Shore Excursion Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkey Encounters

The main attraction here is simple and thrilling: you hike through tropical forest, then use the river itself as a natural water park. You can swim in clear pools, slide over smooth rock, and jump into the falls, with the exact level of participation depending on your comfort and age.

I like the mix of active adventure and nature. The 35 to 40 minute forest walk gives the waterfalls a real sense of place, while the monkey park adds a gentler second half. I also like that transportation, lunch, water, entrance fees, safety gear, and guides are included.

The catch is that this is not a casual sightseeing outing. Wet rock, hiking, climbing, and jumps require a fair level of mobility. Children under eight may visit only the first waterfall, and one recent booking review specifically warned that the advertised 1 to 99 age range does not reflect the practical limits of the activity.

Key points to know before booking

• Natural water slides and jumps: Swim, slide, and jump into pools at Damajagua, with safety gear and guides provided.
• A 35 to 40 minute forest hike: Wear proper walking shoes and expect a physical approach before reaching the falls.
• More than 30 free-roaming squirrel monkeys: The monkeys may sit on shoulders and heads and eat special plants offered by the park.
• Pickup from both cruise terminals: Meet at Gate #5 at Taino Bay or at the Main Gate at Amber Cove.
• Four hours with lunch included: Transport, water, admissions, equipment, and professional guides are covered in the $125 price.
• Age and health limits matter: Children under eight can visit only the first fall, and the outing is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back or heart problems.

A four-hour Puerto Plata adventure with two very different halves

This excursion works because it gives you two distinct experiences in one morning or afternoon. The first is physical and wet, centered on the falls. The second is slower and more playful, centered on squirrel monkeys in a botanical park.

That combination helps justify the $125 per person price, particularly for cruise passengers who want transportation and admissions handled in one package. You are not paying only for a ride to a waterfall. The cost includes roundtrip transport, lunch, water, entrance fees, equipment for the falls, and guides who remain with you throughout the day.

Still, value depends on how much of the waterfall portion you can do. If you cannot hike, climb, swim, or manage uneven ground, a sizable part of the experience may be out of reach. The monkey park can still appeal, but the price makes the most sense for people who plan to take part in the active portion.

Leaving the cruise terminal with Anddy Tours

Pickup is arranged at either of Puerto Plata’s major cruise ports. At Taino Bay, go to Gate #5, where the guide should be holding a large Anddy Tours sign. At Amber Cove, walk to the Main Gate, turn left, and look for the same sign at the meeting point.

You will receive a map after booking, and the company says it will stay in contact until you meet the guide and driver. Give accurate phone or email details so that contact is possible. You should also arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start, since the outing begins with a safety briefing.

The drive itself is part of the practical appeal. A shore excursion needs to get you away from the port and back again without forcing you to arrange taxis or negotiate separate entrance fees. The four-hour length also fits more comfortably into a cruise day than a full-day inland trip.

The exact starting times depend on availability. Check the schedule carefully against your ship’s port hours, and allow yourself a reasonable buffer for the return. The supplied tour details do not give a precise driving time or a fixed group size, so you should not assume an intimate small-group outing.

Walking through the tropical forest to the falls

Once you reach the Damajagua area, you receive equipment and a safety briefing. The forest hike takes about 35 to 40 minutes, which is long enough to make comfortable footwear essential.

This walk is not filler. It places the waterfalls in their natural setting and gives you a chance to see local plant life and hear about the area’s flora and fauna. You are not simply stepping off a bus beside a pool. You are working your way through the forest before reaching the river.

That said, the hike adds effort before the most exciting part begins. Wear shoes suitable for walking on uneven ground, and expect them to get wet. Water shoes are specifically recommended, and they are one of the most useful things you can pack for this outing.

Insect repellent also belongs in your bag. Biodegradable sunscreen is recommended because the activity takes place around natural water and forest areas. Bring a towel and a complete change of clothes, since you should expect to leave the waterfall section soaked.

Sliding and jumping at Damajagua Waterfalls

The falls are the heart of the excursion. You can swim in the pools, slide down natural rock formations, and jump into the water. The guides accompany you throughout the waterfall portion and provide the required equipment.

The natural slides are the kind of feature that makes this more memorable than a standard pool visit. The rock shapes create the route, and the water provides the finish. You get a short burst of adrenaline, followed by a swim in a cool pool before moving toward the next feature.

You do not need to treat every jump or slide as compulsory. The description presents these as activities you can enjoy, so your level of participation should depend on confidence, physical condition, and the guidance given on site. Listen closely during the briefing and follow instructions around each pool and rock surface.

The rocks will be wet and slippery. That is part of the fun, but it is also the main reason to take the safety talk seriously. People with back problems, heart problems, or pregnancy should not book this activity. The same caution applies if you are unsure about swimming or managing a steep, wet route.

The age rule needs special attention. Children younger than eight may go only to the first waterfall. The experience is therefore not an all-ages activity in the practical sense, despite the broad age range sometimes shown during booking. A verified 4 out of 5 booking review from February 2026 made this point clearly, noting that the advertised 1 to 99 range was misleading.

