If you’re considering the Waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata as your Virgin Voyages shore excursion, let me start here: I am not a thrill seeker. I basically get nauseous looking at a roller coaster. Thank you, inner ear. And I still did this — and genuinely enjoyed it.
I would rate the waterfalls themselves about a 5 out of 10 for intensity. It’s adventurous, yes. But it’s not extreme. The only part that felt like an 8 (for me personally) was the optional 40-foot jump at the last waterfall — and I confidently walked up there, looked down, said “no thanks,” and took the ladder instead. Zero regrets.
If you’re planning your day in port, also see my full review of the Puerto Plata Cruise Port Guide: What to Do at Taino Bay to decide how to split your time between adventure and exploring.
The Waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata are a series of natural waterfalls located about 30–40 minutes from the cruise port in the Dominican Republic.
There are up to 27 waterfalls depending on conditions, but most cruise excursions take you through a smaller section. We did four, and honestly, it felt like the perfect amount. Enough adventure to feel accomplished. Not so much that you’re questioning your life choices halfway through.
This is not a scenic “stand and look” experience. You are actively moving through the landscape:
Sliding down smooth rock formations
Jumping (optional) into natural pools
Swimming through canyon water
Hiking jungle trails
And once you reach that first waterfall, you’re in water the rest of the time.
It’s guided, structured, and very organized — which I appreciated. If you’re visiting independently, you cannot enter without a certified guide anyway. After doing it, I would absolutely recommend having one.
If you’re staying overnight in the area, you can find hotels near Puerto Plata here to make it an easy morning adventure before heading to the falls.
After getting off the ship at Taino Bay, we boarded an open-air bus to head toward the waterfalls.
And honestly? The open-air bus was fun. It felt like the adventure started immediately.
The drive is about 30–40 minutes and mostly straight. As someone who gets car sick thinking about winding mountain roads, I was relieved. No dramatic curves. No nausea.
If you’re not cruising and are exploring the Dominican Republic independently, renting a car makes this much easier — you can check rental options here — but remember, you’ll still need a certified guide at the waterfalls.
When you arrive, lockers are the first stop.
They are very clear: put everything inside.
Watches. Jewelry. Sea-Bands. Anything that could fall off. If it comes off in the water, it is gone forever.
They strap your locker key to your life vest so your belongings stay secure.
They provide:
Helmet
Life jacket
Water shoes
Bottled water
I brought my own water shoes because I already have a pair I love, but you’re covered if you don’t.
If you’re a thirsty person like me, ask for two waters. Just know you’ll carry them during the hike.
This is not a casual stroll.
There are stairs. It’s humid. You will sweat.
I work out 3–4 days a week doing HIIT and weight lifting, so this hike was not hard for me. Are there quite a few stairs? Yes. Is it uphill in sections? Yes. Would I label it hard? No.
I’d rate the hike about a 5 out of 10 for difficulty.
If uneven ground or stairs are tough for you, this may not be the excursion. But if you’re reasonably active, you’ll be fine.
I wore my swimsuit for the hike. I had shorts on during the bus ride but removed them once we started walking. I felt completely fine in just my suit.
Hair tip: you must wear a helmet. I wore braids. If you’re a top-bun girl, today is not your day.
Once you reach the first waterfall, you’re in it.
Waterfall 1: Short but steep slide. You go underwater longer than expected. Not scary. Just surprising. The water is brisk. Like “okay I’m awake now” brisk.
Waterfall 2: Gentler slide. You pop right back up.
Waterfall 3: The big decision.
You have options:
Jump 40 feet (big energy)
Take the long slide (a little aggressive but controlled)
Use the ladder (my personal choice, zero shame)
There was zero pressure from the guides. They explain exactly how to sit, slide, and land at each station. It felt controlled and safe the entire time.
Waterfall 4: Final easy slide before heading back.
Would I do the Waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata again? Yes. Especially with someone who hasn’t done it before. It feels very Dominican Republic and not like something you could do anywhere.
If you’re comparing excursions, you can book a guided version of the Waterfalls of Damajagua here to see current tour options and inclusions.
After hiking and swimming, lunch hits. And you are hungry. It’s an authentic Dominican-style meal — simple, local, and exactly what you want after being active.
Here’s what stood out:
Cabbage and beet salad mixed with mayonnaise, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. Everything local. Creamy but fresh, with a slight sweetness from the beets.
I did not expect to love the cabbage salad this much, but I did.
Rice cooked together with beans so the flavors blend throughout. Simple. Filling. Exactly what your body wants after climbing jungle stairs.
Stronger than jalapeño. Extremely spicy. Approach with caution.
Made with rum, wine, honey, and medicinal wood. The original version dates back to the Taíno people.
It tasted warm and spiced — almost cinnamon-like. Locals actually drink it. Many keep a bottle at home and refill it when it runs low.
It’s part drink, part tradition, part jungle potion. Try it.
They also take photos and videos throughout the experience and give you a link at the end to download them. I appreciated not worrying about my phone the entire time.
You can absolutely look cute. Just be strategic. You will be fully wet. There is no avoiding it.
Practical tips:
Swimsuit from the start
Avoid white if sliding down rocks worries you
Secure water shoes with grip
Leave jewelry on the ship
Bring your own towel
Bring a change of clothes if exploring after
You cannot bring your phone unless it’s in a waterproof bag and secured to you. I recommend a waterproof action camera if you want your own footage.
If you’re planning to explore downtown afterward, learn more in my post about the Self Guided Walking Tour Puerto Plata Dominican Republic for easy stops nearby.
Short answer: yes.
You wear a helmet and life jacket. Guides are stationed at every waterfall. Instructions are clear.
There was zero pressure to jump.
It felt adventurous — not reckless.
If you are reasonably active and comfortable in water, you will likely feel fine.
Cruise excursions are not cheap.
But you’re paying for:
Transportation
Certified guides
Structured safety
A unique experience
When you book through Virgin Voyages, the ship knows where you are if delays happen. That peace of mind matters.
If I were staying in the Dominican Republic independently, I would absolutely book the Waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata again.
For me, it was worth it.
If you want a beach chair and zero movement, skip it.
If you want to experience a different side of the Dominican Republic — book it.
The Waterfalls of Damajagua in Puerto Plata are active. Memorable. Different.
And if I — inner-ear, anti-roller-coaster Wendy — can do it and enjoy it?
You probably can too.
Just wear the right swimsuit and say yes to the cabbage salad.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
