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Constanza is a mountain town located in a beautiful circular valley, 90 km south of Santiago de los Caballeros. Created by a meteor millions of years ago, and named after a mystical indigenous princess, this fertile valley has been a hotbed of farming since the Tainos indigenous first inhabited the Dominican Republic thousands of years ago.
Constanza is certainly worth a visit for its unique climate, outstanding mountainous landscapes, agricultural miracles and some of the most beautiful sunsets in the Caribbean. For eco-tourism lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, this is the ultimate destination with a multitude of waterfalls, hiking trails and opportunities to participate in horseback riding, mountain biking and camping.
In addition to traditional Dominican agricultural products, this is where strawberries, raspberries, apples and an incredible variety of flowers are grown. At an altitude of 1,150 meters (almost 3800 feet) above sea level, the average daily temperature in Constanza is only 16 degrees Celsius. This special climate allows vegetation that requires a cooler climate to grow in abundance, and the hard working Constanza farmers take full advantage of this opportunity, thereby providing products that are hard to come by in other Caribbean countries.
Las Pirámides, marking the exact center of Hispaniola can be found 18 kilometers south of Constanza. Also, one of Constanza’s main attractions is its proximity to the tallest mountain in de Caribbean, Pico Duarte with a height of 3,175 meters (10,414 feet). There are various routes that allow you to reach the top, making this peak a great first choice for aspiring mountaineers. Aguas Blancas waterfall is the attraction closest to town.
A Japanese colony (Colonia Japonesa) is located nearby Constanza. Generalissimo Rafael L. Trujillo, the infamous dictator who ruled the Dominican Republic for more than 3 decades, invited Spanish, Hungarian, Lebanese, Jewish and Japanese nationals to the Dominican Republic in the hope they would boast the nation’s economic development and to bring "lighter-skinned genes" to his country's bloodline. Many of these immigrants soon moved on to South American countries like Brazil and Argentina, but a relatively large number of Japanese immigrants decided to stay. The spectacular agricultural development resulting from their hard work far exceeded anyone’s expectation and can’t be missed while travelling through this region.
Getting there
By car: Renting a good 4x4 vehicle from Santo Domingo or Santiago is a fine option when you want to be independent. From Santo Domingo or Santiago, drive on DR-1 Highway, taking exit near Bonao for road 12. Alternatively, exit near La Vega for road to Jarabacoa and then Constanza. Driving can be challenging, but really worth the effort.
By public transportation: Caribe Tours offers bus services that run between Santo Domingo or Santiago and Jarabacoa. From Jarabacoa you take a taxi to Constanza. Alternatively, again with Caribe Tours you can travel to Bonao, from where you should look for a guagua (local bus) to Constanza (ask the Caribe Tours driver to drop you at the "parada para Constanza").
Tours and excursions
Constanza is a great starting point to explore the nearby mountain areas. Pico Duarte (3,175 m) is the highlight of Parque Nacional Jose del Carmen Ramirez, located south of the Cordillera Central. Jarabacoa is the best place to go when you want to partake in an exciting outdoor adventure like rafting, mountain biking or canyoning. Remains at Piedras Letreadas feature Indian rock carvings that recreate the life and habits of the Taino civilization.
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