What to Do in Constanza

Constanza is a municipality in the Dominican Republic that is located in the province of La Vega, in the centre of the country. Located 1,200 metres above sea level, Constanza is the town with the highest elevation in the entire island of Hispaniola. Although it’s small, Constanza is undoubtedly one of the most charming towns in the Caribbean thanks to its attractions, its colourful streets and, above all, the beautiful landscapes, which in recent years have earned it the nickname of “The Switzerland of the Caribbean”. Find out why!

History of Constanza

In order to get to know the town of Constanza in the Dominican Republic, it’s important to delve into its history, since this area was nothing more than a very sparsely populated valley until well into the 20th century, due to how difficult it was to access from other areas. Throughout the 18th century, the first explorers began to arrive, bringing with them agricultural developments and livestock with the first cows and the first horses brought here by the settlers, which allowed the area to experience a small economic boom and, therefore, an improvement in its accessibility. It’s interesting how the livestock that appeared in the area evolved to adapt to the environment. In the case of Constanza, new breeds emerged that are still being bred to this day: a native dwarf variety of cattle and horses unlike any others in the world. 

How to get to Constanza

It is precisely the inaccessibility of this city in the past that led to an airport being built in its vicinity. This airport, called Constanza Domestic Airport, currently only operates domestic flights on the island, meaning it’s possible to find tickets for planes that fly here from Santo Domingo. Another option is to access it by road from the capital, Santo Domingo. The journey is 150 kilometres and due to the type of road, the trip can take anywhere from between two and a half to three hours. A good option is to rent a car or hire a taxi service to get here as quickly as possible. The slowest option, albeit the cheapest, is to take the bus. They leave from Santo Domingo relatively frequently, but it’s a good idea to get on the first one to avoid unnecessary waits. You can also reach Constanza from other cities in the Dominican Republic such as Jarabacoa and Santiago. In the latter, you can find the Cibao International Airport, located just two hours from Constanza, which is one of the most common ways of accessing this area directly from outside the country.

What to do in Constanza

Once you get to Constanza, you’ll see that the climate is totally different from other places like Playa Bávaro. Its high altitude causes the thermal sensation to drop considerably and it can even feel cold, so you should always bring some warm clothing such as a jumper or jacket that can protect you and prevent you from falling ill, especially during the less sunny times of year. Throughout the day, you’ll see how the temperatures range from 5ºC to 25º, so it’s important that you are prepared for the different times of day. 

When you’ve already acclimated to the cooler environment in Constanza, make sure to really take a good look around and take in the wonderful views that are so different from those the Dominican Republic is known for. The extensive valleys covered with vegetation and the areas dedicated to farming will make you fall in love with this other side of the country, far from the endless beaches and crystal clear waters. Without a doubt, it’s the best way to continue exploring the ins and outs of the Dominican Republic through one of its best hidden treasures. For example, did you know that this is one of the country’s key farming areas? In its fields, you can admire the potato crops, corn, carrots, cauliflower, garlic and even strawberries. If you have the chance to visit Constanza and the Dominican Republic in season, take the opportunity to taste some of the island’s authentic strawberries, we can assure you that each bite will be full of flavour, and don’t forget to buy delicious jams made with the fruit grown in the area. Not only will you see fruits and vegetables being grown, but the fields in Constanza are overflowing with flowers that fill the landscapes with colour as far as the eye can see.

All of these attractions make Constanza the go-to place among those who love nature tourism and adventures, who come here to spend a few incredible days. From the rocky mountains that form the valley to the native flora and fauna, you’ll find unique treasures that make the Dominican Republic such a rich place to visit, where you can enjoy nature in a way you’ve never experienced it before. 

In the vicinity of Constanza you can visit the Valle Nuevo Scientific Reserve, which in addition to incredible landscapes and a wide variety of native plant and animal species, is also home to El Alto de Bandera, one of the peaks best known by mountaineers in the country, and El Salto de Aguas Blanca, an impressive waterfall where you can go for a refreshing swim.

You also shouldn’t miss any of the classic places within the field of ecotourism such as the Armando Bermúdez National Park, with its beautiful savannah, and José del Carmen Ramírez, where the highest peak in the Antilles is located, called El Pico Duarte that rises up more than 3,175 metres above sea level.

Among the most common excursions is a visit to El Niño Redentor de Constanza by horseback, which is a monument to the Christ Child; or you can go bird watching in any of the natural parks in the area or go hiking in the Valle del Tetero. The question will be where to begin!

When you want to rest and take a break, on weekends the streets in the centre of Constanza come alive thanks to the small bars and restaurants you can find here. Of course, it’s a great opportunity to taste the local products that are harvested in the valley’s fields. The pizzas here are also very famous among the locals. 

As you can see, this area can offer you a very different vision of the country. Will you decide to visit Constanza in the Dominican Republic on your next holiday?