Samana Tour From Punta Cana

DO NOT BOOK THIS TRIP HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE The 'bus' that came to take us to the waterfall was not indeed a bus, it was a large van with no bathroom and very cramped space. The air conditioner barely worked, and It took almost 4 hours with pick ups to arrive at the boat that would take us to the island. The boat was overcrowded and took almost 1 hour to arrive across the water to the island. We then took a open air van/bus 2 hours thru poverty stricken cities with dangers like cows and goats crossing the roads and also stray dogs and other animals. After finally arriving at the location for the waterfall, we were lined up like cattle to get onto a horse that was led by teenagers/guides thru a very dangerous jungle with uphill and downhill hazards and unpredictable horses. It was very muddy and a very long ride where if we were to fall off of our horses, we would not have been able to receive any medical attention because we were so far from the base camp where we got onto the horses. I was worried for the children that were on this trip because of the conditions. Once arriving at the top of the waterfall, the horses are tied to trees while your teenage guide leads you down approximately 100 or more very steep stairs which are not stairs at all, it is a rocky muddy path with loose railings, again if you fell down these stairs there was no one around to be able to help you. After you stay at the waterfall for approximately 20 minutes you need to climb back up the stairs while slipping in mud and holding onto the wobbly railing and begin your journey all the way back to the front base camp where we were served food buffet style in the 90 degree heat. I ate most of what was provided from the buffet, pasta, rice beans, some sort of meat, salad, nothing was labeled, and water and soda was provided as well. You had to eat what was there because it was approximately 3pm and we had gotten on the bus at 6:30 am in the morning, there was no other choices for food, so we ate. I was concerned because the last bottle of water I received before leaving to head back was not sealed, it opened easily and the seal was broken. I did consume it assuming it was safe. After arriving back to where you get back onto the boat, they take you over to another island that is on the way back and it is very small filled with pushy tourist booths and very choppy waves, you spend 1 hour here before returning back to the island where you get back onto your bus. The entire tour started at 6:30 pick up at our hotel and we did not arrive back to our hotel until 7:30pm. I became sick with a virus as a result of consuming the food and/or water and ended up in a dominican hospital hotel 1 hour from our hotel overnight. I needed an antibiotic for the virus I contracted and 3 weeks later from arriving home I am still not feeling well. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this trip to anyone, the waterfall was not worth all of the traveling and dangers me and my husband were put thru to get there.