Laguna Dudu, Cabrera

Laguna El Dudu is an exciting and mostly unknown attraction on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. It requires a bit of bravery before one is able to swim in the water as the lagoon is surrounded by natural cliffs from which to jump into refreshment. Anyone (like me) who has never jumped from a 10 meter diving board, might need to take a deep breath in order to adjust to this adventurous situation. Some additional time for consideration was needed, but in the end, curiosity for something new outweighed the natural fear. So I finally leaped into the water with a loud scream, a subjective five seconds dropping in thin air, and finished with a big splash. Those who need a little help can also use a zipline cable which is tied above the water. You just grab the handle, swing over the water and let yourself fall at the right moment. This zipline action is included in the entrance fee for Laguna El Dudu. But the lagoon is also a spot worth visiting for those who don’t need the adrenalin rush and prefer a calmer entrance and less challenging experience.

There are stairs leading down to the water which enables smooth and easy access to the lagoon. You can still get a vicarious thrill because it’s a lot of fun to watch the other people jumping and ziplining into the water. If you visit during the weekend there are a lot of happy Dominicans around, which leads to much laughter and the demonstration of pure Caribbean vitality. A visit to Laguna El Dudu can easily be combined with two additional short activities. First there is a small cave system nearby which is fun to explore. There is also a neighboring lagoon with clearer and shallower water, and is a perfect spot for a Dominican hangout.