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Please, if you have any information, your own trip review to this area or anything you want to add or that needs changed please let me know. jan@colonialzone-dr.com

Baoruco (sometimes spelt Bahoruco) is a province in the South Western part of the Dominican Republic. It used to be part of the The Province Baharona until 1943. It then became part of the Province Independencia. The Province Baoruco came into being in 1952).

The main towns (municipalities / municipos) are Galván, Los Ríos, Neiba (the largest city), Tamayo and Villa Jaragua. These are divided into smaller towns, municipal districts, campos and barrios.

Baoruco borders Lago Enriquillo, the largest salt-water lake that is below sea level in the Caribbean. The area is a protected National Park. The río Yaque del Sur runs along the regions eastern boundary and provides irrigation for agriculture in the area.

The province main agriculture is bananas, grapes, coffee and sugar cane.

Instituto Nacional de la Uva -INUVA, are starting to produce wines made from the grapes grown in the area. You can find Neiba Valley Wines in select supermarkets of the country including Cuesta, Nacional and Jumbo. They are marketing these wines under the name "De La Cima". There is also a Grape Fair that started in 2009 held the end of August.

The central and southern part of the province it is very dry and desert like. In the mountain areas there is more rain and it can get very cold for the Caribbean.

Driving distance: Baoruco is about 142 km/ 88 miles from Santo Domingo and about 127 km/ 79 miles from Santiago. Drive from Santo Domingo to Neiba is about 216 km/ 134 miles.

Take the Caribe Tours bus to either Auza or Barahona. There are smaller guaguas and busses that can take you to the towns in the Baoruco area. Once you reach the end of the line there are always taxis, public cars and motor cycle taxis to take you to your destination.

The Jaragua - Bahoruca - Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve is located in the southwest of the Dominican Republic. It includes three biogeographic regions in the Caribbean: the 'Hoya del Lago Enriquillo', the 'Sierra de Bahoruco' and the 'Procurrente de Barahona'. Baoruco is part of this diverse reserve. (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)

Baoruco Mountain Range / Sierra de Baoruco have two main mountain ranges, Monte Neiba and Loma Monte Bonito. The area, for the most part is unpopulated because the lush green mountain ranges are so rugged. The peak of this range is called loma de toro / bull hill. There can be found a vide variety of orchids and birds in the surrounding area. There are many lakes and ponds with both sweet and sulfur water. Many of the sulfur ponds are used for regenerating purposes, thought to make people young again. This is one of the locations in the far southwest part of the country where you can find larimar. Part of the area has been set aside as the Sierra de Bahoruco National Park/ Parque Nacional Sierra de Bahoruco.

Baoruco the Province | Getting there | Mountains and Reserves | Lago Enriquillo | Natural Pools | Cave | Neiba (including Hotel info.) | More Information |

Lago Enriquillo, the largest salt water lake in the Caribbean is three times saltier than the ocean. This 13 mile long lake has been growing in size and changing the landscape surrounding it. It is the lowest point in the entire Antilles, 114 feet below sea level. You can see Caiman, flamingo, many bird species, iguanas and lizards. For more information about the lake go to our Pastimes -Lakes and Rivers page. There are many tour groups that can take you to the lake including Eco-Tour Barahona

Some of the natural pools/ balnearios in the area

*Located in La Descubierto is a refreshingly cold sulfur spring called Las Barias. There is a large park where, if you visit at the right time, the mango trees there will be laden with the sweet fruit. Signs are difficult to see if there are any so it is best to ask someone in the area where it is located.

*Off of Highway 48 is Las Marías de Neyba. This balnearo is so cool and refreshing and tree shaded. There is a sigh usually on the road.

*Off of Highway 46 before the town of Duverge is La Zurza, a sweet, blue water swimming hole. Go past the town Ven a Ver and there should be a sign where you are to make the turn.

Cueva de las Caritas/ Cave of Little Faces is about a mile east of the National Park Station in La Descubierto. This small sand-stone cave is on a hill close to the entrance of Lago Enriquillo. Park along the road and take the short, steep climb up the path. The cave has no guards or entrance fees. When you get to the top there is a great view of the lake before you enter the cave. Enriquillo, the Taino rebel leader, is said to have used the cave as a hideout from the Spanish. In the cave you can see Taino petroglyph engravings of faces more than 400 years old.

Driving in the area and looking toward the mountains towards the town of Galvan there is a good chance you will see some paragliders floating in the clear skies. There are some paragliding adventures in our sports section.

This area has such great potential for eco tourism and is now slowly being developed.

Driving from Barahona to Neiba (sometimes spelt Neyba) the road is a two-lane highway. The road is very nice most of the time except for the giant ditches and drop-offs on either side of the road. Get too close to the edge and you've got problems.

Along the way there is a railroad track along the side of the road. This is a sugar train. Taking the sugar cane from the region to the mill in Barahona. The train passes by many working communities with mostly Haitian / Haitian Dominican mixed population. Stop by and visit a few of these places as you pass by.

You can purchase some of the home made wine of the area usually in the Park/ Parque Apolinar Perdomo.

There are not many hotels in the area. If you really need a place just ask people in the streets. They love to help.

I found 1 hotel during a 2 hour or more drive.

Neiba, Baoruco, República Dominicana

Phone - 809-527-3951, 3679 and 3614

Air Conditioning available, typical Dominican food, 24 hour light, secure parking garage, central location.

This hotel is located in front of the central park, Parque Apolinar Perdomo.

Baoruco News  http://www.bahorucoaldia.com

Neiberos News  http://www.neyberos.net and http://www.neybainformativo.com

Villa Jaragua http://jaraguenseinformativo.com (There is an interesting article about the origin of Villa Jaragua )

Some videos of Neiba

Please if you have any information about the area, hotels, good places to eat or places to visit please let me know and I will be happy to include the information here. jan@colonialzone-dr.com