Province · Samaná e Nordeste

Duarte

Duarte is the heart of Dominican cacao, in the northeast of the Cibao: San Francisco de Macorís, the wet forest of Loma Quita Espuela, the mangroves of Bajo Yuna and a piece of Los Haitises.

In the photo: Loma Quita Espuela Forest (Duarte)

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

The province

Get to know Duarte

The province of Duarte occupies the northeast of the Cibao valley, between the Cordillera Septentrional to the north and the Yuna river plain, which flows into Samaná Bay. The capital, San Francisco de Macorís, is one of the largest inland cities — lively and commercial, known for its basketball team and the energy of its streets.

It is one of the most fertile regions of the country, with plantations of cacao, coffee, rice and fruit. Dominican organic cacao, one of the most exported in the world, comes largely from the hills around San Francisco, and some farms welcome visitors to show the path from the fruit to chocolate.

In the mountains north of the capital, the Loma Quita Espuela Scientific Reserve protects one of the island’s last wet forests, with the headwaters of dozens of rivers, endemic birds and trails with a guide. To the east, the mangroves of Bajo Yuna and part of Los Haitises National Park reach Samaná Bay.

No city in the province is included in the guide for now, and it is often crossed on the route between Santiago and Samaná. For those who enjoy nature and cacao, a one-day stop is worthwhile.

When to go

From December to April it usually rains less and the trails at Loma Quita Espuela are firmer. The region is humid and rainy year-round, with heavy afternoon showers, especially from May to November. The main cacao harvest runs from the end of the year through spring.

Getting there

San Francisco de Macorís is about two and a half hours from Santo Domingo via the Duarte highway and a little over an hour from Santiago. There are direct buses from both cities. The nearest international airport is Cibao (STI) in Santiago; El Catey (AZS) in Samaná is also a little over an hour away. For Loma Quita Espuela, a high-clearance vehicle and a guide are required.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Duarte

What to do in the province of Duarte?

Visit a cacao farm, hike with a guide in the Loma Quita Espuela Scientific Reserve, and explore San Francisco de Macorís.

Do you need a guide in Loma Quita Espuela?

Yes, the reserve is scientific and the trails are walked with a guide, arranged with the foundation that manages the area. Access requires a high-clearance vehicle.

Can you visit cacao farms?

Yes, some farms and cooperatives in the region receive visitors by appointment, showing the harvest, fermentation and chocolate making.

Is Duarte on the way to Samaná?

Yes, those traveling from Santiago to Samaná pass through the province, via San Francisco de Macorís or Pimentel.

Tap a province to see its destinations. Limites: Oficina Nacional de Estadística / OCHA-HDX / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.