Best things to do in El Valle
March/April 2024
El Valle is a beautiful secluded little village, just a 20 minute drive from Samaná. There is just one main road where you will find some restaurants, accomodations and a few very little supermarkets. You will not find any public transport here, but everything is walkable. And if you’re lazy you can always catch a ride with one of the locals! They are very friendly. It happened to me several times that I was walking around and somebody offered me a ride and I always felt safe.
Here is a list of the best things to do in El Valle
1. Playa El Valle
The only beach in El Valle but with an amazing view. All the times I visited this beach it was always very quiet and peaceful. Except for the ocean, there can be some really strong currents here so be careful!
There is one place at the beach where you can buy some food and drinks. Just a basic table with some chairs. Besides that you will find no facilities here, but that’s what gives this place it’s charm!
You can make a beautiful walk on the beach here, and there are enough spots to relax in the shadow.
To get to Playa El Valle just walk towards the end of the main road until you end up at the beach.
Click here for the Google Maps location.
When you walk to the end of the beach (all the way to the left) you will find a beautiful river (Rio San Juan) that flows into the sea. For swimming this is the ideal spot because the water is calm.
There is actually another hidden beach on the right side, but it’s only reachable when it’s lowtide and the water is calm since you will have to walk through the water. I wasn’t able to go there because the sea was rough.
2. Viewpoint Playa El Valle
An easy to reach, beautiful viewpoint. From here you will see the hidden beach on the right side which is only reachable when it’s lowtide and the ocean is calm.
To get to the viewpoint walk to the right side of the beach. You will see a spot with sand in the form of a half circle. Look for a little path that goes upward, it’s just a 5 minute hike to get up there.
3. Dominican Treehouse Village & Cascada Lulu
The Dominican Treehouse Village is an accommodation build with treehouses in the middle of nature. You don’t have to be a guest here to take a look. I haven’t stayed there, only walked through there to get to Cascada Lulu.
Click here for the Google Maps location of the Dominican Treehouse Village. There are signs on the road so it’s not hard to find.
Path through the Dominican Treehouse Village
Cascada Lulu used to be a beautiful waterfall. Unfortunately the waterfall isn’t flowing anymore. I was told that someone build a dam and cut off the water to the waterfall. It’s still a nice walk through nature and to see the treehouses and see where the waterfall used to be.
How to get to Cascada Lulu
Walk through the gate of the Dominican Treehouse Village and just follow the path. From the gate to Cascada Lulu is about a 20 minute walk. You will reach a sign that says: Only guests allowed. Just tell one of the employees you want to visit Cascada Lulu and it won’t be a problem.
You will reach a point where you have to step on stones that are in the water. After this you will pass a rope bridge on your left side.
Just keep walking straight and you will get to the place where the waterfall used to be.
If you hear strange noises, there is a zipline company nearby…
4. Cascada El Castaño
A beautifully located waterfall. The whole hike it was just me and nature (and a lot of mosquitos!). I had the waterfall all to myself, amazing and peaceful!
A few of the local people I asked about the waterfall told me I should’t go there alone but with a guide so I can’t get lost. I felt really confident so I did it by myself anyway…
There can sometimes be tours who take tourists to the waterfall with horses. You could see some of the horsetracks in the sand so I followed the tracks. Sometimes it was a little hard to spot the tracks because there isn’t sand everywhere and at some places you need to cross the river. I also filmed some landmarks just in case.
It was a bit exciting because if it would start to rain, it would wash away the horse tracks. There are several paths there so it is definitly possible to walk the wrong way.
How to get to Cascade El Castaño
It’s a 40-50 minute hike (one way), not hard. But you will need to walk through the water at some places so keep that in mind. From the main road you go to the street where the Pizzhorno restaurant is located. Keep walking straight untill you reach the river, cross the river and keep following the road.
See the first part of the route here.
You will reach a second river (there may be no water in dry season). Turn to the left at the second river. From here on there is not really a way to describe to path. If you see any of the locals, just ask them or see if there are horsetracks to follow just like I did.
But if you want to visit the waterfal with a guide, just ask around in town and there will be someone who can take you there by foot or by horse.
Luckily I found the place, and the hike to get there was amazing! I visited the waterfall when the rainy season started, there were so many mosquitos!
5. Cueva Arroyo Seco
This is a cave that’s on the same route as Cascada El Castaño. But to get to the cave don’t turn left at the second river, but just keep following the road straight. It’s best to ask the local people here how to get to the cave because you will not be able to find this by yourself. Besides you will have to go through a gate of a farmer who lives there.
When I was walking on the road I saw a guy on a motorcycle and asked him about the cave. He offered me a ride and took me to the cave. He also had to ask some people how to get there. It’s not a hard road, but it’s hidden away. I was grateful that he offered me a ride, because of the rain the road was completely muddy with big pools. After visiting the cave, he dropped me off back at my Airbnb, he lived across the street.
Take a flashlight with you so you can explore the cave. By the way, it’s filled with so many bats!
Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures. All the people were really friendly, but I’m still a foreign little solo traveling girl in a remote area so I’m just conscious about taking out my expensive GoPro camera.
6. Restaurants
El Valle is a really small village, but there are still some great places where you can eat.
Don Piron
Here you can have a delicious Dominican dinner. When I visited Don Piron there was not really a menu available, just 1 dish of the day with some variations of vegetables to choose. I think in high season they do have a menu available with more to offer, because I saw some pictures online. But I’m not really picky about my food so it wasn’t a problem for me. I just wanted to eat traditional Dominican food and it was delicious!
Click here for the Google Maps location.
Salvaje
Great place to eat affordable good breakfast or lunch.
Click here for the Google Maps location and check out their menu here.
El Valle Lodge
A bit more expensive, but the most beautiful location in El Valle to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner. The also rent out beautiful nature lodges, but you don’t have to be a guest to eat here. I had breakfast here 2 times, and you will get a good varied extensive breakfast.
It’s also a nice place to hike around in nature and explore the area.
Click here for the Google Maps location.
Otty & Mayra
Otty and Mayra are the people I rented an Airbnb from the second time I stayed in El Valle. From all the places I have eaten in the Dominican Republic, Mayra was the best cook. She prepared me delicious Dominican dinner during my stay there. Everyday something different. They have their own vegetable garden.
They have a tiny supermarket and next to it is a place where you can sit and eat. Otty also sells some souvenirs and makes beautiful oil paintings which you can buy here.
It’s not like a typical restaurant because from the outside you can’t see it’s a place to eat. Here is also no menu, just the dish of the day. There is just a basic plastic table with some chairs.
Diagonally opposite the Dominican Treehouse Village you will see a tiny supermarket and a roof with a red sail. That’s the place. Just ask about the food and tell them Chanelva (little dutch girl) send you:)
The location is somewhere over here. Otty and Mayra both speak English by the way.