Windsurfing
The place to go is Las Salinas de Bani, a laid-back windsurfing haven on the Bah a de Ocoa. Las Salinas offers the same great windsurfing as Caberete on the north coast, but without the crowds and the heavy pick-up scene. A few miles south of Barahona, you'll find five of the most popular attractions on this side of the peninsula the lovely playas of Quemaito, San Rafael, Paraiso, Ojeda, and Los Patos. They're situated one after the next along the coastal highway, framed by mountains and...
Southwestern Dominican ReDublic
Two other highways, 48 and 46, also serve as key corridors through the southwest. Extending west from Barahona, they form a rough loop around Lago Enriquillo, one of the major sightseeing destinations in the region. One possible alternative to driving yourself is to join a guided tour to one or more of the adventure spots listed below, which you may be able to arrange through your hotel. Check when making your reservation to see ifyour hotel offers this service.
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1. Plaza de la Cultura Parque Duarte 3. Tomas Morel Folkloric Museum 9. Monument to the Restoration 10. Post Office Monumental open daily except Sundays, 9-noon and 25 free admission. Catedral de Santiago Ap stol This late 19th-century neoclassical cathedral is just south of one of the city's nicer green spaces, Parque Duarte. You can stop in to see the carved altar, the stained-glass windows, and the tomb of the 19th-century tyrant Ulises Heureux. Calles Benito Monci n and 16 de Agosto, open...
PLACES TO EAT Vzp
All the following restaurants are on the Carretera Las Galeras, the main road leading in from Samana that deadends at Las Galeras beach. The tourist season slows down tremendously after the July Au- not including beverage or tip. Under US 3 not including beverage or tip. Under US 3 gust European crush, so a few of these places may be closed if you visit during the fall. The supermarket in the Centro Comercial building is always well-stocked, however, and local eateries such as the kiosk and...
Parque Nacional Jaragua 1
At the tip of the Pedernales Peninsula lies the Dominican Republic's largest protected area, Parque Nacional Jaragua, a hot, arid, cactus-laden region that stretches over nearly 600 square miles. The park, named after a famous Taino cacique, is mostly inaccessible except for the wildlife-rich Laguna de Oviedo and Bah a de las Aguilas, a bay with a long swath of deserted beach. Two small islands, Isla Beata and Isla Alto Velo, are also part of the park and can be reached by boat from the town of...
Iglesia Las Mercedes Church of the Favor
Arguably the prettiest church in the entire country, Las Mercedes has a stunning stone fa ade, a brilliant altar carved from mahogany, and an altar dressed to the hilt in silver. Also impressive are the eight richly decorated chapels and a stirring bell tower with striking Gothic arches. Dating from the 1530s, it's somehow managed over the centuries to weather the onslaughts of the unholy trinity of Drake, quakes, and 'canes. From here, it's just a short walk south to Calle El Conde and,...
Boca del Diablo Devils Mouth
The aptly named Devil's Mouth is a blow-hole gouged out of the rocks that roars when it spouts water, sometimes up to 150 feet high. It's situated on a cliff overlooking Cape Samana, the eastern tip of the peninsula. It's a good place to kick back and, in winter at least, watch migrating whales go by. To get there from the town of Samana, take Carretera Las Galeras this is the road leading east from Samana . About six miles after the pueblo of Las Cacaos, watch for a dirt road that goes off to...
Palacio de Borgella Borgella Palace
The construction of this attractive palace began during the Haitian occupation by the order of then-Governor Geronimo de Borgella in 1823. It functioned as the seat of government until 1875, when it was declared the president's residence. In the late 1930s, Rafael Trujillo initiated plans to transfer the presidential palace to its current location on Avenida M xico. After being damaged by Hurricane Georges in 1998, the building was repaired, and the Ministry of Tourism has moved into offices on...
Parque Historico La Vega Vieja
This small national historic park about 20 miles northeast of Jarabacoa commemorates the La Vega settlement founded here in 1494 by Christopher Columbus, who ventured inland in search of Taino slaves. Not much has survived beyond the ruins of a fortress - some walls remain intact - along with scattered ruins of some houses and a church. The original settlement, which prospered with the discovery of gold nearby and the growing of sugar cane before being destroyed by an earthquake in 1562, is...
National Parks Reserves
Almost every adventurous traveler to the Dominican Republic will visit at least one - and most likely several - of the island's national parks and scientific reserves, which preserve and protect a growing portion of the DR's mountains, forests, deserts, wetlands, and flora and fauna. Located in every major region of the country, they range in size from less than 10 square miles to hundreds, and together total about 12 of the nation's land area. The country's highest and lowest points, its most...
Parque Nacional Jaragua
South of Lake Enriquillo, at the tip of the Pedernales Peninsula in the far southwestern part of the country, lies the massive Parque Nacional Jaragua. Stretching over 600 square miles 1,554 square kilometers , this hot, arid, thorn-forest and cactus-filled region is mostly inaccessible. Exceptions are the wildlife-rich Laguna Oviedo and the Bah a de las guilas, a beautiful bay with a long swath of largely deserted white-sand beaches, where sea turtles come to lay eggs. Two small islands, Isla...
Index
Accommodations, 59-62 Baho-ruco, 503-504 Barahona, 501 Ba.yah.ibe, 249-252 Boca Chica, 226-229 Boca de Yuma, 256 Cabarete, 392-396 Constanza 463464 El Cortecito, 291-292 Jarabacoa 459-460 Juan Dolio, 233-236 La Descubierta 504-505 La Romana, 243-245 Las Galeras, 326-330 Las Matas de Farfan, 507 Las Salinas, 499 Las Terrenas, 333-336 Malec n, 186187, 128 Montecristi 431432 Pedernales, 505-506 price ranges, 89-90 Puerto Plata, 415-423 Punta Rucia, 428 R o San Juan, 387-388 San Pedro de Macor s,...
Bases for Exploration
Just 20 miles east of Santo Domingo and a short 10-minute ride from Aeropuerto Las Americas is Boca Chica, a funky little resort town known for its beautiful beach by day and spirited bar and nightclub scene by night. Most of the action takes place on or alongside the bar-and-restaurant-lined beach, a wide, sandy, palm-fringed stretch of golden white sand where you will find people sunbathing, splashing in the calm, shallow waters, or perched at tables overlooking the action. The local color...
Bayahibe
Fifteen years ago there wasn't much to this tiny fishing village. Independent travelers took rooms in the homes of local families or in a handful of cabanas to use as a base camp for exploring the wildlife preserve and extensive cave system in nearby Parque Nacional del Este see Eco-Travel, above . Upscale hotel chains have since discovered the gorgeous coastline of calm waters and powdery white sand, and today the area has been divided into two parts Playa Bayahibe - which remains a haunt for...
Canyoning Cascading
These adventurous sports involve climbing up and then leaping off or sliding down waterfalls - or rappelling down canyon walls - into deep pools or rivers below, then swimming downstream to an exit point and hiking back to do it all over again. While definitions differ, generally canyoning involves using safety equipment like ropes, harnesses, helmets, and wet suits, while cascading does not. Rancho Baiguate s 809-574-4940, www.rancho baiguate.com and Get Wet 809-586-1170 offer canyoning and...