River tubing in the Dominican Republic

[IslandRedneck]

Hello all.

I am planning to visit DR soon and would appreciate any info on river tubing options. My goal is to see the DR culture/environment I've heard so much about, while enjoying my favorite pasttime from my origins in Texas - river tubing. Information in guidebooks and online is sparse at best.

Specifically, where can one find a stretch of river that can be navigated by inner tube over the course of a few hours? I'd like to rent lodging for a few weeks in a region that would be a good base for this type of activity, and Jarabacoa seems to be where I should set up camp (?). Although I've read elsewhere that pollution is a concern?

Having plenty of mass tourism, organized excursions, and beaches where I now reside in Hawaii, I am keen to avoid such things if possible. Our group will have two rental cars for logistical purposes, so that's not a problem. Any advice at all would be much appreciated.

Gracias in advance,

-Kevin

[Russ Offord]

Hey Kevin...

You will be pleased to know that Jarabacoa is very low on mass tourism, organized excursions, and beaches... in my opinion.

There 'are' a couple hotels in the city that organize rafting / horse riding / rappelling excursions to eco-tourists.  On an average day during peak tourist seasons, you can usually see a Daihatsu truck or some sort of modified school bus or  on the road going out of 'town' with a group of tourists during peak tourist seasons.

As far as rafting goes, it is very easy to go to a local 'gomeria' and round up some used inner tubes, patched and filled with air for a very reasonable fee... The only trick is getting them to the Yaque river, which may require a couple trips with a small mini van!

Pollution is not a big concern to me.  A chlorine filled pool is probably not any better for your body than the Yaque river in Jarabacoa.  D.R. rivers seem very polluted in my opinion, relative to N. American rivers to which you may be accustomed. However, starting within town is probably a little worse than just before the town.

I once started my tubing excursion near a barrio called "La Poza" in behind the Esso station.  The trip is exciting with a wide variety of slow to medium and faster currents.  If some participants feel that a certain stretch is 'too risky' for them, they could walk along the shore for a bit.  This exact trip would end a "La Confluencia" where the Yaque and Jimenoa rivers converge.  It is also a nice shallow beach area where people can relax and load up the truck.

This trip is about 3.5km (2.2 miles) and it takes about an hour I believe.

Russ.

[IslandRedneck]

Thanks Russ!

That's just the sort of info I was looking for! I'm guessing the Esso station is an easy landmark so I'll try that first. If you can think of any other spots to drop in at to make the journey a tad longer, I'm all ears. And if you actually live in the area and feel like knockin' back a couple beers on the river when we come thru, lemme know!

Mahalo,

-Kevin

[Russ Offord]

Hey Kevin,

I know your post was quite a while back... but did you ever get to go tubing down the Yaque?

Russ.