A calmer visit with squirrel monkeys

After the waterfall adventure, you visit a botanical park with more than 30 free-roaming squirrel monkeys. This changes the pace completely. Instead of climbing and splashing, you watch the animals move around the park and approach visitors.

The monkeys are described as friendly and accustomed to human contact. They may sit on your shoulders or head and eat special plants offered at the park. That close contact is likely to be the most unusual part of the day, especially for children old enough to take part in the waterfall visit.

You should still treat the animals as animals, not as props. Follow the park’s instructions about food, handling, and movement. The supplied information does not specify exactly what you feed them or how long you spend inside the park, so do not count on a long animal encounter or a private session.

The botanical setting also gives you a chance to cool down and catch your breath after the falls. If you prefer wildlife encounters to physical thrills, this portion may become your favorite. If you book mainly for the waterfalls, consider it a pleasant second stop rather than the main event.

Lunch, drinks, and what the $125 covers

Lunch and water are included, which is useful after a forest walk and several rounds in the river. You also receive entrance fees, equipment, roundtrip transportation, and the services of professional guides.

The tour information mentions beverages, including alcohol on the bus, but the rules also say that alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is a conflict worth clearing up before departure. Follow the operator’s current instructions and do not assume that an alcoholic drink is permitted simply because beverages are listed among the inclusions.

At $125, this is not the cheapest way to spend a cruise stop. Its value comes from convenience and the number of separate costs bundled together. A private ride, park admission, waterfall access, equipment, lunch, and a guide would require planning on your own, and any mistake with timing could put your ship schedule at risk.

The price is harder to defend if you plan to skip the jumps and slides. In that case, you are paying for a full adventure package while using only part of it. Active adults and families with age-eligible children are likely to get the strongest value.

What to pack for a wet, active outing

Pack lightly, but pack the right things. The most important items are:

• Water shoes
• A towel
• Insect repellent
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Comfortable hiking shoes
• A complete change of clothes

The footwear question deserves emphasis. You need shoes for the forest walk, but the tour specifically recommends water shoes for the falls. If you bring only ordinary sandals or smooth-soled shoes, you may find the wet rocks awkward.

Plastic bottles are not allowed, and littering is prohibited. Follow those rules carefully, especially around the river and botanical park. Smoking is also not allowed.

You should not bring valuables that cannot get wet. The supplied information does not explain how belongings are stored, so ask the guide before entering the water. Bring only what you need and keep your cruise documents and electronics protected.

Who will enjoy this excursion most

I would recommend this to active adults, older children who meet the age rules, and cruise passengers who want a strong burst of adventure rather than a passive sightseeing day. The forest walk, rock slides, and jumps reward people who enjoy being outdoors and getting wet.

It can also suit nature lovers who like animal encounters. The monkey park adds a distinct wildlife element, and the free-roaming setting is more engaging than simply viewing animals behind a barrier.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with back or heart problems, pregnant people, or anyone who dislikes uneven walking and water activities. It is also a poor fit for a family with children under eight if the main goal is to experience the full series of falls.

The activity is offered in English and Spanish. That is helpful during the safety briefing and while moving through the falls. Since no group size is specified, ask about the expected number of participants if that detail affects your decision.

Cancellation and cruise-day planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility while you watch the cruise schedule and weather forecast.

For a port day, communication is especially important. Provide a working phone number or email, use the pickup map sent after booking, and arrive early at the correct terminal meeting point. At Taino Bay, use Gate #5. At Amber Cove, go to the Main Gate and turn left.

The tour lasts four hours, but the details provided do not state the exact return time or driving duration. Check availability for the starting time and compare it with your ship’s all-aboard deadline. You should never plan to return to the port at the last possible minute.

Should you book Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkey Encounters?

Book this excursion if you want a compact, active Puerto Plata outing with two strong features: natural rock slides and close contact with squirrel monkeys. The included transport, lunch, equipment, admissions, and guides make the $125 price reasonable for someone who will use the full package.

Skip it if you need a gentle tour, have a medical restriction listed above, or are traveling with children under eight who expect to reach all the falls. The age limitation is easy to overlook, and the wet hike and rock work demand more than the broad advertised age range suggests.

For the right person, this is a lively use of a four-hour port stop. Just bring water shoes, a towel, dry clothes, and realistic expectations about the physical effort.

FAQ

Where is the Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkey Encounters tour located?

The experience takes place in Puerto Plata Province in the Dominican Republic.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts four hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $125 per person.

Where is pickup at Taino Bay?

At Taino Bay, go to Gate #5. The guide will be holding a large sign marked Anddy Tours.

Where is pickup at Amber Cove?

At Amber Cove, proceed to the Main Gate, turn left, and look for the Anddy Tours meeting point.

What languages are spoken by the guides?

The tour is offered with live guides in English and Spanish.

Are transportation and entrance fees included?

Yes. Roundtrip transportation and all listed entrance fees are included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch and water are included.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel, insect repellent, water shoes, comfortable hiking shoes, and a change of clothes. Biodegradable sunscreen is recommended.

Can children under eight visit all the waterfalls?

No. Children under eight may go only to the first waterfall.

Who should not take this activity?

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back problems or heart problems.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is smoking allowed?

No. Smoking is not allowed.

Are plastic bottles permitted?

No. Plastic bottles and littering are not allowed.