10 Things To Do In Luperon, Dominican Republic

In the Spring this year, Ben, Ruca and I spent 3 months getting to know the city of Luperón, in the Dominican Republic. We grabbed a mooring in the super safe Bahia Luperón to get some repairs done, host a few visitors, and enjoy the country. Here's a few of favorite activities and must-see stops in and around Luperón, the Dominican Republic.

1. Playa Grande

Playa Grande is Luperón's largest and most popular beach, running a half mile or so along the north edge of the coast. At Playa Grande, you'll find lots of white sand, clear but rough water, coconut palms, a few beach bar shacks, and locals galore. Playa Grande was once dominated by the abandoned resort, lining the beach with dilapidated palm beach umbrellas once used by tourists to Luperón. We heard the resort went out of business 5 or so years ago, and is for sale for several millions, but obviously everyday falls a little more into disrepair. If you're sneaky and don't let the caretaker catch you, you can walk around inside the resort for a scene straight out of the Walking Dead.

2. The 27 Waterfalls of Damajagua

Just one town over from Luperón is the small town of Imbert, where the main attraction is the 27 waterfalls of Damajagua. This adventure costs 800 pesos per person, which pays for two guides to lead you and your group on an hour long hike up the mountainside. You aren't allowed to make the trek on your own, for safety reasons. Once on top of the mountain, the fun begins. The way down the mountain is through a series of 27 waterfall jumps, some big and some small, some via natural rock slide, but all breathtakingly beautiful and refreshing. It is best to hit up the waterfalls after a good rain, to ensure all the pools are deep enough for jumping. Be aware, this hike and the subsequent jumps aren't for the faint of heart, require tennis shoes, and a good bit of agility.

3. Friday Night Karaoke at Wendy's Bar

This is a Luperón activity that requires no agility, and absolutely no talent! Wendy's Bar, on Duerte street right next to the main harbor dock, is a hub for the cruising community, and not so nonchalantly boasts it with the sign outside reading, "Gringos Welcome." Although we're not ones to typically love the gringo bar (we like to think we're more adventurous than that!) Wendy's has got karaoke night figured out. With 100 peso 22 ounce beers, 1000 songs available, a bunch of boozed up sailors and a few locals sprinkled in, the environment is as lively as the singing is bad.

4. Wednesday Night Trivia at Lazy Ass Bistro

Cruisers get together on Wednesdays at Lazy Ass Bistro, right next to Wendy's Bar, for a low-key trivia night. If you ask the bar owner, Gary, he may let you write the questions and administer the game, which is quite a task, keeping everyone in line and focused, but a great way to meet people. The winning team gets a round of drinks on the house, and the runners up get a drink to share among their group. Although things get rowdy once in a while, its usually a family friendly, early evening.

5. Playa Chiquita

Playa Chiquita, also called Playita, is the small public beach just outside the Bahia Luperón entrance which is best visited at high tide. The beach has low trees offering shade, shallow water for wading, and a nice well-kept hiking trail on the north side. You'll often see cows grazing along the treeline, or wandering about in the sand. At night, locals and cruisers alike start a campfire, grill some fish or hot dogs, and share drinks and a lot of laughs.

6. Free Yoga at the Abandoned Yacht Club

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, a group of cruisers host a free 90 minute yoga session, beginning at 8:30 AM in the balcony of the abandoned yacht club. The yacht club hasn't been open for years, and is deteriorating, but the view from the balcony can't be beat. You overlook the beautiful bay and surrounding hillsides, with a mountain breeze as you enjoy a relaxing morning workout. Namaste!

7. Volunteering with the Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic - Luperón

This humanitarian organization in the DR helps abandoned cats and dogs find homes, educates folks about caring for their pets, and administers monthly free flea and tick clinics, among other things. The Luperón branch of the organization is run by Kim and Veronique, with a few regular volunteers. They are always looking for new help to run their clinics, transport dogs to the airport for adoption, or help on their farm. If you plan to stay in Luperon for any amount of time, reach out to Veronique on Wanderlust (I know, they stole our boat name! :) ) in the harbor, or contact the organization via their website, http://www.dogsandcatsdr-luperon.com/.

8. Sunday Flea Market and BBQ at Puerto Blanco Marina

The Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic Luperón organization hosts a flea market on Sundays at Puerto Blanco Marina. You are also welcome to set up a table to unload your treasures from the bilge, or you can donate your items to the DCDR table to be sold for their charity. Then, the marina restaurant fires up their large open flame BBQ pit for some yummy grilled chicken, spicy sausages, and pork fillets, complete with a few sides and a salad.

9. Hiking to the Blow Hole

If you take your dinghy outside the harbor to the opposite shore, you'll see a few small spits of sand where you can beach the tender and tie to a tree branch. From the beach, there's a set of stairs leading up to some beautifully manicured trails along the bluffsides. These trails wind through the forest for some gorgeous scenery, and lead to extensive caves, beautiful outlook points, some putting greens, and a blowhole. The trails were developed (we're guessing) by the housing development underway there. You'll see designated lots, but no houses built. If you follow the lots to zero, then take a trail on the left to the seaside, you can hear the blowhole before you reach it. The waves from the open ocean crash against the rocks and force water up through a hole, shooting it 15 feet like a geyser. Leave your cell phone at home, and enjoy a cool saltwater shower after your hike!

10. Rent a motorcycle

You'll soon find, motorcycles are the main mode of transportation in the DR. Few people drive cars, and even the taxis are motorcycles, dubbed motoconchos. You can rent a motorcycle, without a license or any experience, for about 500 pesos, or $10 USD per day to tour the tropical countryside, or visit all the beaches along the north coast. Ask the bartender, Watchi at Wendy's Bar, or Gary at Lazy Ass Bistro for the phone number of someone with a rental. Be aware that the bike will likely be almost out of gas, so your first stop should be the bomba, or gas station. Also, driving in the DR can be scary, and downright dangerous, so keep your wits, drive cautiously, and avoid the roads after dark. Finally, mind the muffler, or you'll end up with a Dominican tattoo!

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