©Sandra Garip /Mitur / Laguna de Oviedo
The Barahona-Pedernales area is the tourism destination with the greatest biodiversity of the country, is the final frontier of local touristic development located on the southwest coast. Today domestic travelers and international connoisseurs of nature are its most frequent visitors. The striking natural attractions of this region make it an incomparable eco-tourism destination. This region boasts about having the largest lake in the Caribbean, The Enriquillo Lake; a spectacular panoramic highway with vistas along the coast, a mountain scenic viewpoint that overlooks a remarkable chasm, scorchingly hot dry forests that lie not far from pine tree forests, and is at the same time, one of the most significant fruit-producing areas in the country.
Getting there People generally travel to the southwestern destinations by land. Small private planes or chartered flights into the Maria Montez International Airport (BRX) in Barahona are available. Domestic flights can be arranged into the recently improved Cabo Rojo (CBJ) landing field in Pedernales. Barahona is located about a 2:30 minutes-hour drive from Santo Domingo, the capital city. Add another hour to get to Pedernales. The road is paved for most of the journey. Getting around Public transportation in Barahona is offered by minibus, public cars/concho or the
perilous motoconcho. To properly visit this area, it is best to have the mobility of an SUV or a vehicle at one’s service.
Attractions Las Caritas. This archaeological site is located on the north side of the Enriquillo Lake. If you drive by on a weekend, there may be tour buses or cars parked on the road to indicate the site of the carvings in the rocks atop the pronounced cliff. There is a trail that leads to smiling and sad faces etched into history. Visitors to the Enriquillo Lake environs should stock up on water as this is an area of blazing sun and heat. Enriquillo Lake. The largest of the Caribbean. It has an approximate area of 102 square miles (approximately 265 square kilometers). It is also the Caribbean’s lowest point, which is found at 40 meters below sea level. The name Enriquillo honors the first successful insurgent against the Spanish conquistadors. The high salt content at this inland phenomenon has created a barren, seemingly lifeless environment that is inhospitable to humans, but ideal for lazing American crocodiles, friendly iguanas and graceful pink flamingos. A trip around Lake Enriquillo all the way to Jimaní (on the Dominican border with Haití) and then returning back eastbound on the southside will bring travelers pass the impressive salt and gypsum mines at La Salina. Start out early and set aside a full day for touring the lake and its environs.
Cabritos Island. Upon arriving to Barahona, check availability of boat excursions to visit this 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) inner islet that is home to hundreds of reptilian residents. Arrive early in the day to book the sevenkilometer tour to Cabritos and observe the iguanas, crocodiles and flamingos before the burning sun takes over. The guides can make sure the crocodiles come close enough to your boat for you to peer into their eyes. Expect the excursion to take at least two hours, including a quick hike across the island. Be sure to bring drinking water and sun block. El Cachote. One hour from Paraíso, this hilltop hamlet and its winding paths filled with tropical exuberance is a great attraction for eco-tourists. The forest and its coffee farms are often covered by a dense humid air mass. Visitors can observe a variety of exotic birds, tropical flora including bromeliads and wild orchids and a crystal clear mineral water spa. The paths can be covered on foot or by horseback. It is only for 4x4 SUVs or by coordinating a visit with the EcoTour Barahona agency through the Tourism Cluster, Tel 809 566-4395 and 829 4711616. Larimar. Located 10 kms from the city of Barahona, in the Barahona mountain range, the larimar mines leave an impression on all visitors. Observe the hard work of the
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