The most beautiful natural sites to discover Dominican Republic

This beach located west on the exit of the Río San Juan lagoon was a former cemetery. You can reach the hotel in front of the Bahía Blanca.

The heart of the city, both peaceful and central. The square has undergone profound renovations between 2015 and 2017, on plans by architect Daniel Pons, offering the city a new space, modern and pleasant to live.

This rocky cove is a dream swimming pool with translucent waters. Think of your masque and snorkeling palms!

It extends behind the village. With a little luck and tenacity, there are many bird species. Fishing and hunting are prohibited.

This islet closes the bay of Samaná, opposite the city. The cayo has no other interest than to offer the sea a vast panorama over the city. At dusk, couples will taste the embrasement of the… sun. Many sailboats at mooring take advantage of this natural shelter.

Located 4 km from Samana in the direction of Las Galeras, this beach was the scene of the first battle in history between Europeans and Aborigines. The Spaniards confronted the Ciguayo Indians on January 13, 1493. The skirmish was so intense that Christopher Columbus wrote in his diary: "I had never seen so many arrows flying"! If you were thinking of stopping there to take a dip, you should know that the site was covered in all kinds of rubbish during our last visit, so it's better to go swimming at the next beach.

This small cove of fine sand is completely wild, superb and very little frequented. A real postcard with its golden sand wet by a crystal clear water of a radiant blue and its tropical vegetation. Attention, the access is done by a private property, the guard will surely ask you to leave your car at the entrance and to continue on foot (it is necessary to count 30 minutes if one arrives since Las Galeras). Big waves can make swimming dangerous, but the visit is worth it. Moreover, the beach is often deserted!

This small beach of Las Galeras is only 5 minutes away from downtown. Nicknamed playita by the locals, it is a long strip of white sand bordered by leaning coconut trees and beach restaurants. The water is clear and gently undulating. A very pretty and popular site (especially on weekends), suitable for swimming. You can rent deckchairs for 150 pesos. Note also the presence of the cave Cueva Duarte, on the left when leaving the beach. A visit to be made in complement of the main beach of Las Galeras.

The lagoon consists of a series of canals forming labyrinths between mangroves. They contain many species of birds. We can get there by renting the services of a fisherman.

This rocky promontory was christened by the great admiral who found him a form of slug slug. Recently declared national park, the Morro is the subject of a reforestation operation. After taking a stony trail, you have to take a trail that leads to the top within thirty minutes walking. From the summit, the show is grandiose. Around the Morro are planted ten white crosses symbolizing the Ten Commandments. Provide a antimoustiques bomb.

This large park lies on the fringe of a residential area and the university zone. The complex includes the capital's main museums: the Museum of Dominican Man, the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of History and Geography, as well as the National Theatre and the Cinematheque (www.cinemateca.gob.do, screenings Tuesday to Friday at 7.30pm and weekends at 5pm and 7.30pm). As you can see, culture has pride of place here, a boon for travellers wishing to learn more about the country.

A breath of greenery that stretches over 7 km in length. The first ecological park of Santo Domingo, one of the largest green spaces of the city. The Dominicans practice jogging and cycling there at the end of the day, and lovers stroll there in the evening. Embellished with sculptures, fountains, an artificial lake, bars and cafeterias, the park is a restful stop that you will never stop visiting. From the Mirador del Sur avenue, you have a beautiful panoramic view of the western part of the city. So take a deep breath and breathe out without delay.

The park covers an area of 10 km², and it's worth noting the obvious care taken to recreate the animals' natural habitat. No cages, no fences. However, due to a lack of resources, the zoo is becoming increasingly impoverished and does not make for an unforgettable visit. If you're an avid birdwatcher, don't miss the large aviary, where you can admire all kinds of rare birds with their variegated plumage. This can be an interesting place to visit if you're bringing the whole family and want to introduce your children to some of the fauna.

The Parque Duarte is decorated in its center with a bust of Juan Pablo Duarte, a hero of the War of Independence. In this very place, famous hangings took place, among them the one of the cacica Anacaona, queen of Jaragua, accused by Nicolás de Ovando of being the cause of an insurrection. This execution was followed in 1586 by the hanging of a number of clerics during the sacking of the city by Francis Drake. The square was also the scene of bullfights and popular religious festivals. It is also frequented by the LGBTQI+ community.

