It’s haven on Earth
JANE MEMMLER FINDS A NATURAL PARADISE FOR WILDLIFE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
WITH magnificent nature parks, incredible mountain scenery and colonial towns, the Caribbean’s Dominican Republic offers many reasons why you would place it on your holiday bucket list.
take a hike
When we think of the Dominican Republic most of us picture swaying palms, white beaches and turquoise waters. But what you may not know is that it is home to seriously impressive mountains.
The best are in the Jose Armando Bermudez National Park, where you’ll find Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s highest peak. At over 10,000ft you can tackle it with a three-day guided hike which starts in the pretty resort of Jarabacoa in the centre of the island.
You’ll wander through grasslands, through tropical forests and spend the night in official campsites.
FALLING FOR you
Watching thundering water smash over rock faces and into pools far below can be quite mesmerising. Just imagine then how you’ll feel when you’re confronted with 27 waterfalls, all in one place.
The 27 Charcos de Damajagua Waterfalls have been bursting over these rocks for centuries.
Visiting them will be the ultimate rush, though you don’t have to see them all to have a great experience.
After being kitted out with a helmet and life jacket you’ll be hiking, sliding and jumping as you work your way through the waters, ending your adventure in shimmering plunge pools.
Descend into another WORLD
Channel your inner Indiana Jones and head underground at Cueva Fun Fun (Double Fun Cave) in Punta Cana.
In fact, the Dominican Republic is dotted with caves and getting to Cueva Fun Fun is an adventure in itself – you’ll take a 30-minute trek or go by horseback. Another great excursion is to trek through Los Haitises National Park with a guide who can identify the indigenous flora and fauna.
Abseiling is another activity that’s popular at the park, and you can lower yourself down into a hidden world of underground pools packed with stalactites and stalagmites.
A 17-mile long underworld is home to a river, endless corridors and tunnels, as well as bats, birds and fish that somehow manage to thrive there.
Do the merengue
The Caribbean has always had a sultry air and lovers of dance will know the Dominican Republic created the merengue.
Each Friday and Saturday you can watch this evocative dance being performed by locals in the capital Santo Domingo’s Plaza Espana.
The historic centre is the ultimate stage, overlooked by the ornate Renaissance, Gothic-style colonial palace completed in 1512.
spot the birdie
Twitchers will love the Dominican Republic as there are more than 30 species of birds not found anywhere else on Earth. The varied landscapes and micro climates are the perfect environment for the island’s 6,000 species of flora and fauna. Two of the common birds are the Hispaniolan woodpecker and the
palmchat – the latter is related to a waxwing.
EXPLORE WHAT LIES BENEATH
At 96 square miles, the Montecristi Underwater National Park is the most stunning reef in the country.
It is teeming with tropical fish that live around the shipwreck dive sites and coral gardens.
Within the park are the Cayo Siete Hermanos islands, a great place for spotting iguanas.
And at the Estero Hondo Marine Sanctuary there’s the chance to see the endangered West Indian manatee, or sea cow.
ZIP IT
More fun can be had zipping over the canopy of the rainforest. There’s a whole area dedicated to doing just that at the town of Samana where you can use one of 12 zip lines to cross the lush hills of El Valle from 400ft up. There’s a further six lines at the Bavaro adventure park where you’ll end your experience with a splash-landing into water.
LAKE WORTH ITS SALT
The Lago Enriquillo lake sits at 141ft below sea level, and like the Dead Sea in the Middle East it’s super salty. The natural wonder extends for 22 miles and surrounds the arid Isla Cabritos and its national park, where the Taíno cacique rebel Enriquillo hid from the Spanish while fighting against colonial rule in the 1500s.
It is also home to crocodiles and thousands of bird species.
■ For more information visit: godominicanrepublic.com
There’s over 30 species of birds not found anywhere else on Earth