What to See in Bonao

Bonao is one of the many municipalities that are worth a visit on your next holidays in the Dominican Republic. It is located inland, in the province of Monsignor Nouel, and is one of the oldest and most historic areas in the country. Do you want to know what you can find in the so-called “Villa de las Hortensias” or Town of Hydrangeas?

How to get to Bonao

Bonao is not directly connected to the main cities in the Dominican Republic, or from the most important tourist areas. From Playa Bávaro in Punta Cana, you can take a bus to Santo Domingo, and from there take another bus that will drop you in La Vega. If you make the trip from Santo Domingo, you will only have to do this last part of the journey, since Bonao is closer to the capital than to Punta Cana. Once you are in La Vega, the best alternative is to use a taxi service that can take you closer to Bonao, since it’s about 37 kilometres from here. The trip from Playa Bávaro by bus will take you about six hours and from Santo Domingo, two and half hours.

Without a doubt, the easiest option to get here is by taxi or rental car to avoid having to change buses in order to reach Bonoa. This will significantly reduce the time it takes to get here from Playa Bávaro, needing only three and a half hours to travel the 290 kilometres that separate both locations, or only one hour to get here from Santo Domingo in a journey of 85 kilometres.

What to see in Bonao?

Bonao has several attractions that make it worth travelling here to enjoy this town in the Dominican Republic.

La Voz del Yuna

This was the name of the first radio station that was founded in the country and that over time was renamed “La Voz Dominicana”. Its impact was so important at the time that Bonao has a space dedicated to its history. In this museum you’ll find pieces and objects that will take you on a journey through time and that will allow you to learn all about the evolution of the station from the very beginning and its entire chronology. Without a doubt, this is a different way of getting an up-close look at the county’s history and its inhabitants, delving into a little slice of the Dominican Republic that you may not have expected to encounter.

Church of San Antonio de Padua

The parish church of San Antonio de Padua in Bonao was one of the first to be built in the new world and is dedicated to the patron saint of the city. The needs at that time and the constant increase in its population required the original temple to be demolished to build a larger one. The current temple was inaugurated in 1953. From the outside, the balls that frame the main façade are striking. Inside, every June 13^th, the festival of San Antonio de Padua is celebrated with various dances that are spread throughout the rest of the city. If your next holidays coincide with this date, don’t hesitate to come and discover the most festive and traditional side of Bonao.

Los Saltos de Jima

Once again, nature becomes the star of the show with its impressive waterfalls. On the outskirts of the city of Bonao is the Jima River, which is born in the Las Neblinas scientific reserve and runs all the way to the Camú River. Along its course, the river falls into beautiful waterfalls that also form natural pools. In total, it is made up of  12 waterfalls surrounded by a totally unspoiled landscape. The beauty of the place is such that in 2009 it was declared a Natural Monument, in an attempt to take better care of and promote the importance of this area through this recognition. Here you can discover a wide variety of native plants in all their splendour, such as the sablito, ceiba or ciguas, and an impressive selection of wild animals, such as the broad-billed tody or the Hispaniolan lizard cuckoo. A landscape to remember!

The Yuna Casino

This building is one of the oldest in Bonao. It was built in 1926 and was originally a private club for members only. A few years ago it was remodelled as a cultural centre. Its aesthetics is a clear example of the line that architecture followed at the time.

Hydrangeas

Bonao is known as the “town of hydrangeas” due to the abundance of this flower, which has become one of its symbols. On any walk you’ll see gardens and parks in which this flower stands out above all others when it’s in the flowering stage, making it the best backdrop for taking incredible photos.

Bella Vista Golf Club

Bonao isn’t only a city where you can see things, but where there are also so many things to do. Don’t be fooled by the fact that the city is located inland and has no coastline, because there are things to do here that may surprise you. Bonao has one of the best golf courses in the Dominican Republic. This short and flat course was built for executives in the area and has quickly become a benchmark. If you love this sport, this is a great place to come practice your swing and enjoy a fun day as part of your holidays that you may not have taken into account as an option. But pay close attention to the second hole, as it’s considered the most difficult in the country.

In short, Bonao is that special destination in the Dominican Republic that’s waiting for you on your next holidays in this country.