Kai Reisen: Jarabacoa

Jarabacoa Dominican Republic

Jarabacoa is a town and the second-largest municipality in La Vega Province, Dominican Republic. Although many historical details are still unknown, it is very likely that the island’s native people inhabited the Jarabacoa valley. It is believed that the city’s name comes from the words “Jaraba” and “Coa,” meaning “Land of Waters” in the native language. Some say that Spanish conquistadors reached Jarabacoa during their search for gold but later abandoned the expedition, either due to resistance from the natives or because no large deposits were found, even though gold can still be panned from some of the many rivers today. Jarabacoa most likely belonged to the Chiefdom of Maguana, making it part of the kingdom of Cibao. While archaeological work is still needed, it is assumed that native peoples lived in the area long before the arrival of Christopher Columbus. The area did not begin to be repopulated until 1805, during the Haitian invasion of the Cibao, when survivors of the massacres in Santiago de los Caballeros and La Vega fled to the mountains of the Central Range and settled in the Jarabacoa valley. In 1854, a military post was established and the town was formally founded. On September 27, 1858, the town was incorporated as a municipality.

Recommended airport

Constanza Airport (COZ)

Nearby destinations

Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic

Jarabacoa Dominican Republic