El Limon Waterfall: Experience the Magic of the Dominican Republic’s Nature

In addition to the beach and palm trees, there are also cool places in the Dominican Republic. El Limon waterfall in the jungle of the Samana Peninsula in the north of the country is one of these places. A hike through the relict rainforest to one of the highest waterfalls in the Dominican Republic will greatly diversify your stay. And even people with poor physical fitness will be able to pass the route.

lemon waterfall — *56 meter El Limon and I swim in its waters. You can’t really see me, but you can see the waterfall perfectly!*

El Limon Waterfall

Next, you will learn everything you need to know to visit the waterfall, either on foot or as part of a horse-drawn excursion group. There will be all the necessary information that would be easy and simple to get to such a cool attraction of the Dominican Republic.

For a full list of the coolest attractions in the Dominican Republic, read a separate large article.

General facts about Lemon Waterfall

Very briefly, I will not reprint Wikipedia, but you should have an idea about this place.

El Limon’s height is 56 m
This is not the highest waterfall in the Dominican Republic, although tour sellers say so.
Lemon is the third highest waterfall in the country.
The first two: 121m and 83m are located in hard-to-reach places in the jungle, where a person can not reach. Therefore, El Limon is the highest of the Dominican Republic’s waterfalls, which can easily be reached by an ordinary traveler, even on their own.
The Lemon reaches its maximum fullness and beauty from May to September during the rainy season. But even in the dry season, it will not disappoint you. About the Dominican Republic season and weather.

Important:All photos from this article were taken at the end of February during the dry season.

waterfall in the dominican republic. — *56 meter Ale Lemon and I, almost like a bird, well, or a dolphin.*

Map of how to get to the Lemon Waterfall

Before giving a map, there is one important point: there are 4 hiking routes to the waterfall from different directions. All 4 are approximately the same length. But this article will include a report on the most important route.It is the simplest in terms of altitude differences and is considered the most beautiful. Since it is on this route that you approach the waterfall from the front and you will see such a view as in the photo.

On other routes, you will go to the Lemon Tree from the back.

view of el limon waterfall in the dominican republic — *This is the view of the El Limon Waterfall that opens from this route.*

El Limon Waterfall Map

Useful information:Download the free app to your phone maps.me, there you will find excellent maps of the Dominican Republic that work without the Internet. And there is this path to the Lemon Waterfall, which will help those who walk on their own.

The waterfall is located in the center of the Samana Peninsula.

Quick and easy access to the waterfall from: Las Galeras, Las Terenes, Samana city. But at the same time, tourists come here from all over the country, even from Punta Cana. And this is 5-6 hours in one direction. If you are going to go to the waterfall from afar and on the January-March calendar, you just need to have time to see humpback whales and walk to the Lemon Tree in one day.

Important to know:There is no public transport to Limon Waterfall. Only rent a car, taxi or excursion with the included transfer.

The easiest, most comfortable way of course — auto. Here is a huge article about renting a car in the Dominican Republic. It probably has all the necessary information and a million tips.

By taxi it will not be very expensive, $ 20-50, as you bargain, from Las Terenes — it is only 21 km away. If you are alone or together, without a car, you can consider a motorcycle taxi (motoconcho) from Las Terenes — it will be cheaper than a regular taxi. And there he will wait for you to take you back.

views on the way to the waterfall — *Views on the way to the waterfall. Just a bomb!*

How to get to the Lemon Waterfall by car

If you choose a taxi or motorcycle taxi, you will be brought to the entrance. If you are driving a car or on the same scooter, here’s what you need to know:

Parking is marked on the map above. Make sure to transfer the point to Yandex. Navigator correctly.
If you look closely with magnification, then from the exit from the highway to the parking lot is still 400 meters.
The exit from the highway is not marked at all. This is the usual gravel path through the village. Look carefully, we have passed twice. You can’t follow the signs without Navigator. By the way, so on all attractions, the Dominican Republic. This is their national problem — good navigation :).
We left the highway and all the time on the same road, there is no mistake, through the village to the parking lot.
Throughout the entire 400 meters, you will find a bunch of homemade signs and signs that this is where the official El Limon parking lot is located.
You need to go all the way to the end, to a dead end. There will be a parking lot, and the same homemade sign as everywhere else, and a ticket office. All that has happened before is that enterprising residents want to earn a pretty penny.

parking to the dominican republic waterfall — A serious organization, as you can see from the photo :). This is the parking lot marked on the map. The car is ours, and my wife and backpack are also mine. Exactly above the roof of the car is a sign that parking is official and paid, the larger photo will be below. The green house on the far right is the ticket office. And the road leading down into the darkness is the start of the route to El Limon. Don’t forget that this is one of the coolest attractions in the entire Dominican Republic. On other sites, everything is much worse.