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!

This waterfall has the advantage of being accessible by means of an airstrip with a small walk of ten minutes. Very impressive, El Salto de Baiguate presents itself in the form of a liquid avalanche of metres high, framed by an amphitheatre of greenery where fruit trees and plants with medicinal virtues are legion. The natural swimming pool is superb. You can also go to horse in two hours, motorbike or 4 x 4. The Salto is now operating for the irrigation of nearby farms.

This waterfall is located away from Jarabacoa, in the middle of nature. After having parked your car, you have to follow a torrent by a steep path for about a hundred meters in a heat that quickly becomes overwhelming despite the altitude. At first, you can hear a dull, heavy rumble in the surrounding heat, then the waterfall reveals itself in all its splendid violence. The waterfall crashes in a large natural basin, in the middle of a majestic site unfortunately disfigured by the hydroelectric power station and the tourist installations.

Charming and shaded, it is the place to meet at all Jarabacoa on the weekend and in the evening.

This is the private beach of the estate, hidden at the end of a small isolated road. A large cove of white sand, shaded by palm trees and bathed by a transparent blue sea, in short, the classic Caribbean dream beach. You can practice all sorts of sports activities, lounge in the deckchairs while sipping a tropical cocktail and eat at the flowered terrace of the beach restaurant. The menu offers salads, sandwiches, pizzas, grills and more sophisticated specialties in a relaxed atmosphere.

Playa El Caletón is the popular beach of the Romanenses, but it is far from having the charm of the other beaches of the region. It is said to be inadvisable to venture out there after dark. During the day, however, its sandbanks are crowded with tourists and strollers. The beach restaurants specializing in seafood and fish are numerous. A stopover to consider if you are passing through La Romana for a long time. If however you intend to visit other beaches around, you can save this one.

The Romana central park is an open-air museum, the largest Dominican baseball players have their own nature. Most of these players officiate in the American league and are followed by a whole people. Like all parks in the country's city centres, it is the nerve centre of social life. Everyone meets in the evening, the food and drink stalls are packed in a tight row, the motorcycles are waiting for the customer, in short, everyone spends at least once a day.

At the mouth of the river, there are many natural caves inhabited by the Taino. Excursions are organised on the river in small motor boats.

On the same road as the mahogany house, here is the natural freshwater pool that was used by the dictator Trujillo at the time. Transformed into a playful swimming area, with slides and a relaxation area, the Toma is a privileged place for the inhabitants of San Cristobal and the surrounding area. Its cool waters are appreciated during the hot season, which is almost all year round, and there is also a playground and food and drink outlets. There is also a playground and food and drink outlets, as well as regular entertainment and concerts.

The central park of Azua is surrounded by charming wooden houses with arcades. In the centre, a small yellow gazebo adds a cheerful note to the whole. On the side, the yellow and white colours of the church answer it. Opposite the central park, the Campo Santo is a typical cemetery of a small Dominican town. Don't miss the opportunity to visit it. The central park is the place where the inhabitants meet and relax. A small haven of peace where one could stay hours to read, write and simply stroll.

This excursion allows you to discover the rainforest from above, by means of observation platforms suspended between the trees, and a network of ropes crossing the rivers. It takes place in the region of the mountains and the Anamuya River. Supervised by experienced naturalist guides, directly inspired by the canopy-tours of Costa Rica, this is an original adventure that will leave you with wonderful memories. After a 40 min transfer in a safari truck, an educational explanation and a safety briefing, the adventure begins..

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.

An excursion to Pico Duarte is an extraordinary experience! The ascent to the highest peak in the Caribbean, which reaches an altitude of 3,098 m, is demanding but unforgettable (if you are well equipped). The variations in altitude and temperature as well as the difficulty of the ascent on barely marked and steep paths require excellent physical condition and an iron will. The 23-kilometre (46-kilometre return) hike takes two to three days, through a changing and majestic landscape, sometimes arid, sometimes shrouded in a mystical mist. On the first day, we cover the La Cienega-La Comparticion route (2,450 m) where the visitors' centre serves as a stopover, and the next day we reach the peak at night in a few hours.

