paying for a private guide or a flexible vehicle. With up to 70 people, you may wait for others during the hike, at the falls, or before lunch.

The value is best for an active person who wants a full outing at a modest price. It is less attractive if you mainly want to see Puerto Plata from a bus or spend the day at the port. The tour does not include alcoholic drinks, water shoes, or photos and videos. Water shoes cost $3 from the operator, so plan on at least that small extra if you do not bring your own.

The 97 percent recommendation rate and 4.9 rating from 231 reviews suggest a strong record, but the important detail is the pattern behind that score: safety, friendly staff, clean transportation, a good lunch, and the excitement of the jumps and slides receive the most attention. The main cautions are the demanding hike, occasional lines, weather cancellations, and the extra charge for photography.

Rain can change the day

The waterfalls require good weather. Heavy rain can close them, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions cancel the activity.

A substitute city tour may be offered instead. That gives you something to do, but it is not the same experience. The alternative may focus on familiar tourist stops, and the information provided does not promise the same depth of local history. If the waterfall is your main reason for booking, understand that weather can change the plan.

This is also why you should not build a tight series of activities around the tour. A weather decision, a delayed ship pickup, or a large group can affect the timetable.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this for active adults, families with children eight and older, and anyone who wants a physical adventure rather than a passive port excursion. It suits you if you are willing to get soaked, wear safety equipment, walk uphill, and try a jump or slide under guide supervision.

It is a poor fit if you dislike heights, cannot comfortably manage a steep walk, or want a quiet nature visit. You may still see the jungle and waterfalls, but the central experience is participation.

Pack a swimsuit, old clothes, secure footwear, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. Water shoes are especially useful, though they are not included. Bring only a small amount of cash or a card for optional drinks, photos, souvenirs, or the $3 shoe rental.

The free cancellation window is 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations later than that are not refunded, and changes made inside the same 24-hour period are not accepted. The operator can also cancel for poor weather or insufficient bookings, offering another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Damajagua excursion?

Book it if you want the biggest dose of action for $54 and you are comfortable with a steep walk, wet clothes, heights, and a shared group. The combination of waterfall admission, transport from either cruise port, safety gear, Dominican lunch, chocolate, and drinks makes the price hard to fault.

I would be more cautious if your ship leaves soon after the stated return time. I would also skip it if anyone in your group has trouble with stairs or does not want to jump or slide. For the right person, though, the seventh waterfall gives you a memorable Puerto Plata day, with plenty of laughter, a real physical challenge, and a taste of local food after the water.

FAQ

How much does the Damajagua Waterfall excursion cost?

The price is $54 per person.

How long does the excursion last?

The stated duration is approximately four hours and ten minutes. The highlights describe about three and a half hours of touring, so you should allow roughly four hours for the full outing.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are offered for cruise ship passengers at Amber Cove Port and Taino Bay Port.

Is transportation included?

Yes. An air-conditioned shared vehicle is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is a buffet with white rice, red beans, fried chicken, and grilled pork.

What safety equipment is provided?

A helmet and life jacket are included for children and adults who take part in the waterfall activity.

Are water shoes included?

No. Water shoes are not included. The operator lists a rental price of $3 per person.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Photos and videos cost extra. The tour may provide a photographer, and the package can be purchased with cash or card.

Can children join the excursion?

Children under eight years old cannot join. All participants should have a moderate level of physical fitness and be able to walk the route.

What happens if rain closes the waterfalls?

If poor weather cancels the outing, you can be offered a different date or a full refund. The operator may also offer a different experience.