The route and the waterfall itself. Tips and photos.

We parked the car and immediately bought entrance tickets. Please note that you can’t pay with your bank card here. Only cash, dollars, or pesos.

We withstood the initial and final onslaught from local guys that the road is heavy, dirty and you can’t walk and you need to take a horse. Give up, and go to the El Limon Waterfall. If you are interested in horses, I will give you further information.

waterfalls of the dominican republic — *Here is a small waterfall you will meet on the way. It’s not a Lemon yet, but it’s not far away. You can already hear El Lemon.*

What you need to know about tracking to the waterfall:

The route is only 2,200 meters long
Walking in one direction with stops for taking photos, drinking water, admiring the beauty of the jungle for 40-45 minutes
The total elevation difference and climb and descent is only 140 meters. Moreover, most of this difference is at the very end of the stairs.
The road to the waterfall, not perfect, but generally a well-trodden path. There is a little dirt, there are areas with stones.
My wife and I went through slantsy without any problems. In sneakers, it would be even better.
You also need to look carefully at your feet, and not at the sides, if you do not want to enter into horse manure. Tourists on horseback go the same way.

Important about shoes:There will be 4 fords across the river on this route. In slates passed and there are no questions, in sneakers you need to constantly remove them. If it’s not a pity to wet your sneakers, then it’s better to go in them.

ford on the way to the waterfall — *Such fords or fords are waiting for you on the way to Limon. Only 4 pieces.*

First impressions Wow! The waterfall is steep, you can swim, the time spent here is not limited. There are benches in the shade. The place is gentrified, but at the same time wild and right in the jungle. I personally think it’s one of the must-see places for everyone.

recreation area near the waterfall — *Recreation area with benches in the shade, right by the waterfall. This fog is caused by small droplets in the air from the waterfall.*

Recommendations

As without them, especially when you give them from the couch:

Take water and snacks with you
Bathing suits and a towel are required
On the way to the waterfall there is a mini bar / cafe in the jungle where you can buy water, cola, pineapple, coconut. If it works. This is such an institution made of metal sheets, sticks and cow cakes. The menu, working hours, and prices are not about them. If you’re lucky, they work; if you’re unlucky, they don’t work. Tranquila, amigo.
By the way, we were surprised that the water in the waterfall is not icy, but quite comfortable in temperature.

cafe on the mountain by the waterfall — *Actually, this is the cafe. And right behind it is the steepest view of the waterfall. Then a long descent down the stairs, 1 more ford and you are in place.*

Horseback riding to the Lemon Waterfall

At the entrance to the parking lot, you will also see how many paddocks there are and how many horses there are. You will definitely be offered a horse for rent at least 5 times. They will say that there is almost no road, there is dirt everywhere, stones and it is very difficult. All this is to lure you in.

The author’s personal opinion is that the horse can be taken in three cases::

It’s hard for you to walk and you’re afraid you won’t make it.
You are very fond of horses and have never ridden a horse, and you dream about it. Here you can really realize your dream.
Do you have any extra money

Each horse is assigned a boy (almost every one) who will lead it all the way under the bridle. Even if they tell you, and they do, that you only pay for the horse, the boy will also have to pay at the end. They try not to allow horses on the route without a driver.

About your physical fitness:If you have doubts about your physical fitness and have read other reports, which is difficult, think about this. A boy of 7-8 years old walks this route 3-4 times a day, while leading a horse with a tourist. Do you think you can make it on your own?

