Espaillat

The province

Get to know Espaillat

Espaillat lies in the Cibao valley, between Santiago and San Francisco de Macorís, and stretches across the Cordillera Septentrional to the Atlantic coast. The capital, Moca, is an agricultural and commercial town with an important role in the country's history: it was the scene of uprisings in the 19th century and prides itself on the nickname of heroic city.

Moca's postcard is the church of Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, built between 1946 and 1956, with a tower of about 60 meters, a clock, colorful stained glass and a marble statue on the altar. It is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the country and is listed as Dominican monumental heritage.

Around it, the mountain slopes are covered with coffee, cacao, banana and fruit, and the region is known for poultry production and Cibao cuisine, with mofongo and plantain dishes. To the north, the road crosses the range to Gaspar Hernández on the coast, with Atlantic-facing beaches that continue the Cabarete coastline.

Espaillat has no towns in the guide, but Moca is about 30 minutes from Santiago and can be visited as a half-day trip, and the Gaspar Hernández coast lies on the route between Cabarete and Río San Juan.