The most beautiful natural sites to discover Southwest

Like everywhere else in the Dominican Republic, the central park is the beating heart of the town. A green lung, it is planted with palm trees and framed by pretty and picturesque Victorian-style wooden houses in pastel colours. Perfectly kept, the park has a kiosk(la glorieta), a meeting place for the inhabitants, and many benches to take a pleasant break under the trees. The old post office with its wooden counters is worth a visit, but you'll be lucky if you find any stamps!

Nestled between majestic cliffs and bordered by crystal-clear waters, this beach offers breathtaking scenery. Take shelter from the sun under the recently installed straw huts, and feast on grilled fish at one of the casetas (small restaurants) on site, including the renowned Yoselin. Well-maintained roads and parking lots guarantee easy access to the beach. From invigorating swims to moments of pure contemplation (especially at sunset!), El Quemaito beach is a true tropical paradise.

In the Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco, 30 km from Pedernales, the Pelempito "hole" is a geological depression within the mountains, surrounded by a wild region with an eminently rich fauna and flora. It is believed to have been created by the collapse of a gigantic coral bank and the convergence of tectonic plates. Rugged and mountainous, this region with a unique orography extends into Haiti.

The Hoyo de Pelempito is a refuge for many endemic species, including 19 species of birds that stand out among an avifauna composed of about 50 species. It is one of the geographical areas with the greatest biodiversity in the Dominican Republic. Several species in the process of extinction, like the solenodon (a small venomous mammal), the Ricord's iguana, the rhinoceros iguana and the hutia (a rodent) have found refuge there. Orchids are the most abundant plant species, of which 10% are endemic.

Access to the site is relatively difficult (4WD required for the last 7 km!) and part of the route must be done on foot (don't forget to bring water). The dusty rust-colored road, covered with bauxite and typical of the Cabo Rojo region, linking Pedernales to the Sierra de Bahoruco park, offers singular panoramas bristling with pine forests, unique in the country. Perched at an altitude of 1,165 metres, a reception centre welcomes visitors, offering a breathtaking view of the Sierra de Bahoruco Park.

Between the town of Cabral and the magnetic pole, in the southwest of the island, this vast lagoon - the largest freshwater lagoon in the Dominican Republic - is a true terrestrial paradise for the hundred or so birds that inhabit it, including the Dominican duck, but also pink flamingos. A site as beautiful as it is wild that will delight ornithologists and birdwatchers, especially if you are interested in their migration. The lagoon is part of the Cabral National Park, along with the Laguneta Seca and Cerro Cristobal.