REVIEW · PUERTO PLATA
Adventure Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkey House in Puerto Plata
Book on Viator →Operated by Jonathan Tours · Bookable on Viator
Two hours later, you’re in waterfall country. This tour pairs Damajagua Waterfalls with Monkeyland squirrel monkeys, then wraps up with a typical Dominican lunch in Puerto Plata.
I love the water part most: you’ll swim (and possibly jump) in Damajagua’s famous waterfall system with 27 crystal-clear drops through the jungle. I also like the Monkeyland stop, where you spend about an hour getting close to friendly squirrel monkeys in a guided, safe, educational setting.
The one real consideration is that the day depends on good weather, and you should have moderate physical fitness for paths, stairs, and getting in and out of the water.
In This Review
- Key things that make this tour worth your time
- How the 6–7 Hour Waterfall + Monkey Day Flows
- Damajagua Waterfalls: 27 drops, swim time, and the thrill option
- What I’d watch for at Damajagua
- Monkeyland Squirrel Monkeys: close-up wildlife with rules that keep it safe
- How to get more out of the Monkeyland hour
- Puerto Plata lunch: a proper break, not an afterthought
- Getting picked up with Jonathan Tours: the safety factor you can feel
- Price and value: why $100 makes sense for this combo
- Timing, weather, and who should book this
- Who this tour suits best
- Should you book Adventure Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkey House?
- FAQ
- How long is the Damajagua and Monkeyland tour?
- Is pickup and transportation included?
- What’s included in the price?
- Do I need tickets ahead of time?
- What can I do at Damajagua Waterfalls?
- What’s included at Monkeyland?
- Is this tour affected by weather?
Key things that make this tour worth your time

- Damajagua’s 27 waterfalls give you more variety than a single waterfall stop
- Swim and slide time makes it feel like an active adventure, not just a photo stop
- Monkeyland’s squirrel monkey interaction is guided and focused on behavior and safety
- Lunch in Puerto Plata is included, so you don’t have to hunt for food between stops
- Transport with Jonathan Tours is part of the package, and safety-minded service is a strong theme
How the 6–7 Hour Waterfall + Monkey Day Flows

This is the kind of Puerto Plata day I like: one big nature hit, one wildlife encounter, then a break to eat. Plan on about 6 to 7 hours total, with three main moments that each take the right amount of time—short enough to keep energy high, long enough to actually do something.
The rhythm matters. You start with Damajagua while you’re fresh, then move on to Monkeyland for a calmer (but still exciting) one-hour interaction. By the time you reach Puerto Plata for lunch, you’ve earned it and you’ll be ready to slow down.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Puerto Plata.
Damajagua Waterfalls: 27 drops, swim time, and the thrill option
Damajagua is the headline. You’re heading into a jungle setting where the waterfall system is made up of 27 crystal-clear waterfalls descending through lush tropical vegetation. The magic here is variety: rather than seeing one cascade, you get a sequence of water moments that feel like a natural adventure course.
You’ll have about 30 minutes at Damajagua with admission included. That time is meant for getting wet and playing in the pools—swimming is part of the plan, and there’s also the option to jump from different heights if you’re feeling adventurous. Even if jumping isn’t your style, the pools and the moving water still deliver that wow factor.
One practical note: the short time at the falls is a good thing, but it also means you should come ready. If you spend the first part just changing and waiting around, the best water moments can slip by fast.
What I’d watch for at Damajagua
- Footing: paths and wet areas can be slippery, so you’ll want solid footwear or whatever the guide recommends
- Water comfort: you’ll be spending real time in and around water, so plan accordingly
- Energy management: 30 minutes goes quickly—keep your head in the moment
Monkeyland Squirrel Monkeys: close-up wildlife with rules that keep it safe

After the adrenaline of Damajagua, Monkeyland shifts the mood. You’ll meet and interact with squirrel monkeys in their space, and you’ll have about 1 hour here with admission included. What makes this stop more than a quick photo sprint is the guided element—there’s time to learn about their behavior, not just to stand there and hope for something cute.
The interaction is described as safe and educational, which matters because monkeys can be unpredictable anywhere you go. Having local guidance and a structured setup helps you enjoy the experience without feeling like you’re doing something risky or chaotic.
Also, this is one of the best “value” parts of the day. Wildlife encounters can be expensive and oddly timed. Here, the monkey hour sits right in the middle of the tour, which is exactly when you’re likely to have the attention span for learning—and the flexibility to enjoy the moment.
How to get more out of the Monkeyland hour
- Pay attention to instructions before you approach the monkeys
- Keep your interaction calm so the experience stays comfortable for both you and them
- Aim for observation as much as touching or posing
Puerto Plata lunch: a proper break, not an afterthought

