The Cordillera Central, whose peaks reach over 3 000m, provides a refreshingly cool picture of lush vegetation, a welcome contrast to the arid plains of the coast. Constanza is the garden and orchard of the Dominican Republic, while Jarabacoa, with its tumultuous rivers, waterfalls and pine forests, is paradise for sports and nature lovers: trekking, canyoning, rafting and mountain biking. The ascent of the Pico Duarte is the highlight of the green tourism of the Cordillera Central, home to several national parks with stunning landscapes.