Ecotourism In Gaspar Hernandez And Jamao Al Norte
The municipalities of Gaspar Hernández and Jamao al Norte, in the province of Espaillat, have a diversity of offers for lovers of mountain, river and beach tourism. In addition to these tourist offers, both have in common that their development depends on livestock and agriculture, including organic cocoa.
Gaspar Hernández is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Hermanas Mirabal province, to the east by María Trinidad Sánchez province, and to the west by Jamao al Norte, José Contreras and Puerto Plata.
It was founded on April 5, 1907, in a place called Canto La Ermita. Over the years, the population spread to the banks of the Joba River.
Gaspar Hernández is named after the priest of the same name who was a faithful collaborator of Juan Pablo Duarte. The religious man was prominent in the struggle for the separation of Haiti.
Its municipal districts are Joba Arriba and Veragua, as well as two sections: Ojo de Agua and Magante. In the Municipal District of Veragua a large amount of banana, corn, cassava and sweet potato is produced.
While the district of Joba Arriba is the largest producer of cocoa, with one of the largest cocoa growers associations in the country. Its population is approximately 45 thousand inhabitants.
The rivers and streams that originate in the Septentrional mountain range are of short extension and little flow, among them the Joba and its tributaries, the Venus and Río Piedras, which flow into the Atlantic.
Its lower parts are located in the plains near the Sabaneta de Yásica River, the mouth of Oris and the Atlantic Ocean.
A characteristic in its favor is that it is located in the center of the provinces of Puerto Plata, Duarte, María Trinidad Sánchez, and Espaillat.
Gaspar Hernandez Attractions
Among the attractions of this municipality are the Boulevard del Pescado in Gaspar Hernandez, also among the most beautiful places is Rogelio Beach, located in Villa Magante.
If you love fish and seafood and you like beaches, nothing compares to this place.
Around the surroundings of Gaspar Hernandez you will find more than a dozen restaurants that offer local food based on fish and seafood, as well as enjoy a pristine beach, a family atmosphere and a safe environment.
Following the creation of the Espaillat ecotourism cluster in 2016, several activities have been carried out to promote the development of the province, including the creation of the first company in charge of marketing the ecotourism attractions called Jamao Ecotours, which is offering different routes for the delight and enjoyment of adventure activities.
Jamao al Norte
This municipality is located in the northwestern part of the Espaillat province. It is bordered to the east by the municipality of Gaspar Hernández, to the south by the municipality of Moca and to the north and east by the province of Puerto Plata.
The origin of this municipality dates back to the end of the 17th century. Its name comes from its location, since the town is on the north bank of the Jamao River. Its population is around 40 thousand inhabitants.
Jamao al Norte was declared a municipal district on May 15, 1981, and then was elevated to the category of municipality on May 25, 2001.
It benefits from agricultural exploitation, such as banana, coffee, yucca and avocado, as well as chicken raising for the meat and egg trade. It also lives from remittances and mountain tourism.
In Jamao to the north there are many ecotourism excursions since this site has many natural resources and attractions, such as the 10 kilometers trip along the Jamao River, with different stops where you can enjoy the beauty of the landscape and its waters, a unique activity in the Dominican Republic of three and four hours.
Other attractions are the Tinajones Trail, composed of caves, waterfalls and pools in the form of jars, while in Rapel, in the Magic Mushroom you can release adrenaline by descending waterfalls over 30 feet high.
There is also the Las Caobas Trail, where you can discover the culture, crafts, and beautiful puddles such as the Aposento, Cuba, Los Huesos, while in Cola de Pato, one of the most impressive places, you can go on an extreme excursion, surrounded by a particular beauty.
In the Arroyo Frio Canyon, you can enjoy an adventure in an extreme tour that lasts six hours through the heart of a virgin canyon with more than 18 waterfalls and 60 pools, all of an impressive turquoise color.
These attractions are accompanied by a friendly treatment by specialized guides and an empowered community to make the adventure unforgettable.
The communities of Jamao al Norte and Gaspar Hernández have sufficient natural resources to allow for important tourism development for the country.