CIBAO (rocky land) is the word Taínos used to describe the Cordillera Central mountain range that takes up much of the Dominican Republic's central interior. These mountains are the highest peaks in the Caribbean, including Pico Duarte, the Caribbean's tallest at 3087m. The heart of the range is protected as Parques Nacionales Bermúdez and Ramírez .

 

Today, though, Dominicans use the term Cibao more to describe the fertile Cibao Valley, a triangle of alluvial plain that contains some of the deepest topsoil in the world. In the valley sits vibrant Santiago , the country's second largest city after Santo Domingo, well positioned for short excursions into the neighbouring farmland.

The region is penetrated by the C-1 , also known as the Autopista Duarte, that links the northwest with the southeast, via Santiago and Santo Domingo. But, with most of interest gathered in the northern reaches, many vistors also take advantage of the good roads that hurdle the Cordillera Septentrional from the north. Once in the mountains, the best progress is made by following the biggest and best roads between towns, even when the distance travelled is far greater, which is often the case. Buses link most of the towns and guaguas make up for any shortfall.