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Back to Bonao

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Voykit pocket guide · Dominican Republic

Bonao

Skip Bonao town itself; use it as a transit stop to reach Los Quemados and the waterfalls. One night is enough.

Bonao is a busy, noisy town that serves as the gateway to Los Quemados, a quiet mountain village with waterfalls, streams, and hiking. Most travellers pass through in a day or stay one night to explore the surrounding nature.

Santo DomingoBarahonaBavaroBayahibeCabareteConstanzaHigüeyJarabacoaJuan DolioLa RomanaLas GalerasLas TerrenasMichesMonte CristiBonao50 kmdots: other places in this guide
Sketch, not to navigate by: shapes follow this guide’s areas and places, not official boundaries. North is up.
Country
Dominican Republic
Best months
Dec–Apr (dry season)
Avoid
May–Nov (rainy season, roads can be muddy)
Stay
1 night

Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.

Essentials

Currency
DOP
Money
Currency is the Dominican peso (DOP); resorts and tour operators often quote in US dollars.
Daily spend
Budget DOP 1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid DOP 2,500–4,000 excl. bed · High DOP 4,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
SIM and data
Claro and Altice sell prepaid SIMs and eSIMs at the airports and malls; bring your passport.
Emergency
Police 911 · Fire and ambulance 911
Plugs
Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Same as the US; power cuts happen outside resorts.
Tipping
Restaurants: 10% service already added; 5–10% extra for good service.; Resorts: US$1–2 for bars, US$2–5 a day housekeeping.; Guides and drivers: 10%.
Water
Do not drink tap water; buy garrafones (big refillable jugs) or bottled.
Toilets
In restaurants and malls; carry tissue.

What things cost

ItemPrice
Coffee (street stall)DOP 50–100
Local meal (comida del día)DOP 200–400
Beer (bottle)DOP 80–150
Motoconcho ride (short)DOP 50–100
Bus Bonao–Santo DomingoDOP 400–500

Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.

Get in

By air

SDQ · Las Américas (Santo Domingo)
About 1.5 h by car; check
POP · Gregorio Luperón (Puerto Plata)
About 1.5 h by car; check

Typical fares

Bonao → Los Quemados (motoconcho)
about DOP 300, about 30 min (check)
Bonao → Santo Domingo (bus)
about DOP 400, about 1.5 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card

Get around

Motoconchos (motorcycle taxis) are common for short trips; taxis and private drivers for longer distances. Buses connect Bonao to Santo Domingo and other towns.

See and do

Known for

  • Gateway to Los Quemados
  • River Yuna
  • Balneario El Camellon
  • Waterfall treks and horseback riding

Day trips

WhereHowTime
Los QuemadosMotoconcho or taxi from Bonao, about 30 minAbout 40 min
JarabacoaCar or taxi via DR-12, about 1 hAbout 1 h 15 min
ConstanzaCar via DR-12 and DR-41, about 1.5 hAbout 1 h 45 min
Santo DomingoBus or car via DR-1, about 1.5 hAbout 1.5 h

Sleep

Bonao town centre
Basic hotels and guesthouses; convenient for bus stops.
Los Quemados
Rural lodges and eco-lodges; quieter, closer to waterfalls.

Phrase card

EnglishSay or show
HelloHolaoh-lah
Thank youGraciasgrah-see-ahs
How much?¿Cuánto cuesta?kwahn-toh kweh-stah
Where is…?¿Dónde está…?don-deh es-tah
The bill, pleaseLa cuenta, por favorlah kwen-tah por fah-vor

Etiquette, safety and scams

Etiquette

  • Greeting: Handshake; kiss on the cheek among friends; avoid: Skipping hellos
  • Dress: Long trousers in offices, churches, some clubs; avoid: Swimwear off the beach
  • Time: Allow flexibility; avoid: Expecting punctual starts socially
  • Dominoes: Watch and ask to join; avoid: Interrupting a game

Scams and watch-outs

  • Rainy season (May–Nov) makes dirt roads slippery; check conditions before heading to Los Quemados.
  • Bonao town is noisy and trafficked; not a destination in itself.
  • Motoconchos: agree on the fare before riding.

Bonao is generally safe but use common sense: avoid walking alone at night in isolated areas, secure valuables, and agree on taxi fares upfront.

One and two days

No timed day plan for Bonao yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.

  • Gateway to Los Quemados
  • River Yuna
  • Balneario El Camellon
  • Waterfall treks and horseback riding

Sources

Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.

Pocket card

Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.

Bonao

A esta dirección, por favor

To this address, please

My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)

  • Police911
  • Fire and ambulance911

Embassies are in Santo Domingo; the US and Canada have consulates there. Check the Dominican Republic visa and entry requirements page.

Voykit · checked 2026-09

Printed from Voykit (/bonao). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.