Bonao
Region: Cibao Sur / Monseñor Nouel · Best season: Todo el año
Tourist sites · Bonao
Capital of Monseñor Nouel province, in the southern Cibao at the foot of the Cordillera Central. Known as an ecotourism province for its rivers and natural pools, its high-altitude coffee farms (Atabey Coffee Route), the Saltos de Jima Natural Monument, the Hatillo dam and a deeply rooted popular carnival.
Practical guide
Best season
All year. The climate is pleasant in the mountains and warm in the valley; December to April is drier and cooler, ideal for rivers and trails. From May to November the waterfalls carry more water, though rain is more frequent. The Bonao Carnival takes place in February.
Things to do
- Swim and hike at the Saltos de Jima Natural Monument
- Atabey Coffee Route through the mountain communities of Monseñor Nouel
- Río Fula and its crystal-clear natural pools
- Walk along the Hatillo dam and the Rincón reservoir
- Tubing on the Yuna River and canyoning
- Bonao Carnival and the town square
What to pack
How to get there
Bonao is about 1 hour 20 minutes from Santo Domingo and 1.5 hours from Santiago via the Duarte Highway (Autopista Duarte). It has no airport; the nearest are Cibao International (STI) in Santiago and Las Américas (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.
Car rental
Rent a car at Cibao airport (STI) or in Santo Domingo. A car is handy to reach the Saltos de Jima, the Río Fula and the Hatillo dam; an SUV helps on the coffee trails and rural mountain roads.
Hotels & resorts
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