El Limón Waterfall (Salto El Limón).

**From Las Terrenas:** about 25 km (45 minutes by car). **From Samaná town:** about 28 km (50 minutes by car). **From Las Galeras:** about 45 km (1.5 hours, scenic mountain road).

There are several parador entry points around El Limón village; the most established are El Café de Don Pedro, Rancho La Manigua, Rancho Español and Santi Rancho. All offer guides, horses and parking. Most tour operators will pick you up from your hotel.

Allow about 3 hours total. After signing in at the parador, you walk or ride about 30–45 minutes through cacao, banana and palm groves, crossing two small rivers. The path is muddy in places — water shoes or hiking sandals beat sneakers.

You arrive at the top of a stairway that descends to the pool. Spend 30–60 minutes swimming in the cool water under the cascade, then return the same way. Lunch (Dominican criollo plate, included in most tour prices) is served back at the parador.

**Best months:** December to May. The waterfall is impressive all year, but dry-season trails are easier.

**Bring:** swimsuit (worn under your clothes), quick-dry shorts and shirt, water shoes or hiking sandals, a small towel, sun protection, mosquito repellent, a dry bag for phone and camera, and Dominican peso cash for the parador tip.

**Skip:** flip-flops, regular sneakers in the wet season, valuables you'd be sad to drop in the river.