If you walk in one direction for about 45 minutes, then on a horse it is 25-30 minutes. And still the very last big descent down the steps to the waterfall you go yourself. Horses don’t reach 300-400 meters, they can’t go any further.

horseback riding to lemon waterfall — *Here we are already walking back, and towards us are local tourists on horses. On the calendar Sunday, a lot of local people who come here from all over the country.*

Price of horses for Lemon Waterfall

The standard fee is 20 USD. They take you there, wait there for an hour, and then go back. Bidding usually starts at 30-40 USD. You can bargain and go for 20 bucks. You don’t know how, over 30 :).

At the very end, you will be asked for a tip, such as for working as a teamster boy. On the one hand, at the very beginning you will be promised that$ 20 is for everything and no more surcharges. On the other hand, it is a child who does his job well. He leads the horse, even if you’ve never ridden before, there’s nothing to be afraid of. He circles difficult places and makes sure that the branches do not get into your face and eyes.

It is customary to give a child 10 USD for his work at the very end.

Total: expenses for 1 person, if you decide to ride a horse — about 30 USD.

is it fun to swim in lemon — *Waterfall and my wife and I, no one else. This photo shows the photographer’s wife. You don’t visit these places every day. Very cool!*

Opening hours, parking, ticket price for El Limon Waterfall

Here’s some dry but important information.

The cost of parking for 1 place is 100 pesos (2 USD). Pay after you get back.
The ticket price for entering Limon Park, whether on foot or on horseback, is 50 pesos (1 USD).
Operating mode: he’s gone. But since 8 am, a friend who sells tickets is already working.

parking to el limon waterfall — *Official price list for parking at the Lemon Waterfall. Everything is serious here!*

Useful to know:There are no gates or access points to the park. Even if you arrived earlier and no one is there. You can safely go to the waterfall, pay at the exit.

Tickets are sold until the hours of 16-17, as there is no exact time. But if you arrive in the evening, you need a flashlight.Since without it, going back if it gets dark, to put it mildly, is not very good.

waterfall tickets — *Here is a ticket given to everyone in exchange for 50 pesos. By the way, it is the cheapest tourist attraction in the country.*

Total: if you visit the El Limon Waterfall on foot, as my wife and I did, then our expenses were 100 pesos parking and 100 pesos two tickets = 200 pesos for two (just under 4 USD). And if we went on a horse, then to 4 USD we add two more times for 30, for each horse. A total of 64 USD per pair. Draw conclusions for yourself.

lemon street ticket sales office — In the photo above at the beginning of the article, there was a general view of the parking lot and there is a small green house in the corner. This is it, don’t pass it by — it’s a ticket office

El Limon Waterfall Guided Tour

Do you live far away? In Punta Cana or La Romano? Do you want to go to the waterfall? Yes, and there is no desire to bargain with the locals and get there yourself? There are options for cool excursions. This is especially cool for those who have a hotel in another part of the country.

Here you will find all excursions to the Limon Waterfall: El Limon Waterfall, Samana and Bacardi Island! Yes, and for the price, if you plan it all yourself, with the road and the transfer will be more expensive. And here everything is included.

Important to know:In the Dominican Republic, from the point of view of security, buy a tour from anyone you want, no one in the jungle will rob you or bury you.

Tip for the Perfect El Limon Waterfall Visit

This waterfall is very popular with tourists and Dominicans themselves. There are always quite a lot of people on the route and bathing in the waterfall itself. Especially on weekends and holidays, Dominicans from all over the country come here.

If you want a photo like we have, without anyone, come here by 8 am. We arrived at 8: 10 and were the first to enter the park. However, the ticket seller was still walking somewhere, and we have already moved on. But a minute later he caught up with us, we paid and we were given tickets.

lemon and his wife in the dominican republic — *Pay attention to the number of tourists in the photo.*

Our timings were: 45 minutes there, an hour and a half at the waterfall, and 45 minutes ago. When we went back, around 10: 30 in the morning, quite a lot of people were already walking/riding horses towards the waterfall. All the way back, 50 people passed by us.

In conclusion: El Limon Waterfall in the Dominican Republic, is considered to be its pearl. If you want to swim alone in a real waterfall in the jungle on the other side of the world, come by 8 am. This attraction is accessible to people with any physical fitness.

A full-flowing waterfall for you and fewer people in the photo!