Cruise Passenger Falls, 5 Hours

Damajagua Waterfalls for Cruise Ship Passengers

★ 4.8 376 verified reviews

5 hours, cruise port pickup listed, buffet lunch including local rum drinks included.

from $89 per person

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Opens the operator's official listing with live dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation.

Duration: 5 hours
Meeting point: Confirmed after booking
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Iguana Mama Shore Excursions

Overview

This Iguana Mama excursion is built around a ship's schedule: pickup at the Puerto Plata port, a drive inland to the Damajagua falls, a guided climb and descent through the waterfalls, then a buffet lunch with local rum drinks before the return to the pier. The whole outing runs about 5 hours, and port pickup and drop-off are included, with a meeting point map sent with the booking confirmation. Guides hand out helmets and life jackets, and the route involves a moderate hike up before you come back down by natural rock slides and jumps. Reviewers often mention that the guides keep the group together and set a steady pace on the climb.

Several travellers who went with teenagers called it the best day of their trip. It does not suit travellers with back, neck or knee problems, heart conditions, limited mobility, or anyone pregnant, and the operator caps each departure at 20 travellers. River levels decide how much of the canyon opens on any given day, and the operator reserves the right to adjust or cancel accordingly, with a full refund if the whole tour is called off.

What's Included

Included

Port pickup and drop-off. Meeting point map provided with booking confirmation.
Professional guide
Buffet lunch including local rum drinks
Bottled water
Use of helmet and life jacket

Not Included

Alcoholic drinks apart from rum with lunch (available to purchase)
Gratuities

Itinerary

Port pickupMeet at the Puerto Plata port using the meeting point map provided with the booking confirmation. Admission to the falls is included in the ticket.
Drive to DamajaguaRoughly 5 hours total for the whole excursion, including the transfer each way.
Hike and descend fallsA moderate uphill hike to the top, then a descent through the waterfalls by slide and jump. Guides set the pace for the group.
Buffet lunchA buffet lunch with local rum drinks and bottled water is included. Extra alcoholic drinks beyond the rum at lunch can be purchased.
Return to portDrop-off back at the cruise pier in time for re-boarding.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape the day, from footwear to how the group runs.

Footwear and clothing. The listing recommends an old pair of running shoes, swimwear and a towel, and suggests women wear shorts over their bathing suits. Follow that advice closely, since the route involves hiking on uneven, wet surfaces.
Fitness and pace. Reviewers repeatedly describe the climb as a fair amount of uphill hiking, tough in places but doable, with guides stopping to rest several times. One reviewer noted you should know how to swim and not be afraid of the water.
Group feel. Departures are capped at 20 travellers. Expect a shared, sociable day with a professional guide rather than a private outing.
Food and drink. Buffet lunch, bottled water and rum drinks with the meal are included. Alcoholic drinks beyond that cost extra.
Photos. This is an extra fee.
Weather dependency. River conditions can change overnight, and the operator can amend the tour to whatever number of falls is open that day. A full refund applies if the tour is cancelled outright for dangerous conditions.

Common issues. Rain can close sections of the canyon overnight, so you may get fewer falls than hoped, and the operator states plainly that it will amend the tour to what is open. The hike up is genuinely strenuous for anyone not in moderate shape, and the listing bars travellers with heart, back, neck or knee problems, pregnant travellers, and wheelchair users. The operator also sells a falls-and-zipline version that it asks guests to book only when the ship is in port 8 hours or more. Cancellations inside 24 hours get no refund.

Common Questions

Is Pickup From The Cruise Port Included?

Yes, port pickup and drop-off are included, and a meeting point map comes with the booking confirmation. Cruise passengers must supply the ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time when booking. The tour is for cruise ship passengers only.

What Does The Price Include?

Port pickup and drop-off, a professional guide, buffet lunch with local rum drinks, bottled water, helmet and life jacket, and admission to the falls are all covered. Alcoholic drinks beyond the rum at lunch cost extra, and gratuities are not included.

Can Children Do This Tour?

The minimum age is 8, and children aged 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult. The listing also carries a line about infants sitting on laps, so confirm ages with the operator before booking.

How Fit Do I Need To Be?

A moderate level of fitness is expected. The hike up involves a fair amount of uphill walking on uneven surfaces, though reviewers say guides stop for rests often. Travellers with heart problems, back, neck or knee issues, or who are pregnant, are advised not to book.

What If The Weather Or River Conditions Are Bad?

River conditions can change overnight, and the operator reserves the right to limit the tour to the falls open that day. If the tour is cancelled entirely for dangerous water or severe weather, you get a full refund. Poor-weather cancellations also come with the option of a different date or a full refund.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no refund and changes are not accepted. The tour also needs a minimum number of travellers; if that is not met, you are offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.