Bonao is the capital of Monseñor Nouel province, in the center of the Dominican Republic, on the Autopista Duarte between Santo Domingo and Santiago. It became a town (villa) on December 7, 1508, its name comes from the Taíno chief who ruled these lands, and locals call it the Villa de las Hortensias, the town of hydrangeas. The province is home to about 195,000 people (2022 census).
See the Cándido Bidó Museum
Cándido Bidó, one of the country’s best-known painters, was born in Bonao in 1936. His vivid, blue-dominated work hangs in the Cándido Bidó Museum, part of Bonao’s Plaza de la Cultura, which the painter started in 1987 as a place to teach art to children and young people. The museum has three floors, and the top one is devoted to his work. It is on Padre Billini street at the corner of Mella.
Swim at the Jima waterfalls
The Jima river forms the Saltos de Jima, a protected natural monument of waterfalls and pools, before flowing into the Rincón reservoir. The main trail is 1.8 km from the community of Charco Prieto and closes on rainy days. Read our Jima waterfalls guide.
Walk the Ébano Verde cloud forest
North of Bonao, the road to Constanza climbs through Casabito to the Ébano Verde Scientific Reserve, created in 1989. It has entrances at Casabito and El Arroyazo, and access is regulated. Details in our Ébano Verde guide.
Cool off in a river
Locals spend Sundays at river swimming spots like the Yuna, the Masipedro (with its El Camellón swimming area) and the Fula. Never swim after heavy rain: mountain rivers rise fast.
Catch the carnival
Bonao’s carnival starts on the last Sunday of January and parades every Sunday in February around Parque Duarte, with more than a hundred groups of macaraos. Its signature character is the Macarao, wearing an animal-faced mask covered in colors, mirrors and bells.
Join the patron saint festival
From June 5 to 13, Bonao celebrates its patron saint, Saint Anthony of Padua.
Spend a day at a countryside ranch
South of Bonao, in Piedra Blanca, Tony Ranch offers a day pass with pool, jacuzzi, lunch and the Maimón river, plus cabins to stay the night. See the day pass.