San José de Ocoa

Region: Sur / Valdesia · Best season: Todo el año

Tourist sites · San José de Ocoa

Province in the south of the Dominican Republic, on the foothills of the Cordillera Central (Valdesia sub-region), known as the "Treasure of the Guayacán". A land of mountains, rivers and high-altitude coffee, with a cool climate ideal for ecotourism, hiking and quiet getaways.

Practical guide

Best season

All year; the climate is cool in the mountains and pleasant in the valley. December to April is drier and clearer; from May to November the rivers and waterfalls carry more water, although rain is more frequent.

Things to do

Relax in La Libertad Park and the center of San José de Ocoa
House of Memories of Father Luis Quinn
Coffee Route through La Horma, Los Martínez and Rancho Arriba
A dip at the Aguas Blancas of Rancho Arriba and the Salto de La Ciénaga
Cave of the Indians and the Salto de Parra
Hikes and views from Loma de Tatón and the Jigüey Dam

What to pack

Light clothing and a light jacket for the mountains Comfortable walking shoes Swimsuit and towel for rivers and waterfalls Sunscreen Cash (RD$) for farms and markets

How to get there

San José de Ocoa is about 2.5 hours from Santo Domingo: take the Autopista del Sur to Baní and then head north. The nearest airport is Las Américas (SDQ) in Santo Domingo.

Car rental

The province has no airport, so rent a car in Santo Domingo (SDQ). A car lets you explore Rancho Arriba, La Horma and the river spots; an SUV helps on the rural mountain roads. Distances are short but the roads are winding.