Between the water and the monkeys, you’ll head to Puerto Plata for a typical Dominican lunch. This stop is about 1 hour, and it includes transportation back toward your pickup point plus a homemade-style meal. Even if you’re not a big foodie, it’s a smart design: you’re fed and you’re not scrambling for a restaurant while everyone else is still sweaty and excited.
The lunch is also where the day becomes more comfortable. After active time outside, having a scheduled meal keeps things from turning into decision fatigue.
Getting picked up with Jonathan Tours: the safety factor you can feel

A lot of day tours in Puerto Plata are really about the schedule, and the schedule only works if transport runs cleanly. This experience includes transport, and it’s handled by Jonathan Tours.
In the local chatter around Jonathan, a consistent theme is that he stays on time, focuses on safety, and keeps things relaxed. You’ll hear him referred to with the nickname Big Bad Jon, and the vibe is basically: dependable driver, good local know-how, and no last-minute surprises.
That matters because Damajagua and Monkeyland both benefit from getting there in the right order. If transport is shaky, your whole day can feel rushed.
Price and value: why $100 makes sense for this combo

At $100 per person, the price looks straightforward, but the real question is what you actually get for it.
You’re not just paying for the two attractions. Your package includes:
- Transport
- A professional guide
- A security team
- Entries to Damajagua and Monkeyland
- Typical Dominican lunch
- Bottled water
When attractions are separate and you have to buy tickets and figure out how to move between them, costs add up fast. Here, the structure is built for a full day, so the money goes toward access and guidance, not just driving you somewhere.
One thing to keep in mind: photographs and videos aren’t included, and personal expenses are on you. If you like getting lots of visual souvenirs, plan a little extra so you’re not stuck deciding at the worst possible time.
Timing, weather, and who should book this

This tour runs daily during the listed operating window (Monday through Sunday) and the activity hours are shown as 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM, so you should be able to pick a departure time that fits your day. Your exact schedule still depends on timing on the ground, but you’re not locked into one tiny window.
The bigger condition is weather. This experience requires good weather and can be canceled or adjusted if conditions aren’t right. That’s normal for waterfall days, and it’s worth taking seriously. If you’re only in town for a short time, consider booking early so you have options if the forecast turns.
Physical fitness is the other consideration. You’re advised to have moderate physical fitness. That doesn’t mean you need to be an athlete, but you should expect uneven ground, steps, and water activity. If you have mobility issues, ask how the route is handled and whether the water portion can be adjusted.
Who this tour suits best
- People who want one action-heavy nature stop and one wildlife stop in the same day
- Visitors who like guided experiences where safety is part of the plan
- Families and groups with enough energy for water time and a full lunch break after
Should you book Adventure Damajagua Waterfalls and Monkey House?

I’d book it if you want a Puerto Plata day that mixes real water fun with a guided monkey encounter, without turning the schedule into a stress test. The $100 price feels fair because it covers transport, entry fees, lunch, and on-site support like a guide and a security team.
If you hate being outdoors in changing conditions, or you’re not comfortable with moderate physical demands, you might want to think twice. For most people, though, this is the right kind of combo day: you get muddy-fun waterfall energy in the morning, a calmer monkey hour after, and a proper Dominican meal before you head back.
FAQ
How long is the Damajagua and Monkeyland tour?
It’s listed as about 6 to 7 hours total.
Is pickup and transportation included?
Yes. Transport is included, and pickup is offered.
What’s included in the price?
The package includes transport, a professional guide, a security team, entries, typical Dominican lunch, and bottled water.
Do I need tickets ahead of time?
You’ll use a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at booking.
What can I do at Damajagua Waterfalls?
You’ll spend about 30 minutes there. You can swim, and there’s also the option to jump from different heights if you feel adventurous.
What’s included at Monkeyland?
You’ll spend about 1 hour at Monkeyland, meeting and interacting with squirrel monkeys while learning about their behavior in a safe and guided setup.
Is this tour affected by weather?
Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

























