Monster Jeep Safari

When visiting the country of the Dominican Republic, you have so many places to see, some that are a little challenging to reach. With cloud forests, rivers and lakes, mangroves, and swampland, you certainly do not want to miss anything. One way that you can accomplish just that, seeing the land of the Dominican Republic, is to take a monster jeep safari. These huge 8x8 vehicles are much larger than a standard 4x4 jeep and can tackle even the toughest terrain.

To create the mood for exploring the Dominican Republic, these gigantic trucks have even been painted with zebra stripes. While there are a number of tours provided by the monster jeep safari, one will take you to a place known as Montellano. From there, you move inland, progressing deep into the country. Along the way, a tour guide will point out several points of interest, helping you gain a clear understanding of the land and the people.


From there, you will take a trip to another place called Montellada where you will find several small, wooden houses that line the narrow roads, each with a soft, pastel color. These homes are actually used by people who work in the local cheese factory making delicious cheese. You will also see many chickens and cows, and do not be surprised if you run upon a local cockfight. As you venture through these towns, the locals will approach out of curiosity, often asking questions and allowing you to take their pictures.

As you travel along on the monster jeep safari, you cannot help but be mesmerized by the panoramic view. In addition to the beautiful green mountainsides, you will also enjoy the numerous fruit trees and exotic plants that serve as the backdrop for the humble homes of the local people. Interestingly, this very tour is the same land that was used for the movie, “Jurassic Park.”

Keep in mind while taking the monster jeep safari that this serves two purposes. First, it provides a means for tourists to explore the Dominican Republic while learning about the culture but it also provides the local people with a means for making a living. For example, you will likely stop in Agua Mocha where the business of the monster jeep safari supports the local school.

Since teachers are paid by the government of this country and school buildings are supported by it, this type of financial help is needed. Even though the parents are responsible for uniforms and books, even on poverty level living, all of the children of this small village attend school, thanks to the monster jeep safari.

Another great stop along the way is a town called Las Epinas. There, you will actually stop by a home to meet a family to see how they typically live day to day. Most people are amazed at the number of people that can fit into one room. Typically, the locals have a smaller building off to the side of the main house that serves as the kitchen and very, small bedrooms. Other sites include the Guajito River, the Madre Vieja, the Yasica River, and endless countryside with incredible food, music, and Dominican Republic culture.

The monster jeep and monster truck safaris have been in operation since 1996. Since that time, more than 250,000 people have taken advantage of this opportunity. Remember, you can take a number of different tours within the country of the Dominican Republic. Depending on the tour you choose, some will venture deep into the rainforests, some into mountain ranges, and some to quiet, secluded beaches. Therefore, determine the type of culture and environment you are interested in and then have a great time.


Last Updated: 10/19/2006 3:14:00 PM

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