Ecolodge Tubagua Puerto Plata

From beginning to end, this was a fantastic experience. This was my first time visiting DR and found great reviews for the ecolodge. My decision was made when they confirmed they were able to transport to/from Santiago (90 min away). The food and excursions were bonus (and necessary)! I was comfortable with the level of communication leading into the trip and they were quick to respond. The taxi driver was easy to find when exiting Santiago airport. Arriving at the lodge was easy, the staff welcoming, and instructions about accessing food/alcohol clear. I chose to stay 5 days, 4 nights. 3 of the days we planned excursions - 2 hiking, 1 coffee farm tour. Having one extra day to relax before leaving was nice but not necessary. There wasn't much to do besides the excursions (bring a book!). Our hut was spacious and completely open to the outside, glamping-style. Mosquito net was provided and we took advantage, even in the winter. The views from the Casitas were outrageous - you can see all the way to the ocean! The bathroom in the Casitas was sufficient for basic needs. The shower wasn't consistently hot or cold but, that's to be expected. Might be helpful to have body wipes and dry shampoo. The excursions were great for seeing landscape and learning about the landscape/community/history. Shout out to Juanin, our knowledgable guide for all excursions. He's the best! The hiking excursions were not well-described, so I'll take a moment to warn readers that these hikes are moderate, at the least. There were several rainshowers leading into the trip which made the paths very muddy. Bring hardy sandals for changing into when you start tromping through the river/mud to spare your tennis shoes. The second hike was less muddy but had more elevation change. I couldn't identify which of the hikes was which based on my invoice vs. the website - sorry. Both ended at beautiful waterfalls and swimming holes, so you can't go wrong there. Bring a backpack to store water/snacks/towels. The coffee farm served as the highlight of the excursions. Touring the farm and learning about the coffee farming and producing process provided an opportunity to learn and interact. We participated in the grinding process and drank some delicious coffee to cap off the trip. The food was AMAZING (thank you, Norma and the crew!) and the portions were huge. Highly recommend purchasing the meals. I wouldn't have known how to get food otherwise. Bring snacks if you like to eat between meals, but the meals are certainly filling. Overall, this was a fantastic experience! Below I've listed essentials to our trip based on experience. This doesn't necessarily translate to everyone's trips, especially when considering duration. Essentials for 5d/4n with excursions: Steripen + backup sterilization drops (not tabs - yuck) + nalgene Backpack for hiking Crappy tennis shoes Sandals (not flip flops) Book(s) Quick dry towel - this came in handy for drying hands as there were no hand towels Love