Itis in the village of La Cienega, at an altitude of 1,100 m, 55 km from Jarabacoa via Constanza, that you will buy the permit giving access to the national park, for the modest sum of 100 pesos. To do the hike in good conditions, it is essential to hire a local guide, the only ones qualified for this kind of hike (daily budget: 200 pesos per person, plus 300 pesos for a transport mule, 350 pesos for a saddle mule, and 400 pesos for the guide). Hikers wishing to save their strength can make part of the journey on the back of a mule - to be negotiated with local farmers who offer mules used to the rigours of this climb.

One kilometer before reaching the village, La Enseñada beach unfurls its magnificent bay, with its lagoon of transparent turquoise waters, shallow because of the coral reef. The beach is immense. You can take a secluded swim without fear of being bothered by your neighbors. If you ask them nicely, for a few dozen pesos, the fishermen will grill you some fish - a real treat while you're enjoying the beach! At weekends, the beach comes alive. Pick-ups pour in with families picnicking to the sound of merengue and salsa.

This beautiful and large beach located at 7 km from Samana, languishing on the north coast, has always escaped the flood of tourists. Yet, it is very easily accessible. The road is indeed paved along its entire length since spring 2018. The sight is breathtaking when you arrive at the beach, a paradise of golden sand and crystal clear shores. If you go up to the left of the beach, you will come across a small river flowing into the sea. Take a picnic if you want to isolate yourself at the end of the beach. It is deserted.

A natural aquarium created off the beach and the brainchild of Japanese biologist Kaio Morita, who created this aquatic garden using rocks and succeeded in attracting a wealth of underwater fauna, with a view to protecting the region's marine fauna. The snorkelling trip is therefore particularly rewarding! From the beach, boats take you to the aquatic reserve. Equipment can be borrowed on site. The trip takes about two hours. A fun outing.

A magnificent path marked out by roots and exotic vegetation leads to three crystal-clear lagoons where swimming is permitted. This private site offers an exclusive setting, with very moderate visitor numbers - the entrance ticket acts as a filter. The walk takes around 40 minutes, and including breaks will take between 1h30 and 2h30. Some local travel agencies include entry to the park coupled with a catamaran excursion at around US$140.

Although public and very beautiful, Playa del Cortecito is rather narrow and densely populated. Nevertheless, you can enjoy many marine activities and dine at one of the beach restaurants.

This beautiful beach is located between the towns of Bavaro and Uvero Alto. Blond sand, crystal clear water, some local restaurants serving fish and refreshments.

This public beach is perhaps one of the most unknown in the Punta Cana area. Almost spared by the resorts, it is made of white sand on which there is usually no crowd. Ideal to escape for a moment from the hustle and bustle everywhere else. Some bars and restaurants-snacks, souvenir shops and a surf school occasionally open.

A small public beach accessible with your rental car, hotel shuttle or taxi. There is a bar-restaurant, and it is possible to rent kitesurfing and snorkeling equipment. Here too, white sand and turquoise water!

Exclusive, the white Playa Los Corales is surrounded by luxury hotels but remains accessible to all. Rather populated, it does not lack shops, bars, restaurants, service providers to enjoy a wide range of water sports.

A busy and active public beach, surrounded by all kinds of shops, bars, restaurants and equipment rental companies for a wide range of water sports (diving, windsurfing, snorkelling, etc.).

Montecristi is the island's first saltworks area, even before Bani and Azua. The rectangular basins that extend out of the town towards the sea are particularly beautiful in the evening, at dusk, when they take on a beautiful pink colour under the last rays of the setting sun. In the early morning, the show is also pretty. Good to know: almost all the salt consumed in the country is produced by evaporation of sea water.

Here, we walk along a path in the Cotubanamà National Park between cactus, agave tequileros (those used to make tequila) and local flora. Have you ever bathed in a cave? Well, you will have the opportunity to do it on your way, at the level of the cave called "Chicho" and will be able to admire stalagmites and marine stalactites. Warning: out of respect for the local environment, do not touch anything and avoid spreading sun cream before making a splash! Note that many bats also live in this cave.

On the road from Samana to Cabarete/Puerto Plata, we find this spot, ideal to take a break for an hour and enjoy the crystal clear waters at 25°C of the two lagoons connected between them by a 20 meters underground stream (useless to tell you that it is useless to try to make the crossing!). A zip line is on the spot for those who would like a little more sensations! You can also simply jump into the water from one of the points located around the water hole. A real little cool stop!